JP6109369B2 - Imaging apparatus, control apparatus, and control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device, a control device, and a control method for imaging an object to be inspected.

  In recent years, an imaging apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as an OCT apparatus) using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) using interference by low coherence light has been put into practical use. This is because a tomographic image can be obtained with a resolution about the wavelength of light incident on the object to be inspected, so that a tomographic image of the sample can be obtained with a high resolution. The OCT apparatus is a useful apparatus for obtaining a tomographic image of the retina located on the fundus, particularly in the ophthalmic region.

  Furthermore, a combined apparatus of an OCT apparatus and a fundus camera (an apparatus for capturing a fundus surface image or a two-dimensional image) is also a useful apparatus. As such a composite apparatus, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus capable of simultaneously capturing a fundus surface image and a tomographic image. In this configuration, the OCT apparatus is connected to the optical connector of the fundus camera. Then, when an operation button of a joystick provided in the fundus camera is pressed, both the surface image and the tomographic image of the fundus are captured.

JP 2007-252893 A

Here, for example, when an image position shift occurs due to fixation eye movement of the eye to be examined, it is necessary to perform tomographic imaging again. At this time, it is preferable to improve the usability of the user of the apparatus.
Moreover, when performing tomographic imaging, it is preferable to reduce the time burden of the subject.

One of the imaging devices according to the present invention is:
Scanning means for scanning the measurement light in two directions intersecting each other in the eye to be examined;
Acquiring a first tomographic image of the subject eye based on a combined light of a return light from the subject eye irradiated with the measurement light via the scanning unit and a reference light corresponding to the measurement light; A tomographic image acquisition means for acquiring the second tomographic image according to an instruction to acquire a second tomographic image of the eye to be examined;
The first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and the first display form indicating information on the image quality of the first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and then the second tomogram obtained by the instruction is displayed. An image and a second display form showing information on the image quality of the second tomographic image are displayed on the display means, and when re-acquisition of the second tomographic image of the eye to be examined is instructed, Control means for controlling the scanning means so as to re-acquire the second tomographic image.

One of the control devices according to the present invention is
A first tomographic image of the eye to be examined is acquired based on the combined light of the return light from the eye to be examined that has been irradiated with the measurement light and the reference light corresponding to the measurement light, and a second tomographic image of the eye to be examined is obtained. A tomographic image acquisition means for acquiring the second tomographic image according to an instruction to acquire
The first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and the first display form indicating information on the image quality of the first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and then the second tomogram obtained by the instruction is displayed. Display control means for displaying on the display means a second display form indicating information relating to an image and image quality of the second tomographic image and a display form for selecting reacquisition of the second tomographic image of the eye to be examined And having.

  According to the present invention, when tomographic imaging is performed again, usability of the user of the apparatus can be improved. In addition, when tomographic imaging is performed, the time burden on the subject can be reduced.

1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overall configuration of a fundus imaging apparatus according to Embodiments 1 to 3. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an optical system configuration in Example 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining image acquisition in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining display screens in the first and second embodiments. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a display screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining image acquisition in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an optical system configuration in Embodiment 3 and a flowchart for explaining image acquisition.

  The fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the fundus imaging apparatus is an apparatus configured to be able to capture an image for observing the fundus (an example of an inspection object) of a subject (or a test subject). At this time, observation with the naked eye may be included.

First, 300 is a two-dimensional image of the surface of the fundus (for example, the fundus image 1402 in FIG. 5B).
) Is configured to be capable of imaging (also referred to as a fundus camera main body). It is preferable that the camera unit 500 is configured to be detachable. The fundus image capturing unit is an example of a surface image acquisition unit that acquires a surface image of an object to be inspected. The surface image acquisition means includes a configuration in which a computer 125 (an example of display control means) that displays a surface image on a display unit receives surface image data.

  Next, 100 is configured (or configured to be connectable) through an optical system common to the fundus image capturing unit 300, and captures a tomographic image of the fundus (for example, a B-scan image 1401 in FIG. 5B). This is a tomographic image capturing unit. These are preferably optically connected via an optical fiber 148, for example. The tomographic image capturing unit is an example of a tomographic image acquisition unit that acquires a tomographic image of the inspection object. The tomographic image acquisition means also includes a configuration in which a computer 125 (an example of display control means) that displays a tomographic image on a display unit receives tomographic image data.

  Reference numeral 128 denotes a display unit for displaying the tomographic image 1401. The display unit is connected via an output unit (which may be included in a control unit described later or may be configured separately). The output unit outputs a signal related to the tomographic image 1401 to the display unit.

  Reference numeral 125 denotes a control unit for controlling the fundus image capturing unit 300, the tomographic image capturing unit 100, and the output unit.

  Reference numeral 804 denotes a signal input unit for inputting signals related to the control of each configuration described above to the control unit 125. Here, in addition to the operation switch 804 provided on the joystick 805 in FIG. 1A, a signal can be input to the control unit 125 such as the tomographic image imaging button 1203 in FIG. Anything can be used.

  At this time, the control unit 125 performs the following steps a) to c).

  a) A tomographic image (for example, a plurality of B scans in FIG. 5A) by a signal input from the signal input unit 804 (for example, a first signal input by first pressing the operation switch 804). The tomographic image capturing unit 100 is controlled so as to capture a tomographic image for confirmation 1305 composed of images.

  b) The output unit is controlled so that a signal related to the captured tomographic image 1305 is output from the display unit 128.

  c) When a signal related to the tomographic image 1305 is output to the output unit, a signal input from the signal input unit 804 (for example, a second signal input by pressing the operation switch 804 for the second time). The fundus image capturing unit 300 is controlled so as to capture the two-dimensional image 1402.

  As a result, after confirming the tomographic image 1305, it is possible to move to imaging of the fundus image 1402. If it is necessary to capture a tomographic image again due to image misalignment caused by fixation micromotion, etc., it is possible to efficiently capture the image by checking the tomographic image.

  Here, it is preferable that a selection input unit 1304 (also referred to as a tomographic image re-imaging button) for selecting re-imaging (re-acquisition) of the tomographic image 1305 is provided. The selection input unit may be an alignment tab, and may be anything that can input a signal to the control unit 125. Then, when a signal related to the tomographic image 1305 is output from the output unit, the control unit 125 captures a tomographic image (acquires the confirmation tomographic image 1305 again) based on the signal input from the selection input unit 1304. It is preferable to control the tomographic image capturing unit 100. Thereby, when imaging a tomographic image again, there is no need to wait until the subject's pupil opens, so that re-imaging can be repeated in a short time.

  Further, the control unit 125 displays a signal related to screen information (for example, the respective screens in FIGS. 4 and 5) from the output unit based on the signal input from the signal input unit 804 or the selection input unit 1304. It is preferable to output to 128.

  In addition, the above-described screen information is an adjustment screen for adjusting an imaging mode (for example, position adjustment or the like, various parameters at the time of imaging) when the two-dimensional image 1402 or the tomographic image 1401 is captured. For example, it is preferable to include the screens shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C displayed by clicking the alignment tab. At this time, it is preferable that the control unit 125 controls the fundus image imaging unit 300 or the tomographic image imaging unit 100 based on a signal related to the imaging mode adjusted on the adjustment screen.

  Further, the first signal in step a) may be input by pressing the operation switch 804 for the second time. At this time, the signal input by the first pressing is a signal for capturing a tomographic image for preview. Then, after the preview, the signal input by the second pressing becomes the first signal. At this time, the second signal is a signal input by the third press. These are described in detail in Example 2.

  Furthermore, it is also preferable to provide the adapter part 400 of FIG.1 (b). At this time, the fundus image capturing unit 300 includes a main body unit 900 and a camera unit 500 configured to be detachable from the camera. The adapter unit 400 is detachably provided between the main body unit 900 and the camera unit 500. Then, the optical path is branched to the camera unit 500 and the tomographic image capturing unit 100. At this time, it is preferable to include a control circuit unit 905 configured to be able to input a signal input from the signal input unit 904 to the adapter unit 400 and the main body unit 900. These are described in detail in Example 3.

  In addition, the above is description about the fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to these.

(Control method)
Next, a method for controlling the fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The following steps from a-1) to b-1) are included.

a-1) A step of controlling the output unit so as to output a signal for displaying screen information (for example, the respective screens of FIGS. 4 and 5) on the display unit.
b-1) The type of screen information output from the output unit according to the signal input from the signal input unit (for example, the screens of FIGS. 4B and 4C displayed by clicking the alignment tab) And the like. Each of the tabs displays different screens), and control is performed so that either the tomographic image capturing unit 100 or the fundus image capturing unit 300 captures an image.

(Imaging method)
An imaging method of the fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The following steps from a-2) to d-2) are included.

a-2) A step of capturing a tomographic image of the fundus of the subject.
b-2) A step of outputting a signal related to the tomographic image to be displayed on the display unit.
c-2) When a signal related to the tomographic image is output, a two-dimensional image of the fundus surface is captured (for example, the fundus image capturing button 1301 in FIG. 5A is clicked) or the tomographic image is captured. Is selected (for example, the tomographic image re-imaging button 1304 in FIG. 5A is clicked).
d-2) A step of executing the selected imaging.

  Thereby, after confirming a tomographic image, it can move to imaging of the surface image of the fundus. For this reason, if it is necessary to capture a tomographic image again due to a positional shift of the image due to fixation fixation or the like, it is possible to efficiently capture the image by checking the tomographic image.

  Here, the imaging time when a large number of tomographic images are captured by the OCT apparatus is longer than the imaging time of the fundus surface image by the fundus camera, and is often about several seconds. When taking a tomographic image with the OCT apparatus, the subject blinks or causes slight visual movement (even if the subject does not consciously move his eyes) For example, the acquired tomographic image may have low brightness or a relative positional relationship in the plurality of tomographic images may be shifted. As a result, it may occur that a region that is important for diagnosis such as the retina of the fundus and the optic nerve head is not included. In this case, it is necessary to acquire a tomographic image of the fundus of the subject again.

  Here, conventionally, when a joystick operation button provided in a fundus camera is pressed, a tomographic image is first captured, and then a fundus surface image is captured. As described above, the tomographic image and the surface image are continuously performed in the above order by one press of the operation button. At this time, the surface image of the fundus is acquired before the operator confirms the tomographic image.

  On the other hand, in order to acquire a fundus image with a fundus camera, it is necessary to illuminate the fundus by emitting a flash. Due to the large amount of illumination light, the pupil of the subject will be reduced after the acquisition of the fundus surface image. At this time, depending on the subject, it takes several minutes for the pupil to open. For this reason, the next tomographic image cannot be acquired until a few minutes after acquiring the fundus surface image.

  When the tomographic image is captured again for the above-described reason, there is a problem in that the user of the apparatus is not easy to use since it is necessary to wait for a long time until the next imaging after acquiring the fundus surface image. In addition, there is a problem that a time burden for imaging a subject whose fundus is imaged is large.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, after confirming the tomographic image, it is possible to shift to imaging of the fundus surface image. As a result, if it is necessary to capture a tomographic image again due to an image position shift caused by fixation fixation micromotion or the like, it is possible to efficiently capture the image by checking the tomographic image. In addition, it is possible to improve the usability of the user who performs imaging and reduce the time burden on the subject.

(Storage media and program)
Here, as another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium (for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD) is used as a program for causing a computer to execute the imaging method according to the above-described embodiment. -ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, Blu-ray disc, etc.). As another embodiment, a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described imaging method may be used.

(Example 1: Fundus imaging apparatus and control method thereof)
First, the overall configuration of the fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a side view of a fundus imaging apparatus, in which 200 is a fundus imaging apparatus, 100 is a tomographic imaging unit, 300 is a main body unit, and 500 is a camera unit. Here, the fundus camera main body 300 and the camera unit 500 are optically connected. The main body 300 and the tomographic image capturing unit 100 are optically connected via an optical fiber 148. The main body 300 and the tomographic imaging unit 100 have a connector 410 and a connector 147, respectively. Reference numeral 323 denotes a chin stand, which fixes the subject's chin and forehead, thereby urging fixation of the eye to be examined. Reference numeral 391 denotes a monitor that displays an infrared image or the like for adjustment during imaging.

  Reference numeral 805 denotes a joystick that controls movement for aligning the main body 300 with the eye to be examined. Reference numeral 804 denotes an operation switch that is one of signal input units that inputs imaging operations for tomographic imaging and fundus imaging. Reference numeral 125 denotes a control unit configured by a personal computer, which controls the main body unit 300 and the camera unit, controls the tomographic image, and displays the tomographic and fundus images. Reference numeral 128 denotes a control unit monitor as a display unit, and reference numeral 129 denotes a storage unit including a hard disk that stores programs and captured images. The storage unit 129 may be built in the control unit 125. Here, the camera unit 500 is a general-purpose digital single-lens reflex camera. The camera unit 500 and the main body unit 300 are connected by a general-purpose camera mount.

(Configuration of the optical system of the main unit)
The configuration of the optical system of the main body will be described with reference to FIG.

  The fundus imaging apparatus 200 acquires a tomographic image (OCT image) and a fundus image (planar image) of the retina 127 of the eye 107 to be examined using the tomographic imaging unit 100 and the camera unit 500.

  First, the main body 300 will be described. An objective lens 302 is installed facing the eye 107 to be examined, and is branched into an optical path 351 and an optical path 352 by a perforated mirror 303 on the optical axis.

  The optical path 352 forms an illumination optical system that illuminates the fundus of the eye 107 to be examined. A halogen lamp 316 used for alignment of the eye 107 to be examined and a strobe tube 314 used for imaging the fundus of the eye 107 to be examined are installed below the fundus camera main body 300. Here, 313 and 315 are condenser lenses, and 317 is a mirror. Illumination light from the halogen lamp 316 and the strobe tube 314 becomes a ring-shaped light beam by the ring slit 312 and is reflected by the perforated mirror 303 to illuminate the fundus of the eye 107 to be examined. Here, reference numerals 309 and 311 denote lenses, and 310 denotes an optical filter. Reference numeral 390 denotes an alignment optical system for projecting a split image for focusing on the fundus and an index for matching the optical axes of the optical paths of the optical system of the eye to be examined 107 and the main body 300. .

  The optical path 351 forms an imaging optical system that captures a tomographic image and a fundus image of the fundus of the eye 107 to be examined. A focus lens 304 and an imaging lens 305 are installed on the right side of the perforated mirror 303. Here, the focus lens 304 is supported so as to be movable in the optical axis direction when an examiner operates a knob (not shown). Next, the optical path 351 is guided to the fixation lamp 320 and the infrared area sensor 321 via the quick return mirror 318. The quick return mirror is configured to transmit infrared light in a wavelength range used for tomographic imaging, and not to transmit visible light used for fundus imaging. Image information obtained by the infrared area sensor 321 is displayed on the display unit 128 or the monitor 391 (see FIG. 1) and used for alignment of the eye to be examined. Here, on the surface of the quick return mirror 318, silver and its protective film are sequentially formed. Reference numeral 319 denotes a dichroic mirror designed to split visible light in the direction of the fixation lamp 320 and infrared light in the direction of the infrared area sensor 321. Next, the optical path 351 is guided to the camera 500 side via the mirror 306, the field lens 322, the mirror 307, and the relay lens 308.

  On the other hand, the optical path 351 is divided through the dichroic mirror 405 into an optical path 351-1 for capturing a tomographic image and an optical path 351-2 for capturing a fundus image. Here, 406 and 407 are relay lenses, 408 is an XY scanner, and 409 is a collimating lens. For simplicity, the XY scanner 408 is described as a single mirror, but in reality, two mirrors, an X scan mirror and a Y scan mirror, are arranged close to each other, and the retina 127 is perpendicular to the optical axis. Raster scan in the direction. The optical axis of the optical path 351-1 is adjusted so as to coincide with the rotation center of the two mirrors of the XY scanner 408. Reference numeral 410 denotes a connector for attaching an optical fiber.

  The camera unit 500 is a digital single-lens reflex camera for capturing a fundus image. The main body unit 300 and the camera unit 500 are connected via a general-purpose camera mount. Therefore, it can be easily attached and detached. Reference numeral 501 denotes an area sensor, on which the fundus image is formed.

(Configuration of tomographic imaging unit)
Next, the configuration of the tomographic image capturing unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2B, 101 is a light source, 114 is a mirror, 115 is dispersion compensation glass, 125 is a control unit, 130 is a single mode optical fiber, 131 is an optical coupler, 139 is an optical circulator, 180 is a spectroscope, Reference numeral 183 denotes a shutter, and 184 denotes a photodetector made up of a photodetector.

  In the present embodiment, the tomographic image capturing unit 100 acquires a tomographic image of the retina 127 of the eye 107 to be examined. Further, downsizing is achieved by configuring a part of the optical system using an optical fiber. In this embodiment, an optical fiber is used for the optical path, but it is not always necessary to use it.

  Here, the configuration of the tomographic image capturing unit 100 will be described. The tomographic image capturing unit 100 constitutes a Mach-Zehnder interference system. The light emitted from the light source 101 is split into measurement light 105 and reference light 106 via an optical coupler 131-1. The measuring light 105 is further split from the measuring light via the optical coupler 131-2 toward the photodetector 184 for monitoring the amount of light. The measurement light 105 is guided to the optical fiber 130-5 via the lenses 135-2 and 135-3. A shutter 183 is provided between the lenses 135-2 and 135-3, and is configured to be able to be controlled by the control unit 125 as to whether or not to block the light toward the eye to be examined. Specifically, the shutter 183 is configured such that a solenoid (not shown) is controlled by the control unit 125 so that a plate-shaped light shielding member can be taken in and out of the optical path. Since the measurement light 105 is directed by the optical circulator 139-2 in the direction of the arrow indicated by the optical circulator 139-2 in the drawing, it is guided to the optical fiber 130-6 and directed to the main body 300 via the connector 147.

  Thereafter, the measurement light applied to the retina 127 of the eye 107 to be observed through the main body 300 is returned to the return light 108 due to reflection and scattering by the retina 127, and then again the optical circulator 139-. 2 is directed in the direction of the arrow in the optical circulator, and is then guided to the optical fiber 130-12 and reaches the optical coupler 131-2.

  On the other hand, the reference beam 106 is directed to the optical fiber 130-8 through the optical circulator 139-1 in the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing, and the lens 135-1, the dispersion of the measurement beam and the reference beam The light reaches the mirror 114 through the dispersion compensation glass 115 inserted to match, and is reflected. Since it reaches the optical circulator 139-1 through the dispersion compensation glass 115, the lens 135-1, and the optical fiber 130-8 and goes in the direction of the arrow indicated by the optical circulator 139-1 in the figure, it is guided to the optical fiber 130-9. It reaches the optical coupler 131-2.

  The return beam 108 and the reference beam 106 are combined by the optical coupler 131-2. Here, as an interferometer, interference occurs when the optical path lengths of the measurement light and the reference light are substantially the same. Therefore, the mirror 114 is held to be adjustable. The reference beam 106 and the return beam 108 are combined and then guided to the spectrometer 180. In the spectroscope 180, the combined light becomes parallel light through the lens 135-4, and then is split by the diffraction grating 181 and imaged on the line sensor 182 by the lens 135-5.

  Next, the periphery of the light source 101 will be described. The light source 101 is an SLD (Super Luminescent Diode) which is a typical low coherent light source. The wavelength is 830 nm and the bandwidth is 50 nm. Here, the bandwidth is an important parameter because it affects the resolution in the optical axis direction of the obtained tomographic image. Further, although the SLD is selected here as the type of light source, it is only necessary to emit low-coherent light, and ASE (Amplified Spontaneous Emission) or the like can also be used. In view of measuring the eye, near infrared light is suitable for the wavelength. Furthermore, since the wavelength affects the resolution in the lateral direction of the obtained tomographic image, it is desirable that the wavelength be as short as possible, and here it is 830 nm. Other wavelengths may be selected depending on the measurement site to be observed. The light emitted from the light source 101 is guided to the optical coupler 131-1 through the optical fiber 130-1.

  Although a Mach-Zehnder interferometer is used as the interferometer here, a Michelson interferometer having a simpler configuration may be used. In general, it is desirable to use a Mach-Zehnder interferometer when the light amount difference is large according to the light amount difference between the measurement light and the reference light, and a Michelson interferometer when the light amount difference is relatively small.

  In addition, the shutter 183 may be configured to be able to control transmission and non-transmission using, for example, liquid crystal, or to be able to control whether the light is incident on the optical fiber 130-5 by a mirror whose angle can be controlled. Good.

(Tomographic and fundus imaging method)
Next, a tomographic image and fundus image capturing method using the fundus image capturing apparatus 200 will be described. The fundus imaging apparatus 200 can acquire a tomographic image of a desired region in the retina 127 by controlling the XY scanner 408, and acquires a fundus image after acquiring the tomographic image.

  The description will be given in the order of steps in the imaging flowchart of FIG.

  Step 1001 starts an imaging operation. An imaging program is executed by the control unit 125 to activate an imaging screen on the control unit monitor 128.

  Step 1002 displays an inspection information screen (or initial screen) on the control unit monitor 128. This is performed as soon as the imaging screen is activated. FIG. 4A shows an inspection information screen.

  Reference numeral 1101 displays a date and time. In 1102, patient information is input. The patient ID, patient name, age, intraocular pressure, visual acuity, refractive power, and axial length can be input with letters or numbers by an input device such as a keyboard (not shown). Further, sex, disease, eye to be examined (left and right), and fixation position (macular, nipple, etc.) can be selected from a pull-down menu. Since the broken line in FIG. 4A is described for explaining the first embodiment, it is not actually necessary to display it.

  A scan setting of the XY scanner 408 for capturing a tomographic image is displayed in 1104. First, the number of images taken in the x direction (direction substantially perpendicular to the depth direction of the fundus of the subject) is displayed in Asscan (a tomographic image for one in the depth direction). Further, the number of times of imaging in the y direction (a direction substantially perpendicular to the depth direction and a direction substantially perpendicular to the x direction) is displayed in Bscan (two-dimensional tomographic image). Furthermore, the imaging range in the x direction and the y direction is displayed in mm units.

  Here, the scanning operation of the XY scanner 408 will be described. First, a scan in the x direction is performed, and the x-direction imaging range is read by the line sensor 182 as many as the number of Askan imaging lines, and then the y-direction scan position is moved and the x-direction scan is performed again. The imaging range is repeated by the number of Bscan. Reference numeral 1103 denotes a predicted value of the time required for scanning determined by the displayed scan setting. For example, when the line sensor 182 readout frequency is 35 kHz, the measurement time displayed in 1103 is as follows.

  (1/35000) × 1024 × 128≈3.74 sec. Reference numeral 1105 denotes a scan setting change button. This is a button for displaying a dedicated setting screen when clicked to change each of the displayed scan settings. Description of this setting screen is omitted. Furthermore, 1106 is a stop button. This is for stopping imaging.

  Here, in steps 1001 to 1002, the shutter 183 in FIG. 2B is in a state where the measurement light is blocked. Regardless of the step, the light amount is constantly monitored by the light detector 184 after activation, and when the light amount becomes larger than the setting, it is determined that the light amount toward the eye to be examined has increased and the shutter 183 is closed. Is held so that the measurement light is not directed to the eye 107 to be examined and an error message “light quantity error” is displayed.

  Step 1003 displays an imaging position adjustment screen on the monitor. The display is switched when the examiner clicks the “alignment” tab in FIG. FIG. 4B shows the imaging position adjustment screen. Reference numeral 1201 denotes an infrared image screen of the fundus, which is an image obtained by superimposing a tomographic image imaging range 1202 on an image captured by the infrared area sensor 321 of FIG. Specifically, the scan range displayed on the examination information screen in FIG. 4A is shown as a figure. Reference numeral 1204 denotes a button for moving the tomographic imaging range 1202 up, down, left, and right. Reference numeral 1203 denotes a tomographic image imaging button which is one of the signal input units for the imaging operation. Reference numeral 1206 denotes a stop button similar to the stop button 1106 described in step 1002. In this step, the examiner aligns the fundus imaging apparatus 200 and the eye 107 to be examined. Specifically, while looking at the infrared image screen 1201 or the monitor 391 provided in the main body unit 300, the joystick 805 is operated to make the working dots 1211 the same position in the vertical and horizontal directions and the finest. Thereby, the optical axis center on the apparatus side can be matched with the optical axis center of the fundus, and the distance between the eye 107 to be examined and the objective lens 302 can be set to an appropriate distance. Further, for focusing on the fundus, adjustment is performed by moving the lens 305 in FIG. 2A by turning the knob (not shown) so that the two splits 1212 are aligned horizontally. This alignment is the same as that of a conventional fundus camera. Step 1003 is a tomographic imaging standby state in which the examiner waits for an input from the tomographic imaging button 1203 on the screen or the operation switch 804 and waits for the next step. This is because the program of the control unit 125 determines in this step that pressing of the tomographic image imaging button 1203 or the operation switch 804, which is the signal input unit of the imaging operation, becomes an input of the tomographic image imaging operation. Further, the light emission point position of the fixation lamp 320 is adjusted as an adjustment on the subject eye 107 side in order to adjust a necessary retina imaging location, and a tomographic image imaging range 1202 is provided on the button 1204 on the screen or the main body 300. Adjust with a controller (not shown).

  In step 1004, when the examiner clicks the tomographic image capturing button 1203 on the screen or presses the operation button 804, the control unit 125 acquires this input, and the XY scanner 408 is set. A scanning operation is performed based on the information. At the same time, the shutter 183 is opened to irradiate the eye 107 with measurement light. On the other hand, the quick return mirror 318 of the main body 300 remains down, and only infrared light for tomographic imaging is guided to the dichroic mirror 405 for branching. Therefore, no light is guided to the camera unit 500. Here, the XY scanner 408 is operated, and the control unit 125 reads the interference signal at each fundus position from the line sensor 182. On the other hand, the light having the wavelength separated is incident on each pixel of the line sensor 182. The waveform obtained by Fourier transforming the intensity information for each wavelength obtained by this line sensor is the intensity information of the return light in the depth direction at each fundus position. This is the principle of general SD (Spectral Domain) -OCT. The one-dimensional data regarding the depth direction at a certain position in the fundus is called an A scan. This step is performed until the intensity information at each position is acquired. Further, after the scanning operation is completed, the shutter 183 is closed and the XY scanner 408 is stopped.

  Step 1005 automatically transitions from step 1004 and displays a tomographic image confirmation screen. FIG. 5A shows this tomographic image confirmation screen. Reference numeral 1305 denotes a confirmation tomographic image display, which displays an x-directional tomographic image (a scan arranged in the x-direction, referred to as a B-scan image) at a certain y-direction position along with a scan number 1305a. Here, about 1/5 of all B-scan images are displayed. Depending on the setting, the entire B-scan image can be displayed, or conversely, the number can be reduced to 1/10 and displayed. This tomographic image for confirmation is configured so that small images can be easily confirmed by arranging them in a tile shape. The confirmation B scan image displayed here constitutes a tomographic image by thinning out the A scan in the X direction. For example, in the scan setting of FIG. 4A, 1024 rows of A scans are imaged in the x direction, but the display here is 256 lines. Only 256 lines are Fourier-transformed and displayed side by side to obtain a single tomographic image for confirmation. In addition, when constructing an observation tomographic image for diagnosis or the like in a later step, arithmetic processing such as removal of fixed noise is performed. Here, the arithmetic processing is omitted and a confirmation image is used. These are performed in order to speed up the display of the confirmation image, so that the time required for confirmation and the next step can be shortened. In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 1301 denotes a fundus imaging button (an example of a display form for selecting acquisition of the fundus image), which is one of the signal input units for the imaging operation. Reference numeral 1303 denotes a save button. If there is no failure in the tomographic image, this button is clicked to store a tomographic image, a plurality of intensity information obtained from the line sensor 182 before constructing the tomographic image, or both as a file storage unit Save to 129. At the time of saving, the infrared image screen 1201 shown in step 1003 is also saved along with saving a series of tomographic images. This is intended to easily confirm the tomographic imaging range 1202 after imaging. Reference numeral 1304 denotes a tomographic image re-imaging button (an example of a display form for selecting tomographic image re-acquisition) which is a selection input unit. Further, in order to prevent shifting to fundus imaging without performing a saving action, the fundus image imaging button 1301 may be displayed after the save button 1303 is clicked. In this step, after the confirmation tomographic image is displayed, the fundus imaging standby state in which the fundus imaging button 1301 or the tomographic image reimaging button 1304 on the screen is clicked or the operation switch 804 is waited is entered. Here, the program of the control unit 125 determines that in this step, pressing of the fundus image capturing button 1301 or the operation switch 804, which is a signal input unit for the image capturing operation, is an input of the fundus image capturing operation unlike step 1003. doing. In this step, the examiner looks at the tomographic image confirmation display and confirms whether or not the tomographic image has failed midway due to blinking, fixation micromotion, or the like. For example, when there is a blink, some of the B-scan images are significantly darker than others, and when the fixation micromotion is large, some of the B-scan images do not include the retinal region to be observed. It becomes a state. On the other hand, in the case where the total number of relatively acquired A-scans as shown in the present embodiment is relatively large, that is, a high-definition tomographic image is obtained three-dimensionally, the imaging time becomes long.

  As shown in the description of step 1002, the possibility of blinking is high in the imaging time of about 3.7 seconds in this embodiment. If there is a defect in the image as described above, the examiner determines that the tomographic imaging has failed. Here, the examiner determines whether or not the acquisition of the tomographic image has succeeded, but it is determined that the controller 125 has failed to determine whether or not a dark image is included in the captured B scan. A display that prompts the examiner to confirm, such as a red frame, may be automatically performed. That is, the control unit 125 may determine the image quality of the tomographic image.

  In step 1006, if the tomographic imaging is successful, the examiner confirms the positional adjustment to the fundus on the monitor 128, and after performing the re-adjustment, the click of the fundus imaging button 1301 or the operation button 804 is performed. Press down. At that time, the control unit 125 proceeds to the next step 1007. If the tomographic image capturing has failed and the tomographic image re-imaging is necessary, the tomographic image re-imaging button 1304 is clicked. In this case, the control unit 125 returns to step 1004 to re-image the tomographic image.

  Step 1007 captures a fundus image. The strobe tube 314 is caused to emit light, and at the same time, the quick return mirror 318 is flipped up, and a fundus image is captured using the camera unit 500 and stored in the storage unit 129.

  Step 1008 is the end of imaging.

  After a series of imaging is completed, the imaging program displays the tomographic image display screen of FIG. 5B by clicking the “tomographic result display” tab on the screen. Reference numeral 1401 denotes one B-scan image having a captured tomographic image. Reference numeral 1403 denotes a B-scan selection slider, which shows a B-scan image 1401 at a desired position by operating the slider 1403. Reference numeral 1402 denotes a captured fundus image. A tomographic image capturing range 1405 is also displayed at the same time. The fundus image displayed here is an image obtained by fundus imaging and is different from the fundus infrared image 1201 stored in step 1005. Reference numeral 1404 denotes an image quality setting slider for tomographic image display, which can adjust the brightness and contrast of the image. The broken lines are for explanation and are not displayed on the actual screen. Reference numeral 1406 denotes a stop button similar to the display screen described above. Unlike the display for confirmation in step 1005, the tomographic image shown here is an image in which the thinning of A scan is suppressed as much as possible within the displayable range, and fixed noise and the like are removed by calculation. As a result, a precise tomographic image can be observed.

  As described above, the fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment performs confirmation display of the tomographic image between the tomographic image acquisition and the fundus image acquisition, and can select whether to shift to fundus imaging or to re-image the tomographic image. As a result, even in an apparatus that simultaneously performs tomographic imaging and fundus imaging that requires a relatively long imaging time, it can be performed without waiting for recovery from the miosis of the eye to be examined by flash emission when acquiring the tomographic image again. In addition, since the operation of the operation switch can be changed between tomographic image acquisition and fundus image acquisition depending on the screen display state, the apparatus can be simplified.

  Here, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the configuration of the SD-OCT method is used for tomographic imaging, but the tomographic image acquisition may be performed using the configuration of the TD (Time Domain) -OCT method or the SS (Swept-Source) -OCT method. Good.

(Example 2: Tomographic image preview)
Next, a fundus imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2 will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in a part of the imaging method for tomographic images and fundus images. Since the main body configuration, the configuration of the optical system of the main body unit, and the configuration of the tomographic image capturing unit are the same, this is omitted, and a method for capturing a tomographic image and a fundus image will be described.

(Tomographic and fundus imaging method)
An imaging method using the fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 4C. The same symbols are used for the same apparatus configuration as in the first embodiment. Description will be made in the order of steps in the imaging flowchart of FIG.

  Step 2001 starts an imaging operation. An imaging program is executed by the control unit 125 to activate an imaging screen on the control unit monitor 128. This is the same as step 1001 of the first embodiment.

  Step 2002 displays an examination information screen on control unit monitor 128. This is the same as step 1002 of the first embodiment.

  In step 2003, an imaging position adjustment screen is displayed on the control unit monitor 128. The display is switched when the examiner clicks the “alignment” tab in FIG. FIG. 4C shows this imaging position adjustment screen. Reference numeral 2201 denotes an infrared image screen of the fundus, which is an image obtained by superimposing a tomographic image imaging range 2208 on an image captured by the infrared area sensor 321 of FIG. Reference numeral 2204 denotes a button for moving the tomographic imaging range 2208 up, down, left and right. Reference numeral 2203 denotes a tomographic imaging button, which is not displayed in step 2003 but displayed in the next step 2004. Reference numeral 2206 denotes a stop button similar to that in the first embodiment. In this step, the examiner aligns the fundus imaging apparatus 200 and the eye 107 to be examined. Since this alignment is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. 2202 is a tomographic image preview screen, 2207 is a gate position display slider, and 2205 is a signal level display indicator (an example of a display form showing the image quality of a tomographic image). These will be described in step 2004. The broken line is added to the figure for explanation and is not displayed on the actual screen. In step 2003, the imaging program determines that pressing of the operation switch 804, which is a signal input unit for imaging operation, becomes a signal input for tomographic image capturing for preview (step 2004). Further, the light emission point position of the fixation lamp 320 is adjusted as an adjustment on the eye 107 side in order to adjust the necessary retina imaging location, and the position of the tomographic image imaging range 2208 is set to the button 2204 on the screen or the main body 300. Adjustment is performed by a controller (not shown) provided. The fixation lamp light emission point position adjustment and the tomographic image imaging range position adjustment are possible in this step and the next step 2004.

  In step 2004, when the examiner presses the operation switch 804, the XY scanner 408 is operated, and at the same time, the shutter 183 is opened to irradiate the eye 107 with measurement light. To start. At the same time, a tomographic imaging button, which is one of the signal input units for imaging operation, is displayed on the screen. This preview scan scans the vicinity of the center line 2208a in the horizontal direction in FIG. 4C of the tomographic image imaging range 2208, and the obtained B-scan image is displayed on the tomographic image preview screen 2202. While the preview scan operation is being performed, the B scan at the same y-direction position is sequentially displayed while being imaged again. While looking at this tomographic image preview screen 2202, the examiner makes adjustments related to tomographic image capturing. First, the gate position is adjusted using a stage controller (not shown). The gate position adjustment is to adjust the optical path length difference with the reference light by moving the electric stage (117 in FIG. 2B) on which the mirror (114 in FIG. 2B) for folding the reference light is fixed. . That is, in the tomographic image, the retinal cross-sectional position in the vertical direction in the screen is adjusted. In particular, in tomographic imaging by OCT, the luminance is highest at a place where the optical path lengths of the reference light and the object to be measured coincide (referred to as a gate position). It is necessary to be located close to the same length. However, as a principle of SD-OCT, when a gate position is set in the retinal cross section, a mirror image by Fourier transform appears in the screen, so that the retinal position is set close to the gate position and there is no gate position in the retinal cross section. Thus, the best image can be obtained. In this embodiment, the examiner adjusts the gate position, but automatic adjustment may be performed by the control unit 125 based on the luminance in the screen. A gate position display slider 2207 displays the position of the gate position in the examiner direction or the subject direction, and serves as a guide for moving the electric stage 117. A signal level indicator 2205 indicates the ratio of the maximum luminance value of the displayed B-scan preview image to the luminance value of the background noise. The signal level indicator 2205 indicates that the image becomes brighter toward the right side. With reference to this indicator 2205, the examiner performs focus adjustment or fine adjustment of the position of the main body using the joystick 805. This step is a tomographic imaging standby state in which the examiner waits for an input from the tomographic imaging button 2203 on the screen or the operation switch 804 and waits for the next step. Here, in this step, the program of the control unit 125 determines that pressing of the tomographic image imaging button 2203 or the operation switch 804 that is a signal input unit of the imaging operation becomes an input of the tomographic image imaging operation. This is the same as step 1003 in the first embodiment. Similarly to step 1003 of the first embodiment, the light emission point position of the fixation lamp 320 is adjusted as an adjustment on the eye 107 side in order to adjust the necessary retina imaging location, and the tomographic image imaging range 2208 is displayed on the screen. Adjustment is performed by a button 2204 or a controller (not shown) provided in the main body 300.

  In step 2005, when the examiner clicks the tomographic image capturing button 2203 on the screen or presses the operation button 804, the control unit 125 receives this input and performs tomographic image capturing. This step is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Step 2006 is an automatic transition from step 2004 and displays a tomographic image confirmation screen. The same as in the first embodiment. In this step, after the confirmation tomographic image is displayed, the fundus imaging standby state in which the fundus imaging button 1301 or the tomographic image reimaging button 1304 on the screen is clicked or the operation switch 804 is waited is entered. In this step, the program of the control unit 125 determines that pressing of the fundus image capturing button 1204 or the operation switch 804, which is a signal input unit for the imaging operation, becomes an input of the fundus image capturing operation. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In step 2007, if the examiner views the tomographic image confirmation display and confirms whether or not the tomographic image has failed in the middle due to blinking, fixation tremor, or other causes, and if the tomographic imaging is successful, the monitor 128 After confirming the position adjustment to the fundus and performing readjustment if necessary, the fundus imaging button 1301 is clicked or the operation button 804 is pressed.

  If the tomographic image capturing has failed and the tomographic image re-imaging is necessary, the present embodiment can return to step 2003 by clicking the “alignment” tab which is the selection input unit in this step. This makes it possible to finely adjust the gate, focus, and position of the main body when re-imaging the tomographic image.

  In step 2008, a fundus image is captured. The same as in the first embodiment.

  Step 2009 is the end of imaging.

  After the imaging is completed, the tomographic image display screen is displayed by clicking the “tomographic image display tab” on the screen. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

  When the preview button is displayed in step 2004, if the stop button 2204 is clicked or the screen is moved to another screen by clicking a tab other than the alignment tab, the shutter 183 is closed and the subject is moved to the subject side. The measurement light is shielded so that the measurement light is not emitted. If the alignment tab is clicked again, the state of step 2003 is entered.

  As described above, in addition to the first embodiment, the fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment previews a tomographic image during imaging adjustment (step 2003). Thus, for example, when only one B-scan tomographic image is captured, the state of the apparatus can be adjusted so that the captured tomographic image has a better image quality. Furthermore, since it is possible to return to the imaging adjustment (step 2003) at the time of tomographic image re-imaging, this enables finer gate adjustment, focus adjustment, and main body position adjustment at the time of tomographic image re-imaging. In addition, the preview scan operation can be started by the operation switch, and the operation load on the examiner can be reduced while simplifying the apparatus.

(Example 3: Adapter)
Next, a fundus imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 3 will be described.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in a part of the apparatus configuration. The same parts as in the first embodiment will be described by omitting them. In the configuration, the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same symbols.

  The overall configuration of the fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1B and 1C. FIG. 1B is a side view of the fundus imaging apparatus, in which 200 is a fundus imaging apparatus, 100 is a tomographic imaging unit, 900 is a fundus camera main body, 400 is an adapter, and 500 is a camera unit. Here, the fundus camera main body 900, the adapter 400, and the camera unit 500 are optically connected. The fundus camera main body 900 and the adapter 400 are held so as to be relatively movable. Therefore, rough optical adjustment can be performed. The adapter 400 and the tomographic image capturing unit 100 are optically connected via an optical fiber 148. The adapter 400 and the tomographic imaging unit 100 have a connector 410 and a connector 147, respectively. Therefore, it can be easily attached and detached. Reference numeral 925 denotes a personal computer that performs tomographic image composition and the like. Reference numeral 905 denotes a control circuit unit which is the same as the control unit of the first embodiment together with the personal computer 925. Reference numeral 928 denotes a personal computer monitor, and reference numeral 929 denotes a storage unit such as a hard disk, which may be disposed inside the personal computer 925.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1C, one fundus camera 700 can be configured by the fundus camera main body 900 and the camera unit 500. At this time, since the tomographic image capturing unit 100 is not used, the control circuit unit 905 need not be used. In the fundus camera 700, the camera unit 500 is removed from the fundus camera body 300, and the adapter 400 is attached between the camera unit 500 and the fundus camera body 300, whereby a fundus imaging apparatus can be configured.

(Configuration of optical system of fundus camera part, adapter and camera part)
The configuration of the optical system of the fundus imaging apparatus including the adapter in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The same symbols are used for the same members as in the first embodiment. The configuration of the optical system of the main body in the first embodiment is separated into the fundus camera unit 900 and the adapter 400. The adapter 400 includes a dichroic mirror 405, relay lenses 406 and 407, a collimator lens 409, an XY scanner 408, and a connector 410. Here, all the optical systems on the eye side including the optical path 351 are included in the fundus camera unit 900. The details of each configuration are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. In the case of the fundus camera 700 shown in FIG. 1B, the relay lens 308 in the fundus camera main body 900 is configured to form a fundus image on the area sensor 501 in the camera unit 500. .

(Configuration of tomographic imaging unit)
Since it is the same as that of Example 1, description is abbreviate | omitted. However, the portion connected to the control unit 125 in the first embodiment is connected to the control circuit unit 905 in the present embodiment.

(Tomographic Image and Fundus Image Imaging Method) First, a fundus image imaging method in the configuration of the fundus camera 700 shown in FIG. 1C will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step 3001, an imaging operation is started, a fundus camera single program is started on the monitor 928 by the personal computer 925, and an imaging screen is displayed. This is the same as step 1001 of the first embodiment.

  Step 3002 displays an examination information screen. Although it is almost the same as step 3002 of the first embodiment, since no scanning operation is performed, information relating to the scanning operation is not displayed.

  Step 3003 displays an intraocular fundus alignment screen. When the fundus camera is configured, a fundus infrared image for position adjustment is displayed on the monitor 901, and the examiner adjusts the position of the fundus camera main body with the joystick 903 based on the image, and performs focus adjustment with a knob (not shown). In this step, the program for the fundus camera alone determines that the input from the operation switch 904 that is a signal input unit for the imaging operation performs the fundus imaging operation. The process proceeds to step 3004 according to the signal.

  Step 3004 performs fundus imaging. This is the same as step 1007 in the first embodiment. Data of the captured fundus image is displayed on the monitor 928 via the fundus camera main body 900 and stored in the storage unit 929.

  Step 3005 is the end of imaging.

  Note that the tomographic image and fundus image capturing method in the configuration of the fundus image capturing apparatus 200 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and thus will not be described.

  Here, when changing from the state of the fundus camera 700 to the state of the fundus imaging apparatus 200, the tomographic image capturing unit 100, the adapter 400, the camera unit 500, and the fundus camera main body 900 are connected to the personal computer 925 via the control circuit unit 905. The A light source, a shutter, a line sensor, and an XY scanner, which are control targets peculiar to tomographic imaging, have a driver or the like installed in the control circuit unit 905, and the personal computer 925 is connected to the adapter 400 by connecting the control circuit unit 905 to the adapter 400. Each part can be controlled by. Further, the operation switch 904 and the camera unit 500 provided in the fundus camera main body 900 are also connected to the control circuit unit 905 so that they are controlled as operations in the configuration of the fundus imaging apparatus 200, unlike the operation of the fundus camera 700 alone. Make it possible. This can correspond to the fact that the function of the operation switch 904 is different for each step as in the first and second embodiments. For example, when the operation switch 904 is pressed in step 2004 in FIG. 6, a pre-scan scanning operation is started. At this time, the fundus imaging operation is not performed in the camera unit 500 by pressing the operation switch 904. Control unique to the imaging apparatus 200 is possible.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the fundus camera configuration can be easily changed to a fundus imaging apparatus that can also capture a tomographic image, and the operation switch is shared in both states, thereby reducing the number of parts and the examiner. There is no big change in usability, and it can be used in both states without a sense of incongruity.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Tomographic image imaging part 125 Control part 200 Fundus imaging apparatus 804 Operation switch 900 Fundus camera main-body part 905 Control circuit part 925 Personal computer

Claims (27)

Scanning means for scanning the measurement light in two directions intersecting each other in the eye to be examined;
Acquiring a first tomographic image of the subject eye based on a combined light of a return light from the subject eye irradiated with the measurement light via the scanning unit and a reference light corresponding to the measurement light; A tomographic image acquisition means for acquiring the second tomographic image according to an instruction to acquire a second tomographic image of the eye to be examined;
The first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and the first display form indicating information on the image quality of the first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and then the second tomogram obtained by the instruction is displayed. An image and a second display form showing information on the image quality of the second tomographic image are displayed on the display means, and when re-acquisition of the second tomographic image of the eye to be examined is instructed, Control means for controlling the scanning means to reacquire a second tomographic image;
An imaging device comprising: The control means causes the display means to display a display form indicating whether or not the second tomographic image obtained by the instruction is acceptable as a second display form indicating information relating to the image quality. The imaging device according to claim 1. The control means causes the display means to display a display form in which a frame of the second tomographic image obtained by the instruction is emphasized as a second display form indicating information relating to the image quality. The imaging device according to claim 1. The control means displays, on the display means, a display form showing a ratio between a maximum value of luminance values of the first tomographic image and a luminance value of background noise as a first display form showing information on the image quality. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured to be used. The control means causes the display means to display an indicator showing the brightness of the first tomographic image as a first display form showing information on the image quality. The imaging apparatus of Claim 1. The control unit displays the first tomographic image and the first display form indicating the image quality information side by side on the same screen of the display unit, and then the second tomographic image obtained by the instruction. And a display form for selecting the reacquisition and a second display form indicating information relating to the image quality are displayed side by side on the same screen of the display means. The imaging device according to item. The control means, after the instruction, automatically transitions from a screen on which a first display form showing information on the image quality is displayed to a screen on which a second display form showing information on the image quality is displayed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Scanning means for scanning the measurement light in two directions intersecting each other in the eye to be examined;
The tomographic image according to an instruction to acquire a tomographic image of the eye to be inspected based on a combined light of a return light from the eye to be inspected that has been irradiated with the measuring light via the scanning unit and a reference light corresponding to the measuring light Tomographic image acquisition means for acquiring
The tomographic image of the eye to be examined is displayed when the tomographic image obtained by the instruction and a display form showing information relating to the image quality of the tomographic image are displayed on the display means, and when the reacquisition of the tomographic image of the eye to be examined is instructed. Control means for controlling the scanning means to reacquire;
An imaging device comprising: 9. The display unit according to claim 8, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display a display mode indicating whether or not the tomographic image obtained by the instruction is acceptable as a display mode indicating the information relating to the image quality. Imaging device. 9. The display unit according to claim 8, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display a display mode in which a frame of the tomographic image obtained by the instruction is emphasized as a display mode indicating the information relating to the image quality. Imaging device. A first tomographic image of the eye to be examined is acquired based on the combined light of the return light from the eye to be examined that has been irradiated with the measurement light and the reference light corresponding to the measurement light, and a second tomographic image of the eye to be examined is obtained. A tomographic image acquisition means for acquiring the second tomographic image according to an instruction to acquire
The first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and the first display form indicating information on the image quality of the first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and then the second tomogram obtained by the instruction is displayed. Display control means for displaying on the display means a second display form indicating information relating to an image and image quality of the second tomographic image and a display form for selecting reacquisition of the second tomographic image of the eye to be examined When,
A control device comprising: The display control means causes the display means to display a display form indicating whether or not the second tomographic image obtained by the instruction is acceptable as a second display form indicating the information relating to the image quality. The control device according to claim 11. The display control means causes the display means to display a display form in which a frame of the second tomographic image obtained by the instruction is emphasized as a second display form indicating information on the image quality. The control device according to claim 11. The display control means includes, as the first display form indicating the information relating to the image quality, a display form indicating a ratio between the maximum luminance value of the first tomographic image and the luminance value of background noise. The control device according to claim 11, wherein the control device is displayed. The display control means causes the display means to display an indicator showing the brightness of the first tomographic image as a first display form showing information on the image quality. The control device according to any one of claims. The display control unit displays the first tomographic image and the first display form indicating information on the image quality side by side on the same screen of the display unit, and then displays the second tomogram obtained by the instruction. 16. The display according to claim 11, wherein a second display form indicating information on the image and the image quality and a display form for selecting the re-acquisition are displayed side by side on the same screen of the display means. The control device according to item 1. After the instruction, the display control means automatically transitions from a screen on which a first display form showing information on the image quality is displayed to a screen on which a second display form showing information on the image quality is displayed. The control device according to claim 11, wherein the control device is a control device. A tomographic image acquisition means for acquiring the tomographic image according to an instruction to acquire a tomographic image of the eye to be inspected based on a combined light of a return light from the eye to be examined irradiated with the measuring light and a reference light corresponding to the measuring light; ,
Display control means for displaying on the display means a display form indicating information about the tomographic image obtained by the instruction and image quality of the tomographic image and a display form for selecting reacquisition of the tomographic image of the eye to be examined;
A control device comprising: The display control means causes the display means to display a display form indicating whether the tomographic image obtained by the instruction is good or bad as a display form indicating the information relating to the image quality. Control device. The display control means causes the display means to display a display form in which a frame of the tomographic image obtained by the instruction is emphasized as a display form indicating the information relating to the image quality. Control device. 21. The control device according to claim 11, wherein the control device controls an imaging device having scanning means for scanning measurement light in two directions intersecting each other in the eye to be examined. The control apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the scanning unit is controlled to reacquire a tomographic image of the eye to be examined when the reacquisition is selected. Based on the combined light of the return light from the eye to be examined that has been irradiated with the measurement light via the scanning means that scans the measurement light in two directions intersecting each other in the eye to be examined and the reference light corresponding to the measurement light, Obtaining a first tomographic image of the eye to be examined and obtaining the second tomographic image according to an instruction to obtain a second tomographic image of the eye to be examined;
The first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and the first display form indicating information on the image quality of the first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and then the second tomogram obtained by the instruction is displayed. An image and a second display form showing information on the image quality of the second tomographic image are displayed on the display means, and when re-acquisition of the second tomographic image of the eye to be examined is instructed, Controlling the scanning means to reacquire a second tomographic image;
A control method characterized by comprising: Based on the combined light of the return light from the eye to be examined that has been irradiated with the measurement light via the scanning means that scans the measurement light in two directions intersecting each other in the eye to be examined and the reference light corresponding to the measurement light, Acquiring the tomographic image according to an instruction to acquire a tomographic image of the eye to be examined;
The tomographic image of the eye to be examined is displayed when the tomographic image obtained by the instruction and a display form showing information relating to the image quality of the tomographic image are displayed on the display means, and when the reacquisition of the tomographic image of the eye to be examined is instructed. Controlling the scanning means to reacquire;
A control method characterized by comprising: A first tomographic image of the eye to be examined is acquired based on the combined light of the return light from the eye to be examined that has been irradiated with the measurement light and the reference light corresponding to the measurement light, and a second tomographic image of the eye to be examined is obtained. Acquiring the second tomographic image according to an instruction to acquire
The first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and the first display form indicating information on the image quality of the first tomographic image is displayed on the display means, and then the second tomogram obtained by the instruction is displayed. A step of causing the display means to display a second display form indicating information on an image and image quality of the second tomographic image and a display form for selecting reacquisition of the second tomographic image of the eye to be examined;
A control method characterized by comprising: Acquiring the tomographic image according to an instruction to acquire a tomographic image of the eye to be inspected based on the combined light of the return light from the eye to be examined irradiated with the measuring light and the reference light corresponding to the measuring light;
Displaying the tomographic image obtained by the instruction, a display form indicating information on the image quality of the tomographic image, and a display form for selecting reacquisition of the tomographic image of the eye to be examined on a display unit;
A control method characterized by comprising: A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to any one of claims 23 to 26.

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