JP6756863B2 - Ophthalmic examination system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ophthalmic examination system.

Health examinations and examinations are important for maintaining health and preventing / early detection of diseases. It is also important to follow up on diseases that have already been discovered. With the progress of the aging society in recent years, the importance of such medical forms is expected to increase, and new businesses such as remote use and rental of medical devices are making progress. In addition, devices that are easy to operate even for unskilled persons and devices that allow the subject to inspect themselves have appeared.

In health examinations, examinations, follow-up observations, etc., it is desirable to provide more accurate and more accurate diagnosis by using advanced diagnostic imaging equipment, examination equipment, and diagnostic applications. There is an optical interference tomography device as an ophthalmologic examination device that is expected to contribute to such a purpose. Optical coherence tomography is used to obtain cross-sectional images, three-dimensional data, and analytical data of the fundus and corneum using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

In addition to the optical interference tomography, for example, the following devices are used in ophthalmic medical care.
・ Fundus camera for taking pictures of the fundus ・ Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (SLO) for obtaining an image of the fundus by laser scanning using a confocal optical system
・ Eye refraction tester (refraction meter, keratometer) that measures the refractive characteristics of the eyeball
・ Tonometer for measuring intraocular pressure ・ Specular microscope for obtaining corneal characteristics (corneal thickness, cell distribution, etc.) ・ Wavefront analyzer for obtaining eye aberration information using Hartmann-Shack sensor

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-81601 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-128620 JP-A-2015-33771 JP-A-2015-333472 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-35111

In general, the ophthalmologic examination apparatus was connected to a computer installed in a medical institution and was able to perform various information processing via a LAN or the Internet. On the other hand, in remote area use, rental, patrol diagnosis, etc., there is no communication equipment or management system at the installation location, and ophthalmic examination equipment is frequently moved, so compared to the case where it is installed fixedly. As a result, the functions are greatly restricted, and there is a disadvantage that, for example, the subject or the examiner cannot be personally authenticated.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ophthalmologic examination system capable of performing personal authentication even in medical forms such as remote use, rental, and mobile diagnosis.

The ophthalmologic examination system of the embodiment includes a plurality of ophthalmic examination devices and an information processing device capable of communicating with each of the plurality of ophthalmic examination devices. Each of the plurality of ophthalmic examination devices performs an inspection unit for generating examination data by optically inspecting the eye to be inspected, an authentication data acquisition unit for acquiring personal authentication data of the subject, and an inspection of the eye to be inspected. A time data generator that generates time data indicating the time when the data was lost, a positioning signal receiver that receives a signal from the positioning system, and a position that generates position data indicating the current position by analyzing the received signal. A data generation unit, an association processing unit that associates inspection data, personal authentication data, time data, and position data, and a data set containing the associated inspection data, personal authentication data, time data, and position data in an information processing device. It is equipped with a communication unit that transmits to. The information processing device registers the subject authentication information for each of the plurality of subjects, the inspection time information indicating the scheduled inspection time registered for each of the plurality of subjects, and the registration for each of the plurality of subjects. A storage unit that stores in advance the examination position information indicating the scheduled examination venue, a communication unit that receives a data set transmitted from any of a plurality of ophthalmic examination devices, and personal authentication included in the received data set. It includes a collation unit that executes a process of collating the data with the subject authentication information, a process of collating the time data with the inspection time information, and a process of collating the position data with the inspection position information.

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform personal authentication even in medical forms such as remote use, rental, and mobile diagnosis.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the structure of the ophthalmologic examination apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows an example of the structure of the ophthalmologic examination apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows an example of the structure of the ophthalmologic examination apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows an example of the structure of the ophthalmologic examination apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows an example of the structure of the ophthalmologic examination system which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the usage form of the ophthalmologic examination apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

Some examples of typical embodiments of the present invention will be described. In addition, the contents of the document cited in this specification and known techniques can be incorporated into embodiments.

The ophthalmologic examination device of the embodiment is used in a form involving movement such as a mobile examination, home medical care, or rental (leasing). That is, the ophthalmologic examination device is moved to various positions such as an examination venue, a patient's house, and a medical institution. The data (examination data) of each subject (and each eye to be examined) acquired by the ophthalmic examination device is sent to a specialized medical institution such as an image interpretation center or an advanced medical institution and used for checking (interpretation, etc.) by an ophthalmologist. Will be done. The results of the interpretation, etc. are sent to the examination venue, the institution that manages the examination, the registration destination for each subject (home or medical institution (family doctor, etc.)).

The ophthalmologic examination device is used for an optical examination of the eye to be inspected. The ophthalmologic examination apparatus has a function as an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus and / or a function as an ophthalmologic measuring apparatus. The ophthalmologic imaging device is a device for imaging the eye to be inspected, and examples thereof include an optical coherence tomography (OCT device), a fundus camera, and a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO). The ophthalmic measuring device is a device for measuring the characteristics of the eye to be inspected, and examples thereof include an ophthalmoflex test device, a tonometer, a specular microscope, and a wavefront analyzer. Further, the ophthalmologic examination apparatus may include an application for analyzing captured images and measurement data. In the following embodiment, the ophthalmologic examination apparatus functioning as an optical interference tomography device will be described, but the configuration according to the embodiment is similarly applied to the ophthalmologic examination apparatus having other functions.

In the embodiment, an optical coherence tomography using a so-called Spectral Domain type OCT equipped with a low coherence light source and a spectroscope will be described, but a type other than the spectral domain, for example, Swept Source, will be described. It is also possible to apply the present invention to optical coherence tomography using a type of OCT technique. Swept source OCT scans (wavelength sweep) the wavelength of the light shining on the subject, and sequentially detects the interference light obtained by superimposing the return light of the light of each wavelength and the reference light, and distributes the spectral intensity. This is a method of imaging a subject by acquiring the above and applying a Fourier transform to it.

[Configuration of ophthalmic examination equipment]
The configuration of the ophthalmologic examination apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. The ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an optical unit 10, a computer 100, a user interface unit (UI unit) 200, a positioning signal receiving unit 300, and an authentication data acquisition unit 400.

The optical unit 10, the computer 100, the user interface unit 200, the positioning signal receiving unit 300, and the authentication data acquisition unit 400 may be provided integrally (that is, in a single housing). Alternatively, these may be distributed and arranged in two or more housings. In that case, a part of the ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1 may be provided in another apparatus. For example, a part or all of the computer 100 can be provided in a personal computer or a mobile terminal (tablet computer, mobile phone, smartphone, etc.). Further, a part or all of the user interface unit 200 can be provided in a personal computer, a mobile terminal, a television receiver, a smart television, or the like.

[Optical unit 10]
The optical unit 10 includes an optical system for performing OCT measurement and a mechanism for driving an optical element included therein. The optical system divides the light from the light source 11 into a measurement light and a reference light, causes the return light of the measurement light from the eye E to be examined and the reference light to interfere with each other, and detects the interference light. This optical system has a configuration similar to that of a conventional spectral domain type OCT apparatus. That is, this optical system is configured to generate interference light using low coherence light (broadband light) and detect the interference light with a spectroscope. The detection result (detection signal) of the spectral component is sent to the computer 100.

When a swept source type OCT is applied, a wavelength sweep light source (tunable wavelength light source) is provided instead of the low coherence light source, and a balanced photodiode or the like is provided instead of the spectroscope. In general, the optical unit 10 may have a known configuration depending on the type of OCT. When an ophthalmologic examination device having a function other than OCT is applied, the ophthalmologic examination device may have a known configuration according to the function (imaging function, measurement function, etc.).

The light source 11 outputs a wide band low coherence light. This low coherence light includes, for example, a wavelength band in the near infrared region (about 800 nm to 900 nm), and has a temporal coherence length of about several tens of micrometers. Invisible light (for example, near-infrared light having a central wavelength of about 1040 to 1060 nm) may be used as low coherence light. The light source 11 includes an optical output device such as a super luminescent diode (SLD), an LED, and an SOA (Semiconductor Optical Amplifier).

The low coherence light output from the light source 11 is converted into a parallel luminous flux by the collimating lens 12 and is guided to the beam splitter 13. The beam splitter 13 is, for example, a half mirror that reflects a predetermined ratio of light and transmits the rest. The beam splitter 13 splits the parallel light flux from the collimating lens 12 into measurement light and reference light.

The measurement light is the light emitted to the eye E to be inspected (also called signal light or the like). The group of optical elements that form the path of measurement light (measurement optical path) is called a measurement arm (also called a sample arm or the like). The reference light is light that serves as a reference for extracting information contained in the return light of the measurement light as an interference signal. A group of optical elements forming a reference light path (reference optical path) is called a reference arm.

One end of the reference optical path is a beam splitter 13 and the other end is a reference mirror 14. The reference light composed of the components transmitted through the beam splitter 13 is reflected by the reference mirror 14 and returned to the beam splitter 13. The reference mirror 14 is moved along the traveling direction of the reference light by the reference mirror driving unit 14A shown in FIG. As a result, the length of the reference optical path is changed. In addition, instead of or in addition to the configuration for changing the length of the reference optical path, a configuration for changing the length of the measurement optical path can be provided. The change in the length of the measurement optical path is realized by, for example, a corner cube that reflects incident measurement light in the opposite direction and a mechanism for moving the corner cube.

The measurement light composed of the components reflected by the beam splitter 13 is deflected by the fixed mirror 15 obliquely arranged with respect to the measurement optical path and guided to the scanner 16. The scanner 16 is, for example, a two-axis optical scanner or a pair of single-axis optical scanners. That is, the scanner 16 can two-dimensionally deflect the measurement light. The scanner 16 is, for example, a mirror scanner that includes two mirrors that can be deflected in directions orthogonal to each other. This mirror scanner is, for example, a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror scanner or a galvano scanner.

The measurement light output from the scanner 16 is two-dimensionally polarized collimated light. This measurement light is focused by the relay lens 17, and is imaged in the air on a surface (fundus conjugate surface) Pc conjugated with the fundus Ef. Further, the measurement light is converted into focused light again by the objective lens 19 having a function as a focusing lens, and is incident on the eye E to be inspected. Further, when the diopter correction lens 27 described later is arranged in the measurement optical path, the measurement light passes through the objective lens 19 and then is refracted by the diopter correction lens 27 to enter the eye E to be inspected.

The objective lens 19 and the lens barrel unit 19A are moved along the measurement optical path by the lens barrel driving unit 19B shown in FIG. The objective lens 19 and the lens barrel portion 19A are moved in the optical axis direction according to the refractive power of the eye E to be inspected. As a result, the fundus conjugate surface Pc is arranged at a position conjugate with the fundus Ef. As a result, the measurement light is projected onto the fundus Ef as spot light. It is also possible to provide a focusing lens separately from the objective lens 19. Further, the fundus conjugate surface Pc is arranged between the dichroic mirror 18 and the objective lens 19, which will be described later.

The diopter correction lens 27 changes the focusing position of the measurement light with respect to the eye to be inspected E in the same manner as the focusing lens, but in order to deal with an eye to be inspected having an extreme refractive power such as a strong myopic eye. It is an optical element arranged in the measurement optical path. The diopter correction lens 27 is inserted / retracted with respect to the measurement optical path by the lens driving unit 27A shown in FIG.

The measurement light applied to the fundus Ef is scattered and reflected at various depth positions of the fundus Ef. The backscattered light (return light) of the measurement light by the fundus Ef travels in the same path as the outward path in the opposite direction and is guided to the beam splitter 13.

The beam splitter 13 interferes with the return light of the measurement light and the reference light passing through the reference optical path. At this time, only the component of the return light passing through a distance substantially equal to the length of the reference optical path, that is, only the component from the range within the coherent distance with respect to the length of the reference optical path substantially interferes with the reference light. .. The interference light generated through the beam splitter 13 is guided to the spectroscope 20. The interference light incident on the spectroscope 20 is separated (spectral decomposed) by the diffraction grating 21 and irradiated to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 23 via the lens 22.

The image sensor 23 is, for example, a line sensor or an area sensor, detects each spectral component of the dispersed interference light, generates a signal (detection signal), and sends this to the computer 100.

A dichroic mirror 18 is tilted at a position between the relay lens 17 and the fundus conjugate surface Pc. The dichroic mirror 18 is configured to transmit the measurement light in the near infrared band and reflect the light in the visible band.

A flat panel display (FPD) 25 and a lens 26 are provided in the optical path branched from the measurement optical path via the dichroic mirror 18. The flat panel display 25 is arranged at a position conjugate with the fundus conjugate surface Pc (hence, a position conjugate with the fundus Ef) via the lens 26. The flat panel display 25 displays information under the control of the control unit 110. As the information displayed on the flat panel display 25, there are various optotypes presented to the eye E to be inspected. Examples of such an optotype include an optotype for a subjective visual acuity test (Randolt ring, etc.) and a fixation target for fixing the eye E to be inspected.

The visible light output from the flat panel display 25 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 18 via the lens 26, enters the eye E to be inspected through the objective lens 19, and reaches the fundus Ef. As a result, an image based on this visible light (for example, a target image) is projected on the fundus Ef.

For example, an optical attenuator or a polarization controller can be provided to convert the characteristics of the measurement light and / or the reference light. Further, it is possible to provide a front image acquisition optical system for photographing the eye E to be inspected and acquiring the front image thereof. This front image is an image of the anterior segment of the eye or the fundus Ef. The front image acquisition optical system forms an optical path branched from the measurement optical path, and includes, for example, an optical system similar to a conventional fundus camera or SLO.

When a front image acquisition optical system is provided, an optical system that projects an alignment target onto the eye E to be inspected can be further provided, and alignment can be performed manually or automatically like a conventional fundus camera or the like. .. At the time of alignment, the optical unit 10 is moved by the unit drive unit 10A. Further, an optical system for projecting a focusing target onto the fundus Ef can be further provided, and focusing can be performed manually or automatically as in a conventional fundus camera or the like. At the time of focusing, the optotype projection optical system and the focusing lens (objective lens 19 or the like) are moved. Further, the movement of the eye E to be inspected can be detected based on the moving image obtained by the front image acquisition optical system, and the optical unit 10 can be moved in real time according to the movement (auto tracking).

Further, it is possible to provide two or more cameras (anterior eye cameras) capable of photographing the anterior segment of the eye E to be inspected from different directions substantially simultaneously. In this case, the three-dimensional position of the eye E to be inspected can be obtained by analyzing two or more anterior segment images acquired substantially simultaneously by two or more anterior segment cameras. The three-dimensional position thus obtained can be used for auto-alignment and auto-tracking.

[Computer 100]
The computer 100 executes various calculations and controls. The computer 100 includes a control unit 110, an image forming unit 120, a data processing unit 130, and a communication unit 140 shown in FIG. These will be described later.

The computer 100 includes a processor. In the present specification, the "processor" is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a programmable logic device (for example, a SPLD), a programmable logic device (for example, a SPLD). (Complex Programmable Logic Device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)) and the like. The control unit 110 realizes the function according to the embodiment by reading and executing a program stored in a storage circuit or a storage device, for example. The computer 100 may further include RAM, ROM, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a communication interface, and the like.

(User interface unit 200)
A user interface unit 200 is connected to the computer 100. The user interface unit 200 includes a display unit 210 and an operation unit 220. The display unit 210 includes a display device such as a flat panel display. The operation unit 220 includes an operation device such as a housing of the ophthalmologic examination device 1 and a button, a key, a joystick, and an operation panel provided on the outside. In addition, the operation unit 220 may include an operation device (mouse, keyboard, trackpad, button, touch panel, etc.) such as a personal computer connected to the ophthalmologic examination device 1.

The display unit 210 and the operation unit 220 may include a device in which a display function and an operation function are integrated, such as a touch panel. In addition, the user interface unit 200 may include a graphical user interface (GUI) for presenting information and inputting operations.

(Positioning signal receiver 300)
The positioning signal receiving unit 300 receives a signal from the positioning system. Positioning systems include a navigation satellite system (Navigation Satellite System: NSS) that measures the current position based on radio signals from navigation satellites (and ground stations), and a navigation satellite system (NSS) that measures the current position based on radio signals from ground stations. There is a system. Typical examples of positioning systems include the Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo, and GLONASS (GLOBAL Navigation Satellite System: GLONASS). The positioning signal receiving unit 300 can receive signals from one or more positioning systems. The positioning signal receiving unit 300 includes an antenna and a circuit like a conventional GPS receiver and the like.

(Authentication data acquisition unit 400)
The authentication data acquisition unit 400 acquires the personal authentication data of the subject. The personal authentication data includes, for example, at least one of the identification information (subject ID) assigned to each subject and the biometric authentication data for each subject.

The subject ID includes, for example, character string information (numeric string, alphabet string, or a combination thereof, etc.). The subject ID is issued by a medical institution, a public institution, an institution that manages this system, an institution that manages examinations, etc., an institution where the ophthalmic examination device 1 is installed, and the like. When the subject ID is included in the personal authentication data, the authentication data acquisition unit 400 includes an input device capable of inputting a character string or the like. Examples of this input device include a hardware keyboard and a software keyboard.

The subject ID may be recorded on a recording medium. Examples of this recording medium include a subject card (patient card) configured as a magnetic card and an IC card, and paper on which barcode information is printed. In such a case, the authentication data acquisition unit 400 includes a card reader (magnetic card reader, IC card reader, etc.) and a barcode reader.

The biometric data includes information representing the physical characteristics of the subject, and examples thereof include an iris pattern, a retinal pattern, a blood vessel pattern, a fingerprint, a palm print, a voice print, and an ear shape. The biometric data may include information representing the behavioral characteristics of the subject, and examples thereof include handwriting, keystroke authentication (keystroke speed and timing of the keyboard), and lip movement (lip movement during utterance). ), Blinking, etc.

When the personal authentication data includes the biometric authentication data, the authentication data acquisition unit 400 includes a configuration according to the mode of the biometric authentication data. For example, the iris pattern is acquired by a camera capable of photographing the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected (and a processor having a function of analyzing the anterior segment image acquired by this camera and extracting the iris pattern). The retinal pattern is acquired by a camera capable of photographing the fundus of the eye to be inspected (and a processor having a function of analyzing the fundus image acquired by this camera and extracting the retinal pattern). The vascular pattern is, for example, a light source that irradiates the back of the subject's hand with near-infrared light, and a photodetector that detects the near-infrared light that has passed through the back of the hand (and data obtained by this photodetector). Obtained by a processor with the ability to analyze and extract vascular patterns). Other biometric data is also acquired by a device having a known configuration.

A part or all of the authentication data acquisition unit 400 may be included in another component shown in FIG. 1, for example, the computer 100 or the user interface unit 200.

[Control system / data processing system]
The control system and the data processing system of the ophthalmic examination apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the control system and the data processing system.

(Control unit 110)
The control unit 110 includes a function of storing information and a function of performing calculations and controls. The control unit 110 includes a main control unit 111 and a storage unit 112.

(Main control unit 111)
The main control unit 111 includes a processor that controls each unit of the ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1. For example, the main control unit 111 includes a unit drive unit 10A, a light source 11, a reference mirror drive unit 14A, a scanner 16, a lens barrel drive unit 19B, an image sensor 23, a flat panel display 25, an image forming unit 120, and a data processing unit 130. It controls the communication unit 140, the user interface unit 200, the positioning signal receiving unit 300, the authentication data acquisition unit 400, and the like.

The unit drive unit 10A moves the optical unit 10 three-dimensionally. The reference mirror driving unit 14A moves the reference mirror 14 along the reference optical path. The lens barrel drive unit 19B moves the objective lens 19 and the lens barrel unit 19A along the measurement optical path. The lens driving unit 27A inserts and removes the diopter correction lens 27 from the measurement optical path. Alternatively, the lens driving unit 27A selectively arranges a plurality of diopter correction lenses in the measurement optical path.

(Storage unit 112)
The storage unit 112 stores various types of data. In addition, various programs and data for operating the ophthalmologic examination device 1 are stored in the storage unit 112. The data stored in the storage unit 112 includes data acquired by the ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1 and data stored in advance.

The data acquired by the ophthalmic examination apparatus 1 includes examination data (OCT image data, analysis data, etc.), front image data, positioning data, personal authentication data, and the like. The inspection data is data obtained by processing the detection result of the interference light by the optical unit 10. The analysis data is data obtained by analyzing OCT image data or the like with an analysis application. The positioning data is data acquired by the positioning signal receiving unit 300 or data generated by processing the data. The personal authentication data is data acquired by the authentication data acquisition unit 400 or data generated by processing the data.

The data stored in the storage unit 112 in advance includes various programs and data for operating the ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1, the communication address of the external computer 1000, and the like. When the ophthalmologic examination device 1 executes the authentication process of the subject, the regular personal authentication data (examinee authentication information) registered for each subject is stored in the storage unit 112 in advance. In this case, the data processing unit 130 has a function (verification unit) of collating the personal authentication data acquired by the authentication data acquisition unit 400 with the subject authentication information stored in the storage unit 112. Further, the inspection time information representing the scheduled inspection time registered for each subject and the inspection position information representing the scheduled inspection venue registered for each subject may be stored in advance in the storage unit 112. In this case, the data processing unit 130 collates the data of the actual inspection time based on the positioning signal or acquired by the processor (clock function) with the inspection time information, or the actual inspection position acquired based on the positioning signal. It is equipped with a function (verification unit) for collating the data of the above with the inspection position information.

(Image forming unit 120)
The image forming unit 120 forms the cross-sectional image data of the eye E to be inspected based on the detection signal output from the image sensor 23. This process includes processing such as noise removal (noise reduction), filter processing, dispersion compensation, and FFT (Fast Fourier Transform), as in the case of the conventional spectral domain type OCT. When another type of OCT is applied, the image forming unit 120 performs a known process according to the type. The image forming unit 120 includes a processor.

(Data processing unit 130)
The data processing unit 130 executes various data processing. For example, the data processing unit 130 performs image processing on the cross-sectional image data formed by the image forming unit 120. As an example, the data processing unit 130 forms 3D image data (stack data, volume data, etc.) based on a plurality of 2D cross-sectional images, and MPR that images an arbitrary cross section of the 3D image data. (Multi-Planar Cross Section) can be executed. The data processing unit 130 includes a processor. The data processing unit 130 includes a signal analysis unit 131 and an association processing unit 132. Further, different configuration examples of the data processing unit 130 are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

(Signal analysis unit 131)
In both the configuration examples of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the signal analysis unit 131 includes the position data generation unit 1311. The position data generation unit 1311 analyzes the signal received by the positioning signal receiving unit 300 and generates position data indicating the current position. The process for obtaining the current position from the positioning signal is known. For example, when the positioning signal receiving unit 300 is configured to receive a radio signal from a navigation satellite system, the position data generating unit 1311 may use a plurality of radio signals (for example, at least four) acquired by the positioning signal receiving unit 300. Position data is generated by analyzing radio signals from navigation satellites).

Further, when the positioning signal receiving unit 300 can receive signals from two or more positioning systems, the position data generation unit 1311 performs signal analysis corresponding to each positioning system to obtain more accuracy and accuracy. High position data can be acquired. On the contrary, when the accuracy and accuracy of the position data are not so required, it is possible to apply the signal analysis method according to the degree.

Further, when the positioning signal includes information regarding the time, for example, GPS, the signal analysis unit 131 may include the time data generation unit 1312 as shown in FIG. 3A. The time data generation unit 1312 analyzes the signal received by the positioning signal reception unit 300 and generates time data indicating the current time. The time data generation unit 1312 corrects the time included in the positioning signal (such as the transmission time of the radio wave signal from the navigation satellite) and converts the time included in the positioning signal into the current time in the time zone to which the current location belongs. And so on. Here, the time zone to which the current location belongs may be set by default, or may be determined based on the position data acquired by the position data generation unit 1311. Since the time data generated from the positioning signal is difficult to falsify, there is an advantage that the reliability of the time data used in the subsequent authentication process is improved.

On the other hand, when the positioning signal does not include the time information (the positioning signal may include the time information), the time data generation unit 133 can be provided outside the signal analysis unit 131 as shown in FIG. 3B. The time data generation unit 133 includes, for example, a processor having a clock function. Alternatively, the time data generation unit 133 may have a configuration for acquiring the current time from an external device (having a clock function) such as an external computer 1000 or a mobile terminal.

The positioning signal receiving unit 300 and the position data generating unit 1311 (and the time data generating unit 1312) may be externally attached to the ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1 (that is, may be configured as a separate housing). For example, it is possible to acquire position data (and time data) by using a positioning function (GPS function or the like) mounted on a mobile terminal and input the position data (and time data) to the ophthalmologic examination device 1.

Further, the positioning signal receiving unit 300 and the position data generation unit 1311 (and the time data generation unit 1312) may be configured to receive power from a power source (dedicated battery or the like) different from the components other than these. As a result, it is possible to detect the position and the current time even when the power of the ophthalmic examination device 1 is off or the ophthalmic examination device 1 is not connected to an external power source (commercial power source, hospital power source, etc.). Is. By accumulating the position data and the time data that are repeatedly acquired in this way, the movement history of the ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1 can be created.

(Association processing unit 132)
The association processing unit 132 includes inspection data acquired by the ophthalmic examination apparatus 1, personal authentication data acquired by the authentication data acquisition unit 400, position data generated by the position data generation unit 1311, and time data generation unit 1312. (Or 133) to associate with the time data acquired.

The association process executed by the association processing unit 132, for example, assigns the same information (for example, inspection ID) to these data. As another example of the association process, when the image data is managed in the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) format, the authentication data, the position data, and the time data can be written in a predetermined area of the DICOM tag. As yet another example, inspection data, authentication data, position data, and time data can be stored in the same folder.

In addition to the methods illustrated above, for example, at least one of authentication data, position data, and time data can be embedded in inspection data (image data). For example, authentication data, position data, and time data can be imaged, converted into spatial frequency domain data, and embedded in inspection data. Alternatively, the authentication data, the position data, and the time data can be embedded in a portion of the image data that does not interfere with the interpretation (for example, in the vicinity of the frame). In this case, the area in which the information is embedded may be set by default or may be determined each time the association process is performed. As an example of the latter, the image data is analyzed to identify the image region corresponding to the region of interest (macula, optic disc, diseased region, blood vessel, etc.) of the eye E to be inspected, and the region other than this image region is set as the embedded region. be able to.

(Communication unit 140)
The communication unit 140 performs data communication with an external device. The data communication method is arbitrary. For example, the communication unit 140 includes an Internet-compliant communication interface, a LAN-compliant communication interface, and the like. Further, the data communication may be wired communication or wireless communication. The communication unit 140 performs data communication with the external computer 1000 via the communication line 2000. Any number of external computers 1000 may be provided. The external computer 1000 may be, for example, a server installed in the management center of the system, a server installed in the interpretation center, a server installed in a medical institution, or the like. The data transmitted and received by the communication unit 140 may be encrypted. In that case, the control unit 110 (or the data processing unit 130) includes an encryption processing unit that encrypts the transmitted data.

[About the ophthalmic examination system]
A system (ophthalmic examination system) including one or more ophthalmic examination devices as described above will be described. The ophthalmologic examination system according to the embodiment includes a function of inspecting the eye to be inspected by each ophthalmic examination device and a function of authenticating the subject based on the data acquired by each ophthalmic examination device.

A configuration example of such an ophthalmic examination system is shown in FIG. The ophthalmologic examination system shown in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of ophthalmic examination devices 1-n (n = 1, 2, ..., N) and an information processing device 500. Each ophthalmologic examination device 1-n and the information processing device 500 can communicate with each other via a network such as the Internet or a LAN. The ophthalmologic examination system is configured so that at least data can be transmitted from each ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1-n to the information processing apparatus 500.

Each ophthalmic examination device 1-n has the same configuration as the above-mentioned ophthalmic examination device 1. The plurality of ophthalmic examination devices 1-n may all be of the same type. For example, the plurality of ophthalmic examination devices 1-n may all be OCT devices. Also, the plurality of ophthalmologic examination devices 1-n may include two or more different types of devices. For example, the plurality of ophthalmologic examination devices 1-n may include one or more OCT devices, one or more OCT devices and a combination device of a fundus camera, one or more fundus cameras, and one or more SLOs. ..

The information processing device 500 is an example of the external computer 1000 described above. The information processing device 500 is, for example, a server for managing the ophthalmologic examination system, a server installed in an image interpretation center, a server installed in a medical institution, and the like.

The information processing device 500 includes a control unit 510, a storage unit 520, a collation unit 530, and a communication unit 540. The control unit 510 includes a processor that controls each unit of the information processing device 500. The collation unit 530 includes a processor that executes a collation process described later.

The storage unit 520 stores various types of data. In particular, the storage unit 520 stores in advance the subject authentication information, the inspection time information, and the inspection position information regarding each of the plurality of subjects. The subject authentication information is legitimate personal authentication data registered for each subject, for example, a subject ID and predetermined biometric authentication information (biometric authentication data actually acquired and registered from the subject). ) And. The inspection time information represents the scheduled inspection time registered for each subject. The inspection position information represents the scheduled inspection venue registered for each subject.

In this example, each ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1-n transmits a predetermined data set to the information processing apparatus 500. The data set includes inspection data, personal authentication data, time data, and position data associated by the association processing unit 132. The collation unit 530 receives the data set input from any of the ophthalmic examination devices 1-n and executes at least the following three processes: The personal authentication data contained in this data set is used as the subject authentication information. Matching process; Matching the time data contained in this data set with the inspection time information; Matching the position data contained in this data set with the inspection position information.

These collation processes are executed, for example, as follows. As a premise, it is assumed that the storage unit 520 stores the biometric authentication information of the subject, the inspection time information, and the inspection position information in association with the subject ID of each subject. The biometric authentication information is, for example, biometric authentication data acquired and registered in advance from a subject. The examination time information is, for example, the scheduled examination date and time set in response to an application for examination from the subject. The scheduled inspection date and time may be set as a period of, for example, several tens of minutes to several hours. The examination position information indicates, for example, an examination venue set in response to an application for an examination from a subject. The examination position information may be, for example, the name of the examination venue, the latitude and longitude of the examination venue, the name of the land or area where the examination venue is located, or the like. The inspection position information is information in a form that can be converted from the coordinate system of the position data obtained from the positioning signal received from the positioning system. Further, it is assumed that the data set input from the ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1-n includes the subject ID, the biometric authentication data, the time data, and the examination data.

The collation unit 530 searches the storage unit 520 for the same subject ID as the subject ID included in the input data set. If the target subject ID is not searched, the subsequent processing is not performed. When the target subject ID is searched, the collation unit 530 executes the following three processes: The biometric data included in this data set is the biometric information associated with the searched subject ID. The process of collating the time data contained in this data set with the inspection time information associated with the searched subject ID; the process of collating the position data contained in this data set with the searched subject. The process of collating with the inspection position information associated with the ID.

The collation unit 530 outputs the final collation result based on the results of these three collation processes. At this time, the collation unit 530 can obtain the final collation result by combining at least two of the three collation processes, or the final collation result based on the result of the default priority collation process among the three collation processes. You can also get. For example, the collation unit 530 can determine "verification success" when the collation succeeds in all three processes. This corresponds to the case where the correct subject performs the inspection at the correct place and at the correct date and time (day, or day and time (period)). Alternatively, the collation unit 530 can determine "verification success" when the biometric authentication and the inspection position are collated. This corresponds to the case where the correct subject performs the examination at the correct place (considering that the examination time may be different due to the flow of the examination or the like).

The communication unit 540 performs data communication with an external device. The data communication method is arbitrary. For example, the communication unit 540 includes an Internet-compliant communication interface, a LAN-compliant communication interface, and the like.

[Usage pattern]
An embodiment of the ophthalmologic examination system of the present embodiment will be described. An example of the usage pattern is shown in FIG.

(S1: Start receiving the positioning signal and generating position data and time data)
The ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1-n starts receiving the positioning signal by the positioning signal receiving unit 300, generating the position data by the position data generation unit 1311, and generating the time data by the time data generation unit 1312 (or 133). .. The positioning signal receiving unit 300 receives, for example, a positioning signal at a predetermined time interval and inputs it to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 sequentially sends the positioning signals input at the time interval to the data processing unit 130. The position data generation unit 1311 repeats the generation of position data at the time interval. The time data generation unit 1312 repeats the generation of time data at the time interval. The time interval is set in advance, for example, 1 second interval, 1 minute interval, and the like.

(S2: Enter the subject ID)
The subject ID is input to the ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1-n. The subject ID is manually entered by the subject or the examiner, or read from the recording medium. The entered subject ID is sent to the association processing unit 132.

(S3: Associate position data and time data with subject ID)
When the subject ID is input in step S2, the control unit 110 sends a control signal to the data processing unit 130. Upon receiving this control signal, the association processing unit 132 acquires the position data and the time data generated immediately after that and associates it with the subject ID.

(S4: Acquire biometric authentication data)
The authentication data acquisition unit 400 acquires the biometric authentication data of the subject. The acquired biometric authentication data is sent to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 sends this biometric authentication data to the association processing unit 132.

(S5: Associate biometric authentication data with subject ID, etc.)
The association processing unit 132 associates the biometric authentication data input from the control unit 110 with the subject ID, position data, and time data associated with each other in step S3.

(S6: Inspect the eye to be inspected)
The examination of the eye E to be examined is performed using the ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1-n. In the present embodiment, OCT measurement is performed on the eye E to be inspected and image data (examination data) is acquired. The acquired image data is sent to the association processing unit 132.

(S7: Associate the test data with the subject ID, etc.)
The association processing unit 132 associates the inspection data acquired in step S6 with the subject ID, biometric authentication data, position data, and time data associated with each other in step S5.

(S8: Send the data set)
The control unit 110 creates a data set including the subject ID, biometric data, position data, time data, and test data associated with each other in step S7. Further, the control unit 110 transmits this data set to the information processing device 500 by controlling the communication unit 140.

(S9: The information processing device receives the data set)
The information processing device 500 receives the data set transmitted from the ophthalmologic examination device 1-n. The received data set is managed by a database such as an image management system.

(S10: Execute collation processing)
The control unit 510 of the information processing device 500 sends the subject ID, biometric authentication data, position data, and time data included in the data set received in step S9 to the collation unit 530. The collation unit 530 reads the biometric authentication information, the inspection position information, and the examination time information associated with the subject ID from the storage unit 520, collates the biometric data with the biometric authentication information, and sets the position data and the inspection position information. And collation of time data with inspection time information are executed respectively, and the final collation result is obtained from the result of these collation processing.

(S11: Output the final collation result)
The control unit 510 sends the final collation result acquired in step S10 to an information processing device (not shown). This information processing device is, for example, a computer in a facility in which an ophthalmic examination device 1-n or an information processing device 500 is installed, a server that manages this system, and the like. For example, when image interpretation is performed based on this inspection data (image data), image interpretation is performed as it is when the final collation is successful. On the other hand, if the final collation fails, the image is not read, and for example, the data processing unit 130 creates a report that the inspection may have been performed illegally.

The timing of acquiring the position data and the time data is not limited to the above timing, and may be any timing such as, for example, when examining the eye to be inspected. Further, in the present usage mode, the information association processing is executed at a plurality of timings, but the timing of the association processing is not limited to these, and may be any timing.

[Action / Effect]
The actions and effects of the embodiments will be described.

The ophthalmic examination apparatus (1) of the embodiment includes an inspection unit (optical unit 10, image forming unit 120, etc.), an authentication data acquisition unit (400), a time data generation unit (1312, 133, etc.), and a positioning signal reception. A unit (300), a position data generation unit (1311), and an association processing unit (132) are provided. The inspection unit generates inspection data by optically inspecting the eye to be inspected. The authentication data acquisition unit acquires the personal authentication data of the subject. The time data generation unit generates time data indicating the time when the examination of the eye to be examined was performed. The positioning signal receiving unit receives the signal from the positioning system. The position data generation unit generates position data indicating the current position by analyzing the signal received by the positioning signal receiving unit. The association processing unit includes inspection data generated by the inspection unit, personal authentication data acquired by the authentication data acquisition unit, time data generated by the time data generation unit, and position data generated by the position data generation unit. To associate with.

Further, the ophthalmologic examination system of the embodiment includes a plurality of ophthalmologic examination devices (1-n) and an information processing device (500) capable of communicating with each of these ophthalmic examination devices. Each ophthalmologic examination apparatus includes an examination unit, an authentication data acquisition unit, a time data generation unit, a positioning signal reception unit, a position data generation unit, and an association processing unit similar to the above. Further, each ophthalmologic examination device includes a communication unit (140) that transmits a data set including examination data, personal authentication data, time data, and position data associated by the association processing unit to the information processing device. On the other hand, the information processing device includes a storage unit (520), a communication unit (540), and a collation unit (530). The storage unit stores in advance the subject authentication information, the inspection time information, and the inspection position information for each of the plurality of subjects. The communication unit receives the data set transmitted from any of the plurality of ophthalmologic examination devices. The collation unit collates the personal authentication data contained in the data set received by the communication unit with the subject authentication information, collates the time data with the inspection time information, and collates the position data with the inspection position information. And execute the process.

According to such an embodiment, even when the ophthalmologic examination device is installed at an arbitrary place in a medical form such as remote use, rental, or patrol diagnosis, personal authentication data such as biometric authentication and examination can be performed. It is possible to perform an authentication process to confirm the validity of the inspection based on the location and time of the inspection.

In the embodiment, the time data generation unit (1312) may be configured to generate time data by analyzing the signal received by the positioning signal receiving unit. According to this configuration, an accurate time can be obtained from the positioning signal. Another advantage is that it is relatively difficult to falsify the time data.

The ophthalmologic examination apparatus of the embodiment may include a communication unit (140) as described above. The communication unit functions to transmit a data set including inspection data, personal authentication data, time data, and position data associated by the association processing unit to an external computer (external computer 1000, information processing device 500, etc.). .. According to this configuration, the authentication process can be performed remotely and in real time. When the ophthalmology examination device is not provided with the communication unit, the data group associated by the association processing unit is stored in the storage unit 112. Then, these data groups are read out at an arbitrary timing and subjected to the above-mentioned collation processing.

[Modification example]
The embodiments described above are merely typical examples of the present invention. Therefore, any modification (omission, substitution, addition, etc.) within the scope of the gist of the present invention can be appropriately applied.

The ophthalmic examination device and the ophthalmic examination system of the embodiment not only detect and prevent data mistakes and spoofing by the patient himself by the above-mentioned authentication of the subject, but also detect fraud of the examiner (doctor, etc.).・ It can also be used to prevent it. For example, in medical forms such as rental and home-visit examinations, even if an attempt is made to fraudulently charge medical fees by pretending to have performed an examination, according to the embodiment, when, where, and who performed the examination. Since it can be confirmed, it is possible to detect and prevent such fraud.

Depending on the location of the ophthalmic examination device, its communication function may be restricted. For example, when installed in a hospital, the communication function is limited because the electromagnetic waves for communication emitted from the ophthalmologic examination device may affect the medical device. In order to deal with such a case, it is possible to provide a function for switching the communication method. For example, it may be provided with a configuration capable of communicating with an external computer (information processing device 500, etc.) via a server (local server function, home server function, etc.) installed in the hospital. The communication between the ophthalmologic examination device and the server may be an arbitrary short-range wireless communication. The ophthalmologic examination apparatus uses this server as a repeater to send data to an external computer (information processing apparatus 500 or the like).

The ophthalmologic examination apparatus may have a function of automatically switching the communication method. This automatic switching function can be realized, for example, as follows. The processor (control unit 110) of the ophthalmologic examination device determines whether or not the current position of the ophthalmologic examination device is in the hospital based on the position data generated by the position data generation unit and the map information stored in advance. .. When it is determined that the person is out of the hospital, the processor controls the communication unit so as to use a communication method using a wide area communication network such as the Internet. On the other hand, when it is determined that the patient is in the hospital, the processor controls the communication unit so as to use the communication method of the repeater in the hospital.

As another method of automatic switching of communication methods, specify the communication method of each receivable radio wave, and select and use any one (for example, one with strong reception strength) from the specified communication methods. Is possible.

1, 1-n Ophthalmic examination device 10 Optical unit 110 Control unit 112 Storage unit 1311 Position data generation unit 1312, 133 Time data generation unit 132 Association processing unit 140 Communication unit 300 Positioning signal reception unit 400 Authentication data acquisition unit

Claims (3)

With multiple ophthalmic examination devices,
An ophthalmic examination system including an information processing device capable of communicating with each of the plurality of ophthalmic examination devices.
Each of the plurality of ophthalmic examination devices
An inspection unit that generates inspection data by optically inspecting the eye to be inspected,
The authentication data acquisition department that acquires the individual authentication data of the subject,
A time data generation unit that generates time data indicating the time when the examination of the eye to be inspected was performed, and
A positioning signal receiver that receives signals from the positioning system,
A position data generation unit that generates position data indicating the current position by analyzing the received signal, and
An association processing unit that associates the inspection data, the personal authentication data, the time data, and the position data, and
A communication unit that transmits a data set including the associated inspection data, the personal authentication data, the time data, and the position data to the information processing device is provided.
The information processing device
Subject authentication information for each of the plurality of subjects, inspection time information indicating the scheduled inspection time registered for each of the plurality of subjects, and inspection registered for each of the plurality of subjects. A storage unit that stores the inspection position information that represents the planned venue in advance,
A communication unit that receives the data set transmitted from any of the plurality of ophthalmologic examination devices, and
The process of collating the personal authentication data included in the received data set with the subject authentication information, the process of collating the time data with the inspection time information, and the process of collating the position data with the inspection position information. An ophthalmic examination system with a collation unit that performs the processing and execution. The ophthalmologic examination system according to claim 1, wherein the time data generation unit generates the time data by analyzing the signal received by the positioning signal reception unit. The ophthalmologic examination system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the examination unit includes an OCT unit that acquires data of the eye to be inspected by using optical coherence tomography.

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