JPH0994230A - Ophtalmological apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously take photographs of plural positions of a subject eye after performing alignment once by providing a means for setting a position of projection for setting the projecting position for the eye of a subject and by constituting so as to continuously project plural projecting positions previously designated. SOLUTION: In the case of an apparatus for photographing endothelial cells of cornea, this apparatus comprises an anterior eye part observing optical system 1, a lighting optical system 28 and an observing and photographing optical system 29 disposed on the both sides of the apparatus, wherein image signals from CCD 5 are inputted in a monitoring TV 90 via an arithmetic and controlling circuit 200. The anterior eye part observing optical system 1 comprises an alignment light projecting optical system 3 which guides a fixation target light from a fixation target projecting optical system 14 to the subject eye via a half mirror 3 and a half mirror 2 as a part of components of an optical system 8 and presents the fixation target to the subject eye. On continuously photographing, by designating the photographing position using a chart projected on the monitor TV 90, the corresponding luminous diode 17 is lighted and the photograph is taken by making the light gaze and by lighting a lighting source 32.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of automatic alignment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional ophthalmologic apparatus is generally known in which alignment is manually performed and a photographing operation is automatically performed in response to an alignment completion signal.
An example of this type of ophthalmic device is a corneal endothelial cell imaging device.

As this corneal endothelial cell imaging apparatus, an apparatus for imaging the center of the cornea and its periphery is known.
That is, as this corneal endothelial cell imaging apparatus, for example, a plurality of fixation targets such as light emitting diodes are provided, and one of the fixation targets is selected and turned on to turn on the subject. It is known that a fixed target is observed and the alignment is performed in this state, and then the cornea is imaged. With this configuration, the examiner can take an image of the part of the cornea to be imaged by selecting and lighting one of the plurality of fixation targets.

[0004]

However, particularly in photographing corneal endothelial cells or the like, manual alignment is difficult because the region to be photographed is minute.

Also, when photographing the peripheral region of the cornea,
Since the examiner selectively lights the position of the fixation target to perform photographing, the photographing operation is troublesome.

Further, in an ophthalmologic apparatus having a drive system for manual alignment and a drive system for automatic alignment, the manual movement mechanism moves unnecessarily during the operation of the automatic alignment system, either naturally or due to the movement reaction force during the operation. In this case, the operation of the auto alignment system was hindered in this case.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of continuously photographing a plurality of positions of an eye to be inspected after once aligned. Another object of the present invention is to provide a drive system for manual alignment in an ophthalmologic apparatus having a drive system for manual alignment and a drive system for auto alignment, either naturally during the operation of the auto alignment system or by a reaction force during the operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of preventing unnecessary movement of the eye.

[0008]

In order to achieve this first object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises an illumination optical system for irradiating an eye to be inspected with illumination light, and an eye to be inspected by the illumination light. For in-focus position detection that receives the reflected light of the
A first light receiving optical system including a light receiving unit, an imaging optical system including an image capturing unit that receives reflected light from the eye to be inspected by the illumination light, and projection optics that projects index light onto the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected. A second light receiving optical system including a system, a second light receiving unit for receiving the reflected light of the index light from the anterior segment of the eye, and the optical system built-in and capable of being driven in a three-dimensional direction by a driving unit. The device has a device body mounted on a base, and controls the drive means based on information from the first and second light receiving means to move the device body in a three-dimensional direction, whereby the eye to be inspected. In an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus having a control circuit for aligning the optical system with respect to the eye and imaging the eye to be inspected by the imaging means, an imaging position designating means for designating an imaging position of the eye to be inspected is provided, and the control is performed. Circuit is the shooting position Characterized in that the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus is configured to take continuous plurality of photographing positions specified by a constant means.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 has a storage means for storing a photographing position once photographed, and a fixation target light projection optical system for presenting the fixation target light to the eye to be inspected and gazing. The control circuit controls the driving means for each photographing to separate the main body of the apparatus from the eye to be examined by a predetermined amount to change the light emitting position of the fixation target light, and then to the photographing position stored in the storage means. It is characterized in that it is set to restore the main body.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the invention of claim 3 has an apparatus main body which has a built-in optical system used for observation and photography and is mounted on a base so as to be movable in three-dimensional directions.
A manual operation mechanism for manually driving and operating the device body in a three-dimensional direction, a drive means for electrically driving the device body, and a means for controlling the drive means to move the device body in the three-dimensional direction, In an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus having a control circuit for automatically aligning the optical system with respect to an eye to be inspected, an electric lock means for locking the manual operation mechanism is provided, and the electric lock means is activated during automatic alignment by the control circuit. The ophthalmologic apparatus locks the manual operation mechanism.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A corneal endothelial cell observation and photographing device as an ophthalmologic photographing device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

[Mechanical Structure] FIG. 7 is a side view of the corneal endothelial cell observation and imaging device shown without the cover covering the device body H and its alignment mechanism I, and FIG. 8 shows the inside of the device body H of FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial plan view, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the control circuit shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 100 denotes a base having a built-in power source.

A movable base 1 is provided above the base 100.
01 (frame) is provided, and the base main body 71 shown in FIG. The base body 71 has a left-right direction (X
Direction), and a through hole 71b that is opened at a right angle to the shaft through hole 71a and is opened on the upper surface.

Reference numeral 72 is a shaft slidably passing through the shaft insertion hole 71a, and reference numerals 73 and 73 are wheels fixed to both ends of the shaft 72. The wheels 73, 73 have a base 10
A rail (not shown) that extends in the front-rear direction and that is provided on the upper part of the vehicle is used to roll forward and backward. Since this configuration employs a known configuration, detailed description thereof will be omitted. As a result, the base 100 can be moved left and right and back and forth.

Further, a push-pull solenoid 74 having its axis lined up and down is fixed to the base body 71 as an electric lock means. This push-pull solenoid 74
Has a solenoid 74a and an actuator rod 74b that is advanced from the solenoid 74a by energizing the solenoid 74a. This actuator rod 7
4b has a tip portion inserted into the insertion hole 71b. When the solenoid 74a is energized to advance from the solenoid 74a, the tip portion 4b is pressed against the shaft 72 to fix the base body 71 to the shaft 72. It has become. The base body 71 can be fixed to the shaft 72 by using a driving means other than the push-pull solenoid 74.

The movable base 101 is provided so that it can be manually operated in the front / rear and left / right directions by a control lever (joystick lever) 102. Further, the control lever 102 is provided with a photographing switch 103, which is used in the manual photographing mode. On the movable base 101, an alignment mechanism I (alignment drive mechanism) used when the optical system of the apparatus body H is automatically aligned with the eye to be inspected is mounted.
The control lever 102, the shaft 72, the wheels 73, etc. constitute a manual operation mechanism.

The alignment mechanism I is composed of a lifting mechanism, a lateral movement mechanism, and a front-back movement mechanism. This lifting mechanism
A motor 104 (elevating drive means) fixed to the upper part of the movable base 101, and a vertical direction (Y direction) on the movable base 101.
The column 105 is held so as to be movable (movable up and down, that is, vertically movable). Moreover, the motor 104 and the pillar 105 are coupled to each other by a pinion rack (not shown), and the pillar 105 is vertically moved (elevated) by the motor 104. The table 1 is placed on the upper end of the column 105.
06 is fixed.

The lateral movement mechanism has a column 108 and a motor 107 (lateral driving means) fixed on the table 106, and a table 109 held at the upper end of the column 108 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction (X direction). Have. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the lateral movement mechanism has a rack 110 provided at the rear end of the table 109 and a pinion 111 provided on the output shaft of the motor 107. Moreover, the pinion 111 is meshed with the rack 110.

The forward / backward moving mechanism has a motor 112 and a column 113 fixed to the upper portion of the table 109, and the pinion 11 provided on the output shaft of the motor 112.
4 and the case 115 of the apparatus main body H arranged on the column 113. This device body H is provided with this case 115.
The optical system 116 for observing and photographing corneal endothelium cells and the control circuit 200 of the apparatus body H are housed in the case 115. The case 116 is held slidably in the front-rear direction. Moreover, the rack 1 is provided on the side of the case 116.
17 is provided, and this rack 117 is a pinion 1
It is meshed with 14.

The control circuit 200 is an arithmetic control circuit 201.
And drivers 104a, 107a, 112a for driving and controlling the motors 104, 107, 112. The solenoid 74a is designed to be energized by the arithmetic control circuit 201. The motor 104 is used for the eye E
Is used for automatically performing the Y-direction alignment of the device body H with respect to the eye E, the motor 107 is used for automatically performing the X-direction alignment of the device body H with respect to the eye E, and the motor 112 is used for the eye E. It is used to automatically perform the Z-direction alignment of the apparatus main body H with respect to, and these can be operated in the automatic photographing mode. As the motors 104, 107, 112, stepping motors, that is, pulse motors capable of position control are used.

The motors 104, 107, 112 constitute driving means for driving the apparatus main body H based on the received light output of the light receiving means of the corneal endothelial cell observation and photographing optical system 116 described later.

Although a relative position adjusting mechanism for the eye E and the apparatus body H in the vertical direction (Y direction) by manual operation (manual operation) is not shown, various mechanisms can be adopted. For example, as the position adjusting mechanism, a chin rest (not shown) provided on a table on which the base 100 is placed is provided so that it can be moved up and down, and the chin rest is operated by a handle or the like. May be.

The position adjusting mechanism is provided with first and second switches which are turned on by rotating the control lever 102 around the axis in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction by a predetermined angle. When one of the first and second switches is ON, the motor 104
Is rotated in the normal direction, and when the other of the first and second switches is ON, the motor 104 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the column 105 is moved to the motor 10
4 may be moved up and down. Further, as the position adjusting mechanism, an elevating member that moves up and down by a forward and reverse rotation operation of the control lever 102 about its axis may be provided, and the elevating member may support the column 105 and the motor 104.

[Optical System] The above-mentioned optical system 116 for observing and photographing corneal endothelial cells is the anterior ocular segment observing optical system 1 shown in FIGS.
And an illumination optical system 28 and an observation / photographing optical system 29 located on both sides of the anterior segment observation optical system 1.

<Anterior Eye Observation Optical System> The anterior eye observation optical system 1 is roughly composed of a half mirror 2, an objective lens 3, a half mirror 4, a CCD 5 (imaging means) and the like.
The video signal from the CCD 5 is input to the monitor television 90 via the arithmetic control circuit (control means) 201.

FIG. 3 (a) is an explanatory view of the cover 6 of the apparatus main body H of the corneal endothelial cell imaging apparatus as seen from the front, and the anterior segment observation optical system 1 is built in the apparatus main body 6. A photographing window 6a is formed on the front surface of the cover 6, and the objective lens 3 is located at the center of the photographing window 6a. In Figure 1, O
1 is the optical axis of the anterior segment observation optical system 1, 7 and 7 are anterior segment illumination light sources for illuminating the anterior segment of the eye E, and in FIG. 2, 8 is an alignment light projection optical system. The anterior ocular segment illumination light sources 7 and 7 are controlled to emit light by the arithmetic control circuit 201 via the light emission control circuit 202. The anterior ocular segment illumination light sources 7 and 7 are provided on the front surface of the cover 6 close to both sides of the photographing window 6a, and the half mirror 2 constitutes a part of the alignment light projection optical system 8.

Moreover, at the time of alignment using the alignment optical system 8, when the anterior ocular segment illumination light sources 7, 7 are turned on to illuminate the anterior ocular segment of the eye E to be examined, reflection from the anterior ocular segment of the eye E to be examined is reflected. The light flux is received by the CCD 5 via the half mirror 2, the objective lens 3, and the half mirror 4, and the anterior segment image of the eye E to be inspected is formed on the CCD 5. Then, on the screen 90a of the monitor television 90, the anterior ocular segment image E ′ of the eye E to be inspected by the video signal from the CCD 5 by the arithmetic control circuit 201.
Is displayed in real time as shown in FIG.

<Alignment Light Projecting Optical System> As shown in FIG. 2, the alignment optical system 8 has an alignment light source 9, a pinhole plate 10, a projection lens 11, a diaphragm 12, and a half mirror 13. The pinhole plate 10 is arranged at the focal point of the projection lens 11. Part of the light from the alignment light source 9 passes through the pinhole plate 10 to become alignment index light (alignment light flux),
The projection lens 11 forms a parallel light flux. A part of this alignment index light is reflected by the half mirror 13 and then reflected by the half mirror 2 and guided (projected) to the cornea C.

<Fixed Target Projection Optical System> This half mirror 1
Reference numeral 3 constitutes a part of the fixation target projection optical system 14. The fixation target projection optical system 14 has a fixation target light source 17 and a pinhole plate 18.

This fixation target light source 17 has a plurality of light emitting diodes 17a to 17a as fixation targets as shown in FIG. 3 (b).
e. Moreover, when the plurality of light emitting diodes 17a to 17e of the fixation target light source 17 are turned on in a state where the subject is looking into the apparatus through the imaging window 6a, the subject is controlled to turn on the plurality of light emitting diodes 17a to 17e. The respective light emitting diodes 17a to 17e are arranged so that the respective light emitting points can be seen at the positions A, B, C, D and E as shown in FIG. The pinhole plate 18 is provided with pinholes corresponding to the light emitting diodes 17a to 17e. The light emitting diodes 17a to 17e are controlled in light emission by the arithmetic control circuit 201 via the light emission control circuit 202.

Further, on the screen 90a of the monitor television 90, when the examiner photographs the cornea C of the eye E to be examined,
As shown in FIG. 3A, the light emitting diodes 17a to 17e
A chart 92 used for selectively lighting one of the (fixation target) is displayed in relation to the anterior segment image E ′ as shown in FIG. The positions A to E of the chart 92 are made to correspond to the light emitting diodes 17a to 17e, respectively.

The fixation target light from the fixation target projection optical system 14 is guided to the eye E through the half mirror 13 and the half mirror 2, and the fixation target is presented to the eye E. The alignment adjustment is performed while allowing the subject to fixate the fixation target.

<XY Alignment Detection Means> As described above, the alignment light beam projected from the alignment light source 9 toward the cornea C of the eye E is reflected on the surface of the cornea C, and the corneal apex P and the corneal curvature center. A virtual image is formed at an intermediate position between O3. A part of the alignment light flux reflected from the cornea C, that is, the reflected alignment light flux is transmitted through the half mirror 2 and converged by the objective lens 3, and is separated into two components by the half mirror 4 during the convergence.

The light flux reflected by the half mirror 4 is guided to the XY alignment detection sensor 4 '(second light receiving means). As the XY alignment detection sensor 4 ', a PSD sensor or an area CCD capable of detecting the position in the X and Y directions can be used. This X
The output from the Y alignment detection sensor 4 ', that is, the detection signal is input to the arithmetic control circuit 201 (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, the light flux passing through the half mirror 4 is transferred to the CCD 5
Is formed into an image to form a bright spot image on the CCD 5.
The half mirror 2, the objective lens 3, the half mirror 4, the XY alignment detection sensor 4 ', etc. constitute a second light receiving optical system.

<Alignment Pattern Projection Optical System> As shown in FIG. 1, the alignment pattern projection optical system 21 is roughly composed of an alignment pattern light source 22, an alignment pattern plate 23, and a projection lens 24. An annular pattern is formed on the alignment pattern plate 23. The half mirror 4 reflects the light flux from the alignment pattern projection optical system 21 toward the CCD 5 side to form an annular pattern image on the CCD 5.

The image output signal from the CCD 5 is input to the monitor television 90 through the arithmetic control circuit 201,
An anterior segment image E'of the subject's eye E and annular pattern images 93 and 94 are simultaneously displayed on the screen 90a of the monitor television 90 as shown in FIG. Here, the area inside the ring-shaped pattern image 93 is an auto-photographable area S2, and the area between the ring-shaped pattern images 93 and 94 is an area S1 capable of automatic alignment.

Therefore, at the time of alignment, the eye E to be examined is aligned while observing the anterior segment of the eye, and the light flux reflected by the cornea C and forming the alignment bright spot image 95 is positioned at the center of the annular pattern images 93, 94. As described above, the apparatus main body 6 is manually aligned with the general position in the up-down direction (Y direction), the left-right direction (X direction), and the front-rear direction (Z direction).

Moreover, at this time, when the alignment bright spot 95 enters the auto-alignable area S1, the XY alignment detection sensor 4'is set so that the alignment can be detected.

<Illumination Optical System> The illumination optical system 28 irradiates the cornea C of the subject's eye E with an illumination light beam from an oblique direction. The illumination optical system 28 includes an illumination light source 30 for observation, a condenser lens 31, an infrared filter 31 ′, an illumination light source 32 for photographing, a condenser lens 33, a slit plate 34,
It has a light projecting lens 35 and a dichroic mirror 37. Moreover, the dichroic mirror 37 is arranged between the infrared filter 31 ′ and the slit plate 34.

An infrared light emitting LED is used for the illumination light source 30 described above, and a xenon lamp is used for the illumination light source 32. The illumination light sources 30 and 32 are controlled in light emission by the arithmetic control circuit 201 via the light emission control circuit 202. Further, the slit plate 34 is formed with an elongated rectangular slit 36.

The infrared light flux from the illumination light source 30 is condensed by a condenser lens 33, an infrared filter 31 'and a slit 36.
The illumination light from the illumination light source 32 is guided to the light projecting lens 35 through the dichroic mirror 37. Moreover, when the alignment is completed, the slit plate 34 and the cornea C are substantially conjugate with respect to the light projecting lens 35, and the cornea C is irradiated with the slit light flux. This slit light flux partially crosses the cornea C from the surface toward the inside, while the rest is reflected on the surface of the cornea C.

<Observation / shooting optical system> The observation / shooting optical system 29 includes an objective lens group including two lenses 40 and 40 ', a half mirror 41, a mask 42, and a mirror 4.
4, relay lens 45, mirror 46, line sensor 4
It is roughly composed of 7. In the state where the alignment is completed, the mask 42 and the cornea C are the objective lens 40,
It is almost conjugate with respect to 40 '.

The above-mentioned line sensor 47 is formed by arranging a large number of light receiving elements in a line and is provided for alignment (Z alignment) in the Z direction (the optical axis direction of the instrument). When each light receiving element of the line sensor 47 receives light, it outputs a detection signal corresponding to an address (address). Moreover, the output (detection signal) from the line sensor 47 is input to the detection circuit 47 '. This detection circuit 47 'is output when the peak value of the output signal of the line sensor 47 (the peak value of the reflected light from the corneal endothelial cells) matches the predetermined address of the line sensor 47, that is, from the predetermined address of the line sensor 47. When the peak signal (detection signal) is received, the Z alignment completion signal is output, and the Z alignment completion signal is output.
It is designed to enter 01. This arithmetic control circuit 20
1 receives the alignment completion signal from the detection circuit 47 ', and controls the light emission of the photographing light source 32 via the light emission control circuit.

Therefore, the slit light flux reflected on the surface of the cornea C is condensed by the objective lenses 40 and 40 ', guided to the half mirror 41, reflected by the half mirror 41 and guided to the line sensor 47. When the light receiving element corresponding to the predetermined address of the line sensor 47 receives the light, the detection signal from the light receiving element of the predetermined address is input to the detection circuit 47 '. Then, the detection circuit 47 '
Determines from the detection signal from the light receiving element at the predetermined address that the lens is in focus, outputs a Z alignment completion signal and inputs it to the arithmetic control circuit 201. The objective lenses 40 and 40 ', the half mirror 14, the line sensor 47 and the like constitute a first light receiving optical system.

The reflected light that has passed through the half mirror 41 is guided to the mask 42, and the reflected image from the cornea C is transferred to the mask 4.
2 is formed at the disposition position. The mask 42 plays a role of blocking extra reflected light other than forming a corneal endothelial cell image. The reflected light that forms the image of corneal endothelial cells is mirror 4
4, is guided to the mirror 46 via the relay lens 45, is reflected, and is imaged on the CCD 5. The mirror 46 is arranged at a position where it does not interfere with the anterior ocular segment observation light beam, and is incident on the CCD 5 at the same angle as the inclination angle θ on the object side.

<Optical Path Switching Means> In FIG. 1, reference numeral 48 denotes a light shielding plate which is detachably provided by the solenoid 48a of FIG. 9 in the optical path between the relay lens 45 and the mirror 46 (in the optical path of the observation / photographing system). , 49 are light shielding plates which are provided in the optical path between the half mirror 4 and the CCD 5 (on the optical path of the anterior ocular segment observation system) so as to be detachable by the solenoid 49a in FIG. The solenoids 48a and 49a are driven and controlled by the arithmetic control circuit 201.

Then, the arithmetic control circuit 201 controls the operation of the solenoids 48a and 49a so that the shading plate 48 is normally inserted in the optical path of the observation and photographing system at the time of starting the alignment operation, and the shading plate 49 is placed in front of the eye. It is designed to be retracted from the middle of the optical path of the partial observation system.

Moreover, when the alignment bright spot 95 enters the auto-alignable area S1 by performing alignment with the eye E to be inspected while observing the anterior segment,
As described above, the XY alignment detection sensor 4'is ready for alignment detection. Then, when the alignment bright point 95 enters the auto-alignable area S1, the arithmetic control circuit 201 controls the operation of the solenoid 49a to insert the light shielding plate 49 in the middle of the optical path, and also controls the operation of the solenoid 48a to control the light shielding plate 48. Is retracted from the middle of the optical path. As a result, the optical path is switched from the observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E to the corneal endothelial cell observation photographing state.

An information recording / reproducing device 210 for recording the photographed corneal endothelial cells and a memory 211 are connected to the arithmetic control circuit 201.

[Operation] Next, the operation of the corneal endothelial cell imaging apparatus having such a configuration will be described together with other setting conditions.

(I) First photographing a. When the examiner turns on a power source (not shown) of the device to image the cornea C of the eye E to be inspected, a mode switch (not shown) is operated before starting the corneal endothelium cell imaging, as shown in FIG. A chart 92 used for selectively lighting one of the light emitting diodes 17a to 17e (fixation target) is displayed on the screen 90a of the monitor television 90 in relation to the anterior segment image E'as shown in FIG. That is, the photographing positions A to E are displayed on the screen 90a of the monitor television 90 in relation to the anterior segment image E '.

In this state, the examiner selects which of the positions A to E is to be imaged with a selection switch (not shown) or a cursor, or an imaged region selection means such as a mouse or a light pen. In this case, an example in which one imaged region is selected has been described, but a plurality of imaged regions may be selected and images may be taken in order. In addition, a mode is provided in which three positions D, E, and B, which usually require special observation and photographing in relation to the operation of the eye E to be inspected, are provided as a set. When this mode is selected, the positions D, E, and B are selected. B may be sequentially photographed.

The examiner selectively turns on any one of the light emitting diodes 17a to 17e of the fixation target projection optical system 14 as described above, and the fixation target light from the light emitting diode 17b is reflected by the half mirror 13, The eye E is projected through the half mirror 2 to present the fixation target light to the eye E, thereby causing the subject to fixate the fixation target light. In this state, the alignment operation is started.

B. Alignment Start At the time of starting this alignment operation, normally, the light shielding plate 48 is inserted in the middle of the optical path of the observation and imaging system by the arithmetic control circuit 200, and the light shielding plate 49 is retracted from the middle of the optical path of the anterior segment observation system. Has been made.

During the alignment operation, when the anterior ocular segment illumination light sources 7 and 7 are turned on to illuminate the anterior ocular segment of the eye E to be examined, the reflected light flux from the anterior ocular segment of the subject eye E is reflected by the half mirror 2 and the objective lens. 3, the light is received by the CCD 5 via the half mirror 4, and the anterior segment image of the eye E is formed on the CCD 5. Then, on the screen 90a of the monitor television 90, the anterior ocular segment image E'of the eye E to be inspected by the video signal from the CCD 5 is displayed in real time by the arithmetic control circuit 201 as shown in FIG.

Moreover, at this time, the arithmetic control circuit 201
The alignment pattern light source 22 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
The alignment light source 9 shown in (1) is turned on and the illumination light source 30 is turned on.

At this time, the alignment pattern light source 22
The light causes the annular pattern of the alignment pattern plate 23 to form an annular pattern image on the CCD 5 via the projection lens 24 and the half mirror 4. Then, on the screen 90a of the monitor television 90, the arithmetic control circuit 201
Ring pattern images 93, 9 based on video signals from the CD 5
4 is displayed simultaneously with the anterior segment image E ′ of the eye E to be inspected as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the light from the alignment light source 9 is
After passing through the pinhole plate 10 to become alignment index light (alignment light flux), it is collimated by the projection lens 11, is reflected by the half mirror 13, is reflected by the half mirror 2, and is guided to the cornea C. (Projected)
After that, the light is reflected by the cornea C and is received by the CCD 5 via the half mirror 2, the objective lens 3, and the half mirror 4. Then, on the screen 90a of the monitor television 90, the bright spot image 95 based on the video signal from the CCD 5 is displayed by the arithmetic control circuit 201 on the anterior segment image E ′ of the subject eye E and the annular pattern image 9
It will be projected at the same time as 3,94.

Further, the infrared light flux from the illumination light source 30 is condensed by a condenser lens 33, an infrared filter 31 'and a slit 36.
After being projected as a slit light flux onto the cornea C of the eye E through the light projecting lens 35, the light is reflected by the cornea C, condensed by the objective lenses 40 and 40 ', and guided to the half mirror 41. It is reflected by the mirror 41 and guided to the line sensor 47.

C. Alignment operation In such a state, the above-mentioned manual operation (manual operation)
By operating a relative position adjusting mechanism (not shown) in the up-down direction (Y direction) of the eye E to be inspected
The device main body H is relatively moved in the vertical direction, and the joystick lever 102 is tilted back and forth and left and right to move the movable base 101 back and forth and left and right. Such an alignment operation is performed while observing the anterior ocular segment of the subject's eye E so that the alignment bright spot 95 enters the auto-alignable area S1.

By this operation, when the alignment bright spot 95 enters the auto-alignable area S1, the alignment detection by the XY alignment detection sensor 4'is enabled as described above.

When the alignment bright spot 95 enters the auto-alignable area S1, the arithmetic and control circuit 201 energizes the solenoid 74a to advance the actuator rod 74b from the solenoid 74a, and the tip of the actuator rod 74b is moved. The base body 71 is fixed to the shaft 72 by pressing it against the shaft 72. On the other hand, when the alignment bright spot 95 enters the auto-alignable area S2, the arithmetic control circuit 201 controls the operation of the solenoid 49a to insert the light shielding plate 49 in the optical path, and also controls the solenoid 48a to control the light shielding plate 48.
Is retracted from the middle of the optical path, and the optical path is switched from the observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E to the corneal endothelial cell observation and imaging state.

Moreover, when the alignment bright spot 95 enters the auto-alignable area S1, the arithmetic control circuit 201 drives and controls the motors 104, 107, 112 via the drivers 104a, 107a, 112a. Then, by driving the motor 104, the pillar 105 is moved upward or downward, and the motor 107 is driven,
The pinion 111 rotates to move the table 109 leftward or rightward by the action of the rack 110, and when the motor 112 is driven, the pinion 114 rotates to move the device main body H forward or backward in relation to the rack 117. Can be moved.

At this time, the arithmetic control circuit 201 drives and controls the motors 104 and 107 based on the detection signal of the XY alignment detection sensor 4'so that the alignment bright spot image 95 is directed to the center of the auto-photographable area S1. The device body H is controlled to move in the XY directions, and the motor body 112 is controlled to move in the front-back direction by driving and controlling the motor 112 in the direction in which the output signal from the light receiving element at the predetermined address of the line sensor 47 is obtained.

D. Automatic photography of corneal endothelial cells Then, the alignment bright spot image 95 enters the auto-imageable area S2, and the detection signal from the light receiving element corresponding to the predetermined address of the line sensor 47 is input to the detection circuit 47 'for detection. When the Z alignment completion signal is input from the circuit 47 ′ to the arithmetic control circuit 201, the arithmetic control circuit 201 determines that the alignment is completed, and the anterior segment illumination light sources 7, 7, the alignment pattern light source 22, the alignment light source 9 and The illumination light source 30 is turned off, and the illumination light source 3
2 is turned on via the light emission control circuit.

As a result, the illumination light from the illumination light source 32 is projected onto the cornea C of the eye E to be examined through the dichroic mirror 37, the slit plate 34 and the light projecting lens 35, and is transmitted through the cornea C from the surface toward the inside. Then, the corneal endothelial cells (not shown) are reflected at a designated position. The reflected light from the corneal endothelial cells is an objective lens group composed of two lenses 40 and 40 ', a half mirror 41, and a mask 4.
2, a corneal endothelial cell image is formed on the CCD 5 via the mirror 44, the relay lens 45, and the mirror 46.

Then, the screen 90a of the monitor television 90
A corneal endothelium image (not shown) is displayed by the arithmetic control circuit 201 based on the video signal from the CCD 5.
Further, the imaged corneal endothelial cell image is recorded in the information recording / reproducing device 210 together with information on the imaged position of the cornea C.

(Ii) Second and subsequent photographing operations In this way, after the first photographing operation is completed, when continuous photographing at other positions (portions) is performed, the continuous photographing switch is turned on. . By this operation, the arithmetic control circuit 20
1 controls the operation of the motor 112 to separate the apparatus main body H from the subject's eye E by a predetermined amount and stop it, and causes the screen 90a of the monitor television 90 to display the chart 92 of FIG. At this time, the arithmetic control circuit 201 can obtain the amount of movement of the motor 112 from the number of drive pulses of the motor 112, so this amount of movement is stored in the memory 211.

Next, the examiner designates the portions of the chart 92 at positions A to E to be photographed, lights one of the light emitting diodes 17a to 17e at the portion to be photographed, and causes the examinee to make the light emitting diodes 17a to 17e. Focus on the light (fixation target light) from one of 17e. In this way, by separating (retracting) the device body H from the eye E to be examined and gazing at the fixation target light,
The attention of the subject to the fixation target light is promoted.

When the photographing switch 103 is turned on in this state, the arithmetic control circuit 201 drives and controls the motor 112 to move the apparatus main body H to the eye E side by the movement amount stored in the memory 211. Then, the illumination light source 32 is turned on via the light emission control circuit to perform the second photographing.

By sequentially performing such operations, the eye E to be inspected
The multiple images of the corneal endothelial cells are continuously photographed. still,
By first specifying a plurality of positions to be photographed or by setting a plurality of photographing modes that have been set, the arithmetic control circuit 201 automatically sequentially performs the above-described photographing control after the first photographing. You may make it carry out automatically.

In this way, when there is no input of conditions for the next shooting within a predetermined time after the shooting is completed, or when all the shootings in the shooting modes at a plurality of positions are completed, the arithmetic control circuit Reference numeral 201 stops energization of the solenoid 74a to release the fixation of the base body 71 to the shaft 72 by the solenoid 94.

[0074]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the illumination optical system for illuminating the eye to be inspected with the illumination light and the reflected light from the eye to be inspected by the illumination light are obliquely received. A first light receiving optical system including a first light receiving unit for detecting a focal position, a photographing optical system having an image pickup unit for receiving reflected light from the eye to be inspected by the illumination light, and an anterior segment of the eye to be inspected. A projection optical system that projects the index light, a second light receiving optical system that includes a second light receiving unit that receives the reflected light of the index light from the anterior segment, and a drive unit that includes the optical system. The apparatus main body is mounted on the base so as to be drivable in the three-dimensional direction, and the driving means is controlled based on information from the first and second light receiving means to move the apparatus main body in the three-dimensional direction. By adjusting the position of the optical system with respect to the eye to be examined. In the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus including a control circuit that causes the imaging unit to image the eye to be inspected, an imaging position designating unit that designates an imaging position of the eye to be inspected is provided, and the control circuit includes the imaging position designating unit. Since the plurality of image pickup positions designated by are set to be continuously photographed, a plurality of positions of the eye to be inspected can be continuously photographed after once aligned. Moreover,
Alignment in a device such as a corneal endothelial cell imaging device in which the site to be imaged is minute is simplified by auto imaging.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 has a storage means for storing a photographing position once photographed, and a fixation target light projection optical system for presenting the fixation target light to the eye to be inspected and gazing. The control circuit controls the driving means for each photographing to separate the main body of the apparatus from the eye to be examined by a predetermined amount to change the light emitting position of the fixation target light, and then to the photographing position stored in the storage means. Since the configuration is set so that the main body is restored, it is not necessary for the inspector to select and light up the imaging parts one by one when taking a picture of the surrounding area, and the instrument does it one by one, so the imaging time is short. Complete.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, an apparatus main body which has an optical system used for observation and photographing and is mounted on the base so as to be movable in the three-dimensional direction, and the apparatus main body is manually driven in the three-dimensional direction. A manual operation mechanism for operating, a driving means for electrically driving the apparatus main body, and an automatic alignment of the optical system with respect to the eye to be inspected by controlling the driving means to move the apparatus main body in a three-dimensional direction. In an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus having a control circuit for controlling, the electric lock means for locking the manual operation mechanism is provided, and the electric lock means is operated during automatic alignment by the control circuit to lock the manual operation mechanism. Therefore, while the automatic alignment system is operating, the drive system for manual alignment may move unnecessarily naturally or due to the movement reaction force during the operation. It is possible to prevent the deer. As a result, the manual alignment mechanism moves unnecessarily during the automatic alignment operation or due to the moving reaction force during the operation, and the operation of the automatic alignment system is not affected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an optical system showing a corneal endothelial cell observation and photographing device as an embodiment of the ophthalmic photographing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an alignment optical system according to the present invention.

3A is a partial front view of the corneal endothelial cell observation and imaging device, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of light emitting diodes of the fixation target projection optical system of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a screen of a monitor television during alignment by the corneal endothelial cell observation and photographing device of FIG.

5 is an explanatory diagram of a chart for selecting a shooting location in the monitor television of FIG.

6 is an explanatory view of a manual moving mechanism stopping means of the movable base shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view in which a part of the corneal endothelial cell observation and imaging device having the configuration of FIGS. 1 to 6 is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing a part of FIG. 7 in a sectional view.

FIG. 9 is a control circuit of the corneal endothelial cell observation and imaging device of FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 47 ... Line sensor (first light receiving means) 28 ... Illumination optical system 5 ... CCD (imaging means) 29 ... Observation / photographing optical system 21 ... Alignment pattern projection optical system 4 '... XY alignment sensor (second light receiving means) 100 ... Base H ... Device body I ... Alignment mechanism (alignment drive mechanism) 104, 107, 112 ... Motor (drive means) 200 ... Arithmetic control circuit 211 ... Memory (storage means) 102 ... Control lever (part of manual operation mechanism) 72 ... Shaft (part of manual operation mechanism) 73 ... Wheel (part of manual operation mechanism) 74 ... Push-pull solenoid (electric lock means)

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 6, 1995

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 3

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0008]

In order to achieve this first object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises an illumination optical system for irradiating an eye to be inspected with illumination light, and an eye to be inspected by the illumination light. For in-focus position detection that receives the reflected light of the
A first light receiving optical system including a light receiving unit, an imaging optical system including an image capturing unit that receives reflected light from the eye to be inspected by the illumination light, and projection optics that projects index light onto the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected. A second light receiving optical system including a system, a second light receiving unit for receiving the reflected light of the index light from the anterior segment of the eye, and the optical system built-in and capable of being driven in a three-dimensional direction by a driving unit. The device has a device body mounted on a base, and controls the drive means based on information from the first and second light receiving means to move the device body in a three-dimensional direction, whereby the eye to be inspected. In an ophthalmologic apparatus including a control circuit that aligns the optical system with respect to the eye, and causes the imaging unit to capture an image of the eye to be inspected, an imaging position designating unit that designates an imaging position of the eye to be inspected is provided, and the control circuit Is the shooting position designation Characterized in that the ophthalmologic apparatus is configured to take continuous plurality of photographing positions specified by stage.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0011

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A corneal endothelial cell observation and photographing apparatus as an ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name]

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0074]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the illumination optical system for illuminating the eye to be inspected with the illumination light and the reflected light from the eye to be inspected by the illumination light are obliquely received. A first light receiving optical system including a first light receiving unit for detecting a focal position, a photographing optical system having an image pickup unit for receiving reflected light from the eye to be inspected by the illumination light, and an anterior segment of the eye to be inspected. A projection optical system that projects the index light, a second light receiving optical system that includes a second light receiving unit that receives the reflected light of the index light from the anterior segment, and a drive unit that includes the optical system. The apparatus main body is mounted on the base so as to be drivable in the three-dimensional direction, and the driving means is controlled based on information from the first and second light receiving means to move the apparatus main body in the three-dimensional direction. By adjusting the position of the optical system with respect to the eye to be examined. By, said in ophthalmic apparatus provided with a control circuit for capturing by the image pickup means the eye, the provided photographing position specifying means for specifying the photographing position of the eye, the control circuit in the photographing position specifying means Since the plurality of designated photographing positions are set to continuously photograph, it is possible to consecutively photograph a plurality of positions of the eye to be inspected after once aligned. In addition, alignment in a device such as a corneal endothelial cell imaging device in which a region to be imaged is minute is simplified by the automatic imaging.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0076

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, an apparatus main body which has an optical system used for observation and photographing and is mounted on the base so as to be movable in the three-dimensional direction, and the apparatus main body is manually driven in the three-dimensional direction. A manual operation mechanism for operating, a driving means for electrically driving the apparatus main body, and an automatic alignment of the optical system with respect to the eye to be inspected by controlling the driving means to move the apparatus main body in a three-dimensional direction. In an ophthalmologic apparatus having a control circuit for controlling, the electric lock means for locking the manual operation mechanism is provided, and the electric lock means is operated during automatic alignment by the control circuit to lock the manual operation mechanism. During the operation of the automatic alignment system, the drive system for manual alignment may move unnecessarily naturally or due to the reaction force during the operation. It can be prevented. As a result, the manual alignment mechanism moves unnecessarily during the automatic alignment operation or due to the moving reaction force during the operation, and the operation of the automatic alignment system is not affected.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Brief description of drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an optical system showing a corneal endothelial cell observation and imaging device as an example of the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an alignment optical system according to the present invention.

3A is a partial front view of the corneal endothelial cell observation and imaging device, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of light emitting diodes of the fixation target projection optical system of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a screen of a monitor television during alignment by the corneal endothelial cell observation and photographing device of FIG.

5 is an explanatory diagram of a chart for selecting a shooting location in the monitor television of FIG.

6 is an explanatory view of a manual moving mechanism stopping means of the movable base shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view in which a part of the corneal endothelial cell observation and imaging device having the configuration of FIGS. 1 to 6 is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing a part of FIG. 7 in a sectional view.

FIG. 9 is a control circuit of the corneal endothelial cell observation and imaging device of FIGS.

[Explanation of Codes] 47 ... Line sensor (first light receiving means) 28 ... Illumination optical system 5 ... CCD (imaging means) 29 ... Observation / photographing optical system 21 ... Alignment pattern projection optical system 4 '... XY alignment sensor (second) Light receiving means) 100 ... Base H ... Device main body I ... Alignment mechanism (alignment drive mechanism) 104, 107, 112 ... Motor (drive means) 200 ... Arithmetic control circuit 211 ... Memory (storage means) 102 ... Control lever (manual operation) 72 ... Shaft (part of manual operation mechanism) 73 ... Wheel (part of manual operation mechanism) 74 ... Push-pull solenoid (electric lock means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An illumination optical system for irradiating an eye to be inspected with illumination light, and a first light receiving means for in-focus position detection for obliquely receiving reflected light from the eye to be inspected by the illumination light. First
A light receiving optical system, a photographing optical system having an image pickup means for receiving reflected light from the eye to be inspected by the illumination light, a projection optical system for projecting index light on the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected, and the index light The second for receiving the reflected light from the anterior segment
A second light receiving optical system having a light receiving means, a device main body having the optical system built therein and mounted on a base so as to be capable of being driven in a three-dimensional direction by a driving means, and the first and second light receiving means By controlling the drive means based on the information from the means to move the apparatus main body in the three-dimensional direction, the optical system is aligned with the eye to be inspected, and the eye to be inspected is imaged by the imaging means. In an ophthalmologic imaging device having a control circuit for controlling, an imaging position designating unit for designating the imaging position of the eye to be examined is provided, and the control circuit continuously captures a plurality of imaging positions designated by the imaging position designating unit. An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus, which is set to perform. 2. A storage means for storing a photographing position once photographed, and a fixation target light projection optical system for presenting a fixation target light to the eye to be examined and gazing, and the control circuit for each photographing. Set to return the device body to the imaging position stored in the storage means after controlling the drive means to separate the device body from the eye to be examined by a predetermined amount and changing the light emitting position of the fixation target light. The corneal endothelial cell imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a corneal endothelial cell imaging device. 3. An apparatus main body having a built-in optical system used for observation and photography and mounted on a base so as to be movable in three-dimensional directions, and a manual operation mechanism for manually driving and operating the apparatus main body in three-dimensional directions. Ophthalmology photography having a driving unit that electrically drives the device body, and a control circuit that controls the driving unit to move the device body in a three-dimensional direction to automatically align the optical system with the eye to be examined. An ophthalmologic apparatus, characterized in that an electric lock means for locking the manual operation mechanism is provided, and the electric lock means is operated to automatically lock the manual operation mechanism during automatic alignment by the control circuit. .