KR101124039B1 - Apparatus for measuring optical properties of retina - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention calculates and compares one or more of blood vessel area (AUV) and branching angle (MDA) based on the center of the orbit, the center of the optical disk, the first and second major blood vessels, and the retina before and after removal of the retinal membrane. An optical retinal characteristic measurement apparatus capable of calculating quantitative characteristics of

Description

Apparatus for measuring optical properties of retina

The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring optical retinal characteristics, and more particularly, any one of blood vessel area (AUV) and branch angle (MDA) based on the center of the orbit, the center of the optical disk, the first and second major vessels The present invention relates to an optical retinal characteristic measuring apparatus capable of calculating quantitative characteristics of the retina before and after removal of the epiretinal membrane by calculating and comparing the above.

The epiretinal membrane (ERM) is caused by the growth of glial cells from the pores of the internal boundary membrane and proliferation between the vitreous retinas. When the vitreous detachment occurs from the macula, holes in the inner boundary membrane occur. Symptoms and symptoms vary depending on 1) the thickness of the epiretinal membrane, 2) the degree of distortion of the retina due to the epiretinal membrane, 3) the presence of severe traction, and 4) the presence of edema of the macula.

When the epiretinal membrane is thin, there is almost no symptom, but it progresses gradually, with decreased visual acuity, micropsia of an object, micropsia of an object, macropsia, and distorted symptoms (metamorhopsia). This fall is characterized by a natural recovery of vision. In most cases, it progresses slowly or slowly, with only about 5% of vision progressing below 0.1.

Most minor asymptomatic or rarely progressing membranes are not treated. If the visual acuity is good before surgery, care should be taken when considering surgery at about> 20/70. PPV with memb peeling is an option for severe vision loss or symptoms. This has made the surgery easier as the technique of vitrectomy has developed.

On the other hand, surgical removal of the epiretinal membrane can improve the fundus findings and visual acuity, but it is difficult to expect complete loss of vascular tortuosity or retinal striae, and it is difficult to expect normal vision to improve. There is a characteristic. Visual prognosis after vitrectomy includes 1) preoperative visual acuity, 2) duration of visual acuity, 3) presence of preoperative CME, 4) age 5) membrane thickness, 6) idiopathic vs nonidiopathic membrane, and 7) window fluorescence in FAG. There have been many conflicting findings, and preoperative visual acuity has the best prognostic value.

On the other hand, the present inventors have used topographical features related to retinal dentification using digital image analysis of eyedus photography to determine whether horizontal retinal dents caused by the epiretinal membrane are improved after retinal detachment. We developed an optical retinal measuring device that can be compared before and after surgery.

An object of the present invention is to remove the retinal membrane by calculating and comparing at least one of blood vessel area (AUV) and branch angle (MDA) based on the center of the orbit, the center of the optical disk, the first and second major vessels. It is to provide an optical retinal characteristic measuring apparatus that can calculate the quantitative characteristics of the front and rear retina.

An optical retinal characteristic measuring apparatus according to the present invention comprises a fundus camera capable of photographing the base of the eye; First data storage means capable of storing an eyeball base photograph taken by the fundus camera; Blood vessel selection means for selecting first and second major vessels based on a first parameter in the stored eyeball basement photo; Second data storage means for two-dimensionally showing and storing the first and second main blood vessels selected by the blood vessel selection means; Means for determining the center of the orbit and the center of the optical disk in the first and second major vessels; And means for calculating the quantitative characteristics of the retina based on the center of the orbit, the center of the optical disk, and the at least one of the blood vessel area (AUV) and the branch angle (MDA) based on the first and second major blood vessels. It is characterized by.

Preferably, the method further comprises retinal change comparison means for comparing the primary blood vessel area calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means of the retina with the secondary blood vessel area calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means of the retina after a certain period of time. It is characterized by.

Preferably, the method further comprises retinal change comparing means for comparing the first branch angle calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means of the retina with the second branch angle calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means of the retina after a certain period of time. It is characterized by.

Preferably, the predetermined period of time is characterized in that before the retinal detachment surgery from the retinal detachment surgery.

Preferably, the vessel area comprises a first line vertically passing through the center of the orbit; A second line vertically passing a point spaced apart from the center of the optical disc toward the center of the orbit; The first major blood vessel; And a region surrounded by the second main blood vessel.

Preferably, the branch angle includes: a center of the optical disk; first and second intersection points at which the first line passing vertically through the center of the orbit and the first main blood vessel and the second main blood vessel cross each other; It is characterized by the angle between.

Preferably, the first parameter is continuous to a vertical line passing from the center of the optical disk to the center of the orbit, having a good control, having a large diameter as compared to nearby vessels It is characterized by one or more.

Preferably, the optical retinal characteristic measuring apparatus is calculated from the eyeball base photograph stored in the first data storage means, the first and second main blood vessels stored in the second data storage means, and the quantitative characteristic calculating means of the retina. The display unit may further include a display configured to display at least one of the vascular area AUV and the branch angle MDA in real time.

While the prior art of quantifying the amount of retinal contraction by changes in the vector of the retinal vessels is useful only for changes in the state before and after surgery, according to the present invention, the absolute value of AUV when compared with normal comfort-eye It is very useful for detecting the amount of shrinkage.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, by comparing the quantitative characteristics of the retina before and after removal of the epiretinal membrane based on any one or more of the blood vessel area (AUV) and branch angle (MDA), the quantitative characteristics of the retina can be more easily and simply measured. There is an effect.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical retinal characteristic measuring apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 (a) is a fundus image photographed by the fundus camera 110,
FIG. 2 (b) is an image showing two-dimensionally the first and second main blood vessels selected by the blood vessel selecting means 130,
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a method of calculating blood vessel area (AUV) and branching angle (MDA) by means of the quantitative characteristic calculating means 160 of the retina.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an optical retinal characteristic measuring apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, the thicknesses of the lines and the sizes of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. In addition, terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to the intention or convention of a user or an operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

<Examples>

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical retinal characteristic measuring apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 (a) is a fundus image taken by the fundus camera 110, Figure 2 (b) Is an image showing two-dimensionally the first and second main blood vessels selected by the vessel selecting means 130, and FIG. 3 is a blood vessel area (AUV) and branching angle (by the retinal quantitative characteristic calculating means 160). It is a figure which shows the method of calculating MDA).

Hereinafter, the optical retinal characteristic measuring apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 for measuring optical retinal characteristics according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a fundus camera 110, a first data storage unit 120, a blood vessel selection unit 130, and a second data storage unit. 140, orbital and optical disc center determining means 150 and quantitative characteristic calculating means 160 of the retina.

The fundus camera 110 employs a configuration known as a camera for photographing the state of the fundus. For example, a fundus camera such as KOWA VX-10 (Kowa Company, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and TRC-50IA (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) may be used as the fundus camera 110. 2A illustrates a fundus image captured by the fundus camera 110. Meanwhile, the position of the fixed actual point is stored while the picture is taken with the target stimulus presentation by the fundus camera 110.

The first data storage unit 120 stores the eyeball base photograph or image photographed by the fundus camera 110 as it is or converts the digital data into digital data. The first data storage means 120 is a concept that includes various kinds of devices and systems capable of performing the above-described functions. For example, the first data storage means 120 may include not only a general data storage device but also an Internet server, a mobile phone, an IMT 2000 terminal, a personal computer. It can be defined as a broad concept including a computer, a PDA and the like.

The blood vessel selecting means 130 selects the first and second main blood vessels based on the first parameter from an eyeball base photograph or image captured by the fundus camera 110 and stored in the first data storage means 120. Play a role. Specifically, the blood vessel selecting means 130 is a material for measuring the retinal distortion in the eyeball base photograph or image, and selects the first main blood vessel on the upper side of the retina and the second main blood vessel on the lower side of the retina. .

The first parameter will then be 1) have a large diameter as compared to nearby vessels, 2) have good contrast, and 3) will be well tracked continuously in the vertical line passing through the orbit from the optical disc. Three criteria may be included, and the vessel selection means 130 arbitrarily selects two major vessels within the retina that satisfy or are closest to the first parameter among the plurality of major vessels.

The second data storage means 140 stores the first main blood vessel and the second main blood vessel selected by the blood vessel selecting means 130 in two dimensions, stores them in a binary image, or stores digital data. It converts to and stores it (see Fig. 2 (b)). In this case, by applying a known image separation technique, images of the first main blood vessel and the second main blood vessel are generated. The second data storage means 140 is a concept that includes various kinds of devices and systems capable of performing the above-described functions. For example, the second data storage means 140 may not only be a general data storage device but also an Internet server, a mobile phone, an IMT 2000 terminal, a personal computer. It is defined as a broad concept including a computer, a PDA, and the like.

The orbital and optical disc center determining means 150 determines the center of the orbit and the center of the optical disc in the first major vessel and the second major vessel as anatomical boundaries. Specifically, the orbit is determined by a fixed average point. Two points of the optic nerve head margin are then manually selected at the center of the lower and nasal passages to automatically calculate the center of the optical disc.

The means 160 for calculating the quantitative characteristics of the retina is the center of the orbit and the center of the optical disc determined by the first and second major blood vessels selected by the vessel selection means 130, the orbital and optical disc center determining means 150. Based on the quantitative properties of the retina to quantify the retinal distortion.

Referring to FIG. 3, the quantitative characteristics of the retina include one or more of blood vessel area (AUV) and branch angle (MDA).

In the present invention, the blood vessel area (AUV) refers to the area in the first and second major blood vessels from the optical disk to the orbit. Specifically, the vessel area (AUV) is defined by the first major vessel between two vertical lines, the first line passing through the orbit and the second line passing about 10 pixels away from the center of the optical disc toward the orbit. It is defined as the area surrounded by the second major blood vessel.

In the present invention, the branch angle (MDA) refers to the macroscopic divergence angle of the first main blood vessel and the second main blood vessel. Specifically, the branch angle MDA is the center of the optical disk and two lines (one passing through the first intersection from the center of the optical disk and the other passing through the second intersection from the center of the optical disk). An angle between, wherein the first and second intersections are defined as the intersections of the vertical lines passing through the center of the orbit with the first major vessel and the second major vessel.

On the other hand, the optical retinal characteristic measuring apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a retinal change comparison means 170. The retinal change comparing means 170 changes and stores any one or more of the blood vessel area and the branching angle calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means 160 of the retina into digital values.

That is, the retinal change comparing means 170 calculates the primary blood vessel area calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means 160 of the retina and the secondary blood vessel area calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means 160 of the retina after a certain period of time. Can be compared.

In addition, the retinal change comparison means 170 calculates the first branch angle calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means 160 of the retina and the second branch angle calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means 160 of the retina after a certain period of time. Can be compared.

In this case, the predetermined period of time is characterized in that after the retinal detachment surgery from before the retinal detachment surgery, it is preferable to compare after a period of about 3 months.

This configuration makes it possible to measure quantitative changes in retinal distortions before and after retinal detachment and to compare the changes.

In addition, the optical retina characteristic measurement apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a display unit 180.

The display unit 180 may include an eyeball base photograph stored in the first data storage unit 120, the first and second main blood vessels stored in the second data storage unit 140, and a quantitative characteristic calculation unit 160 of the retina. It serves to display any one or more of the vessel area (AUV) and branch angle (MDA) calculated in real time.

The display unit 180 adopts a known configuration, and may display, for example, an eyeball base photograph, a first main blood vessel, a second main blood vessel, a blood vessel area (AUV), and a branch angle (MDA) in real time. Note that the configuration is not particularly limited.

As mentioned above, although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the following claims are not limited to the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It can be easily understood by those skilled in the art that can be modified and modified.

Claims (8)

A fundus camera capable of photographing the eyeball base;
First data storage means capable of storing an eyeball base photograph taken by the fundus camera;
Blood vessel selection means for selecting a first major blood vessel located in an upper part of the retina and a second major blood vessel located in a lower part of the retina based on a first parameter in the stored eyeball base photograph;
Second data storage means for two-dimensionally showing and storing the first main blood vessel and the second main blood vessel selected by the blood vessel selecting means;
The orbital center is determined by a fixed mean point in the first main blood vessel and the second main blood vessel, and two points of the optic nerve head are manually selected at the center of the lower and nasal passages so that the center of the two points of the optic nerve head is Orbital and optical disk center determining means for automatically calculating a center of the phosphor optical disk; And
Based on the center of the orbit, the center of the optical disk, the first main vessel and the second main vessel,
A first line passing vertically through the center of the orbit, a second line passing vertically away from the center of the optical disc toward the center of the orbit, and a vessel surrounded by the second main blood vessel Area (AUV) ; And
Between a center of the optical disk , a first intersection point at which the first line passes vertically through the center of the orbit, and a first intersection point at which the first main vessel crosses, and a second intersection point at which the first line and the second main vessel cross each other . Characterized in that it comprises; means for calculating the quantitative characteristics of the retina for calculating any one or more of the branch angle (MDA) which is the angle of
Optical Retinal Characteristic Measurement Device.
The method of claim 1,
And retinal change comparison means for comparing the primary blood vessel area calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means of the retina with the secondary blood vessel area calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means of the retina after a certain period of time. ,
Optical Retinal Characteristic Measurement Device.
The method of claim 1,
And a retinal change comparison means for comparing the first branch angle calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means of the retina with the second branch angle calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means of the retina after a certain period of time. ,
Optical Retinal Characterization Device.
The method according to claim 2 or 3,
The period of time is characterized in that after the retinal detachment surgery from before the retinal detachment surgery,
Optical Retinal Characteristic Measurement Device.
delete delete The method of claim 1,
The first parameter is,
At least one of continuous to a vertical line passing from the center of the optical disk to the center of the orbit, having a good control, having a large diameter as compared to nearby blood vessels,
Optical Retinal Characteristic Measurement Device.
The method of claim 1,
The apparatus for measuring optical retinal characteristics includes an eyeball base photograph stored in the first data storage means, the first and second main blood vessels stored in the second data storage means, and a blood vessel area calculated by the quantitative characteristic calculating means of the retina ( AUV) and the branch angle (MDA) further comprises a display unit for displaying in real time,
Optical Retinal Characteristic Measurement Device.

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