WO2004019772A1

WO2004019772A1 - Imaging apparatus of the eye to analyze characteristics and diagnose health condition

Info

Publication number: WO2004019772A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/001736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ha-Cheol Jung
Original assignee: Ha-Cheol Jung
Priority date: 2002-08-28
Filing date: 2003-08-27
Publication date: 2004-03-11
Also published as: KR20040019547A; KR100490082B1; AU2003253477A1

Abstract

A diagnostic imaging apparatus having improved functionality to be applied for health diagnosis and information analysis of humans. The apparatus includes an iris lens section which is closely positioned to the eye of a patient to be diagnosed for enlarged imaging of an iris of the eye, a face lens section for imaging of the face of the patient, a CCD section for obtaining images through the iris lens section and the face lens section, and a body having a predetermined contour for accommodating these component elements. The apparatus further includes an imaging lens device for implementing optical image processing to be capable of imaging a subject which is at a remote or close distance, and a lateral illumination device including optical fibers, a light source and an optical fiber holder, for allowing a diagnostician to easily implement imaging operations.

Description

IMAGING APPARATUS OF THE EYE TO ANALYZE CHARACTERISTICS AND DIAGNOSE HEALTH CONDITION

Technical Field

The present invention relates, in general, to a diagnostic imaging apparatus which has improved functionality to be applied for health diagnosis of the human body and information analysis of a specified part of the human body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a diagnostic imaging apparatus which utilizes an image of the human iris to diagnose various diseases of the human body and enable prophylaxis and information analysis, thereby accomplishing clinical reproduction of an iris diagnosis theory, and which allows the image of the iris to be accurately obtained in a convenient manner within a relatively short period, so as to reduce a time required for diagnosing a patient to be diagnosed and render quality diagnostic service, thereby satisfying both of a diagnostician and the patient.

Background Art

In humans, an iris is completed during infancy and indicates a circular diaphragm which is placed around a pupil. The iris has arborization of trigeminal nerves to keenly react on nociception, and functions through expansion and contraction to adjust an amount of light reaching the retina. Recently, as the fact that health diagnosis of humans is possible utilizing data of an iris pattern which is formed peculiarly to every one becomes generally known, health diagnosing methods using a variety of iris imaging apparatuses have been disclosed in the art.

That is to say, the degrees of change in health of various parts of humans can be sufficiently analyzed through images of the iris. In consideration of this, in an effort to enable an iris image to be utilized as a material for various health diagnoses, the present applicant has disclosed Korean Patent Application No. 1999-65901 entitled "Apparatus for Imaging Iris of Eye", 2000-26154 entitled "Detachable Iris Imaging Apparatus and Method for Diagnosing Iris Image Obtained Using the Same", and 2001-25318 entitled "Apparatus for Imaging Iris of Eye and Face".

Describing a technical construction of Korean Patent Application No. 2001 -25318 which may serve as the direct prior art for the present invention, it is possible to take an image of the iris and the face using the single apparatus. In this apparatus, a fluorescent reticle is formed on an iris lens section to incite the focus of a patient to be diagnosed, so that focusing is easily effected, and the iris and the face can be imaged in their entirety to maximize a value of the apparatus and attain economic value. To this end, the apparatus comprises an iris lens section for enlarged imaging of the iris of the eye, a face lens section for imaging of the face of the patient, a CCD (charge coupled device) section driven for obtaining images through the iris lens section and the face lens section, a body having a predetermined contour for accommodating these component elements, a face protective structural element positioned at a front end of the body to protect the patient's face, and an optical illumination section for illuminating the iris.

However, the conventional apparatus suffers from defects in that, in spite of completeness of the individual component element, it fails to accomplish a relatively convenient and economical assembling construction through structural modification of the component elements and improve operational efficiency. Also, since only a single image of the corresponding part, that is, the iris or the face, is displayed on a monitor, it is impossible to simultaneously and systematically analyze the imaged materials.

Due to these aspects, the development of a diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of ensuring value, convenience and operational efficiency through modification of the component elements and/or addition of new functions has drawn considerable attention in the art. Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a diagnostic imaging apparatus wherein, on the basis of a technical concept taught by the above-described conventional apparatus, a CCD, an imaging lens device for allowing remote and nearby imaging operations, and a lateral illumination device including optical fibers, a light source and an optical fiber holder, organically cooperate one with another, so that imaging operations can be performed in a convenient way to diagnose various concerns, and wherein a reticle projection optical system is adopted to incite the focus of a patient to be diagnosed, so that precise imaging operations can be performed without error and have improved functional feasibility when compared to the conventional art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a diagnostic imaging apparatus wherein a display window is divided into several window parts, so that a plurality of imaged materials can be simultaneously displayed on the single display window to increase diagnostic efficiency and ensure convenience for both a diagnostician and a patient to be diagnosed.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a diagnostic imaging apparatus including an iris lens section which is closely positioned to the eye of a patient to be diagnosed for enlarged imaging of an iris of the eye, a face lens section for imaging of the face of the patient, a CCD section for obtaining images through the iris lens section and the face lens section, and a body having a predetermined contour for accommodating these component elements, the apparatus comprising: an imaging lens device for implementing optical image processing to be capable of imaging a subject which is at either a remote or close distance; and a lateral illumination device including optical fibers, a light source and an optical fiber holder, for allowing a diagnostician to easily implement imaging operations. Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating a conceptual construction of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 2a and 2b are side sectional views of the device shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3a is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a lateral illumination device; Fig. 3b is a side view of the lateral illumination device shown in Fig. 3a;

Figs. 4a through 4c are views respectively illustrating several structures of a slide section, wherein Fig. 4a shows a state in which the slide section employs a rack gear and a pinion gear, Fig. 4b shows a state in which the slide section employs a spring, and Fig. 4c shows a state in which the slide section employs a shock absorber; and

Figs. 5a and 5b are graphs showing the relationships between a voltage of a light source and a time.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating a conceptual construction of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figs. 2a and 2b are side sectional views of the device shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in the drawings, a diagnostic imaging apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes, as its main external component elements, a body 1, a face protective cover 2 and a control section 3. The body 1 has a gun-shaped outline and is made of a material having excellent durability, so that it can be easily manipulated while being conveniently grasped and moved by a diagnostician. The face protective cover 2 is fastened to a front end of the body 1 and is made of a soft rubber material, so that it can be brought into close contact with the face of a patient to be diagnosed, to thereby render a sufficient darkroom effect when implementing imaging operations. The control section 3 is placed on the body 1 so as to properly control various imaging operations by using externally supplied power. Inside the body 1, an iris lens section 10 which is closely positioned to the eye of the patient for enlarged imaging of an iris of the eye, a face lens section 20 for imaging the face of the patient, and a CCD section 30 for conducting actual imaging functions through the iris lens section 10 and the face lens section 20, are placed to organically cooperate one with another. The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises an imaging lens device 40 for implementing optical image processing to be capable of imaging the iris of the eye and a subject which is at a remote or close distance, and a lateral illumination device 50 for allowing the diagnostician to conveniently implement the imaging operations and for illuminating the iris of the eye. The face protective cover 2 is made of a soft rubber material such as silicon. In particular, the face protective cover 2 is defined with insertion grooves 2a each of which has a semicircular sectional shape, so that the fingers of the diagnostician or the patient can be inserted into and removed out of the insertion grooves 2a to further open upper and lower eyelids, respectively, of the patient.

The iris lens section 10 is composed of a plurality of + and - lenses to appropriately compensate chromatic aberration and distortion. Also, in order to facilitate the patient to look straight ahead into the diagnostic imaging apparatus, a separate transparent plate is placed at a rear end of the iris lens section 10, and a reticle is formed on a front surface of the transparent plate. The reticle is formed by coating a first black reticle and then coating a second fluorescent reticle on the first black reticle. A reticle illumination part 13 for emitting light is affixed at a predetermined position on the iris lens section 10 so that the patient can easily perceive the reticle to be focused thereon. That is to say, a reticle projection optical system composed of a reflection mirror 11, a reticle projecting optical instrument 12 and the reticle illumination part 13, is provided to the iris lens section 10, so that the reticle can be easily perceived by the patient.

In the same manner as the iris lens section 10, the face lens section 20 may also comprise a combination of a plurality of + and - lenses.

The iris lens section 10 and the face lens section 20 are structured in a manner such that the iris lens section 10 can be detached from the face lens section 20. In other words, when imaging the iris, the imaging operation is implemented with the iris lens section 10 attached to the face lens section 20, and when imaging the face, the imaging operation is implemented with the iris lens section 10 detached and removed from the face lens section 20.

The CCD section 30 constituting the diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is provided to output image signals by using externally supplied power. The CCD section 30 comprises a CCD 31 for solid- state image pick-up, and a CCD board 32 on which various circuit elements for operating the CCD 31 are mounted and connected one with another by cables. On a rear surface of the CCD board 32, there are arranged a horizontal moving gear 33 for simultaneously moving the CCD 31 and the CCD board 32 in forward and rearward directions, a reduction gear 34 meshed with the horizontal moving gear 33 to be driven for reduction of velocity, and power generating means 35 for rotatably driving the reduction gear 34. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power generating means 35 comprises a stepping motor. In order to prevent the component elements to be moved by the driving of the horizontal moving gear 33 from being fluctuated, a guide rod 37 is integrated with rear surfaces of the respective component elements in a manner such that the guide rod 37 can be repeatedly reciprocated while being inserted and supported in a separately defined guide groove 36.

The imaging lens device 40 constituting the diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises a complex processing device which is composed of optical image processing units capable of imaging a subject which is at least 20 cm distant and the iris of the eye which is at a close distance. In order to allow the diagnostician to easily implement the imaging operations and illuminate the iris of the eye, the lateral illumination device 50, comprising optical fibers 51, a bulb serving as a light source 52 and having a focusing lens, a filter 53, and an optical fiber holder 54, which are assembled integrally one with another, is provided at each of the left and right sides in the body 1. The schematic illustration of the lateral illumination device 50 is given in Figs. 3a and 3b.

Since the light source 52 is positioned in the vicinity of the optical fiber holder 54 which is provided at proximal ends of the optical fibers 51 so that the filter 53 is intervened between the optical fiber holder 54 and the light source 52, at both sides of the imaging lens device 40, light is emitted from the enlarged distal ends of the optical fibers 51.

At this time, in the case that the enlarged distal end of each optical fiber 51 is cut to be inclined by a predetermined angle and provided with a mirror, due to the reflecting function of the mirror-provided surface, an increased amount of light can be involved in the illumination.

Also, by the presence of the filter 53 intervened between the optical fiber holder 54 and the light source 52 of the lateral illumination device 50 to correct a Kelvin temperature or a color of light, a color of illuminating light can be adjusted as desired.

When imaging the iris of the patient, in order to ensure that the upper and lower eyelids are further opened upward and downward, respectively, at the positions of the upper and lower semicircular insertion grooves 2a defined in the face protective cover 2, a pair of upper and lower slide sections are respectively provided to be capable of sliding in the forward and rearward directions. Describing an operational construction of the slide section, a slide member 60 is placed on a guide rail 61 to be slidingly moved thereon, and a rack gear 60a is formed on an outer surface of one end of the slide member 60. As a forward and backward rotating motor 62 serving as power generation means operated by an input from a fine sensor is actuated, due to engagement between a pinion gear 63 and a worm gear 64, the slide member 60 can be moved forward and rearward in proportion to a gear ratio between the pinion gear 63 and the worm gear 64.

Figs. 4a through 4c are views respectively illustrating several structures of a slide section applied to the diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

In consideration of the fact that the slide member 60 must be slidingly and smoothly moved forward and rearward even with a slight force inputted from the eyelid of the patient, with the slide member 60 slidably placed on the guide rail 61 as described above, it can be envisaged that the slide member 60 is moved only through the engagement between the rack gear 60a and the pinion gear 63 without using the worm gear 64. Alternatively, as another usual way of ensuring reliability in installation and operation, it can be contemplated that a spring 66 is received in a cylindrical guide tube 65 and the slide member 60 is integrally connected with the spring 66. By this fact, the slide member 60 can be moved forward and rearward by virtue of elasticity of the spring 66 while obviating the need for separate power generating means. As still another way, a shock absorber 67 can be adopted to ensure smooth forward and rearward movement of the slide member 60. In the meanwhile, the iris lens section 10 for imaging the iris of the eye and the face lens section 20 for imaging the face of the patient are constructed in a manner such that a front portion, left and right sides, etc. of the face of the patient which is divided as desired, can be selectively or wholly imaged, and image materials obtained thereby can be simultaneously displayed on a single display window. Of course, the diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention may be connected to the conventional digital camera and the like, so that an optional desired portion of the face or the iris can be freely increased or reduced in its size and further divided into segments to be accurately observed. Hereafter, operations of the diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to one reference component element. However, a person skilled in the art will readily recognize that, even when description is made with reference to another component element, the same operational statuses result in. The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is provided to allow for the diagnostician to check the health of the patient, on the basis of the obtained images of the face and the iris of the eye.

After the face of the patient is positioned on the face protective cover 2 fastened to the front end of the body 1 of the diagnostic imaging device, in order to image the iris of the eye, the iris lens section 10 is aligned with the iris of the patient. If the iris lens section 10 and the iris of the patient are in complete focus, the CCD section 30 is operated to image the iris.

At this time, as described above, the reticle is formed on the front surface of the transparent plate which is placed at the rear end of the iris lens section 10. The reticle is formed by coating the first black reticle and then coating the second fluorescent reticle on the first black reticle. By this fact, a focal distance of the lens constituting the iris lens section 10 is shortened, and a false image of the fluorescent reticle appearing on the lens is viewed on the retina of the patient. In this regard, since the reticle illumination part 13 is affixed at the predetermined position on the iris lens section 10 to emit light, the patient can easily perceive the reticle to be focused thereon.

In particular, while implementing the imaging operations, the lateral illumination device 50 is controlled by its driving circuit in such a way as to allow a first imaging operation to be implemented under dim light and a second imaging operation to be implemented under bright light. Thus, in the course of .

preparing the imaging operations, it is possible to prevent the eye of the patient from being dazzled, and then, the eye of the patient can be imaged under strong illumination. Thereafter, by comparing imaged materials obtained under dark and lighted conditions and observing changes in the tissue and the pupil, physical constitution and inherited prognosis, etc. are diagnosed.

Figs. 5a and 5b are graphs showing relationships between a voltage of a light source and a time.

The CCD section 30 is driven to image the iris of the patient to be diagnosed. To this end, the CCD 31 for solid-state image pick-up and the power generating means 35 comprising the stepping motor for ensuring ease forward and rearward movement of the CCD board 32, are driven. Thereupon, as the driving force is transmitted to the reduction gear 34, the horizontal moving gear 33 meshed with the reduction gear 34 is driven.

Namely, by the operation of the horizontal moving gear 33, the CCD 31 and the CCD board 32 are moved forward and rearward. Concretely speaking, if the horizontal moving gear 33 is rotated forward, the CCD 31 and the CCD board 32 are moved rearward, and if the horizontal moving gear 33 is rotated backward, the CCD 31 and the CCD board 32 are moved backward.

While imaging the iris, when it is necessary to further open the eyelids of the patient, the fingers are inserted into the semicircular insertion grooves 2a defined in the face protective cover 2 to thereby manually open the eyelids. At this time, due to the fact that the face protective cover 2 is made of a soft rubber material, it can be reliably protect the face of the patient and render a sufficient darkroom effect to improve the convenience when implementing the imaging operations.

With the eyelids of the patient further opened, in order to avoid interference which can be otherwise caused by the upper and lower eyelids upon implementing the imaging operations, the pair of slide members 60 are actuated. In this regard, as the forward and backward rotating motor 62 is driven, through the meshing engagement between the pinion gear 63 and the worm gear 64, the rack gears 60a formed on outer surfaces of the slide members 60 are softly moved on the guide rails 61 to support the upper and lower eyelids, respectively.

If the imaging operation for the iris of the patient is completed, in order to image the face of the patient, the diagnostician moves the iris lens section 10 to a predetermined place defined at the top in the body 1, and then vertically moves upward the face lens section 20 which is positioned in a space defined at the bottom in the body 1.

Describing this driving procedure in detail, as power is transmitted to a driving gear connected to the motor, a moving gear provided on a surface of a moving plate is driven, by which the iris lens section 10 and the face lens section

20 are moved in the vertical direction. Slider plates formed on outer surfaces of the iris and the face lens section 10 and 20 are vertically moved along sidewalls of the body 1.

After this movement is made, the diagnostician implements the imaging operation for the face of the patient. At this time, as described above, the CCD section 30 is driven in the same manner as in the case of the imaging operation by the iris lens section 10. The image information obtained and processed as described above is simultaneously displayed on the several window parts of the single window. The lateral illumination devices 50 reflect light at both sides of the imaging lens device 40 through the bulbs 52 arranged at sides of the optical fibers

51 and through the enlarged distal ends of the optical fibers 51.

At this time, it is to be readily understood that the iris lens section 10 and the face lens section 20 can be integrally constructed with each other, or as occasion demands, detachably constructed to be independently used while being separated from each other.

Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, the diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention provides advantages in that, since a CCD, an imaging lens device for allowing both of remote and nearby imaging operations and a lateral illumination device organically cooperate one with another, it is possible to perform the imaging operations in a convenient and easy way. Also, because a multiple display system is adopted, various checkup items can be simultaneously diagnosed and precise imaging operations can be made without an error so that diagnosis efficiency is increased and convenience of both a diagnostician and a patient to be diagnosed is ensured.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A diagnostic imaging apparatus including an iris lens section which is closely positioned to the eye of a patient to be diagnosed for enlarged imaging of an iris of the eye, a face lens section for imaging of the face of the patient, a CCD section for obtaining images through the iris lens section and the face lens section, and a body having a predetermined contour for accommodating these component elements, the apparatus comprising: an imaging lens device for implementing optical image processing to be capable of imaging a subject which is at a remote or close distance; and a lateral illumination device including optical fibers, a light source and an optical fiber holder, for allowing a diagnostician to easily implement imaging operations.

2. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a distal end of each optical fiber constituting the lateral illumination device is obliquely cut and coated with a mirror so as to attain reflection effect of light.

3. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lateral illumination device is controlled by its driving circuit in such a way as to allow a first imaging operation to be implemented under dim light and a second imaging operation to be implemented under strong light, so that change in the tissue and miosis of the pupil can be numerically calculated and diagnosed.

4. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a filter for correcting a Kelvin temperature or a color of light is interposed between the light source and the optical fiber holder of the lateral illumination device.

5. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of imaged materials obtained by performing imaging operations through the iris lens section and the face lens section are simultaneously displayed on a plurality of divided window parts, respectively, of a single window.