WO2016136858A1

WO2016136858A1 - Fundus photography system

Info

Publication number: WO2016136858A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/055561
Authority: WO
Inventors: 翔太矢部
Original assignee: 興和株式会社
Priority date: 2015-02-27
Filing date: 2016-02-25
Publication date: 2016-09-01
Also published as: JPWO2016136858A1

Abstract

[Problem] To enable simultaneous execution of red-free imaging and autofluorescence imaging so as to reduce imaging time and decrease the burden on the examinee. [Solution] Simultaneous execution of red-free photography and autofluorescence photography is enabled by arranging an exciter filter F1 capable of transmitting light of a wavelength range of 500 nm to 600 nm, a barrier filter F2 capable of transmitting light of a wavelength range of 640 nm to 740 nm, a dichroic mirror 30 for dividing an optical path, and two cameras C1, C2. In this way, two fundus photographs can be taken at once, and the need for waiting for the removal of pupillary constriction can be eliminated, whereby a decrease in photography time can be achieved. In addition, the number of times of shining light in the examinee's eye can be decreased, so that the burden on the examinee can be that much decreased.

Description

Fundus photography system

The present invention relates to a fundus photographing system configured to photograph a fundus of a subject's eye with a plurality of cameras.

Conventionally, various fundus imaging systems configured to observe and / or image the eye to be examined have been proposed, such as color imaging, autofluorescence (FAF) imaging, and red-free (RF) imaging. There has been proposed one capable of realizing the fundus photographing of (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, since the light irradiated during fundus imaging induces miosis of the eye to be examined, the next imaging cannot be performed until the miosis is eliminated, and the time required for imaging is increased accordingly. There was a problem. In addition, when performing fundus imaging many times, light is applied to the subject's eye every time imaging is performed, which is a heavy burden on the subject.

In view of this, a technique has been proposed in which visible fluorescence imaging (FA) and infrared fluorescence imaging (ICG) are simultaneously captured by a single imaging operation to solve these problems (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-300926

By the way, since the above-mentioned autofluorescence photographing and red-free photographing are often performed by the non-mydriatic method, the same problem (that is, all fundus photographs in order to cause miosis) even when these photographings are performed continuously. There was a problem that it took a long time to finish taking a picture and a problem that it was a burden on the subject).

An object of the present invention is to provide a fundus imaging system that can solve the above-described problems.

The invention according to claim 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1, and illumination means (2) for irradiating the fundus of the eye to be examined (E) with illumination light (LA);
The reflected light (LB) is arranged in the optical path of the reflected light (LB) irradiated by the illuminating means (2) and reflected by the fundus (see PB, hereinafter referred to as “reflected light path”). An optical path dividing means (30) for dividing the optical path into two optical paths (see PB1 and PB2, hereinafter referred to as “first optical path” and “second optical path”);
A first camera mounting portion (4) for mounting the first camera (C1) at a position where the reflected light (LB) traveling along the first optical path (PB1) can be received;
A second camera (C2) disposed at a position where the reflected light (LB) that has traveled along the second optical path (PB2) can be received;
It is disposed at a position (hereinafter referred to as “first filter insertion position”) in a light path (see PA, hereinafter referred to as “illumination light path”) between the illumination means (2) and the fundus. First filter means (F1) for transmitting light in a wavelength range of 1,
The light received by the second camera (C2) through the second optical path (PB2) is received by the second camera (C2) so that the light is in a wavelength range outside the first wavelength range. Second filter means (F2) for limiting light by wavelength;
The present invention relates to a fundus imaging system (1) comprising shutter means (not shown) that performs shutter operation of the first camera (C1) and shutter operation of the second camera (C2) substantially simultaneously.

The invention according to claim 2 is an exciter filter according to the invention according to claim 1, wherein the first filter means (F1) can transmit light in a wavelength range of 500 nm to 600 nm.
The optical path splitting means (30) causes the second camera (C2) to receive light having a wavelength range of 600 nm or longer and allows the first camera (C1) to receive light having a wavelength range of 600 nm or shorter. A dichroic mirror to be divided, which also serves as the second filter means (F2).

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the optical path dividing means (30) is a dichroic mirror or a half mirror.
The first filter means (F1) is an exciter filter capable of transmitting light in a wavelength range of 500 nm to 600 nm,
The second filter means (F2) is disposed at a position in the second optical path (PB2) (hereinafter referred to as “second filter insertion position”) and transmits light in a wavelength range of 640 nm to 740 nm. It is a barrier filter that can be used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the second filter insertion position and a position outside the second optical path (PB2) (hereinafter referred to as a “second filter removal position”) are provided. Second filter moving means (G2) for movably supporting the two filter means (F2);
An observation mode in which the second filter moving means (G2) is driven to move the second filter means (F2) to the second filter removal position and the fundus can be observed by the second camera (C2). Then, the second filter moving means (G2) is driven to move the second filter means (F2) to the second filter insertion position, so that spontaneous fluorescence imaging can be performed by the second camera (C2). Photographing mode switching means (5) capable of switching to the spontaneous fluorescence photographing mode;
With
The second filter means (F2) is moved to the second filter insertion position immediately before or simultaneously with pressing the shutter of the second camera (C2).

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the first filter is inserted into the first filter insertion position and a position outside the illumination optical path (PA) (hereinafter referred to as “first filter removal position”). First filter moving means (G1) for movably supporting the filter means (F1),
With
The photographing mode switching means (5) drives the first filter moving means (G1) to move the first filter means (F1) to the first filter removal position, and uses the first camera (C1). It is characterized by being able to perform color photography.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the second camera (C2) is configured to be able to capture still images and moving images,
When the first filter means (F1) is moved to the first filter removal position and the second filter means (F2) is moved to the second filter removal position by the photographing mode switching means (5) In addition, the illumination means (2) is configured to irradiate the eye to be examined (E) with infrared light and to capture a moving image with the second camera (C2).

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein a first image storage unit (SD1) that stores image data captured by the first camera (C1);
A second image storage unit (SD2) for storing image data captured by the second camera (C2);
An image confirmation unit (90) for confirming whether image data is stored in each image storage unit (SD1, SD2) after shooting;
An image transfer unit (91) for transferring the image data when the image confirmation unit (90) confirms that the image data is stored in each of the image storage units (SD1, SD2);
And an image data storage unit (92) for storing the image data transferred by the image transfer unit (91).

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the image transfer unit (91) transfers the image data of the first and second image storage units (SD1, SD2) or the transfer is completed. Immediately after that, the image data of the image storage units (SD1, SD2) is erased.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7 or 8, until the transfer work by the image transfer unit (91) of the image data stored in the image storage unit (SD1, SD2) is completed. The first camera (C1) and the second camera (C2) are configured to be prohibited from performing the next shooting.

Note that the numbers in parentheses are for the sake of convenience indicating the corresponding elements in the drawing, and therefore this description is not limited to the description on the drawing.

According to the inventions according to claims 1 to 6, red-free photography and autofluorescence photography can be performed simultaneously, so that the photographing time can be shortened and the burden on the subject can be reduced.

According to the seventh, eighth, and ninth aspects of the invention, the image confirmation unit confirms whether or not the image data is stored in each image storage unit at almost the same timing, and then quickly transfers the stored image. In addition, since the next photographing operation is prohibited until the image transfer is completed, there is a risk that the images will be mistaken (for example, an image of a different eye to be inspected may be transferred by mistake). Can be avoided. Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the next photographing is prohibited until the transfer of the image data is completed, so that it is possible to prevent an error that is mistaken for the previously photographed image in the image storage unit.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fundus imaging system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an optical characteristic diagram showing an example of optical characteristics of the first filter means and the second filter means.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The fundus imaging system according to the present invention is illustrated by reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 and includes at least the following. That is,
Illumination means 2 that irradiates the fundus of the eye E with illumination light LA
The optical path of the reflected light LB irradiated by the illuminating means 2 and reflected by the fundus (hereinafter referred to as “reflected optical path”) PB is arranged in two optical paths (hereinafter referred to as “first”). Optical path dividing means 30 for dividing into PB1 and PB2 (referred to as “optical path” and “second optical path”)
A first camera mounting portion 4 for mounting the first camera C1 at a position where the reflected light LB that has traveled along the first optical path PB1 can be received.
A second camera C2 disposed at a position where the reflected light LB that has traveled along the second optical path PB2 can be received.
A first wavelength range is disposed at a position (hereinafter referred to as “first filter insertion position”) in an optical path (hereinafter referred to as “illumination optical path”) between the illumination means 2 and the fundus oculi. First filter means F1 for transmitting the light of
The light received by the second camera C2 through the second optical path PB2 is light in a wavelength range outside the first wavelength range (hereinafter referred to as “second wavelength range”). Second filter means F2 for limiting the light received by the second camera C2 by wavelength.
Shutter means (not shown) that performs the shutter operation of the first camera C1 and the shutter operation of the second camera C2 substantially simultaneously.

In the present specification, the portion indicated by the symbol D in FIG. 1 (that is, the portion including the illumination means 2, the filter means F1 and F2, the optical path dividing means 30, etc.) is appropriately referred to as “fundus photographing apparatus”. And And the fundus imaging system 1 according to the present invention includes:
The fundus photographing apparatus D;
A first camera C1 attached to the first camera attachment portion 4 of the fundus imaging apparatus D;
It is good to comprise. Further, a personal computer PC (specifically, a desktop personal computer, a notebook personal computer, a tablet PC, a smartphone, or the like) can be connected to the fundus photographing apparatus D via an image capturing unit (for example, a capture board) 8 in a wired or wireless manner. In this way, the images taken by the first camera C1 and the second camera C2 may be taken into the personal computer PC via the image taking unit 8 (details will be described later). Further, a monitor M may be connected to the personal computer PC so that images taken by the cameras C1 and C2 can be displayed on the monitor M.

By the way, as the illumination means 2,
An observation light source 20 such as a halogen lamp,
A light source 21 for photography, such as a xenon flash lamp,
Can be mentioned. The ring slit 60, the first filter means F1, the illumination

optical systems

61, 63, the ring slit 62, the ring slit 60, the first filter means F1, and the like on the side irradiated with light from the light sources 20, 21 (that is, the downstream side of the illumination optical path PA) A perforated mirror 64 is disposed, and an objective lens 65 is preferably disposed at a position facing the eye E to be examined. Further, a photographing aperture 66 is disposed in the hole portion of the perforated mirror 64, and a focus lens 70 and a half for adjusting the focus by moving the position on the reflected light path PB on the downstream side of the photographing aperture 66. A mirror 71 and an internal fixation lamp 72 may be disposed.

On the other hand, examples of the first camera C1 described above include a commercially available camera for color photography (preferably a digital camera capable of color photography), and examples of the second camera C2 include spontaneous fluorescence photography and red photography. A black-and-white camera that can be observed and photographed by external light can be given, and it is preferable that the camera be configured to photograph not only still images but also moving images. Further, the second camera C2 may be detachably attached to the fundus photographing apparatus D in the same manner as the first camera C1.

On the other hand, as the first filter means F1, an exciter filter whose first wavelength range is a wavelength range of 500 nm to 600 nm (that is, an exciter filter capable of transmitting light in a wavelength range of 500 nm to 600 nm) is used. (See reference numeral H2 in FIG. 2).

On the other hand, examples of the optical path dividing means 30 include a dichroic mirror and a half mirror. Among them, the dichroic mirror has a light reflectance in the wavelength range of 450 nm to 650 nm of 98% or more and a light transmittance in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 950 nm as exemplified by reference numeral H1 in FIG. 90% can be mentioned.

Also, examples of the second filter means F2 include those that allow the second camera C2 to receive light having a wavelength range of 600 nm or more. For example, the optical path dividing means 30 may have a predetermined characteristic (that is, light having a wavelength range of 600 nm or more is received by the second camera C2, and light having a wavelength range of 600 nm or less is received by the first camera C1. In the case where a dichroic mirror having a characteristic that divides the optical path is used, the optical path dividing means 30 can also be used as the second filter means. When such a combination is not used, a barrier filter capable of transmitting light in a wavelength range of 640 nm to 740 nm can be used as the second filter means F2, and the second filter means F2 It may be arranged at a position in PB2 (hereinafter referred to as “second filter insertion position”).

According to the present invention, red-free photography and autofluorescence photography can be performed at the same time, so that the photographing time can be shortened and the burden on the subject can be reduced. In this specification, “simultaneous” only needs to be substantially simultaneous. For example, “simultaneously photographing” means that photographing can be performed by one light emission of the xenon flash lamp by one shutter operation. Therefore, it is not deviated from this simultaneous concept that the timing of the operation is shifted by a slight time of less than 1 second due to the sequence of the apparatus or the convenience of signal transmission.

When the second filter means F2 is arranged separately from the optical path dividing means 30, the second filter insertion position and the position outside the second optical path (hereinafter referred to as “second filter removal position”). And second filter moving means G2 for movably supporting the second filter means F2, and
An observation mode in which the second filter moving means G2 is driven to move the second filter means F2 to the second filter removal position so that the fundus can be observed with the second camera C2.
An autofluorescence imaging mode in which the second filter moving means G2 is driven to move the second filter means F2 to the second filter insertion position and autofluorescence imaging can be performed by the second camera C2.
It is also possible to provide a photographing mode switching means 5 that can be switched between the observation mode and the spontaneous fluorescence photographing mode. The movement of the second filter means F2 to the second filter insertion position may be configured to be performed immediately before or simultaneously with pressing the shutter of the second camera C2. The second filter moving means G2 can include a drive motor and various actuators.

By the way, the photographing mode switching means 5 described above is
An operation unit 51 operated by an operator;
A drive control unit 52 that controls the drive by sending a signal from the operation unit 51 to the filter moving unit G2, and
It is good to comprise by. It should be noted that dedicated application software is installed in the personal computer PC so that the personal computer PC functions as the drive control unit 52, and a keyboard or a mouse connected to the personal computer PC functions as the operation unit 51. May be. Further, a switch, a button, a touch panel or the like is arranged on the fundus photographing apparatus D side as an operation unit of the photographing mode switching means, and a dedicated circuit board is provided on the fundus photographing apparatus D side to provide the photographing mode switching means. It is good also as a drive control part. The same applies to other operations (that is, various operations necessary for photographing a fundus image), and an operation unit and a control unit necessary for the operation may be provided on the personal computer PC side, or Either may be provided on the fundus photographing apparatus D side.

Note that the above-described red-free photography and spontaneous fluorescence photography may be performed not only simultaneously, but also only red-free photography or only self-fluorescence photography.

In addition, the fundus imaging system 1 according to the present invention is preferably configured to perform color imaging in addition to the spontaneous fluorescence imaging and the red-free imaging. For this purpose, first filter moving means G1 that movably supports the first filter means F1 between the first filter insertion position and a position outside the illumination optical path (hereinafter referred to as “first filter removal position”). The photographing mode switching means 5 drives the first filter moving means G1 to move the first filter means F1 to the first filter removal position and performs color photographing by the first camera C1. It is good to be configured so that it can be performed. Further, the second camera C2 is capable of shooting not only still images but also moving images, and the first filter means F1 is moved to the first filter removal position by the shooting mode switching means 5, and When the second filter means F2 is moved to the second filter removal position, the illumination means 2 is configured to irradiate the eye E with infrared light and to capture a moving image with the second camera C2. Good. In this case, color shooting and red free shooting can be performed by the first camera C1, and moving image shooting and autofluorescence shooting before the color shooting and alignment before the red free shooting are performed by the second camera. This can be done by C2. Note that examples of the first filter moving means G1 include a drive motor and various actuators. Of course, what functions are given to which camera is an arbitrary design matter, so for example, it may be configured to use three cameras with color photography and red-free photography as separate cameras, or red-free photography. There is no problem even if it is configured such that only the camera that performs the above is the same, and the rest is the same camera.

on the other hand,
A first image storage unit SD1 for storing image data captured by the first camera C1,
A second image storage unit SD2 for storing image data taken by the second camera C2,
An image confirmation unit 90 for confirming whether or not image data is stored in each of the image storage units SD1 and SD2 after shooting;
An image transfer unit 91 that transfers the image data when the image confirmation unit 90 confirms that the image data is stored in each of the image storage units SD1 and SD2,
An image data storage unit 92 for storing the image data transferred by the image transfer unit 91;
It is good to prepare for. In this case, the image transfer unit 91 may erase the image data of the image storage units SD1 and SD2 when transferring the image data of the first and second image storage units SD1 and SD2. Alternatively, the completion of the transfer is detected, and after that, a command signal for erasing the image data is output to the image storage units SD1 and SD2 and the first and second cameras C1 and C2, and the image in each of the image storage units SD1 and SD2 Data may be erased after the transfer of the image data is completed (for example, immediately after the transfer is completed). Here, as the first image storage unit SD1 and the second image storage unit SD2,
-The memory built in each camera C1, C2,
-Recording media configured to be detachable from each camera C1, C2 (for example, SD card, USB memory, compact flash (registered trademark) card, etc.)
Examples of the image data storage unit 92 include an HDD, an SSD, and a recording medium (for example, an SD card, a USB memory, a compact flash (registered trademark)) connected to or built in the fundus photographing apparatus D or the personal computer PC. ) Card etc.). Further, it is preferable to install dedicated application software on the personal computer PC so that the personal computer PC functions as the image confirmation unit 90 or the image transfer unit 91. It should be noted that if several differently shot images are stored in the image storage units SD1 and SD2 at the same time, there is a possibility that the images may be mistaken. Therefore, until the completion of transfer is detected, the next shooting operation is performed. It is desirable that the shutter operation is disabled, that is, the shutter operation is disabled, and the shutter operation is enabled with a transfer completion detection. In other words, the next shooting by the first camera C1 and the second camera C2 is prohibited until the transfer operation by the image transfer unit 91 of the image data stored in the image storage units SD1 and SD2 is completed. It may be configured.

In the above fundus imaging system 1,
A case where both the first camera C1 and the second camera C2 take images;
A case where only the first camera C1 captures an image and the second camera C2 does not capture an image;
A case where only the second camera C2 captures an image and the first camera C1 does not capture an image;
However, since the image confirmation unit 90 confirms whether or not the image data is stored in each of the image storage units SD1 and SD2 at the same timing, the next shooting is completed until the image transfer is completed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the possibility of mistaking images (for example, transferring images of different eyes to be inspected by mistake).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fundus imaging system 2 Illuminating means 4 First camera mounting part 5 Imaging mode switching means 30 Optical path dividing means 90 Image confirmation part 91 Image transfer part 92 Image data storage part C1 First camera C2 Second camera E Eye to be examined F1 First filter Means F2 Second filter means G1 First filter moving means G2 Second filter moving means LA Illumination light LB Reflected light PA Illumination optical path PB Reflected optical path PB1 First optical path PB2 Second optical path SD1 First image storage section SD2 Second image storage section

Claims

Illuminating means for illuminating the fundus of the eye to be examined; and
The reflected light is disposed in an optical path of reflected light (hereinafter referred to as “reflected optical path”) that is irradiated by the illumination means and reflected by the fundus oculi, and the reflected light is divided into two optical paths (hereinafter referred to as “first optical path” and “first optical path”). Optical path dividing means for dividing the optical path into two optical paths)
A first camera mounting portion for mounting the first camera at a position where the reflected light traveling along the first optical path can be received;
A second camera disposed at a position where the reflected light traveling along the second optical path can be received;
It is arranged at a position (hereinafter referred to as “first filter insertion position”) in an optical path (hereinafter referred to as “illumination optical path”) between the illumination means and the fundus oculi and emits light in the first wavelength range. First filter means for transmission;
A second filter for limiting the light received by the second camera by wavelength so that the light received by the second camera through the second optical path becomes light outside the first wavelength range. Means,
Shutter means for substantially simultaneously performing a shutter operation of the first camera and a shutter operation of the second camera;
A fundus photographing system comprising:
The first filter means is an exciter filter capable of transmitting light in a wavelength range of 500 nm to 600 nm;
The optical path splitting means is a dichroic mirror that splits an optical path so that light in a wavelength range of 600 nm or more is received by the second camera and light in a wavelength range of 600 nm or less is received by the first camera. Doubles as a filter means,
The fundus imaging system according to claim 1.
The optical path dividing means is a dichroic mirror or a half mirror,
The first filter means is an exciter filter capable of transmitting light in a wavelength range of 500 nm to 600 nm;
The second filter means is a barrier filter that is disposed at a position in the second optical path (hereinafter referred to as “second filter insertion position”) and can transmit light in a wavelength range of 640 nm to 740 nm.
The fundus imaging system according to claim 1.
Second filter moving means for movably supporting the second filter means between the second filter insertion position and a position outside the second optical path (hereinafter referred to as “second filter removal position”);
An observation mode in which the second filter moving means is driven to move the second filter means to the second filter removal position and the fundus can be observed by the second camera; and the second filter moving means An imaging mode switching means capable of switching to an autofluorescence imaging mode capable of driving and moving the second filter means to the second filter insertion position to perform autofluorescence imaging with the second camera;
With
The movement of the second filter means to the second filter insertion position is configured to be performed immediately before or simultaneously with pressing the shutter of the second camera.
The fundus imaging system according to claim 3.
First filter moving means for movably supporting the first filter means between the first filter insertion position and a position outside the illumination light path (hereinafter referred to as “first filter removal position”);
With
The photographing mode switching means is configured to drive the first filter moving means to move the first filter means to the first filter removal position and perform color photographing with the first camera. ,
The fundus imaging system according to claim 4.
The second camera is configured to capture still images and moving images,
When the first filter means is moved to the first filter removal position and the second filter means is moved to the second filter removal position by the imaging mode switching means, the illumination means is the eye to be examined. It was configured to irradiate infrared light to the second camera and to shoot a video.
The fundus imaging system according to claim 5.
A first image storage unit for storing image data captured by the first camera;
A second image storage unit for storing image data captured by the second camera;
An image confirmation unit for confirming whether image data is stored in each image storage unit after shooting;
An image transfer unit that transfers the image data when the image confirmation unit confirms that the image data is stored in each image storage unit;
An image data storage unit for storing the image data transferred by the image transfer unit;
The fundus imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising:
The image transfer unit erases the image data of each image storage unit when transferring the image data of the first and second image storage units, or immediately after the transfer is completed;
The fundus imaging system according to claim 7.
Until the transfer operation by the image transfer unit of the image data stored in the image storage unit is completed, the next shooting by the first camera and the second camera is prohibited.
9. The fundus imaging system according to claim 7, wherein the fundus imaging system is provided.