WO2022135662A1

WO2022135662A1 - Ophthalmic microscope with proximity detector

Info

Publication number: WO2022135662A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/087453
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Zumkehr; Jörg Breitenstein; Caspar TRITTIBACH; Luca FERRIROLI
Original assignee: Haag-Streit Ag
Priority date: 2020-12-21
Filing date: 2020-12-21
Publication date: 2022-06-30

Abstract

The ophthalmic microscope comprises a control unit (20), an eyepiece (12), an external touchscreen display (10) as well as an internal display (26) viewable through the eyepiece. It has a user detector (14) connected to the control unit (20) for detecting the presence of the user using the eyepiece (12). Only when the user is detected to use the eyepiece (12), the control unit (20) enables the internal display (26). The control unit (20) also changes the configuration and size of control areas (44a, 44b) on the external display (10) and can effect further changes to adapt the function of the microscope while the user is using the eyepiece (12).

Description

Ophthalmic Microscope with Proximity Detector

Technical Field

The invention relates to an ophthalmic micro scope with an eyepiece.

Background Art

Ophthalmic microscopes with an eyepiece allow the user to view the image recorded by the microscope through the eyepiece.

Such microscopes may e.g. include slit lamp microscopes, OCT microscopes, fundus cameras, etc.

As an example, the ophthalmic microscope de scribed in US20150077705 comprises objective optics and an eyepiece (e.g. a binocular) with an optical path be tween them. It further has a camera and an internal dis play. A first beam splitter is used to couple out light from the optical path to be recorded in the camera. A second beam splitter is used to couple in light from the internal display into the optical path to be viewed through the eyepiece.

Disclosure of the Invention

The problem to be solved by the present in vention is to provide an ophthalmic microscope with im proved usability.

This problem is solved by the microscope of claim 1.

Accordingly, the ophthalmic microscope com prises at least the following elements: - A control unit: The control unit controls the electronic and/or electromechanical components of the microscope .

- An eyepiece: As known to the skilled per son, the eyepiece is designed to provide a view of the microscope image to a user who keeps his eyes close (e.g. within 5 cm or less) to the eyepiece. This may in partic ular be a binocular eyepiece.

- A user detector: This detector is connected to the control unit and is adapted and structured to de tect the presence of a user using the eyepiece.

The user detector allows the microscope to automatically adapt to the way it is used, i.e. to adapt its operation to what the user is presently doing.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit is adapted to switch the microscope between at least a first and a second operating mode depending on the sig nal from the eyepiece.

The microscope may have an external display, i.e. a display that can be viewed without looking through the eyepiece. In this case, the control unit may be adapted to provide a first user interface on the external display while the user is using the eyepiece and a sec ond, different user interface while the user is not using the eyepiece. This allows to adapt the user interface to the current mode of operation.

If the external display is a touch display, the first user interface advantageously has larger con trol area(s) for making it easier to the user to operate the microscope without taking his/her eyes from the eye piece. In other words, the first and second user inter face each comprise a control area for controlling a given function of the microscope, with the control area of the first user interface being larger than the control area (for the same function) of the second user interface. Advantageously, the microscope comprises an internal display viewable through the eyepiece. This al lows to project information into the user's visual field as he uses the eyepiece.

The control unit may be adapted to enable the internal display when the user detector detects the pres ence of the user and to disable the internal display, at least partially, otherwise. This takes into account that the internal display is only or mainly used when the user looks into the eyepiece. In this context, "at least par tially" is to be understood such that at least a part, e.g. at least half, of the area of the internal display is disabled (i.e. made dark) while the user is not using the eyepiece or that its brightness is, in at least part, e.g. at least half, of its area, reduced by a factor of at least 2, in particular of at least 10. Advantageously, though, the whole internal display is completely disa bled, i.e. prevented from emitting light.

The microscope may comprise a single beam splitter for coupling a camera and the internal display with the optical path of the microscope.

In particular, it may comprise at least the following components:

- Objective optics projecting an image of the subject's eye into the eyepiece. In this context, 'pro jecting' typically indicates that the image is focused when the user watches it through the eyepiece with his/her eyes accommodated to infinity.

- A camera: This camera may be used to record the image from the objective optics. Additional optical components are typically provided to focus this image on the camera.

- A beam splitter, which is adapted and posi tioned to do at least the following: a) It sends a first part of the image from the objective optics to the eyepiece and a second part to the camera. For example, it may transmit said first part and reflect said second part. b) It sends a first part of the light from the internal display to the eyepiece and a second part to the camera. For example, it may reflect the first part and transmit the second part.

The fact that part of the light from the in ternal display arrives at the camera is an inherent side effect of the beam splitter and often undesired.

In that case, it is particularly advantageous if the control unit is adapted to disable the internal display, at least partially, when no user is detected at the eyepiece. This allows to prevent the image from the internal display from appearing on the camera even if the internal display is too slow to be synchronized to "blind" periods of the camera.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become ap parent when consideration is given to the following de tailed description thereof. Such description makes refer ence to the annexed drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view of a slit lamp microscope,

Fig. 2 is a functional block circuit diagram of the microscope,

Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of part of the optics with a single beam splitter,

Fig. 4 shows elements on the external display when the user does not use the eyepiece,

Fig. 5 shows elements on the external display when the user uses the eyepiece, and

Fig. 6 shows elements seen through the eye- piece. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Overview

Fig. 1 shows a slit lamp microscope as an ex ample for an ophthalmic microscope. The device comprises a microscope device 2 and a slit lamp 4 as they are known to the skilled person. Both these elements can e.g. be pivoted about a pivot common axis 6 and be used to view a subject's eye.

A headrest 8 is provided for the subject to rest his/her head on.

The device further has an external display 10, which is advantageously a touch screen.

The user may view the image of the subject's eye either on display 10 or, directly, by using an eye piece 12 of the camera.

According to the invention, the microscope comprises a user detector 14, which is positioned and adapted to detect if the user is using the eyepiece or not.

For accurate measurements, detector 14 is ad vantageously arranged on the same side of housing 16 of the microscope device 4 as eyepiece 12.

Detector 14 advantageously is a proximity sensor, such as an infrared optical sensor. Suitable de vices are e.g. S11102, Sill20, or Sill4x by Silicon Labs (silabs.com). It may, however, also be based on another technology, such as on ultrasound echoing, capacitive or inductive measurements, piezoelectric detection (e.g. upon touch of the eyepiece), or environmental light de tection by means of a light detector located in eyepiece 12.

Fig. 2 shows a functional block circuit dia gram of the microscope. The device comprises a control unit 20, which is e.g. a microprocessor equipped with suitable memory and programmed to provide the functional ity of the device.

Control unit 20 is connected to user detector 14, to further sensors 22, as well as to a number of ac tuators 24 of the microscope.

In addition, it drives external display 10 and handles'its touchscreen signals, and it also drives an internal display 26, which is described in more detail below .

Fig. 3 shows a schematic drawing of the op tics of microscope device 2. It comprises objective op tics 30 for taking an image of the subject's eye 32. Ob jective optics 30 may have a variable magnification con trolled by control unit 20.

The light from objective optics 30 is sent through a beam splitter 34, where part of it is transmit ted to objective 12 to be directly viewed by the user 36.

Beam splitter 34 reflects part of the light from objective optics 30 to an electronic camera 38, which may e.g. be a CCD camera. Camera 38 is connected to control unit 20.

In addition, microscope device 2 comprises the internal display 26 mentioned above. The light from internal display 26 is sent to beam splitter 34, where part of it is reflected into eyepiece 12, which allows the user to view the information displayed on internal display 26.

However, part of the light from display 10 is typically transmitted through beam splitter 34 and ar rives at camera 38, where it is, usually, undesired.

Even though that problem might be solved by using different beam splitters for camera 38 and internal display 26, using a single beam splitter as shown results in a simpler and more compact design.

The device may also provide the option to record individual images, e.g. for storage, by means of camera 36 while internal display 26 is switched off. Even in that case, though, the live image from camera 38 on external display 10 may still show light from internal display 26. For that reason, additional functionality is provided as described in the below. Beam splitter 34 may have a 50:50 beam split- ting ratio or any ratio that is suitable for the given application .

Operation

As mentioned, user sensor 14 is adapted to detect if the user is using eyepiece 12. Depending on this information, control unit 20 can operate the micro scope in an optimized mode of operation.

In order to securely detect the user using eyepiece 12, user sensor 14 and control unit 20 are adapted to detect the presence of the user only when he/she is at a range of no more than 20 cm, in particular of no more than 10 cm, from eyepiece 12.

Depending on the result of this detection, control unit 20 operates the microscope in at least two different operating modes.

Some examples of how these operating modes may differ are provided in the following.

Adapting touchscreen 20:

A first example is the adaptation of the user interface on external display 10 as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 shows an example of the elements on ex ternal display 10 while the user is detected to be not using the eyepiece. Fig. 5 shows an example for the ele ments on external display 10 while the user is detected to be using the eyepiece.

In the mode of Fig. 4, external display 10 shows a live image 40 as recorded by camera 38. It also shows written or schematic information 42 indicative of the state of the microscope and/or the case information (such as the name of the logged in user and/or the sub ject) as well as other information. It also marks one or more control areas 44a, 44b, where the user can control the function of the microscope by touch. The control ar eas 44a, 44b may be visually marked by arrows, text, or other symbols 46a, 46b.

Touching the control areas 44a or 44b con trols at least one function of the microscope. For exam ple, touching one of the arrows may change at least one of the following operating parameters of the microscope:

- The brightness of the illumination gener ated by lamp 4.

- The geometry of the light pattern generated by lamp 4. For example, the light pattern from lamp 4 may (in at least one configuration) be a stripe, i.e. a slit, as it is conventionally used in slit lamp microscopy. In this case, operating one or the other control area 44a, 44b may increase and/or decrease the width of the slit.

- The magnification of the microscope device 2.

- Operating the control areas 44a, 44b may allow the user to select one of a plurality of pre-con- figured configurations of the microscope. Such a configu ration may e.g. comprise one or, advantageously, several of the parameters mentioned above.

When the user starts using eyepiece 12, con trol unit 20 switches display 10 to a different mode of operation, as shown in Fig. 5. Here, the two control ar eas 44a, 44b are larger than in the mode of operation of Fig. 4. Advantageously, the arrows or markings 46a, 46b are larger as well.

Information 40, 42 that is present in the op erating mode of Fig. 4 (i.e. when the user is not using the eyepiece) may be removed, be shown in dimmed manner, or be shown smaller in the operating mode of Fig. 5 (i.e. when the user is using the eyepiece). Controlling internal display 26:

Fig. 6 shows the view through the eyepiece when the user is detected to be using the eyepiece.

In that case, the user sees a superposition of the direct image 50 of the subject's eye (as projected by objective optics 30 and transmitted through beam splitter 34) and image elements from internal display 26. The latter may e.g. include at least one of the follow ing:

- One or more markers 52, e.g. relating to the eye image (such as a marker indicating a center of the image, the sharpest area of the image, or special features in the image).

- Written or schematic information 54 indica tive of the state of the microscope and/or the case in formation (such as the name of the logged in user and/or the subject).

- Information 56 indicative of the spatial configuration of the control areas 44a, 44b on external display 10. In particular, it may show a scaled represen tation of the control areas 44a, 44b.

- Other information.

Enabling and disabling internal display 26:

As mentioned, control unit 20 may be adapted to enable internal display 26 when the user detector de tects the presence of the user and to disable the inter nal display, at least partially, otherwise.

This allows to prevent light from internal display from reaching camera 38 as described above.

Touch feedback on internal display 26:

As mentioned, the information displayed by internal display 26 may include information 56 indicative of the spatial configuration of the control areas 44a, 44b on external display 10. In addition or alternatively to this, control unit 20 may be adapted to display a touch indicator 58 on internal display 26, in particular only while the user is using eyepiece 12.

Touch indicator 58 is indicative of the loca tion where a touch is detected by external touchscreen display 10.

Such a touch indicator supports the user in properly operating the control areas 44a, 44b in that it gives feedback as to where his/her finger is.

Touch indicator 58 may e.g. be a dot or cross as shown.

For example, the location of touch indicator 58 on the image from internal display 26 may depend line arly on the location where the touch is detected, i.e. the coordinate system of external display 10 is linearly mapped to all or a part of internal display 26 for show ing the touch location. Advantageously, the same scaling and mapping may be used for touch indicator 58 and infor mation 56. Notes

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, a single beam splitter and a single internal display are shown. If a binocular is used as an eyepiece, the beam splitter is e.g. used for one ocular only. Alternatively, several beam splitters can be provided to couple light into both oculars and/or several internal displays may be provided.

Even though the invention is described in re lation to a slit lamp microscope, it may also be used in any other type of ophthalmic microscope. While there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be dis tinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and prac ticed within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An ophthalmic microscope comprising a control unit (20), an eyepiece (12), a user detector (14) connected to the control unit (20) for detecting a presence of a user using the eyepiece (12).

2. The microscope of claim 1 wherein the con trol unit (20) is adapted to switch the microscope be tween at least a first and a second operating mode de pending on a signal from the eyepiece (12).

3. The microscope of claim 2 further compris ing an external display (10), wherein said control unit (20) is adapted to provide a first user interface on the external display (10) while the user is using the eye piece (12) and a second, different user interface while the user is not using the eyepiece (12).

4. The microscope of claim 3 wherein said ex ternal display (10) is a touchscreen display and the first and second user interface each comprise at least one control area (44a, 44b) for controlling a function of the microscope by touch, wherein the control area (44a, 44b) of the first user interface is larger than the con trol area (44a, 44b) of the second user interface.

5. The microscope of claim 4 wherein the con trol area (44a, 44b) controls at least one of:

- a brightness of an illumination generated by a lamp (4) of the microscope,

- a geometrical parameter of an illumination field, in particular a slit width, generated by a lamp (4) of the microscope, - a magnification, and

- a selection of one of a plurality of pre configured configurations of the microscope.

6. The microscope of any of the preceding claims further comprising an internal display (26) viewa ble through the eyepiece (12).

7. The microscope of any of the claims 4 or 5 and of claim 6 wherein said control unit (20) is adapted to display, in said internal display (26), information (56) indicative of a spatial configuration of the at least one control area (44a, 44b) on the external display

(10).

8. The microscope of any of the claims 4 or 5 and of any of the claims 6 or 7, wherein said control unit (20) is adapted to display a touch indicator (58) on the internal display (26) indicative of a location where a touch is detected by the touchscreen display, and in particular wherein a location of the touch indicator (58) on the internal display (26) depends linearly on the lo cation where the touch is detected.

9. The microscope of any of the claims 6 to 8 wherein said control unit (20) is adapted to enable the internal display (26) when the user detector (14) detects the presence of the user and to disable the internal dis play (26), at least partially, otherwise.

10. The microscope of any of the claims 6 to 9 further comprising objective optics (30) projecting an image of a subject's eye into the eyepiece (12), a camera (38), a beam splitter (34), wherein the beam split ter (34) is adapted and positioned to send a first part of the image from the ob jective optics (30) to the eyepiece (12) and a second part to the camera (38) and send a first part of light from the internal display (26) to the eyepiece (12) and a second part to the camera (38).

11. The microscope of any of the preceding claims wherein said control unit (20) and said user de- tector (14) are adapted to detect the presence of the user only if the user is at a range of no more than 20 cm, in particular of no more than 10 cm, from the eye piece (12).