WO2015016151A1 - Ophthalmological image capture device and method for controlling same - Google Patents

Ophthalmological image capture device and method for controlling same Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015016151A1
WO2015016151A1 PCT/JP2014/069720 JP2014069720W WO2015016151A1 WO 2015016151 A1 WO2015016151 A1 WO 2015016151A1 JP 2014069720 W JP2014069720 W JP 2014069720W WO 2015016151 A1 WO2015016151 A1 WO 2015016151A1
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Prior art keywords
eye
imaging
anterior
illumination
unit
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PCT/JP2014/069720
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
中島　肇
相川　聡
洋平 斉藤
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キヤノン株式会社
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Publication of WO2015016151A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015016151A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B3/00—Apparatus for testing the eyes; Instruments for examining the eyes
    • A61B3/10—Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
    • A61B3/117—Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions for examining the anterior chamber or the anterior chamber angle, e.g. gonioscopes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B3/00—Apparatus for testing the eyes; Instruments for examining the eyes
    • A61B3/10—Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
    • A61B3/14—Arrangements specially adapted for eye photography
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B3/00—Apparatus for testing the eyes; Instruments for examining the eyes
    • A61B3/10—Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
    • A61B3/14—Arrangements specially adapted for eye photography
    • A61B3/15—Arrangements specially adapted for eye photography with means for aligning, spacing or blocking spurious reflection ; with means for relaxing
    • A61B3/156—Arrangements specially adapted for eye photography with means for aligning, spacing or blocking spurious reflection ; with means for relaxing for blocking

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that captures an image of an eye to be inspected and captures an image related to the eye to be inspected, and a control method thereof.
  • the conventional ophthalmic imaging apparatus has an optical system arranged specifically for photographing the fundus of the eye to be examined. However, it is possible to photograph the anterior segment of the eye by separating the distance between the ophthalmic imaging device and the subject, and by increasing the adjustment amount of the distance between the optical body of the ophthalmic imaging device and the subject.
  • An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that can also photograph an anterior segment of an eye to be examined is widely known.
  • a visible light cut filter is detachably disposed in front of an anterior ocular segment illumination light source, thereby observing and photographing the anterior ocular segment of a subject's eye with a single light source. That is, in Patent Document 1, when observing the anterior segment of the eye to be examined, the anterior segment is illuminated with infrared light by inserting a visible light cut filter. Further, in Patent Document 1, when photographing the anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined, the visible light cut filter is removed to illuminate the anterior eye portion with visible light or the like from the optical axis, and the transillumination image is reflected by the fundus reflection light. Like to get.
  • Patent Document 1 takes into consideration imaging conditions such as AE (Automatic Exposure Adjustment) and AF (Auto Focus) at the time of imaging in the anterior segment of the subject's eye. It wasn't. For this reason, it is not possible to easily and suitably perform imaging in the anterior segment of the eye to be examined, and it is difficult to obtain a good anterior segment image.
  • imaging conditions such as AE (Automatic Exposure Adjustment) and AF (Auto Focus)
  • the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and allows an anterior ocular segment image to be obtained to be easily and suitably photographed in the anterior segment of an eye to be examined.
  • the purpose is to provide a mechanism.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above-described object, and is a function and effect derived from each configuration shown in the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, which is another object of the present invention. It can be positioned as one.
  • An ophthalmic imaging apparatus is an ophthalmic imaging apparatus that captures an image of an eye to be inspected and captures an image of the eye to be inspected.
  • a second illuminating means for illuminating the anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined with visible light; and an imaging condition adjusting means for adjusting an imaging condition in photographing the anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined.
  • the anterior eye part of the eye to be examined is visible light by the second illumination means. Illuminating and illuminating the anterior segment of the subject's eye with infrared light in the first illuminating unit when the imaging condition is not adjusted by the imaging condition adjusting unit during the observation.
  • Another aspect of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus is an ophthalmic imaging apparatus that captures an image of the eye to be inspected and captures an image related to the eye to be inspected.
  • Illuminating means for illuminating the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be examined with visible light
  • imaging condition adjusting means for adjusting imaging conditions in photographing the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be examined.
  • the anterior eye of the eye to be examined is adjusted in the second illuminating means. Illuminate the part with visible light.
  • the present invention also includes a method for controlling the ophthalmic imaging apparatus described above.
  • imaging in the anterior segment of the eye to be examined can be performed conveniently and suitably, and a good anterior segment image can be obtained.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a method for controlling the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in anterior eye iris imaging according to the first embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the light beam distribution of an illumination light source.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • An ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that captures an image of the eye E and captures an image related to the eye E. In FIG. 1, only the eye E to be examined is shown in each part of the subject.
  • An ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a base unit (1 to 5) that supports the entire ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100, a head unit (6) having an imaging mechanism, and an operation for an operator such as a doctor to operate. A portion (8) is provided.
  • the base unit of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 includes a base 1, a face holder 2, a chin rest 3, a zx stage 4, and a y stage 5.
  • the subject puts his forehead on the face holder 2, puts his chin on the chin rest 3, and stops his face and eyes at the time of photographing.
  • the zx stage 4 is movable in the zx direction on the base 1, and the y stage 5 is movable in the y direction.
  • the head unit of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 is configured to include the optical main body 6.
  • the optical body 6 has a series of configurations that illuminate the subject eye E and shoot, and record an image of the subject eye E obtained as a result as the subject eye image.
  • the head of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 moves back and forth / left / right / up and down on the base 1 by the movement of the zx stage 4 and the y stage 5 to align the optical body 6 with respect to the subject. Is possible.
  • the optical system of the optical body 6 is roughly divided into a photographing light source unit O1, an observation light source unit O2, an illumination optical system O3, a photographing / illumination optical system O4, a photographing optical system O5, and an internal fixation lamp unit O6. .
  • the luminous flux emitted by the imaging light source unit O1 or the observation light source unit O2 illuminates the subject's eye E through the illumination optical system O3 and the imaging / illumination optical system O4, and the image is captured / illuminated.
  • An image is formed on the image sensor 55 through the optical system O4 and the photographing optical system O5.
  • the imaging light source unit O1 generates ring light of white light that is visible light with the following configuration.
  • the imaging light source 11 is configured by, for example, a white LED array in which white LEDs that emit white light that is visible light are arranged in an annular shape.
  • the photographing condenser lens 12 is a general spherical lens.
  • the photographing ring slit 13 is a flat plate having an annular opening.
  • the photographing lens baffle 14 is also a flat plate having an annular opening.
  • the white light beam from the imaging light source 11 is condensed toward the fundus of the eye E by the imaging condenser lens 12, and the light beam shape when passing through the anterior eye part of the eye E by the imaging ring slit 13 is annular. It is molded to be. Further, the photographing lens baffle 14 restricts the light beam projected onto the crystalline lens of the eye E to prevent unwanted reflection light from the crystalline lens of the eye E to be detected in the fundus image.
  • the observation light source unit O2 creates an infrared ring illumination with the following configuration.
  • the observation light source 21 is a light source capable of continuous light emission, such as a halogen lamp or LED, and emits infrared light due to the characteristics of the element or an optical filter.
  • the observation condenser lens 22 is a general spherical lens.
  • the observation ring slit 23 is a flat plate having an annular opening.
  • the observation lens baffle 24 is also a flat plate having an annular opening.
  • Each configuration of the observation light source unit O2 is different from each configuration of the imaging light source unit O1 only in the type of the light source. That is, the observation condenser lens 22 condenses the light beam from the observation light source 21 toward the fundus of the eye E, the observation ring slit 23 adjusts the shape of the light beam in the anterior eye portion of the eye E, and the observation lens baffle 24 This prevents the reflected light from the crystalline lens of the eye E from being mixed into the fundus image.
  • the illumination optical system O3 relays the light beams generated by the photographing light source unit O1 and the observation light source unit O2 and creates an index image for focusing the fundus image with the following configuration.
  • the light beam generated by the visible light source O1 is reflected, and the light beam generated by the observation light source unit O2 is transmitted and guided to the illumination optical system O3.
  • the first illumination relay lens 32 and the second illumination relay lens 34 form an image of ring illumination on the eye E by these.
  • the split unit 33 includes a focus index light source 33a, a prism 33b, a focus index mask 33c, a split shift drive motor M1, and a split position sensor S1.
  • the focus index light source 33a emits light for projecting the focus index.
  • the prism 33b is for dividing light.
  • the focus index mask 33c shows the outline of the focus index.
  • the split shift drive motor M1 is for shifting the focus index in the optical axis direction by moving the configuration of 33a to 33c in the direction of the arrow in the drawing (changing the focus state of the focus index).
  • the split position sensor S1 is for detecting a stop position of the configuration of 33a to 33c.
  • the split insertion / extraction drive motor M2 is a motor for moving the split unit 33 forward and backward with respect to the illumination optical system O3. Specifically, the split insertion / extraction drive motor M2 projects the split index in the observation image by causing the split unit 33 to enter the illumination optical system O3 when observing the eye E. Further, the split insertion / extraction drive motor M2 performs control so that the split unit 33 is removed from the illumination optical system O3 when the eye E is photographed, and the focus index is not reflected in the photographed image.
  • the corneal baffle 35 is for preventing reflection of reflected light from the cornea of the eye E to be examined that is unnecessary for the fundus image.
  • the imaging / illumination optical system O4 projects an illumination light beam onto the eye E and derives an image related to the eye E with the following configuration.
  • the perforated mirror 41 has a mirror at the outer periphery and a hole at the center.
  • the light beam guided from the illumination optical system O ⁇ b> 3 is reflected by the mirror portion of the perforated mirror 41 and illuminates the fundus of the eye E through the objective lens 42.
  • the fundus image of the eye E to be examined obtained by the illumination returns to the objective lens 42 and is led to the photographing optical system O5 through the hole in the center of the perforated mirror 41.
  • the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43 is a light source for illuminating the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined.
  • the anterior eye illumination light diffusion plate 44 is a diffusion plate for diffusing light from the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the anterior ocular photographing illumination light source unit shown in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43 includes an anterior eye illumination light source substrate 43p, anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d, and anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h.
  • the anterior eye illumination light source substrate 43p is an annular printed circuit board disposed on the outer periphery of the objective lens 42 shown in FIG.
  • the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are mounted in an annular shape on the anterior eye illumination light source substrate 43p.
  • the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h (first illumination means) illuminate the anterior eye portion of the eye E with infrared light
  • the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d second illumination.
  • Means illuminates the anterior segment of the eye E with visible light.
  • the turning on and off of the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the turning on and off of the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are controlled by a CPU 71 described later.
  • the anterior eye illumination light diffusing plate 44 shown in FIG. 1 diffuses light beams from the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h, thereby uniformly diffusing light to the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined. It functions to irradiate (white light or infrared light).
  • four examples of the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are provided.
  • the present embodiment is not limited to this. It is not something. These numbers are determined in order to create uniform illumination and emit a sufficient amount of light for photographing, and may be other than four.
  • the imaging optical system O5 forms an image on the image sensor 55 after adjusting the focus of the fundus image of the eye E to be examined with the following configuration.
  • the diopter correction lens 51 includes a convex lens (51a) and a concave lens (movable on the optical axis) that can be moved forward and backward in order to focus on the fundus of the eye E to be inspected with myopia or hyperopia, which is difficult to adjust with the focus lens 52. 51b).
  • the diopter correction lens advance / retreat drive motor M4 allows the diopter correction-lens 51b to enter when the subject has high myopia, and diopter correction + lens 51a when the subject has high myopia. Is inserted into the photographing optical system O5.
  • the focus lens 52 is a lens for adjusting the focus of the photographic light beam that has passed through the central hole of the perforated mirror 41, and performs focus adjustment by moving in the direction of the arrow in the figure.
  • the focus lens drive motor M3 is for driving the focus lens 52 to focus
  • the focus lens position sensor S3 is for detecting the stop position of the focus lens 52.
  • the photographic lens 53 is a lens for imaging the light flux so far.
  • the half mirror 54 splits the photographing light flux.
  • the image sensor 55 photoelectrically converts the photographic light.
  • the electrical signal obtained by the image sensor 55 is A / D converted by the image processing unit 72 to become digital data.
  • an image after image processing by the image processing unit 72 is displayed on the monitor 73, and after shooting, for example, an image after image processing by the image processing unit 72 is recorded on the recording medium 74 (this An image may be displayed on the monitor 73).
  • the optical path is separated from the photographing optical system O5 by the half mirror 54, and the internal fixation lamp unit 61 faces the optical path.
  • the internal fixation lamp unit 61 is composed of a plurality of LEDs, and lights the LEDs at positions corresponding to the fixation unit selected by the inspector (operator). Then, the examiner can obtain a fundus image or the like in a desired direction when the examinee fixes the lighted LED.
  • the optical body 6 is provided with a CPU 71, an image processing unit 72, a monitor 73, and a recording medium 74.
  • the CPU 71 comprehensively controls the operation of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 by controlling each component in the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 as necessary.
  • the image processing unit 72 performs image processing on the electrical signal obtained by the imaging element 55 to generate an image related to the eye E.
  • the monitor 73 displays an image or the like obtained by the image processing unit 72. Furthermore, the monitor 73 displays various information based on the control of the CPU 71, for example.
  • the recording medium 74 is for recording an image or the like obtained by the image processing unit 72. Further, for example, the recording medium 74 records various types of information based on the control of the CPU 71, and also records programs and the like processed by the CPU 71.
  • the operation unit 8 includes a joystick 81 and a shooting mode changeover switch 82.
  • the joystick 81 is disposed at a predetermined position on the base 1.
  • the joystick 81 is configured to tilt in the front-rear and left-right directions as a whole, and includes a photographing switch 81a, a vertical movement dial 81b, and a focus dial 81c.
  • the operator tilts the entire joystick 81 in a desired direction when moving the head portion (6) forward, backward, left and right.
  • the operator depresses the photographing switch 81a when photographing the eye E, rotates the vertical dial 81b when moving the head portion (6) in the vertical direction, and rotates the focus dial 81c when changing the focus state. Let All of these operations are detected by the CPU 71 via a sensor (not shown).
  • the CPU 71 drives an x / y / z actuator (not shown), a split insertion / removal drive motor M2 or a focus lens as necessary.
  • the drive motor M3 is driven.
  • the photographing switch 81a is a two-stage switch.
  • the first-stage switch of the shooting switch 81a inputs an operation of a shooting preparation operation such as an AE (automatic exposure adjustment) operation or an AF (automatic focus adjustment) operation, and the second-stage switch of the shooting switch 81a is It is assigned to input the operation of the shooting operation.
  • the photographing mode changeover switch 82 is disposed at a predetermined position on the zx stage 4. Each time this photographing mode changeover switch 82 is pressed, the photographing mode is switched in the order of “fundus photographing” ⁇ “anterior illuminating photographing” ⁇ “anterior eye iris photographing” ⁇ “anterior eye photographing” ⁇ “fundus photographing”. It is like that.
  • Front-eye transillumination is an imaging method for observing the turbidity of the crystalline lens of the eye E.
  • the imaging light is emitted from the front of the eye E, and the fundus reflection light that has passed through the crystalline lens of the eye E is again the crystalline lens.
  • An image based on the image when passing through is recorded.
  • white light on the photographing optical axis emitted by the photographing light source unit O1 is used.
  • Anterior eye iris photography is an imaging method for observing the iris part around the pupil of the eye E, and if the pupil is in a miosis, the iris part of the eye E is enlarged and an image with better observability is obtained. Is obtained.
  • An operation method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus 100 in this anterior eye iris photographing will be described below with reference to FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in anterior eye iris imaging according to the first embodiment of this invention.
  • step S100 is triggered by the operation of the imaging mode switching switch 82 by the operator to select “anterior eye iris imaging” and the CPU 71 detects this.
  • step S101 the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW1, which is the first-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
  • the process waits at step S101 until the switch SW1 is turned on.
  • step S101 if the switch SW1 is turned on as a result of the determination in step S101, the process proceeds to step S102.
  • the CPU 71 performs control for performing pupil reduction illumination on the eye E to be examined. Specifically, the CPU 71 performs control to irradiate the eye E (the anterior eye portion of the eye E) with white light emitted from the imaging light source unit O1 when observing the eye E before performing the anterior eye iris photographing. Then, the iris of the eye E is promoted to enlarge the iris.
  • step S103 the CPU 71 determines the miosis state of the eye E to be examined. Specifically, the CPU 71 analyzes the observation image of the eye E imaged on the image sensor 55 via the image processing unit 72 and determines whether or not the pupil diameter is less than the threshold (in the present embodiment). And determine whether or not the pupil diameter is sufficiently small to observe the iris portion).
  • the process waits in step S103 until the pupil diameter is less than the threshold value.
  • step S104 if the pupil diameter is less than the threshold value as a result of the determination in step S103, the process proceeds to step S104.
  • step S104 the CPU 71 performs control to turn off the miosis illumination and turn on the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h of the anterior illumination light source unit 43.
  • the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h By turning on the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h, the anterior eye portion of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light, and the anterior eye portion of the eye E can be observed.
  • step S105 the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW2, which is the second-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
  • the process waits at step S105 until the switch SW2 is turned on.
  • step S105 if the switch SW2 is turned on as a result of the determination in step S105, the process proceeds to step S106.
  • step S106 the CPU 71 turns off the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d of the anterior illuminating light source unit 43 after turning off the anterior illuminating infrared LEDs 43e to 43h lit in step S104. I do.
  • step S107 the CPU 71 records the image obtained by the photographing operation in step S106 on the recording medium 74 or displays it on the monitor 73, and then ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.
  • the pupil can be reduced to enlarge the area of the iris portion, and the photography is completed with a necessary amount of white light projection. Therefore, the glare felt by the subject is small.
  • the pupil diameter is used as a criterion for turning off the miosis illumination (S103).
  • the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, whether or not the miosis illumination is turned off depending on whether or not the illumination time of the miosis illumination (visible light illumination) has passed a predetermined time. It is also possible to use a criterion for determining whether or not. Further, for example, as a determination criterion for turning off the miosis illumination, other determination criteria such as the number of blinks of the miosis illumination can be used.
  • Anterior eye extraocular photography is an imaging method for associating the face of the subject in a series of fundus examinations or for recording the state of the eye E around the eyeball. It is. Therefore, photographing is performed using the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d with little direct reflection.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light flux distribution of an illumination light source according to the first embodiment of this invention.
  • the illumination light of the eye E the condensed white light generated by the imaging light source unit O1, the condensed infrared light generated by the observation light source unit O2, and the diffused white light generated by the anterior illumination light source unit 43 are used. There is light and diffuse infrared light.
  • the arrow in FIG. 4 indicates the vector of the luminous flux distribution of the illumination light source.
  • the light generated by the imaging light source unit O1 and the observation light source unit O2 is condensed light that projects the images of the imaging ring slit 13 and the observation ring slit 23 onto the fundus of the eye E to be examined. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, these lights are condensed lights that illuminate the eye E from the photographing optical axis via the objective lens 42. Therefore, these lights have a strong directivity, and are only light having a diameter of about the pupil diameter at the time of fundus photography, and slightly spread by separating the head part (6) from the subject at the time of anterior eye photography. However, it is still a narrow luminous flux. An image of light having directivity is a flat and high-contrast image because almost no shadow is generated.
  • the light generated by the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43 is diffused by the anterior eye illumination light diffusing plate 44 and becomes uniform diffused light including the periphery of the eye E to be examined. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, these lights are diffused lights that illuminate the eye E from outside the imaging optical axis without passing through the objective lens 42. Therefore, these lights are a collection of light beams having weak and multi-directional vectors as illumination light, and an image obtained from such a light source is made by soft reflected light and shadows, and thus becomes a soft image. .
  • the fundus image of the eye E to be examined is illuminated from a narrow gap called a pupil, and the collected light is required to take a reflected image of the retina with low reflectivity.
  • the transillumination image of the eye E requires light that has passed through the pupil, and thus condensed light is required.
  • the iris image and external eye image of the eye E are directly illuminated without passing through the pupil. For this reason, the condensed light is too high in contrast and is not suitable for a diagnosis target. On the contrary, if the light is diffused, a soft image is obtained, which is suitable for a diagnosis target.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in the anterior segment imaging of the eye to be examined according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 starts when the anterior segment imaging standby state is entered (S200). At this time, in the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100, the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are turned on under the control of the CPU 71, and the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined is in an observation state.
  • step S201 the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW1, which is the first-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
  • step S201 the process waits in step S201 until the switch SW1 is turned on.
  • step S201 if the switch SW1 is turned on as a result of the determination in step S201, the process proceeds to step S202.
  • step S202 the CPU 71 controls to turn off the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h (first illumination means) and turn on the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d (second illumination means) instead. Do.
  • step S203 the CPU 71 performs photometric processing in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined.
  • This photometric process is for performing AE (automatic exposure adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior segment of the eye E (S207 in the post-process).
  • step S204 the CPU 71 performs a distance measurement process in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined.
  • This distance measurement process is for performing AF (automatic focus adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior segment of the eye E (S207 in the post-process).
  • the photographing condition adjustment processing in steps S203 and S204 is performed by processing the image obtained by the image sensor 55 after the processing in step S202 by the CPU 71 via the image processing unit 72.
  • the CPU 71 that performs the shooting condition adjustment process in steps S203 and S204 constitutes a shooting condition adjustment unit.
  • step S205 the CPU 71 performs control to turn off the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d (second illumination means) and turn on the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h (first illumination means).
  • the lighting time of the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d related to the processing from step S202 to step S205 is about several tens of msec.
  • step S206 the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW2, which is the second-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
  • the process waits at step S206 until the switch SW2 is turned on.
  • step S206 if the switch SW2 is turned on as a result of the determination in step S206, the process proceeds to step S207.
  • step S207 the CPU 71 turns off the anterior-eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h turned on in step S205 and turns on the photographing illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d to perform a photographing operation.
  • shooting is performed based on AE (automatic exposure adjustment) adjusted by the process of step S203, AF (automatic focus adjustment) adjusted by the process of step S204, and the like.
  • step S208 the CPU 71 records the image obtained by the photographing operation in step S207 on the recording medium 74 or displays it on the monitor 73, and then ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.
  • the imaging of the anterior segment of the eye E is performed under visible white light. Therefore, it is desirable that the adjustment of the photographing conditions, that is, the automatic adjustment operation such as AE (automatic exposure adjustment) / AF (automatic focus adjustment) is performed under illumination of white light.
  • the automatic adjustment operation such as AE (automatic exposure adjustment) / AF (automatic focus adjustment) is performed under illumination of white light.
  • the shooting conditions are adjusted under infrared light illumination, the photometric value and the distance measurement value will be shifted due to the wavelength difference from the white light used for actual shooting. Because it depends, correction becomes difficult.
  • the schematic configuration of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as the schematic configuration of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in the anterior segment imaging of the eye to be examined according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 starts when the anterior segment imaging standby state is entered (S300). At this time, in the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100, the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are turned on under the control of the CPU 71, and the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined is in an observation state.
  • step S301 the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW1, which is the first-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
  • step S301 the process waits in step S301 until the switch SW1 is turned on.
  • step S301 if the switch SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S302.
  • step S302 the CPU 71 performs photometric processing on the anterior segment of the eye E.
  • This photometric processing is performed in the observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E (specifically, the anterior segment of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light from the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h). Done.
  • step S303 the CPU 71 performs a distance measurement process in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined.
  • This distance measurement processing is an observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E (specifically, a state in which the anterior segment of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light from the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h). Done in
  • the processing in steps S302 and S303 is performed by the CPU 71 processing the image obtained by the imaging device 55 in the observation state of the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined via the image processing unit 72.
  • the anterior eye portion of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light from the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h. Therefore, the photometry value and the distance measurement value obtained by the processing in steps S302 and S303 are optimized for infrared light, and are optimal in the observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined by infrared light.
  • the processing in steps S302 and S303 is processing for obtaining an optimal observation image (observation image) of the anterior eye portion of the eye E in the observation state of the anterior eye portion of the eye E.
  • step S304 the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW2, which is the second-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
  • the process waits at step S304 until the switch SW2 is turned on.
  • step S304 if the switch SW2 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S305.
  • step S305 the CPU 71 turns off the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h (first illumination means), and controls to turn on the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d (second illumination means) instead. Do.
  • step S306 the CPU 71 performs a photometric process on the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined.
  • This photometric processing is for performing AE (automatic exposure adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior eye part of the eye E (post-step S308).
  • step S307 the CPU 71 performs a distance measurement process in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined.
  • This distance measurement process is for performing AF (automatic focus adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior segment of the eye E (S308 in the post-process).
  • the photographing condition adjustment process in steps S306 and S307 is performed by processing the image obtained by the image sensor 55 after the process in step S305 by the CPU 71 via the image processing unit 72.
  • the CPU 71 that performs the shooting condition adjustment process in steps S306 and S307 constitutes a shooting condition adjustment unit.
  • step S308 the CPU 71 performs a shooting operation in the state of step S305 (that is, the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are turned off and the shooting illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d are turned on).
  • photographing is performed based on AE (automatic exposure adjustment) adjusted by the process in step S306, AF (automatic focus adjustment) adjusted by the process in step S307, and the like.
  • step S309 the CPU 71 records the image obtained by the photographing operation in step S308 on the recording medium 74 or displays it on the monitor 73, and then ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.
  • the imaging condition such as AE / AF can be adjusted just by emitting white light of about several tens of msec after the observation and immediately before imaging. It is possible to perform a suitable shooting without a feeling of strangeness.
  • the present embodiment it is possible to increase the accuracy of adjustment of imaging conditions such as AE / AF while minimizing the glare felt by the subject. As a result, it is possible to easily and suitably perform imaging in the anterior segment of the eye E, and obtain an anterior segment image with good appearance.
  • the present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing.
  • software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.
  • This program and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program are included in the present invention.

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Abstract

Provided is a device capable of simply and suitably carrying out photography of the anterior part of a subject eye and obtaining a readily visible anterior eye image. When carrying out an adjustment of photographic conditions during observation of a anterior part of a subject eye prior to carrying out the photography (S203, S204), the anterior part of the subject eye is illuminated with white light which is photographic light (S202), and when not carrying out the adjustment of the photographic conditions during the observation of the anterior part of the subject eye prior to carrying out the photography, the anterior part of the subject eye is illuminated with infrared light which is photographic light (S205).

Description

眼科撮像装置及びその制御方法Ophthalmic imaging apparatus and control method thereof
　本発明は、被検眼を撮影して当該被検眼に係る画像を撮像する眼科撮像装置及びその制御方法に関するものである。 The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that captures an image of an eye to be inspected and captures an image related to the eye to be inspected, and a control method thereof.
　従来の眼科撮像装置は、被検眼の眼底部を撮影することに特化して光学系の配置が行われている。しかしながら、眼科撮像装置と被検者との距離を離すことによって被検眼の前眼部の撮影も可能であり、眼科撮像装置の光学本体と被検者との距離の調整量を大きくすることにより、被検眼の前眼部の撮影も可能とした眼科撮像装置が広く知られている。 The conventional ophthalmic imaging apparatus has an optical system arranged specifically for photographing the fundus of the eye to be examined. However, it is possible to photograph the anterior segment of the eye by separating the distance between the ophthalmic imaging device and the subject, and by increasing the adjustment amount of the distance between the optical body of the ophthalmic imaging device and the subject. An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that can also photograph an anterior segment of an eye to be examined is widely known.
　例えば、下記の特許文献１では、前眼部照明光源の前方に可視光カットフィルタを挿抜自在に配置することにより、１つの光源で被検眼の前眼部の観察と撮影を実現している。つまり、特許文献１では、被検眼の前眼部の観察時には、可視光カットフィルタを挿入することにより当該前眼部を赤外光で照明している。また、特許文献１では、被検眼の前眼部の撮影時には、可視光カットフィルタを抜去することにより当該前眼部を光軸上から可視光等で照明し、その眼底反射光によって徹照像を得るようにしている。 For example, in the following Patent Document 1, a visible light cut filter is detachably disposed in front of an anterior ocular segment illumination light source, thereby observing and photographing the anterior ocular segment of a subject's eye with a single light source. That is, in Patent Document 1, when observing the anterior segment of the eye to be examined, the anterior segment is illuminated with infrared light by inserting a visible light cut filter. Further, in Patent Document 1, when photographing the anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined, the visible light cut filter is removed to illuminate the anterior eye portion with visible light or the like from the optical axis, and the transillumination image is reflected by the fundus reflection light. Like to get.
特開平６－２０５７４２号公報JP-A-6-205742
　しかしながら、上記の特許文献１に記載の技術は、被検眼の前眼部における撮影時のＡＥ（Automatic Exposure：自動露光量調整）やＡＦ（Auto Focus：自動焦点調整）といった撮影条件を考慮したものではなかった。このため、被検眼の前眼部における撮影を簡便かつ好適に行うことができず、また、見えの良い前眼部画像を得ることも難しかった。 However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 takes into consideration imaging conditions such as AE (Automatic Exposure Adjustment) and AF (Auto Focus) at the time of imaging in the anterior segment of the subject's eye. It wasn't. For this reason, it is not possible to easily and suitably perform imaging in the anterior segment of the eye to be examined, and it is difficult to obtain a good anterior segment image.
　本発明は、このような問題点に鑑みてなされたものであり、被検眼の前眼部における撮影を簡便かつ好適に行えるようにするとともに、見えの良い前眼部画像を得ることが可能な仕組みを提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and allows an anterior ocular segment image to be obtained to be easily and suitably photographed in the anterior segment of an eye to be examined. The purpose is to provide a mechanism.
　なお、前記目的に限らず、後述する発明を実施するための形態に示す各構成により導かれる作用効果であって、従来の技術によっては得られない作用効果を奏することも本件の他の目的の１つとして位置付けることができる。 In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described object, and is a function and effect derived from each configuration shown in the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, which is another object of the present invention. It can be positioned as one.
　本発明の眼科撮像装置は、被検眼を撮影して前記被検眼に係る画像を撮像する眼科撮像装置であって、前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明する第１の照明手段と、前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明する第２の照明手段と、前記被検眼の前眼部の撮影における撮影条件の調整を行う撮影条件調整手段と、を有し、前記撮影を行う前の前記被検眼の前眼部の観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときに、前記第２の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明し、前記観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行わないときに、前記第１の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明する。 An ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an ophthalmic imaging apparatus that captures an image of an eye to be inspected and captures an image of the eye to be inspected. A second illuminating means for illuminating the anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined with visible light; and an imaging condition adjusting means for adjusting an imaging condition in photographing the anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined. During the observation of the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be examined before performing the adjustment of the imaging condition by the imaging condition adjusting means, the anterior eye part of the eye to be examined is visible light by the second illumination means. Illuminating and illuminating the anterior segment of the subject's eye with infrared light in the first illuminating unit when the imaging condition is not adjusted by the imaging condition adjusting unit during the observation.
　本発明の眼科撮像装置における他の態様は、被検眼を撮影して前記被検眼に係る画像を撮像する眼科撮像装置であって、前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明する第１の照明手段と、前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明する第２の照明手段と、前記被検眼の前眼部の撮影における撮影条件の調整を行う撮影条件調整手段と、を有し、前記撮影を行う前の前記被検眼の前眼部の観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときに、前記第１の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明し、前記観察の終了後の前記撮影における前であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときに、前記第２の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明する。 Another aspect of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an ophthalmic imaging apparatus that captures an image of the eye to be inspected and captures an image related to the eye to be inspected. Illuminating means, second illuminating means for illuminating the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be examined with visible light, and imaging condition adjusting means for adjusting imaging conditions in photographing the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be examined. The anterior ocular segment of the eye to be inspected in the first illumination means during the observation of the anterior ocular segment of the eye to be inspected before the imaging is performed and when the imaging condition adjustment is performed by the imaging condition adjusting means. Is illuminated with infrared light and before the photographing after the observation is finished and when the photographing conditions are adjusted by the photographing condition adjusting means, the anterior eye of the eye to be examined is adjusted in the second illuminating means. Illuminate the part with visible light.
　また、本発明は、上述した眼科撮像装置の制御方法を含む。 The present invention also includes a method for controlling the ophthalmic imaging apparatus described above.
　本発明によれば、被検眼の前眼部における撮影を簡便かつ好適に行うことができるとともに、見えの良い前眼部画像を得ることができる。 According to the present invention, imaging in the anterior segment of the eye to be examined can be performed conveniently and suitably, and a good anterior segment image can be obtained.
本発明の第１の実施形態に係る眼科撮像装置の概略構成の一例を示す模式図である。It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the ophthalmic imaging device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第１の実施形態を示し、図１に示す前眼撮影照明光源ユニットの詳細な構成の一例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a detailed structure of the anterior eye photography illumination light source unit shown in FIG. 本発明の第１の実施形態を示し、前眼虹彩撮影における眼科撮像装置の制御方法の処理手順の一例を示すフローチャートである。5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a method for controlling the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in anterior eye iris imaging according to the first embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第１の実施形態を示し、照明光源の光束分布の一例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the light beam distribution of an illumination light source. 本発明の第１の実施形態を示し、被検眼の前眼部撮影における眼科撮像装置の制御方法の処理手順の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the process sequence of the control method of the ophthalmic imaging device in anterior ocular | radix imaging | photography of a to-be-examined eye. 本発明の第２の実施形態を示し、被検眼の前眼部撮影における眼科撮像装置の制御方法の処理手順の一例を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the process sequence of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging device in anterior ocular | radix part imaging | photography of a to-be-examined eye.
　以下に、図面を参照しながら、本発明を実施するための形態（実施形態）について説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments (embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
　（第１の実施形態）
　まず、本発明の第１の実施形態について説明を行う。 (First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
　図１は、本発明の第１の実施形態に係る眼科撮像装置の概略構成の一例を示す模式図である。図１に示す眼科撮像装置１００は、被検眼Ｅを撮影して当該被検眼Ｅに係る画像を撮像する装置である。なお、図１には、被検者の各部のうち被検眼Ｅのみを図示している。 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that captures an image of the eye E and captures an image related to the eye E. In FIG. 1, only the eye E to be examined is shown in each part of the subject.
　図１に示す眼科撮像装置１００は、当該眼科撮像装置１００の全体を支えるベース部（１～５）と、撮影機構を有するヘッド部（６）と、医師等の操作者が操作するための操作部（８）を備えて構成されている。 An ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a base unit (1 to 5) that supports the entire ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100, a head unit (6) having an imaging mechanism, and an operation for an operator such as a doctor to operate. A portion (8) is provided.
　眼科撮像装置１００のベース部は、ベース１、顔受け２、顎受け３、ｚ－ｘステージ４、及び、ｙステージ５を有して構成されている。
被検者は、顔受け２に額を合わせ、顎受け３に顎を乗せ、撮影時に顔及び眼を静止させる。ｚ－ｘステージ４は、ベース１上をｚ－ｘ方向に移動可能であり、ｙステージ５は、ｙ方向に移動可能である。 The base unit of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 includes a base 1, a face holder 2, a chin rest 3, a zx stage 4, and a y stage 5.
The subject puts his forehead on the face holder 2, puts his chin on the chin rest 3, and stops his face and eyes at the time of photographing. The zx stage 4 is movable in the zx direction on the base 1, and the y stage 5 is movable in the y direction.
　眼科撮像装置１００のヘッド部は、光学本体６を有して構成されている。この光学本体６は、被検眼Ｅを照明して撮影を行い、その結果得られる被検眼Ｅに係る像を被検眼画像として記録する一連の構成を有している。また、眼科撮像装置１００のヘッド部は、ｚ－ｘステージ４とｙステージ５の移動によって、ベース１上で前後／左右／上下に移動して被検者に対して光学本体６の位置合わせを行うことが可能である。 The head unit of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 is configured to include the optical main body 6. The optical body 6 has a series of configurations that illuminate the subject eye E and shoot, and record an image of the subject eye E obtained as a result as the subject eye image. The head of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 moves back and forth / left / right / up and down on the base 1 by the movement of the zx stage 4 and the y stage 5 to align the optical body 6 with respect to the subject. Is possible.
　以下に、光学本体６の詳細な構成について説明する。 Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the optical body 6 will be described.
　光学本体６の光学系は、大まかに分けると、撮影光源部Ｏ１、観察光源部Ｏ２、照明光学系Ｏ３、撮影／照明光学系Ｏ４、撮影光学系Ｏ５、内部固視灯部Ｏ６から構成される。撮影光源部Ｏ１、または、観察光源部Ｏ２によって射出された光束は、照明光学系Ｏ３、撮影／照明光学系Ｏ４を経て、被検者の被検眼Ｅを照明し、その像は、撮影／照明光学系Ｏ４、撮影光学系Ｏ５を経て撮像素子５５に結像される。 The optical system of the optical body 6 is roughly divided into a photographing light source unit O1, an observation light source unit O2, an illumination optical system O3, a photographing / illumination optical system O4, a photographing optical system O5, and an internal fixation lamp unit O6. . The luminous flux emitted by the imaging light source unit O1 or the observation light source unit O2 illuminates the subject's eye E through the illumination optical system O3 and the imaging / illumination optical system O4, and the image is captured / illuminated. An image is formed on the image sensor 55 through the optical system O4 and the photographing optical system O5.
　撮影光源部Ｏ１は、以下のような構成により、可視光である白色光のリング照明を作り出す。 The imaging light source unit O1 generates ring light of white light that is visible light with the following configuration.
　撮影光源１１は、例えば、可視光である白色光を発光する白色ＬＥＤを円環状に配置した白色ＬＥＤアレイによって構成されている。 The imaging light source 11 is configured by, for example, a white LED array in which white LEDs that emit white light that is visible light are arranged in an annular shape.
　撮影コンデンサレンズ１２は、一般的な球面レンズである。 The photographing condenser lens 12 is a general spherical lens.
　撮影リングスリット１３は、環状の開口を持った平板である。 The photographing ring slit 13 is a flat plate having an annular opening.
　撮影水晶体バッフル１４は、これも環状の開口を持った平板である。 The photographing lens baffle 14 is also a flat plate having an annular opening.
　撮影光源１１からの白色光の光束は、撮影コンデンサレンズ１２によって被検眼Ｅの眼底に向けて集光され、撮影リングスリット１３によって被検眼Ｅの前眼部を通過する際の光束形状が環状となるよう成形される。さらに、撮影水晶体バッフル１４によって、被検眼Ｅの水晶体へ投影される光束を制限し、眼底像に不要な被検眼Ｅの水晶体からの反射光が混入することを防いでいる。 The white light beam from the imaging light source 11 is condensed toward the fundus of the eye E by the imaging condenser lens 12, and the light beam shape when passing through the anterior eye part of the eye E by the imaging ring slit 13 is annular. It is molded to be. Further, the photographing lens baffle 14 restricts the light beam projected onto the crystalline lens of the eye E to prevent unwanted reflection light from the crystalline lens of the eye E to be detected in the fundus image.
　観察光源部Ｏ２は、以下のような構成により、赤外光のリング照明を作り出す。 The observation light source unit O2 creates an infrared ring illumination with the following configuration.
　観察光源２１は、例えば、ハロゲンランプやＬＥＤなど連続発光可能な光源であり、素子の特性や光学フィルタによって赤外光を発光する。 The observation light source 21 is a light source capable of continuous light emission, such as a halogen lamp or LED, and emits infrared light due to the characteristics of the element or an optical filter.
　観察コンデンサレンズ２２は、一般的な球面レンズである。 The observation condenser lens 22 is a general spherical lens.
　観察リングスリット２３は、環状の開口を持った平板である。 The observation ring slit 23 is a flat plate having an annular opening.
　観察水晶体バッフル２４は、これも環状の開口を持った平板である。 The observation lens baffle 24 is also a flat plate having an annular opening.
　この観察光源部Ｏ２の各構成は、撮影光源部Ｏ１の各構成と光源の種類が異なるだけである。即ち、観察コンデンサレンズ２２で観察光源２１からの光束を被検眼Ｅの眼底に向けて集光し、観察リングスリット２３で被検眼Ｅの前眼部での光束の形状を整え、観察水晶体バッフル２４で眼底像に被検眼Ｅの水晶体からの反射光が混入するのを防ぐ。 Each configuration of the observation light source unit O2 is different from each configuration of the imaging light source unit O1 only in the type of the light source. That is, the observation condenser lens 22 condenses the light beam from the observation light source 21 toward the fundus of the eye E, the observation ring slit 23 adjusts the shape of the light beam in the anterior eye portion of the eye E, and the observation lens baffle 24 This prevents the reflected light from the crystalline lens of the eye E from being mixed into the fundus image.
　照明光学系Ｏ３は、以下のような構成により、撮影光源部Ｏ１、観察光源部Ｏ２で生成された光束をリレーするとともに、眼底像の焦点合わせのための指標像を造りこむ。 The illumination optical system O3 relays the light beams generated by the photographing light source unit O1 and the observation light source unit O2 and creates an index image for focusing the fundus image with the following configuration.
　ダイクロイックミラー３１では、撮影光源部Ｏ１で生成された可視光による光束は反射し、観察光源部Ｏ２で生成された赤外光による光束は透過させて照明光学系Ｏ３に導光する。 In the dichroic mirror 31, the light beam generated by the visible light source O1 is reflected, and the light beam generated by the observation light source unit O2 is transmitted and guided to the illumination optical system O3.
　第１の照明リレーレンズ３２、及び、第２の照明リレーレンズ３４は、これらによってリング照明を被検眼Ｅに結像する。 The first illumination relay lens 32 and the second illumination relay lens 34 form an image of ring illumination on the eye E by these.
　スプリットユニット３３は、フォーカス指標光源３３ａ、プリズム３３ｂ、フォーカス指標マスク３３ｃ、スプリットシフト駆動モータＭ１、及び、スプリット位置センサＳ１を備えて構成されている。フォーカス指標光源３３ａは、フォーカス指標を投影するための光を発する。プリズム３３ｂは、光を分割等するためのものである。フォーカス指標マスク３３ｃは、フォーカス指標の外形を示すものである。スプリットシフト駆動モータＭ１は、３３ａ～３３ｃの構成を図中の矢印方向に移動させることでフォーカス指標を光軸方向にシフト移動させる（フォーカス指標の焦点状態を変化させる）ためのものである。スプリット位置センサＳ１は、３３ａ～３３ｃの構成の停止位置を検出するためのものである。 The split unit 33 includes a focus index light source 33a, a prism 33b, a focus index mask 33c, a split shift drive motor M1, and a split position sensor S1. The focus index light source 33a emits light for projecting the focus index. The prism 33b is for dividing light. The focus index mask 33c shows the outline of the focus index. The split shift drive motor M1 is for shifting the focus index in the optical axis direction by moving the configuration of 33a to 33c in the direction of the arrow in the drawing (changing the focus state of the focus index). The split position sensor S1 is for detecting a stop position of the configuration of 33a to 33c.
　スプリット挿抜駆動モータＭ２は、スプリットユニット３３を照明光学系Ｏ３に対して進退させるためのモータである。具体的に、スプリット挿抜駆動モータＭ２は、被検眼Ｅの観察時には、スプリットユニット３３を照明光学系Ｏ３に進入させて観察像の中にスプリット指標を投影する。また、スプリット挿抜駆動モータＭ２は、被検眼Ｅの撮影時には、スプリットユニット３３を照明光学系Ｏ３から抜去させ、撮影像の中にフォーカス指標が写りこむことがないように制御する。 The split insertion / extraction drive motor M2 is a motor for moving the split unit 33 forward and backward with respect to the illumination optical system O3. Specifically, the split insertion / extraction drive motor M2 projects the split index in the observation image by causing the split unit 33 to enter the illumination optical system O3 when observing the eye E. Further, the split insertion / extraction drive motor M2 performs control so that the split unit 33 is removed from the illumination optical system O3 when the eye E is photographed, and the focus index is not reflected in the photographed image.
　角膜バッフル３５は、眼底像に不要な被検眼Ｅの角膜からの反射光の写りこみを防ぐためのものである。 The corneal baffle 35 is for preventing reflection of reflected light from the cornea of the eye E to be examined that is unnecessary for the fundus image.
　撮影／照明光学系Ｏ４は、以下のような構成により、被検眼Ｅに対して照明光束を投影するとともに、被検眼Ｅに係る像を導出する。 The imaging / illumination optical system O4 projects an illumination light beam onto the eye E and derives an image related to the eye E with the following configuration.
　穴あきミラー４１は、外周部がミラー、中央部が穴となっている。照明光学系Ｏ３から導かれた光束は、穴あきミラー４１のミラー部分で反射して、対物レンズ４２を介して被検眼Ｅの眼底を照明する。当該照明により得られた被検眼Ｅの眼底像は、対物レンズ４２を戻り、穴あきミラー４１の中央部の穴を通って撮影光学系Ｏ５に導出される。
前眼照明光源ユニット４３は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部を照明するための光源である。 The perforated mirror 41 has a mirror at the outer periphery and a hole at the center. The light beam guided from the illumination optical system O <b> 3 is reflected by the mirror portion of the perforated mirror 41 and illuminates the fundus of the eye E through the objective lens 42. The fundus image of the eye E to be examined obtained by the illumination returns to the objective lens 42 and is led to the photographing optical system O5 through the hole in the center of the perforated mirror 41.
The anterior eye illumination light source unit 43 is a light source for illuminating the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined.
　前眼照明光拡散板４４は、前眼照明光源ユニット４３からの光を拡散させるための拡散板である。 The anterior eye illumination light diffusion plate 44 is a diffusion plate for diffusing light from the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43.
　ここで、前眼照明光源ユニット４３の詳細な構成について説明を行う。 Here, a detailed configuration of the anterior illumination light source unit 43 will be described.
　図２は、本発明の第１の実施形態を示し、図１に示す前眼撮影照明光源ユニットの詳細な構成の一例を示す図である。 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the anterior ocular photographing illumination light source unit shown in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
　図２に示すように、前眼照明光源ユニット４３は、前眼照明光源基板４３ｐと、前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄと、前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈを備えて構成されている。前眼照明光源基板４３ｐは、図１に示す対物レンズ４２の外周部に配された円環状のプリント基板である。前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄ及び前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈは、前眼照明光源基板４３ｐ上に円環状に実装されている。ここで、前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈ（第１の照明手段）は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部を赤外光で照明するものであり、前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄ（第２の照明手段）は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部を可視光で照明するものである。前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄの点灯及び消灯、並びに、前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈの点灯及び消灯は、後述するＣＰＵ７１によって制御される。 As shown in FIG. 2, the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43 includes an anterior eye illumination light source substrate 43p, anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d, and anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h. The anterior eye illumination light source substrate 43p is an annular printed circuit board disposed on the outer periphery of the objective lens 42 shown in FIG. The anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are mounted in an annular shape on the anterior eye illumination light source substrate 43p. Here, the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h (first illumination means) illuminate the anterior eye portion of the eye E with infrared light, and the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d (second illumination). Means) illuminates the anterior segment of the eye E with visible light. The turning on and off of the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the turning on and off of the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are controlled by a CPU 71 described later.
　図１に示す前眼照明光拡散板４４は、前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄや前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈからの光束を拡散することにより、被検眼Ｅの前眼部に均一な拡散光（白色光や赤外光）を照射するために機能する。なお、図２に示す例では、前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄ及び前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈを、それぞれ、４個ずつ設けた例を示しているが、本実施形態においてはこれに限定されるものではない。これらの個数は、均一な照明を作り出すことと、撮影に十分な光量を発光するために決定されるものであり、４個以外の個数であってもよい。 The anterior eye illumination light diffusing plate 44 shown in FIG. 1 diffuses light beams from the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h, thereby uniformly diffusing light to the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined. It functions to irradiate (white light or infrared light). In the example shown in FIG. 2, four examples of the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d and the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are provided. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. It is not something. These numbers are determined in order to create uniform illumination and emit a sufficient amount of light for photographing, and may be other than four.
　ここで、再び、図１の説明に戻る。 Here, it returns to the explanation of FIG. 1 again.
　撮影光学系Ｏ５は、以下のような構成により、被検眼Ｅの眼底像の焦点調節を行った上で撮像素子５５に結像を行う。 The imaging optical system O5 forms an image on the image sensor 55 after adjusting the focus of the fundus image of the eye E to be examined with the following configuration.
　視度補正レンズ５１は、フォーカスレンズ５２で焦点調整困難な強度の近視・遠視の被検眼Ｅの眼底にピントを合わせるために、光軸上に進退可能に設置される凸レンズ（５１ａ）及び凹レンズ（５１ｂ）を備える。 The diopter correction lens 51 includes a convex lens (51a) and a concave lens (movable on the optical axis) that can be moved forward and backward in order to focus on the fundus of the eye E to be inspected with myopia or hyperopia, which is difficult to adjust with the focus lens 52. 51b).
　視度補正レンズ進退駆動モータＭ４は、被検者が強度の近視である場合には視度補正－レンズ５１ｂを進入させ、被検者が強度の遠視である場合には視度補正＋レンズ５１ａを撮影光学系Ｏ５に対して挿入させる。 The diopter correction lens advance / retreat drive motor M4 allows the diopter correction-lens 51b to enter when the subject has high myopia, and diopter correction + lens 51a when the subject has high myopia. Is inserted into the photographing optical system O5.
　フォーカスレンズ５２は、穴明きミラー４１の中央の穴を通過した撮影光束の焦点調節を行うためのレンズであり、図中の矢印方向に移動することで焦点調節を行う。
フォーカスレンズ駆動モータＭ３は、フォーカスレンズ５２を駆動して焦点を合わせるためのものであり、フォーカスレンズ位置センサＳ３は、フォーカスレンズ５２の停止位置を検出するためのものである。 The focus lens 52 is a lens for adjusting the focus of the photographic light beam that has passed through the central hole of the perforated mirror 41, and performs focus adjustment by moving in the direction of the arrow in the figure.
The focus lens drive motor M3 is for driving the focus lens 52 to focus, and the focus lens position sensor S3 is for detecting the stop position of the focus lens 52.
　撮影レンズ５３は、ここまでの光束を結像するためのレンズである。 The photographic lens 53 is a lens for imaging the light flux so far.
　ハーフミラー５４は、撮影光束を分割する。 The half mirror 54 splits the photographing light flux.
　撮像素子５５は、撮影光を光電変換する。撮像素子５５で得られた電気信号は、デジタルデータとすべく画像処理部７２によってＡ／Ｄ変換される。そして、赤外観察時には、例えば画像処理部７２による画像処理後の画像がモニタ７３に表示され、撮影後には、例えば画像処理部７２による画像処理後の画像が記録媒体７４に記録される（当該画像がモニタ７３に表示されてもよい）。 The image sensor 55 photoelectrically converts the photographic light. The electrical signal obtained by the image sensor 55 is A / D converted by the image processing unit 72 to become digital data. At the time of infrared observation, for example, an image after image processing by the image processing unit 72 is displayed on the monitor 73, and after shooting, for example, an image after image processing by the image processing unit 72 is recorded on the recording medium 74 (this An image may be displayed on the monitor 73).
　内部固視灯部Ｏ６は、ハーフミラー５４によって、撮影光学系Ｏ５から光路が分かれて、その光路に対して内部固視灯ユニット６１が対向している。 In the internal fixation lamp unit O6, the optical path is separated from the photographing optical system O5 by the half mirror 54, and the internal fixation lamp unit 61 faces the optical path.
　内部固視灯ユニット６１は、複数のＬＥＤによって構成され、検査者（操作者）が選択した固視部に対応した位置のＬＥＤを点灯させる。そして、点灯したＬＥＤを被検者が固視することにより、検査者は所望の向きの眼底像等を得ることができる。 The internal fixation lamp unit 61 is composed of a plurality of LEDs, and lights the LEDs at positions corresponding to the fixation unit selected by the inspector (operator). Then, the examiner can obtain a fundus image or the like in a desired direction when the examinee fixes the lighted LED.
　さらに、光学本体６には、ＣＰＵ７１、画像処理部７２、モニタ７３、記録媒体７４が設けられている。 Further, the optical body 6 is provided with a CPU 71, an image processing unit 72, a monitor 73, and a recording medium 74.
　ＣＰＵ７１は、必要に応じて眼科撮像装置１００における各構成を制御することにより、眼科撮像装置１００における動作を統括的に制御する。 The CPU 71 comprehensively controls the operation of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 by controlling each component in the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 as necessary.
　画像処理部７２は、撮像素子５５で得られた電気信号を画像処理して、被検眼Ｅに係る画像を生成等する。 The image processing unit 72 performs image processing on the electrical signal obtained by the imaging element 55 to generate an image related to the eye E.
　モニタ７３は、画像処理部７２で得られた画像等を表示するものである。さらに、モニタ７３は、例えば、ＣＰＵ７１の制御に基づいて、各種の情報を表示する。 The monitor 73 displays an image or the like obtained by the image processing unit 72. Furthermore, the monitor 73 displays various information based on the control of the CPU 71, for example.
　記録媒体７４は、画像処理部７２で得られた画像等を記録するものである。さらに、記録媒体７４は、例えば、ＣＰＵ７１の制御に基づいて各種の情報を記録し、また、ＣＰＵ７１が処理するプログラム等を記録する。 The recording medium 74 is for recording an image or the like obtained by the image processing unit 72. Further, for example, the recording medium 74 records various types of information based on the control of the CPU 71, and also records programs and the like processed by the CPU 71.
　操作部８は、ジョイスティック８１、及び、撮影モード切り換えスイッチ８２を有して構成されている。 The operation unit 8 includes a joystick 81 and a shooting mode changeover switch 82.
　ジョイスティック８１は、ベース１の所定の位置に配置されている。このジョイスティック８１は、全体が前後左右方向に傾倒するよう構成されており、撮影スイッチ８１ａ、上下動ダイアル８１ｂ、及び、フォーカスダイアル８１ｃを有して構成されている。操作者は、ヘッド部（６）を前後左右に動かす時にはジョイスティック８１全体を所望の方向に傾倒させる。また、操作者は、被検眼Ｅの撮影をする時には撮影スイッチ８１ａを押し下げ、ヘッド部（６）を上下方向に動かす時には上下動ダイアル８１ｂを回転させ、フォーカス状態を変更する時にはフォーカスダイアル８１ｃを回転させる。これらの操作は、全て、不図示のセンサを介して、ＣＰＵ７１において検知され、ＣＰＵ７１は、必要に応じて、不図示のｘ／ｙ／ｚアクチュエータを駆動したり、スプリット挿抜駆動モータＭ２やフォーカスレンズ駆動モータＭ３を駆動したりする。なお、撮影スイッチ８１ａは、二段階のスイッチとなっている。撮影スイッチ８１ａの一段階目のスイッチは、例えばＡＥ（自動露光量調整）作動やＡＦ（自動焦点調整）作動などの撮影準備動作の作動を入力し、撮影スイッチ８１ａの二段階目のスイッチは、撮影動作の作動を入力するよう割り付けられている。 The joystick 81 is disposed at a predetermined position on the base 1. The joystick 81 is configured to tilt in the front-rear and left-right directions as a whole, and includes a photographing switch 81a, a vertical movement dial 81b, and a focus dial 81c. The operator tilts the entire joystick 81 in a desired direction when moving the head portion (6) forward, backward, left and right. The operator depresses the photographing switch 81a when photographing the eye E, rotates the vertical dial 81b when moving the head portion (6) in the vertical direction, and rotates the focus dial 81c when changing the focus state. Let All of these operations are detected by the CPU 71 via a sensor (not shown). The CPU 71 drives an x / y / z actuator (not shown), a split insertion / removal drive motor M2 or a focus lens as necessary. The drive motor M3 is driven. The photographing switch 81a is a two-stage switch. The first-stage switch of the shooting switch 81a inputs an operation of a shooting preparation operation such as an AE (automatic exposure adjustment) operation or an AF (automatic focus adjustment) operation, and the second-stage switch of the shooting switch 81a is It is assigned to input the operation of the shooting operation.
　撮影モード切り換えスイッチ８２は、ｚ－ｘステージ４上の所定の位置に配置されている。この撮影モード切り換えスイッチ８２は、押すたびに、撮影モードが"眼底撮影"→"前眼徹照撮影"→"前眼虹彩撮影"→"前眼外眼撮影"→"眼底撮影"の順に切り替わるようになっている。 The photographing mode changeover switch 82 is disposed at a predetermined position on the zx stage 4. Each time this photographing mode changeover switch 82 is pressed, the photographing mode is switched in the order of “fundus photographing” → “anterior illuminating photographing” → “anterior eye iris photographing” → “anterior eye photographing” → “fundus photographing”. It is like that.
　次に、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の撮影モードにおける撮影動作について説明を行う。 Next, the imaging operation in the imaging mode of the anterior segment of the eye E will be described.
　前眼徹照撮影は、被検眼Ｅの水晶体の混濁を観察するための撮影法であり、被検眼Ｅの正面から撮影光を発光し、被検眼Ｅの水晶体を通過した眼底反射光が再度水晶体を通過した際のその像に基づく画像を記録する。このときの撮影光としては、撮影光源部Ｏ１によって射出される撮影光軸上の白色光を用いる。 Front-eye transillumination is an imaging method for observing the turbidity of the crystalline lens of the eye E. The imaging light is emitted from the front of the eye E, and the fundus reflection light that has passed through the crystalline lens of the eye E is again the crystalline lens. An image based on the image when passing through is recorded. As the photographing light at this time, white light on the photographing optical axis emitted by the photographing light source unit O1 is used.
　前眼虹彩撮影は、被検眼Ｅの瞳孔周辺の虹彩部を観察するための撮影法であり、瞳孔が縮瞳した状態であれば被検眼Ｅの虹彩部が拡大し、より観察性の良い画像が得られる。この前眼虹彩撮影における眼科撮像装置１００の動作方法を図３を用いて以下に説明する。 Anterior eye iris photography is an imaging method for observing the iris part around the pupil of the eye E, and if the pupil is in a miosis, the iris part of the eye E is enlarged and an image with better observability is obtained. Is obtained. An operation method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus 100 in this anterior eye iris photographing will be described below with reference to FIG.
　図３は、本発明の第１の実施形態を示し、前眼虹彩撮影における眼科撮像装置の制御方法の処理手順の一例を示すフローチャートである。 FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in anterior eye iris imaging according to the first embodiment of this invention.
　まず、図３に示すステップＳ１００の「ＳＴＡＲＴ」は、操作者により撮影モード切り換えスイッチ８２が操作されて"前眼虹彩撮影"が選択され、これをＣＰＵ７１が検知することが契機となる。 First, “START” in step S100 shown in FIG. 3 is triggered by the operation of the imaging mode switching switch 82 by the operator to select “anterior eye iris imaging” and the CPU 71 detects this.
　前眼虹彩撮影が開始すると、ステップＳ１０１において、ＣＰＵ７１は、操作者により撮影スイッチ８１ａが操作されて、撮影スイッチ８１ａの一段階目のスイッチであるスイッチＳＷ１がオンしたか否かを判断する。 When the anterior eye iris photographing starts, in step S101, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW1, which is the first-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
　この判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ１がオンしていない（即ちオフである）場合には、スイッチＳＷ１がオンするまで、ステップＳ１０１で待機する。 If the result of this determination is that the switch SW1 is not on (ie, it is off), the process waits at step S101 until the switch SW1 is turned on.
　一方、ステップＳ１０１の判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ１がオンした場合には、ステップＳ１０２に進む。 On the other hand, if the switch SW1 is turned on as a result of the determination in step S101, the process proceeds to step S102.
　ステップＳ１０２に進むと、ＣＰＵ７１は、被検眼Ｅに対して縮瞳照明発光を行う制御をする。具体的に、ＣＰＵ７１は、前眼虹彩撮影を行う前の被検眼Ｅの観察時に、撮影光源部Ｏ１が発する白色光を被検眼Ｅ（被検眼Ｅの前眼部）に対して照射する制御を行って、被検眼Ｅの縮瞳を促して虹彩部を拡大させる。 When the process proceeds to step S102, the CPU 71 performs control for performing pupil reduction illumination on the eye E to be examined. Specifically, the CPU 71 performs control to irradiate the eye E (the anterior eye portion of the eye E) with white light emitted from the imaging light source unit O1 when observing the eye E before performing the anterior eye iris photographing. Then, the iris of the eye E is promoted to enlarge the iris.
　続いて、ステップＳ１０３において、ＣＰＵ７１は、被検眼Ｅの縮瞳状態を判断する。具体的に、ＣＰＵ７１は、撮像素子５５に結像された被検眼Ｅの観察像を画像処理部７２を介して解析し、瞳孔径が閾値未満となったか否かを判断する（本実施形態では、瞳孔径が虹彩部の観察に十分な小ささになったか否かを判断する）。 Subsequently, in step S103, the CPU 71 determines the miosis state of the eye E to be examined. Specifically, the CPU 71 analyzes the observation image of the eye E imaged on the image sensor 55 via the image processing unit 72 and determines whether or not the pupil diameter is less than the threshold (in the present embodiment). And determine whether or not the pupil diameter is sufficiently small to observe the iris portion).
　この判断の結果、瞳孔径が閾値未満となっていない場合には、瞳孔径が閾値未満となるまで、ステップＳ１０３で待機する。 As a result of this determination, if the pupil diameter is not less than the threshold value, the process waits in step S103 until the pupil diameter is less than the threshold value.
　一方、ステップＳ１０３の判断の結果、瞳孔径が閾値未満となった場合には、ステップＳ１０４に進む。 On the other hand, if the pupil diameter is less than the threshold value as a result of the determination in step S103, the process proceeds to step S104.
　ステップＳ１０４に進むと、ＣＰＵ７１は、縮瞳照明を消灯し、且つ、前眼照明光源ユニット４３の前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈを点灯する制御を行う。この前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈを点灯することにより、被検眼Ｅの前眼部を赤外光で照明し、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の観察を行える。 In step S104, the CPU 71 performs control to turn off the miosis illumination and turn on the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h of the anterior illumination light source unit 43. By turning on the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h, the anterior eye portion of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light, and the anterior eye portion of the eye E can be observed.
　続いて、ステップＳ１０５において、ＣＰＵ７１は、操作者により撮影スイッチ８１ａが操作されて、撮影スイッチ８１ａの二段階目のスイッチであるスイッチＳＷ２がオンしたか否かを判断する。 Subsequently, in step S105, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW2, which is the second-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
　この判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ２がオンしていない（即ちオフである）場合には、スイッチＳＷ２がオンするまで、ステップＳ１０５で待機する。 If the result of this determination is that the switch SW2 is not on (ie, it is off), the process waits at step S105 until the switch SW2 is turned on.
　一方、ステップＳ１０５の判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ２がオンした場合には、ステップＳ１０６に進む。 On the other hand, if the switch SW2 is turned on as a result of the determination in step S105, the process proceeds to step S106.
　ステップＳ１０６に進むと、ＣＰＵ７１は、ステップＳ１０４で点灯させた前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈを消灯した上で、前眼照明光源ユニット４３の前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄを点灯させて、撮影動作を行う。 In step S106, the CPU 71 turns off the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d of the anterior illuminating light source unit 43 after turning off the anterior illuminating infrared LEDs 43e to 43h lit in step S104. I do.
　その後、ステップＳ１０７において、ＣＰＵ７１は、ステップＳ１０６の撮影動作により得られた画像を記録媒体７４に記録し或いはモニタ７３に表示等した後、図３に示すフローチャートの処理を終了する。 Thereafter, in step S107, the CPU 71 records the image obtained by the photographing operation in step S106 on the recording medium 74 or displays it on the monitor 73, and then ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.
　この図３に示すフローチャートの処理を経ることにより、前眼虹彩撮影において、瞳孔を縮瞳させて虹彩部の面積を大きくした撮影ができるとともに、必要量だけの白色光の投光で撮影が終了するので、被検者が感じる眩しさは小さくて済む。 Through the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, in the anterior eye iris photography, the pupil can be reduced to enlarge the area of the iris portion, and the photography is completed with a necessary amount of white light projection. Therefore, the glare felt by the subject is small.
　なお、図３に示すフローチャートでは、縮瞳照明消灯の判定基準として瞳孔径を用いるものであった（Ｓ１０３）。しかしながら、本実施形態においては、この態様に限定されるものではなく、例えば、縮瞳照明（可視光の照明）の点灯時間が所定時間を経過したか否かによって縮瞳照明を消灯するか否かを判定する判定基準を用いることも可能である。また、例えば、縮瞳照明消灯の判定基準として、縮瞳照明の点滅回数などの他の判定基準を用いることも可能である。 In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the pupil diameter is used as a criterion for turning off the miosis illumination (S103). However, in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, whether or not the miosis illumination is turned off depending on whether or not the illumination time of the miosis illumination (visible light illumination) has passed a predetermined time. It is also possible to use a criterion for determining whether or not. Further, for example, as a determination criterion for turning off the miosis illumination, other determination criteria such as the number of blinks of the miosis illumination can be used.
　前眼外眼撮影（前眼周辺像の撮影）は、一連の眼底検査の中で、その被検者の顔立ちを紐付けるためや、被検眼Ｅの眼球周囲の状態を記録するための撮影法である。したがって、直接反射の少ない、前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄを用いた撮影を行う。 Anterior eye extraocular photography (photographing of the anterior eye periphery image) is an imaging method for associating the face of the subject in a series of fundus examinations or for recording the state of the eye E around the eyeball. It is. Therefore, photographing is performed using the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d with little direct reflection.
　次に、照明光源による照明の性質の違いについて説明する。
図４は、本発明の第１の実施形態を示し、照明光源の光束分布の一例を示す図である。本実施形態においては、被検眼Ｅの照明光として、撮影光源部Ｏ１によって発生する集光白色光、観察光源部Ｏ２によって発生する集光赤外光、前眼照明光源ユニット４３によって発生する拡散白色光及び拡散赤外光がある。 Next, the difference in the nature of illumination by the illumination light source will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light flux distribution of an illumination light source according to the first embodiment of this invention. In the present embodiment, as the illumination light of the eye E, the condensed white light generated by the imaging light source unit O1, the condensed infrared light generated by the observation light source unit O2, and the diffused white light generated by the anterior illumination light source unit 43 are used. There is light and diffuse infrared light.
　図４中の矢印は、照明光源の光束分布のベクトルを示している。 The arrow in FIG. 4 indicates the vector of the luminous flux distribution of the illumination light source.
　撮影光源部Ｏ１や観察光源部Ｏ２によって発生する光は、撮影リングスリット１３や観察リングスリット２３の像を被検眼Ｅの眼底に投影する集光された光である。即ち、これらの光は、図４に示すように、対物レンズ４２を介して撮影光軸上から被検眼Ｅを照明する集光された光である。したがって、これらの光は、指向性を強く持ち、眼底撮影時には瞳孔径程度の径しかない光であり、前眼撮影時には、ヘッド部（６）を被検者から離すことによって、やや広がりを持つが、それでも狭い光束である。指向性を持った光による画像は、影がほとんど発生しないため、フラットでハイコントラストな画像となる。 The light generated by the imaging light source unit O1 and the observation light source unit O2 is condensed light that projects the images of the imaging ring slit 13 and the observation ring slit 23 onto the fundus of the eye E to be examined. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, these lights are condensed lights that illuminate the eye E from the photographing optical axis via the objective lens 42. Therefore, these lights have a strong directivity, and are only light having a diameter of about the pupil diameter at the time of fundus photography, and slightly spread by separating the head part (6) from the subject at the time of anterior eye photography. However, it is still a narrow luminous flux. An image of light having directivity is a flat and high-contrast image because almost no shadow is generated.
　また、前眼照明光源ユニット４３によって発生する光は、前眼照明光拡散板４４によって拡散され、被検眼Ｅの周辺部まで含めて均一な拡散光となる。即ち、これらの光は、図４に示すように、対物レンズ４２を介さず撮影光軸外から被検眼Ｅを照明する拡散光である。したがって、これらの光は、照明光としては、弱く多方向のベクトルを持った光線の集まりであり、そのような光源から得られる画像は、柔らかい反射光と影によって作られるので柔らかな画像となる。 Further, the light generated by the anterior eye illumination light source unit 43 is diffused by the anterior eye illumination light diffusing plate 44 and becomes uniform diffused light including the periphery of the eye E to be examined. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, these lights are diffused lights that illuminate the eye E from outside the imaging optical axis without passing through the objective lens 42. Therefore, these lights are a collection of light beams having weak and multi-directional vectors as illumination light, and an image obtained from such a light source is made by soft reflected light and shadows, and thus becomes a soft image. .
　被検眼Ｅの眼底像は、瞳孔という狭い隙間から照明し、反射率の低い網膜の反射像を撮影するために集光された光が必要になる。被検眼Ｅの徹照像も、同様に、瞳孔を通した光を必要とするので、集光された光が必要になる。 The fundus image of the eye E to be examined is illuminated from a narrow gap called a pupil, and the collected light is required to take a reflected image of the retina with low reflectivity. Similarly, the transillumination image of the eye E requires light that has passed through the pupil, and thus condensed light is required.
　一方、被検眼Ｅの虹彩像や外眼像は、瞳孔を通さない直接的な照明になる。このため、集光された光では、コントラストが高すぎて診断対象には適さない。逆に、拡散された光であれば、柔らかい画像となるため、診断対象に適したものとなる。 On the other hand, the iris image and external eye image of the eye E are directly illuminated without passing through the pupil. For this reason, the condensed light is too high in contrast and is not suitable for a diagnosis target. On the contrary, if the light is diffused, a soft image is obtained, which is suitable for a diagnosis target.
　次に、第１の実施形態の被検眼Ｅの前眼部撮影における処理手順について説明する。 Next, a processing procedure in photographing the anterior segment of the eye E according to the first embodiment will be described.
　図５は、本発明の第１の実施形態を示し、被検眼の前眼部撮影における眼科撮像装置の制御方法の処理手順の一例を示すフローチャートである。 FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in the anterior segment imaging of the eye to be examined according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
　この図５に示すフローチャートは、前眼部撮影待機状態となったことを契機としてスタートする（Ｓ２００）。この際、眼科撮像装置１００では、ＣＰＵ７１の制御によって、前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈが点灯し、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の観察状態となっているものとする。 The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 starts when the anterior segment imaging standby state is entered (S200). At this time, in the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100, the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are turned on under the control of the CPU 71, and the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined is in an observation state.
　そして、ステップＳ２０１において、ＣＰＵ７１は、操作者により撮影スイッチ８１ａが操作されて、撮影スイッチ８１ａの一段階目のスイッチであるスイッチＳＷ１がオンしたか否かを判断する。 In step S201, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW1, which is the first-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
　この判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ１がオンしていない（即ちオフである）場合には、スイッチＳＷ１がオンするまで、ステップＳ２０１で待機する。 As a result of this determination, if the switch SW1 is not turned on (ie, is turned off), the process waits in step S201 until the switch SW1 is turned on.
　一方、ステップＳ２０１の判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ１がオンした場合には、ステップＳ２０２に進む。 On the other hand, if the switch SW1 is turned on as a result of the determination in step S201, the process proceeds to step S202.
　ステップＳ２０２に進むと、ＣＰＵ７１は、前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈ（第１の照明手段）を消灯し、代わりに、前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄ（第２の照明手段）を点灯する制御を行う。 In step S202, the CPU 71 controls to turn off the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h (first illumination means) and turn on the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d (second illumination means) instead. Do.
　続いて、ステップＳ２０３において、ＣＰＵ７１は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部における測光処理を行う。この測光処理は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の撮影動作（後工程のＳ２０７）における撮影条件の調整の１つであるＡＥ（自動露光量調整）を行うためのものである。 Subsequently, in step S203, the CPU 71 performs photometric processing in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. This photometric process is for performing AE (automatic exposure adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior segment of the eye E (S207 in the post-process).
　続いて、ステップＳ２０４において、ＣＰＵ７１は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部における測距処理を行う。この測距処理は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の撮影動作（後工程のＳ２０７）における撮影条件の調整の１つであるＡＦ（自動焦点調整）を行うためのものである。 Subsequently, in step S204, the CPU 71 performs a distance measurement process in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. This distance measurement process is for performing AF (automatic focus adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior segment of the eye E (S207 in the post-process).
　このステップＳ２０３及びＳ２０４における撮影条件調整処理は、ステップＳ２０２の処理後に撮像素子５５で得られた画像を、画像処理部７２を介して、ＣＰＵ７１によって処理することによりなされる。このステップＳ２０３及びＳ２０４における撮影条件調整処理を行うＣＰＵ７１は、撮影条件調整手段を構成する。 The photographing condition adjustment processing in steps S203 and S204 is performed by processing the image obtained by the image sensor 55 after the processing in step S202 by the CPU 71 via the image processing unit 72. The CPU 71 that performs the shooting condition adjustment process in steps S203 and S204 constitutes a shooting condition adjustment unit.
　続いて、ステップＳ２０５において、ＣＰＵ７１は、前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄ（第２の照明手段）を消灯し、前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈ（第１の照明手段）を点灯する制御を行う。ここで、本実施形態においては、ステップＳ２０２からステップＳ２０５までの処理に係る前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄの点灯時間は、数十ｍｓｅｃ程度である。 Subsequently, in step S205, the CPU 71 performs control to turn off the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d (second illumination means) and turn on the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h (first illumination means). Here, in the present embodiment, the lighting time of the anterior illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d related to the processing from step S202 to step S205 is about several tens of msec.
　続いて、ステップＳ２０６において、ＣＰＵ７１は、操作者により撮影スイッチ８１ａが操作されて、撮影スイッチ８１ａの二段階目のスイッチであるスイッチＳＷ２がオンしたか否かを判断する。 Subsequently, in step S206, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW2, which is the second-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
　この判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ２がオンしていない（即ちオフである）場合には、スイッチＳＷ２がオンするまで、ステップＳ２０６で待機する。 If the result of this determination is that the switch SW2 is not on (ie, it is off), the process waits at step S206 until the switch SW2 is turned on.
　一方、ステップＳ２０６の判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ２がオンした場合には、ステップＳ２０７に進む。 On the other hand, if the switch SW2 is turned on as a result of the determination in step S206, the process proceeds to step S207.
　ステップＳ２０７に進むと、ＣＰＵ７１は、ステップＳ２０５で点灯させた前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈを消灯した上で、撮影照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄを点灯させて、撮影動作を行う。このステップＳ２０７の撮影動作においては、ステップＳ２０３の処理により調整されたＡＥ（自動露光量調整）やステップＳ２０４の処理により調整されたＡＦ（自動焦点調整）等に基づく撮影が行われる。 In step S207, the CPU 71 turns off the anterior-eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h turned on in step S205 and turns on the photographing illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d to perform a photographing operation. In the shooting operation of step S207, shooting is performed based on AE (automatic exposure adjustment) adjusted by the process of step S203, AF (automatic focus adjustment) adjusted by the process of step S204, and the like.
　その後、ステップＳ２０８において、ＣＰＵ７１は、ステップＳ２０７の撮影動作により得られた画像を記録媒体７４に記録し或いはモニタ７３に表示等した後、図５に示すフローチャートの処理を終了する。 Thereafter, in step S208, the CPU 71 records the image obtained by the photographing operation in step S207 on the recording medium 74 or displays it on the monitor 73, and then ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.
　被検眼Ｅの前眼部撮影は、可視光である白色光の下で行われるものである。したがって、撮影条件の調整、つまりＡＥ（自動露光量調整）／ＡＦ（自動焦点調整）といった自動調整動作は、白色光の照明下でやることが望ましい。ここで、赤外光の照明下で撮影条件の調整を行った場合、実際の撮影に用いる白色光との波長差によって、測光値も測距値もズレを生じてしまい、そのズレ量は被写体依存であるので、補正も難しくなる。 The imaging of the anterior segment of the eye E is performed under visible white light. Therefore, it is desirable that the adjustment of the photographing conditions, that is, the automatic adjustment operation such as AE (automatic exposure adjustment) / AF (automatic focus adjustment) is performed under illumination of white light. Here, when the shooting conditions are adjusted under infrared light illumination, the photometric value and the distance measurement value will be shifted due to the wavelength difference from the white light used for actual shooting. Because it depends, correction becomes difficult.
　そこで、本実施形態では、図５に示すフローチャートのように、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の撮影前（被検眼Ｅの前眼部の観察中）であって、ＡＥ／ＡＦといった撮影条件の調整を行う時のみ、白色光を発光させるようにしている。 Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, adjustment of imaging conditions such as AE / AF is performed before imaging of the anterior segment of the eye E (during observation of the anterior segment of the eye E). Only when performing, the white light is emitted.
　かかる構成によれば、被検者が感じる眩しさを最小限に抑えつつ、ＡＥ／ＡＦといった撮影条件の調整の精度を高めることが可能となる。その結果、被検眼Ｅの前眼部における撮影を簡便かつ好適に行うことができるとともに、見えの良い前眼部画像を得ることができる。 According to such a configuration, it is possible to increase the accuracy of adjustment of imaging conditions such as AE / AF while minimizing the glare felt by the subject. As a result, it is possible to easily and suitably perform imaging in the anterior segment of the eye E, and obtain an anterior segment image with good appearance.
　（第２の実施形態）
　次に、本発明の第２の実施形態について説明を行う。 (Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
　第２の実施形態に係る眼科撮像装置の概略構成は、図１に示す第１の実施形態に係る眼科撮像装置１００の概略構成と同様である。 The schematic configuration of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as the schematic configuration of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
　以下に、第２の実施形態の被検眼Ｅの前眼部撮影における処理手順について説明する。図６は、本発明の第２の実施形態を示し、被検眼の前眼部撮影における眼科撮像装置の制御方法の処理手順の一例を示すフローチャートである。 Hereinafter, a processing procedure in photographing the anterior segment of the eye E of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control method of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in the anterior segment imaging of the eye to be examined according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
　この図６に示すフローチャートは、前眼部撮影待機状態となったことを契機としてスタートする（Ｓ３００）。この際、眼科撮像装置１００では、ＣＰＵ７１の制御によって、前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈが点灯し、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の観察状態となっているものとする。 The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 starts when the anterior segment imaging standby state is entered (S300). At this time, in the ophthalmic imaging apparatus 100, the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are turned on under the control of the CPU 71, and the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined is in an observation state.
　そして、ステップＳ３０１において、ＣＰＵ７１は、操作者により撮影スイッチ８１ａが操作されて、撮影スイッチ８１ａの一段階目のスイッチであるスイッチＳＷ１がオンしたか否かを判断する。 In step S301, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW1, which is the first-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
　この判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ１がオンしていない（即ちオフである）場合には、スイッチＳＷ１がオンするまで、ステップＳ３０１で待機する。 As a result of the determination, if the switch SW1 is not turned on (ie, is turned off), the process waits in step S301 until the switch SW1 is turned on.
　一方、ステップＳ３０１の判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ１がオンした場合には、ステップＳ３０２に進む。 On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S301, if the switch SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S302.
　ステップＳ３０２に進むと、ＣＰＵ７１は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部における測光処理を行う。この測光処理は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の観察状態（具体的には、被検眼Ｅの前眼部が前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈからの赤外光で照明されている状態）で行われる。 In step S302, the CPU 71 performs photometric processing on the anterior segment of the eye E. This photometric processing is performed in the observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E (specifically, the anterior segment of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light from the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h). Done.
　続いて、ステップＳ３０３において、ＣＰＵ７１は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部における測距処理を行う。この測距処理は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の観察状態（具体的には、被検眼Ｅの前眼部が前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈからの赤外光で照明されている状態）で行われる。 Subsequently, in step S303, the CPU 71 performs a distance measurement process in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. This distance measurement processing is an observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E (specifically, a state in which the anterior segment of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light from the anterior illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h). Done in
　このステップＳ３０２及びＳ３０３における処理は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の観察状態において撮像素子５５で得られた画像を、画像処理部７２を介して、ＣＰＵ７１によって処理することによりなされる。この際、上述したように、被検眼Ｅの前眼部は、前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈからの赤外光で照明されている状態である。したがって、このステップＳ３０２及びＳ３０３における処理で得られる測光値及び測距値は、赤外光に対して最適化されたものであり、赤外光による被検眼Ｅの前眼部の観察状態では最適なものであるが、白色光において撮影した場合には最適なものではない。即ち、ステップＳ３０２及びＳ３０３における処理は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の観察状態において、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の最適な観察像（観察画像）を得るための処理である。 The processing in steps S302 and S303 is performed by the CPU 71 processing the image obtained by the imaging device 55 in the observation state of the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined via the image processing unit 72. At this time, as described above, the anterior eye portion of the eye E is illuminated with infrared light from the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h. Therefore, the photometry value and the distance measurement value obtained by the processing in steps S302 and S303 are optimized for infrared light, and are optimal in the observation state of the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined by infrared light. However, it is not optimal when shooting in white light. That is, the processing in steps S302 and S303 is processing for obtaining an optimal observation image (observation image) of the anterior eye portion of the eye E in the observation state of the anterior eye portion of the eye E.
　続いて、ステップＳ３０４において、ＣＰＵ７１は、操作者により撮影スイッチ８１ａが操作されて、撮影スイッチ８１ａの二段階目のスイッチであるスイッチＳＷ２がオンしたか否かを判断する。 Subsequently, in step S304, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the photographing switch 81a is operated by the operator and the switch SW2, which is the second-stage switch of the photographing switch 81a, is turned on.
　この判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ２がオンしていない（即ちオフである）場合には、スイッチＳＷ２がオンするまで、ステップＳ３０４で待機する。 If the result of this determination is that the switch SW2 is not on (ie, it is off), the process waits at step S304 until the switch SW2 is turned on.
　一方、ステップＳ３０４の判断の結果、スイッチＳＷ２がオンした場合には、ステップＳ３０５に進む。 On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S304, if the switch SW2 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S305.
　ステップＳ３０５に進むと、ＣＰＵ７１は、前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈ（第１の照明手段）を消灯し、代わりに、前眼照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄ（第２の照明手段）を点灯する制御を行う。 In step S305, the CPU 71 turns off the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h (first illumination means), and controls to turn on the anterior eye illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d (second illumination means) instead. Do.
　続いて、ステップＳ３０６において、ＣＰＵ７１は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部における測光処理を行う。この測光処理は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の撮影動作（後工程のＳ３０８）における撮影条件の調整の１つであるＡＥ（自動露光量調整）を行うためのものである。 Subsequently, in step S306, the CPU 71 performs a photometric process on the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. This photometric processing is for performing AE (automatic exposure adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior eye part of the eye E (post-step S308).
　続いて、ステップＳ３０７において、ＣＰＵ７１は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部における測距処理を行う。この測距処理は、被検眼Ｅの前眼部の撮影動作（後工程のＳ３０８）における撮影条件の調整の１つであるＡＦ（自動焦点調整）を行うためのものである。 Subsequently, in step S307, the CPU 71 performs a distance measurement process in the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. This distance measurement process is for performing AF (automatic focus adjustment), which is one of the adjustments of the imaging conditions in the imaging operation of the anterior segment of the eye E (S308 in the post-process).
　このステップＳ３０６及びＳ３０７における撮影条件調整処理は、ステップＳ３０５の処理後に撮像素子５５で得られた画像を、画像処理部７２を介して、ＣＰＵ７１によって処理することによりなされる。このステップＳ３０６及びＳ３０７における撮影条件調整処理を行うＣＰＵ７１は、撮影条件調整手段を構成する。 The photographing condition adjustment process in steps S306 and S307 is performed by processing the image obtained by the image sensor 55 after the process in step S305 by the CPU 71 via the image processing unit 72. The CPU 71 that performs the shooting condition adjustment process in steps S306 and S307 constitutes a shooting condition adjustment unit.
　続いて、ステップＳ３０８において、ＣＰＵ７１は、ステップＳ３０５の状態（即ち、前眼照明赤外ＬＥＤ４３ｅ～４３ｈを消灯し、撮影照明白色ＬＥＤ４３ａ～４３ｄを点灯した状態）で、撮影動作を行う。このステップＳ３０８の撮影動作においては、ステップＳ３０６の処理により調整されたＡＥ（自動露光量調整）やステップＳ３０７の処理により調整されたＡＦ（自動焦点調整）等に基づく撮影が行われる。 Subsequently, in step S308, the CPU 71 performs a shooting operation in the state of step S305 (that is, the anterior eye illumination infrared LEDs 43e to 43h are turned off and the shooting illumination white LEDs 43a to 43d are turned on). In the photographing operation in step S308, photographing is performed based on AE (automatic exposure adjustment) adjusted by the process in step S306, AF (automatic focus adjustment) adjusted by the process in step S307, and the like.
　その後、ステップＳ３０９において、ＣＰＵ７１は、ステップＳ３０８の撮影動作により得られた画像を記録媒体７４に記録し或いはモニタ７３に表示等した後、図６に示すフローチャートの処理を終了する。 Thereafter, in step S309, the CPU 71 records the image obtained by the photographing operation in step S308 on the recording medium 74 or displays it on the monitor 73, and then ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.
　本実施形態では、観察の終了後であって撮影の直前に、数十ｍｓｅｃ程度の白色光の発光を行うだけでＡＥ／ＡＦといった撮影条件の調整を行うことができるため、被検者にとって、より違和感のない好適な撮影を行うことができる。 In this embodiment, the imaging condition such as AE / AF can be adjusted just by emitting white light of about several tens of msec after the observation and immediately before imaging. It is possible to perform a suitable shooting without a feeling of strangeness.
　本実施形態によれば、被検者が感じる眩しさを最小限に抑えつつ、ＡＥ／ＡＦといった撮影条件の調整の精度を高めることが可能となる。その結果、被検眼Ｅの前眼部における撮影を簡便かつ好適に行うことができるとともに、見えの良い前眼部画像を得ることができる。 According to the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the accuracy of adjustment of imaging conditions such as AE / AF while minimizing the glare felt by the subject. As a result, it is possible to easily and suitably perform imaging in the anterior segment of the eye E, and obtain an anterior segment image with good appearance.
　（その他の実施形態）
　また、本発明は、以下の処理を実行することによっても実現される。 (Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing.
　即ち、上述した実施形態の機能を実現するソフトウェア（プログラム）を、ネットワーク又は各種記憶媒体を介してシステム或いは装置に供給し、そのシステム或いは装置のコンピュータ（又はＣＰＵやＭＰＵ等）がプログラムを読み出して実行する処理である。 That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.
　このプログラム及び当該プログラムを記憶したコンピュータ読み取り可能な記録媒体は、本発明に含まれる。 This program and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program are included in the present invention.
　なお、上述した本発明の実施形態は、いずれも本発明を実施するにあたっての具体化の例を示したものに過ぎず、これらによって本発明の技術的範囲が限定的に解釈されてはならないものである。即ち、本発明はその技術思想、又はその主要な特徴から逸脱することなく、様々な形で実施することができる。 Note that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely examples of implementation in practicing the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. It is. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.
　本願は、2013年7月30日提出の日本国特許出願特願2013-157981を基礎として優先権を主張するものであり、その記載内容の全てをここに援用する。 This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-157981 filed on July 30, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
　１　ベース
　２　顔受け
　３　顎受け
　４　ｚ－ｘステージ
　５　ｙステージ
　６　光学本体
　８　操作部
　１１　撮影光源
　１２　撮影コンデンサレンズ
　１３　撮影リングスリット
　１４　撮影水晶体バッフル
　２１　観察光源
　２２　観察コンデンサレンズ
　２３　観察リングスリット
　２４　観察水晶体バッフル
　３１　ダイクロイックミラー
　３２　第１の照明リレーレンズ
　３３　スプリットユニット
　３３ａ　フォーカス指標光源
　３３ｂ　プリズム
　３３ｃ　フォーカス指標マスク
　３４　第２の照明リレーレンズ
　３５　角膜バッフル
　４１　穴あきミラー
　４２　対物レンズ
　４３　前眼照明光源ユニット
　４４　前眼照明光拡散板
　５１　視度補正レンズ
　５１ａ　凸レンズ
　５１ｂ　凹レンズ
　５２　フォーカスレンズ
　５３　撮影レンズ
　５４　ハーフミラー
　５５　撮像素子
　６１　内部固視灯ユニット
　７１　ＣＰＵ
　７２　画像処理部
　７３　モニタ
　７４　記録媒体
　８１　ジョイスティック
　８１ａ　撮影スイッチ
　８１ｂ　上下動ダイアル
　８１ｃ　フォーカスダイアル　８２　撮影モード切り換えスイッチ
　１００　眼科撮像装置
　Ｅ　被検眼 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2 Face holder 3 Jaw holder 4 zx stage 5 y stage 6 Optical body 8 Operation part 11 Imaging light source 12 Imaging condenser lens 13 Imaging ring slit 14 Imaging crystalline lens baffle 21 Observation light source 22 Observation condenser lens 23 Observation ring slit 24 Observation Lens Baffle 31 Dichroic Mirror 32 First Illumination Relay Lens 33 Split Unit 33a Focus Index Light Source 33b Prism 33c Focus Index Mask 34 Second Illumination Relay Lens 35 Corneal Baffle 41 Perforated Mirror 42 Objective Lens 43 Anterior Illumination Light Source Unit 44 Front Eye illumination light diffusing plate 51 Diopter correction lens 51a Convex lens 51b Concave lens 52 Focus lens 53 Shooting lens 54 Half mirror 55 Image sensor 61 Internal fixation lamp unit 71 C U
72 Image processing unit 73 Monitor 74 Recording medium 81 Joystick 81a Shooting switch 81b Vertical dial 81c Focus dial 82 Shooting mode switching switch 100 Ophthalmic imaging device E Eye to be examined

Claims (9)

  1. 　被検眼を撮影して前記被検眼に係る画像を撮像する眼科撮像装置であって、
    　前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明する第１の照明手段と、
    　前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明する第２の照明手段と、
    　前記被検眼の前眼部の撮影における撮影条件の調整を行う撮影条件調整手段と、
    を有し、
    　前記撮影を行う前の前記被検眼の前眼部の観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときに、前記第２の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明し、
    　前記観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行わないときに、前記第１の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明することを特徴とする眼科撮像装置。     An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject's eye and images the subject's eye,
    First illumination means for illuminating the anterior segment of the eye to be examined with infrared light;
    Second illumination means for illuminating the anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined with visible light;
    Imaging condition adjusting means for adjusting imaging conditions in imaging of the anterior segment of the eye to be examined;
    Have
    During the observation of the anterior ocular segment of the eye before the imaging, and when the imaging condition adjustment unit adjusts the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected by the second illumination unit. Illuminated with visible light,
    An ophthalmology characterized in that the first illuminating unit illuminates the anterior segment of the eye with infrared light during the observation and when the imaging condition adjustment unit does not adjust the imaging condition. Imaging device.
  2. 　前記観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときには、前記第１の照明手段による赤外光の照明を行わず、
    　前記観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行わないときには、前記第２の照明手段による可視光の照明を行わないことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の眼科撮像装置。     When adjusting the imaging condition by the imaging condition adjustment unit during the observation, the infrared illumination is not performed by the first illumination unit,
    2. The ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein illumination of visible light by the second illumination unit is not performed when the imaging condition is not adjusted by the imaging condition adjustment unit during the observation. .
  3. 　被検眼を撮影して前記被検眼に係る画像を撮像する眼科撮像装置であって、
    　前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明する第１の照明手段と、
    　前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明する第２の照明手段と、
    　前記被検眼の前眼部の撮影における撮影条件の調整を行う撮影条件調整手段と、
    を有し、
    　前記撮影を行う前の前記被検眼の前眼部の観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときに、前記第１の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明し、
    　前記観察の終了後の前記撮影における前であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときに、前記第２の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明することを特徴とする眼科撮像装置。     An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject's eye and images the subject's eye,
    First illumination means for illuminating the anterior segment of the eye to be examined with infrared light;
    Second illumination means for illuminating the anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined with visible light;
    Imaging condition adjusting means for adjusting imaging conditions in imaging of the anterior segment of the eye to be examined;
    Have
    During the observation of the anterior segment of the eye before the imaging, and when the imaging condition is adjusted by the imaging condition adjusting unit, the anterior segment of the eye to be examined is adjusted by the first illumination unit. Illuminated with infrared light,
    Illuminating the anterior ocular segment of the subject's eye with visible light in the second illuminating means when adjusting the imaging conditions by the imaging condition adjusting means after the observation and before the imaging. An ophthalmic imaging apparatus characterized by the above.
  4. 　前記観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときには、前記第２の照明手段による可視光の照明を行わず、
    　前記観察の終了後の前記撮影における前であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときには、前記第１の照明手段による赤外光の照明を行わないことを特徴とする請求項３に記載の眼科撮像装置。     When adjusting the shooting condition by the shooting condition adjusting unit during the observation, the second illumination unit does not perform visible light illumination,
    The infrared illumination by the first illumination unit is not performed when the imaging condition adjustment unit adjusts the imaging condition after the observation and before the imaging. The ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to 3.
  5. 　前記撮影条件調整手段は、前記撮影条件の調整として自動露光量調整を行うことを特徴とする請求項１乃至４のいずれか１項に記載の眼科撮像装置。 The ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the photographing condition adjusting unit performs automatic exposure amount adjustment as adjustment of the photographing condition.
  6. 　前記撮影条件調整手段は、前記撮影条件の調整として自動焦点調整を行うことを特徴とする請求項１乃至４のいずれか１項に記載の眼科撮像装置。 The ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the imaging condition adjustment unit performs automatic focus adjustment as the adjustment of the imaging condition.
  7. 　前記第２の照明手段は、前記可視光として白色光を用いて前記被検眼の前眼部を照明することを特徴とする請求項１乃至６のいずれか１項に記載の眼科撮像装置。 The ophthalmic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second illuminating means illuminates the anterior eye portion of the eye to be examined using white light as the visible light.
  8. 　被検眼を撮影して前記被検眼に係る画像を撮像する装置であり、前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明する第１の照明手段と、前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明する第２の照明手段と、前記被検眼の前眼部の撮影における撮影条件の調整を行う撮影条件調整手段と、を有する眼科撮像装置の制御方法であって、
    　前記撮影を行う前の前記被検眼の前眼部の観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときに、前記第２の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明するステップと、
    　前記観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行わないときに、前記第１の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明するステップと、
    を含むことを特徴とする眼科撮像装置の制御方法。     A device for capturing an image of an eye to be inspected and capturing an image of the eye to be inspected. A method of controlling an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus, comprising: a second illuminating unit that illuminates with an imaging condition adjusting unit that adjusts imaging conditions in imaging of the anterior segment of the eye to be examined;
    During the observation of the anterior ocular segment of the eye before the imaging, and when the imaging condition adjustment unit adjusts the anterior segment of the eye to be inspected by the second illumination unit. Illuminating with visible light; and
    Illuminating the anterior segment of the subject's eye with infrared light in the first illuminating unit when the imaging condition adjustment unit does not adjust the imaging condition during the observation;
    A control method for an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus, comprising:
  9. 　被検眼を撮影して前記被検眼に係る画像を撮像する装置であり、前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明する第１の照明手段と、前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明する第２の照明手段と、前記被検眼の前眼部の撮影における撮影条件の調整を行う撮影条件調整手段と、を有する眼科撮像装置の制御方法であって、
    　前記撮影を行う前の前記被検眼の前眼部の観察中であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときに、前記第１の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を赤外光で照明するステップと、
    　前記観察の終了後の前記撮影における前であって前記撮影条件調整手段による前記撮影条件の調整を行うときに、前記第２の照明手段において前記被検眼の前眼部を可視光で照明するステップと、
    　を含むことを特徴とする眼科撮像装置の制御方法。     A device for capturing an image of an eye to be inspected and capturing an image of the eye to be inspected. A method of controlling an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus, comprising: a second illuminating unit that illuminates with an imaging condition adjusting unit that adjusts imaging conditions in imaging of the anterior segment of the eye to be examined;
    During the observation of the anterior segment of the eye before the imaging, and when the imaging condition is adjusted by the imaging condition adjusting unit, the anterior segment of the eye to be examined is adjusted by the first illumination unit. Illuminating with infrared light;
    Illuminating the anterior ocular segment of the subject's eye with visible light in the second illuminating means when adjusting the imaging conditions by the imaging condition adjusting means before the imaging after the end of the observation. When,
    A control method for an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus, comprising:
PCT/JP2014/069720 2013-07-30 2014-07-25 Ophthalmological image capture device and method for controlling same WO2015016151A1 (en)

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JPH06205742A (en) * 1993-01-11 1994-07-26 Canon Inc Fundus camera
JPH105179A (en) * 1996-06-19 1998-01-13 Canon Inc Ophthalmologic photographing device
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