Through Focus Retinal Image Capturing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016249804-A1
Application number	US-201514633601-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 27, 2015
Priority date	Feb 27, 2015
Publication date	Sep 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus for producing a non-mydriatic fundus image is disclosed. The apparatus can include a processor and memory, as well as an illumination component and a camera with a variable focus lens. The apparatus can be configured to adjust the focus of the lens to a plurality of different diopter ranges and capture at least one image at each of the plurality of different diopter ranges. A method for capturing a non-mydriatic image of a fundus is also disclosed. The method can include setting a depth of field, dividing the depth of field into a plurality of zones, adjusting a variable focus lens of a camera to focus on each of the plurality of zones, and capturing at least one image at each of the plurality of zones.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for producing a non-mydriatic fundus image, comprising:
a processor and a memory; an illumination component including a light source and operatively coupled to the processor; a camera including a lens and operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to:
adjust a focus of the lens to a plurality of different diopter ranges; and
capture a plurality of images of a fundus, wherein the camera captures at least one image at each of the plurality of different diopter ranges.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further cause the apparatus to:
adjust the focus of the lens and capture subsequent images until images have been captured of a depth of field from −10 diopters to +10 diopters.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein each adjustment of the focus is by +/−1 diopter.

4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein each adjustment of the focus is by +/−2 diopters.

5 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the images are captured sequentially in less than about 150 milliseconds.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a visible light component configured to illuminate during the capture of the plurality of images.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a display coupled to the memory and to the processor and configured to display a representative image of the fundus.

8 . A method for capturing a non-mydriatic image of a fundus, comprising:
dividing a depth of field into a plurality of zones; adjusting a lens of a camera to focus on each of the plurality of zones; and capturing at least one image at each of the plurality of zones.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the depth of field is from −10 diopters to +10 diopters.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the depth of field is divided into 5 equal zones.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the depth of field is divided into 10 zones.

12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein a light source is illuminated throughout the capture of each image in each zone.

13 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising determining a representative image of the fundus from the plurality of images.

14 . A non-mydriatic imaging capture system, comprising:
a housing; an image capture device coupled to the housing and configured to capture images of an eye fundus of a subject; and a control module programmed to:
instruct the image capture device to capture a plurality of images in a first image capture mode;
process at least a portion of the plurality of images to determine a position of a pupil of the subject; and
instruct the image capture device to capture an image in a second image capture mode when the position of the pupil is substantially aligned with an optical axis of the image capture device,
wherein the second image capture mode includes:
an illumination of a light source; and
a plurality of adjustments of a lens of the image capture device such that the image capture device captures an image at each of the plurality of adjustments in a depth of field focus range.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the depth of field focus range is from −10 diopters to +10 diopters.

16 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a processor configured to determine an optimal image acquired during the second image capture mode.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to construct a three-dimensional image using the images acquired during the second image capture mode.

18 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a display coupled to the processor and configured to display the optimal image.

19 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the position of the pupil is substantially aligned with the optical axis of the image capture device when an angle formed between the optical axis and a vector formed between the lens of the image capture device and the pupil is less than fifteen degrees.

20 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the second image capture mode occurs in a low light environment.

Assignees

• Welch Allyn Inc

Inventors

• Wang Ynjiun Paul

Classifications

• A61B3/12 Primary

  for looking at the eye fundus, e.g. ophthalmoscopes (A61B3/13 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B3/0041

  characterised by display arrangements · CPC title

• A61B3/0025

  characterised by electronic signal processing, e.g. eye models · CPC title

• A61B3/152

  for aligning · CPC title