Apparatus and method of imaging interior structures of the eye

• US 5,886,768 A
• Filed: 11/18/1997
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carl F. Knopp, David C. Knopp
• Original Assignee: Carl F. Knopp, David C. Knopp
• Inventors: Knopp, Carl F., Knopp, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US08/972,626
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 351/205, 351/206, 351/212, 351/221, 351/247
• US Class Current: 351/212
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00694 with means correcting for movement of or for synchronisation with the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/152 for aligning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/156 for blocking
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00846 Eyetracking
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser

Abstract

An apparatus and method provides images of the anterior structure of the eye which can be captured. Various slit lamp projections are captured by a camera utilizing a CCD along the line of sight axis so that all images which are taken are referenced to the line of sight and are reproducible along that axis.

Claims

1. An apparatus for imaging anterior structures of the eye, comprising:

means for projecting light onto the eye along a predetermined axis;

means for capturing an image of said eye aligned at a predetermined angle from said projecting means, wherein said capturing means comprised means for recording and an imaging lens, with said imaging lens comprising an anamorphic lens; and

means for rotating said projecting means and said capturing means about said predetermined axis.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said imaging lens further comprises a second means for projecting light onto the eye, with said means for projecting light onto the eye comprising a slit lamp and said recording means comprising a digital camera.

3. An apparatus for imaging anterior structures of the eye, comprising:

means for projecting light onto the eye along a predetermined axis;

means for capturing an image of said eye aligned at a predetermined angle from said projecting means, wherein said capturing means comprises means for recording and an imaging lens, with said imaging lens comprising a telecentric lens; and

means for rotating said projecting means and said capturing means about said predetermined axis.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said imaging lens further comprises an anamorphic lens.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said apparatus further comprises a second means for projecting light onto the eye, with said means for projecting light onto the eye comprising a slit lamp and said recording means comprising a digital camera.

6. An apparatus for imaging anterior structures of the eye, comprising:

a first means for projecting light onto the eye along a predetermined axis;

a second means for projecting light onto the eye;

means for capturing an image of said eye aligned at a predetermined angle from said projecting means; and

means for rotating said projecting means and said capturing means about said predetermined axis.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second projecting means comprises an illumination source projecting light substantially transverse said predetermined axis and means for reflecting light from said illumination source onto the eye.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second projecting means further comprises a filter and a pair of fixations targets at spaced separation between said illumination source and said light reflecting means, wherein said light reflecting means comprises a beam splitter cube.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first projecting means comprises a slit lamp, said capturing means comprises a digital camera and an imaging lens, with said imaging lens comprising at least one of an anamorphic lens or a telecentric lens.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said slit lamp comprises means for emitting pulsed light.

11. An apparatus for imaging anterior structures of the eye, comprising:

means for projecting light onto the eye along a predetermined axis;

means for capturing an imaging of said eye aligned at a predetermined angle from said projecting means, wherein said capturing means comprises a digital camera; and

means for rotating said projection means and said capturing means about said pre-determined axis.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a second digital camera for determining a predetermined reference point on the eye.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a second means for projecting light onto the eye, with said means for projecting light onto the eye comprising a slit lamp, said capturing means further comprising an imaging lens, with said imaging lens comprising at least one of an anamorphic lens or a telecentric lens.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said slip lamp comprises means for emitting pulsed light, and said second projecting means comprises an illumination source projecting light substantially transverse said predetermined axis and means for reflecting light from said illumination source onto the eye.

15. An apparatus for imaging anterior structures of the eye, comprising:

means for projecting pulsed light onto the eye along a predetermined axis;

means for capturing an image of said eye aligned at a predetermined angle from said projecting means, and

means for rotating said projecting means and said capturing means about said predetermined axis.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, where said pulsed light projecting means comprises a slit lamp having means for emitting light at defined intervals.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said emitting means comprises a pulsed gas discharge lamp.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said capturing means comprises a digital camera and an imaging lens, with said imaging lens comprising at least one of a telecentric lens or an anamorphic lens.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a second means for projecting light onto the eye.