Systems and methods for alignment of the eye for ocular imaging
Inventors
Abramoff, Michael D. • Talmage, Eric • Clark, Ben • DeHoog, Edward • Chung, Timothy
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11903649-B2
Publication Date
2024-02-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
An ocular alignment system for aligning a subject's eye with an optical axis of an ocular imaging device comprising one or more guide light and one or more baffle configured to mask the one or more guide light from view of the subject such that the one or more guide light is only visible to the subject when the eye of the subject is aligned with the optical axis of an ocular imaging system.
Core Innovation
The invention describes ocular alignment using guide lights and baffles that mask light unless the subject's eye is aligned with the optical axis of an ocular imaging device. In one arrangement, a tubular housing defines a luminal space for passage of the optical axis and carries guide-light assemblies around that space. Slits in the baffles allow light to pass along a path of ocular alignment.
The described alignment addresses positioning the subject's eye with respect to the imaging device's optical axis. The guide lights provide visibility cues for alignment, including cues associated with different axes, while indicator signals may identify the direction of eye movement needed. The described approach allows the subject's natural eye movements to replace operator- or motor-driven positioning.
Claims Coverage
The claims include five inventive features across three independent claims: a device claim, an ocular alignment system claim, and a method claim. Their inventive features concern selectively visible guide lights and baffles that indicate or establish alignment between the subject's eye and the ocular imaging device's optical axis.
Tubular housing with baffled guide-light assemblies
A device has a tubular housing defining a luminal space for passage of the optical axis and guide-light assemblies mounted around the luminal space. Each assembly has a guide light and a baffle with a slit that allows light along a path of ocular alignment; the light is visible when the eye is aligned and not visible when it is out of alignment.
Guide lights masked by baffles
An ocular alignment system has guide lights positioned around the imaging device's optical axis and one or more baffles configured to mask them from the subject's view. The guide lights are visible only when the optical axis of the subject's eye is aligned with the optical axis of the ocular imaging device.
Baffled guide lights for eye alignment
A method provides guide lights around the optical path between the subject's eye and the ocular imaging device, together with baffles configured to mask the guide lights. The guide lights are visible to the subject only when the eye is aligned with the imaging device's optical axis.
Axis-specific alignment cues
The claims further describe first and second sets of guide lights indicating alignment along the x- and y-axes, respectively, with simultaneous visibility indicating z-axis alignment.
Directional indicator signals
The claims further describe indicator signals that tell the subject the direction of eye movement needed to achieve alignment. Baffles may mask the indicator signals except when the eye is out of alignment with the optical axis or target operational distance.
The three independent claims cover device, system, and method implementations that use guide lights and baffles to make light visible according to eye alignment. Further claimed features specify axis-based alignment cues and directional indicator signals.
Stated Advantages
The approach allows the subject's natural eye movements to replace operator- or motor-driven positioning.
Documented Applications
The described system is applicable to fundus, OCT retinal, corneal, iris, lens, and optic-nerve imaging.
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