EYE EXAMINING DEVICE

Abstract

A device (1) for examining an eye, in particular a slit lamp, comprises an image recording unit (220) with at least one first sensor (241.1) in a first beam path and a second sensor (241.2) in a second beam path, the device also comprising in the first beam path a first objective with a first optical axis, which has a fixed magnification and is arranged as fixed in the first beam path.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. Device (1) for examining an eye, in particular a slit lamp, comprising an image recording unit (220) with at least one first sensor (241.1) in a first beam path and a second sensor (241.2) in a second beam path, characterized in that it also comprises in the first beam path a first objective with a first optical axis, which has a fixed magnification and is arranged as fixed in the first beam path.

17. Device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the first objective comprises the first sensor (241.1) and the device (1) also comprises a second objective with a second optical axis, the second objective comprising the second sensor (241.2).

18. Device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the first sensor (241.1) and the second sensor (241.2) differ in a recording spectrum.

19. Device (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that the first sensor (241.1) is formed as a color sensor and the second sensor (241.2) is formed as a black-and-white sensor or as an IR sensor.

20. Device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that it has at least one third sensor (241.3) in a third beam path.

21. Device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that a first magnification factor of the first objective is less than a second magnification factor of the second objective.

22. Device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that an image recording region in a focal plane of the first beam path overlaps at least partially with an image recording region in a focal plane of the second beam path.

23. Device (1) according to claim 22, characterized in that the image recording region in the focal plane of the second beam path lies within the image recording region in the focal plane of the first beam path.

24. Device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that an angle between the first optical axis and the second optical axis can be set.

25. Device (1) according to claim 24, characterized in that the first optical axis and the second optical axis can be set as parallel.

26. Device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that a diaphragm and/or an optical filter are arranged in the first optical axis and in the second optical axis.

27. Method for determining image data with a device (1) according to claim 16, characterized by the following steps: a. recording of image data of an object by the first sensor (241.1) and the second sensor (241.2); b. processing image data of the first sensor (241.1) and the second sensor (241.2).

28. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that the image data of the object are recorded by the first sensor (241.1) and the second sensor (241.2) at the same time.

29. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that image data of a first sensor (241.1), formed as a black-and-white sensor with a first resolution, are computationally combined with image data of a second sensor (241.2), formed as a color sensor, to form a single colored image and/or to form a sequence of colored images.

30. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that the recording conditions of the first sensor (241.1) and the second sensor (241.2) differ.

31. Device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the second objective having a fixed magnification and being arranged as fixed in the second beam path.

32. Device (1) according to claim 20, characterized in that the third sensor (241.3) in the third beam path is comprised by the third objective

33. Device (1) according to claim 32, characterized in that the third objective having a fixed magnification.

34. Device (1) according to claim 32, characterized in that the second sensor (241.3) being formed as a color sensor.

35. Device (1) according to claim 32, characterized in that the third sensor (241.3) being formed as an IR sensor.

36. Device (1) according to claim 26, characterized in that the diaphragm and/or the optical filter are actuatable in a motorized manner.

37. Method according to claim 27, wherein the image of the object is recorded by the first sensor (241.1) and the second sensor (241.2) from different perspectives.

38. Method according to claim 27, wherein the image data of the first sensor (241.1) and the second sensor (241.2) are processed to form a single image and/or a sequence of images or respectively to form a single image segment and/or a sequence of image segments.

39. Method according to claim 29, wherein the second sensor (241.2) having a resolution that is in lower than the resolution of the first sensor (241.1)

40. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that the recording conditions of the first sensor (241.1) and the second sensor (241.2) differ in one of the following features: a. exposure time; b. diaphragm setting; c. filter setting; d. recording spectrum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] In the drawings used for explaining the exemplary embodiment:

[0067] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a plan view of a first embodiment of a device for examining an eye; and

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of an optical part with three objectives.

[0069] In the figures, the same parts are in principle provided with same designations.

WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0070] FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for examining an eye, formed as a slit lamp 1. The slit lamp 1 comprises a lighting unit 100, an optical part 220 and two objectives 240, which are mounted on a cross slide 300. The cross slide 300 itself is mounted on a base plate 400 which may be formed as a table top, and can be moved in the X, Y and Z directions. The slide 300 is controlled by means of an operator control unit 401, which is arranged on the same. The lighting unit 100 and the two objectives 240 can consequently be moved by means of the slide 300 and are also pivotably arranged independently of one another by means of a common axis of rotation 600.

[0071] The lighting unit 100 for the slit lighting comprises an L-shaped element 110 with a horizontal portion 111 and a vertical portion 112. In a distal region of the horizontal portion 111, the L-shaped element 110 comprises a vertically arranged axis of rotation 600. Arranged at the top of vertical portion is a lighting device 120, comprising a light source 121. The lighting unit 100 is made such that it can produce a defined strip of light, which can be projected onto an eye 810. On the inner side of the L-shaped element 110 there is on the vertical portion 112 a mirror 130, which is inclined from the vertical portion 112 at an angle of 45. A light beam 140 produced by the light source 121 is directed vertically downward onto the mirror 130 arranged at an angle of 45, and is directed from this mirror to the eye 810 of the patient 800. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the lighting unit may also be arranged vertically under the mirror, while the mirror would be pivoted by an angle of 90. Instead of a mirror, other optical elements with an analogous function may also be used. The lighting unit 100 may be pivotable about the axis 600 in a motorized manner or by hand. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting unit 100 is formed as a DLP projection device and is controlled purely electronicallybut it is clear to a person skilled in the art that conventional mechanical devices may also be provided for producing the slit.

[0072] The image data are sent from the two image sensors 241 of the objectives 240 in the present embodiment to a computer 500. This may take place either by means of cables or else wirelessly in known ways. The computer 500 is represented in the present case as a separate unit. However, the computer 500 may also be component part of the device in the form of a computing unit. Similarly, in the present case a screen 700 is connected to the computer 500. This may also be a component part of the device. In particular, instead of the screen 700, other means known to a person skilled in the art for viewing digital image data may also be provided.

[0073] The rays of light coming back from the eye 810 in each case enter an optical part 220, which in the present case comprises two objectives 240. An objective 240 in each case comprises an image sensor 241, which may be of a one-part or multi-part form. The two objectives 240 are in the present case fixed objectives, which have a fixed magnification and moreover are arranged as fixed in the beam path. In the present case, the sensors are in each case a color sensor. Furthermore, in the present case, a focal plane can be set for the objectives 240; in particular. the focal plane can be changed over.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an optical part 220, comprising three objectives 240.1, 240.2 and 240.3. The three objectives 240.1, 240.2 and 240.3 are in each case directed onto the eye 810, the focal planes of the three objectives 240.1, 240.2 and 240.3 intersecting in a common axis. The objectives 240.1 and 240.3 are arranged on the outside and enclose the objective 204.2, which is directed centrally onto the eye 810. With the objectives 240.1 and 240.3, stereoscopic images can be generated. The sensors 241.1, 241.2 and 241.3 of the objectives 240.1, 240.2 and 240.3 are connected to a computer 500. The sensors 241.1, 241.2 and 241.3 can be activated by means of a computing unit respectively of the computer 500 in such a way that images are recorded substantially at the same time. Moreover, the computing unit can be used for simultaneously activating the lighting unit 100, so that the sensors and the lighting unit 100 can be activated at the same time. In this way, defects in the recordings caused by reflexes can be largely masked out by means of image processing.

[0075] In a first variant, the objectives 240.1 and 240.3 are identically formed and comprise a color sensor 241.1 and 241.3, respectively, while the objective 240.2 comprises a black-and-white sensor 241.2 and is provided with a greater magnification. Consequently, with the two objectives 240.1 and 240.2 an overview image can be obtained. With the sensor 241.2 of the objective 240.2, details within the overview image can be reproduced with great resolution. The image material of the objective 240.2 can be colored on the basis of the data of the two objectives 240.1 and 240.3.

[0076] In a second variant, the objectives 240.1 and 240.3 are provided with great magnification and with black-and-white sensors 241.1 and 241.3, respectively, while the objective 240.2 is provided with a color sensor 241.2 and has a smaller magnification. Consequently, in the second variant the objective 240.2 is formed for creating an overview image, while with the two objectives 240.1 and 240.3 detailed stereoscopic recordings of the eye can be made in high resolution.

[0077] In a third variant, all of the sensors 241.1, 241.2 and 241.3 of the three objectives 240.1, 240.2 and 240.3 are formed as color sensors and, in a fourth variant, are formed as black-and-white sensors, the objective 240.2 having in each case a smaller magnification than the objectives 240.1 and 240.3.

[0078] In a fifth variant, the objective 240.2 comprises an IR sensor 241.2, while the objectives 240.1 and 240.3 in each case comprise a color sensor 241.1 and 241.3, respectively. In a sixth variant, the objective 240.2 comprises an IR sensor 241.2, while the objectives 240.1 and 240.3 comprise in each case a black-and-white sensor 241.1 and 241.3, respectively.

[0079] In a seventh variant, the individual objectives are arranged as fixed in relation to one another, while in an eighth variant at least one of the objectives in each case is pivotable about an axis. Preferably, at least the objectives 240.1 and 240.3 are pivotable about parallel axes in the vertical plane, while the objective 240.2 is arranged as fixed, in particular in an embodiment in which the objective 240.2 is formed for recording an overview image. Any number of other variants are known to a person skilled in the art.

[0080] It is also clear to a person skilled in the art that, instead of the precisely two or three objectives, more than three objectives may also be provided. The objectives may also be arranged in such a way that their optical axes run parallel or virtually parallel, in order to be able to cover a greater image region.

[0081] To sum up, it can be stated that the invention provides a device for examining an eye which is distinguished on the one hand by particularly precise and robust recordings and on the other hand by a simple and low-cost construction.