Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EYE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS
Inventors: Wei Su, Li Xu
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[001] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to an eye imaging
apparatus and
system, for example, a hand-held eye imaging apparatus and related systems.
[002] Eye imaging apparatuses have become increasingly important in eye
examinations. Early diagnosis of eye diseases is often important in effective
treatment and
prevention of vision loss. In general, a comprehensive eye examination may
include an
examination of the anterior segment (such as the cornea), an examination of
the posterior
segment (such as the retina), and a vision function examination.
[003] Conventionally, slit-lamp imaging systems may be used for examination of
the
cornea. However, slit imaging systems may lack mobility, such that it is
difficult for the
clinician to move the system within hospitals and/or to remote areas. For
example, the cart
carrying the slit-lamp imaging system may be relatively heavy and difficult to
move. The
computer or console associated with the system, and other system accessories,
may reduce the
portability of the system within hospitals, and may also reduce the ability to
move the system to
and/or from remote rural areas. The retina examination is usually performed by
another complex
eye imaging apparatus. It may be inconvenient and time consuming to switch the
patients from
one eye imaging apparatus to another. Furthermore, current eye examinations
are often
performed by a localized stand-alone imaging apparatus. It may be difficult to
transfer medical
data among different geographical locations and different hospitals. The
problems associated
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with transfer of medical data may be more severe for developing countries
where the access to
the hospitals or eye care clinics is more limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[004] Various embodiments disclosed herein comprise eye imaging apparatus
including
a housing, a light source configured to illuminate an eye, and an image sensor
disposed to
receive an image of the eye. The light source and the image sensor are within
the housing. For
example, the light source and the image sensor may be disposed inside the
housing, or the light
source and the image sensor may be disposed on an exterior portion of the
housing. The imaging
apparatus may also comprise a computing and communication unit in the housing
comprising a
hand-held computing device, which is configured to receive and transmit the
image. The imaging
apparatus further comprise an adaptation module in the housing comprising a
microcontroller
and a signal processing unit. The adaptation module is configured to adapt the
hand-held
computing device to control the light source and the image sensor.
[005] Various embodiments, for example, may comprise an imaging apparatus
comprising a housing, a front imaging module inside the housing comprising a
light source
configured to illuminate an eye and an optical imaging system. The optical
system may comprise
an optical window at a front end of the housing with a concave front surface
for receiving the
eye. The imaging apparatus may also comprise a main module in the housing
comprising an
image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye from the optical imaging
system, The
imaging apparatus may further comprise a hand-held computing device, which is
configured to
receive and transmit the image. The imaging apparatus also comprise an
adaptation module in
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the housing comprising a microcontroller and a signal processing unit. The
adaptation module is
configured to adapt the hand-held computing device to control the light source
and the image
sensor.
[006] Various embodiments also include an imaging apparatus that comprises a
housing
and an exterior imaging module, e.g., an anterior eye imaging module. The
exterior imaging
module comprises a lighting unit comprising a light source configured to
illuminate an eye, and
an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye. The exterior imaging
module is
disposed on an exterior portion of the housing. The imaging apparatus may also
include a hand-
held computing device and an adaptation module. The adaptation module
comprises a
microcontroller and a signal processing unit, thus allowing the hand-held
computing device to
control the light source and the image sensor.
[007] In various embodiments, a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprises a
housing
and an exterior imaging module disposed on an exterior portion of the housing.
The exterior
imaging module comprises a first lighting unit comprising a first light source
to illuminate an
eye, and a second lighting unit comprising a second light source to illuminate
the eye. The
exterior imaging module also comprises a miniature camera. The miniature
camera includes an
image sensor configured to receive an image of the eye and at least one lens
between the eye and
the image sensor. The image sensor is positioned between the first lighting
unit and the second
lighting unit. The first optical axis of the first lighting unit and the
second optical axis of the
second lighting unit are converged at an optical axis of the miniature camera.
The exterior
imaging module is configured to image an anterior segment of the eye.
[008] In some embodiments, a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprises a
housing
and an exterior imaging module which is disposed on an exterior portion of the
housing. The
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exterior imaging module may include a first lighting unit comprising a first
light source to
illuminate an eye, and a special optics forward the first light source,
configured to generate a
focused light beam. A miniature camera may also be included in the exterior
imaging system.
The miniature camera may include an image sensor configured to receive an
image of the eye.
The first lighting unit is positioned near the image sensor at a distance less
than a size of the
image sensor. The miniature camera may also include at least one lens between
the eye and the
image sensor. The focused light beam has a beam waist positioned at a distance
less than 5 mm
from an optical axis of the miniature camera. The exterior imaging module is
configured to
image an anterior segment of the eye.
[009] In some other embodiments, a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprises a
housing and an exterior imaging module which is disposed on an exterior
portion of the housing.
The exterior imaging module may include a first lighting unit comprising a
first light source
configured to generate a divergent light beam. A miniature camera may also be
included in the
exterior imaging system. The miniature camera may include an image sensor
configured to
receive an image of the eye. The first lighting unit is positioned near the
image sensor at a
distance less than a size of the image sensor. The miniature camera may also
include at least one
lens between the eye and the image sensor. The first optical axis of the first
lighting unit is
almost in parallel with the optical axis of the miniature camera. The exterior
imaging module is
configured to image an anterior segment of the eye.
[0010] Various embodiments disclose a stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging
apparatus.
The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprises a housing and an
exterior imaging
module disposed on an exterior portion of the housing. The exterior imaging
module comprises a
first lighting unit comprising a first light source and a second lighting unit
comprising a second
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light source. In addition to a first miniature camera comprising a first image
sensor, the
exterior imaging module further comprises a second miniature camera comprising
a second
image sensor. The first image sensor and the second image sensor are
positioned between the
first lighting unit and the second lighting unit. The first optical axis of
the first miniature camera
and the second optical axis of the second miniature camera are converged with
a convergent
angle.
[0011] In some embodiments, a stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus
comprises
a housing and an exterior imaging module disposed on an exterior portion of
the housing. The
exterior imaging module comprises a first lighting unit comprising a first
light source. In
addition to a first miniature camera comprising a first image sensor, the
exterior imaging module
further comprises a second miniature camera comprising a second image sensor.
the first image
sensor is positioned near the first lighting unit with a first distance less
than 10 mm, and the
second image sensor is positioned near the first lighting unit with a second
distance less than 10
mm. The first optical axis of the first miniature camera and the second
optical axis of the second
miniature camera are converged with a convergent angle. The first lighting
unit may be
configured to generate a focused beam, or a divergent beam.
[0012] In various embodiments, a hand-held eye imaging apparatus configured to
image
both a posterior segment and an anterior segment of the eye is disclosed. The
imaging apparatus
comprises a housing, a front imaging module disposed inside the housing, and
an exterior
imaging module disposed on an exterior portion of the housing. The front
imaging module
comprises a posterior light source configured to illuminate a posterior
segment of an eye, and a
posterior optical imaging system comprising an optical window at a front end
of the housing
with a concave front surface for receiving the eye. A posterior image sensor
is also included
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inside the housing to receive a posterior image from the posterior segment of
the eye. The
exterior imaging module comprises a first anterior lighting unit comprising a
first anterior light
source to illuminate an anterior segment of the eye, and a miniature camera
comprising an
anterior image sensor disposed to receive an anterior image from the anterior
segment of the eye.
[0013] Various embodiments also disclose a disposable package for an eye
imaging
apparatus. In some embodiments, the disposable package comprises a small tube
with an end
cap, an optical index matching gel inside the small tube, and two alcohol
patches. The small tube
is disposed behind at least one alcohol patch. The small tube is also
configured to eject at least
one alcohol patch after the package being cut open. In some other embodiments,
the disposable
package comprises a cup with a tightened rim. The size of the cup matches a
profile of the front
end of the housing. The disposable package also comprises a disinfectant and
an alcohol patch.
The disinfectant is disposed in a package with a seal. The disinfectant is
configured to be
released to the cup after the seal being cut.
[0014] In various embodiments, an eye imaging medical system comprising an eye
imaging apparatus is disclosed. The eye imaging apparatus includes a housing,
a light source,
and an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye. The light source
and the image
sensor are connected to the housing. The apparatus also comprises a hand-held
computing
device, configured to receive and transmit the image. The apparatus further
comprises an
adaptation module in the housing comprising a microcontroller and a signal
processing unit. The
adaptation module is configured to adapt the hand-held computing device to
control the light
source and the image sensor. The eye imaging medical system further comprises
an image
computing module configured to receive the image from and exchange data with
the eye imaging
apparatus, an image storage module comprising a database, configured to store
the image, and an
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image review module comprising a display, configured to display the image.
[0015] In some other embodiments, an eye imaging medical system comprises an
eye
imaging apparatus which includes a housing and an exterior imaging module
configured to
image an anterior segment of an eye. The exterior imaging system comprises a
first lighting unit
comprising a first light source to illuminate the eye, a second lighting unit
comprising a second
light source to illuminate the eye, and a miniature camera. The miniature
camera includes an
image sensor configured to receive an image of the eye and at least one lens
between the eye and
the image sensor. The image sensor is positioned between the first lighting
unit and the second
lighting unit. The first optical axis of the first lighting unit and the
second optical axis of the
second lighting unit are converged at an optical axis of the miniature camera.
The eye imaging
apparatus further comprises a computing and communication unit in the housing,
configured to
receive and transmit the image. The eye imaging medical system further
comprises an image
computing module configured to receive the image from and exchange data with
the eye imaging
apparatus, an image storage module comprising a database, configured to store
the image, and an
image review module comprising a display, configured to display the image.
[0016] In some alternative embodiments, an eye imaging medical system
comprises an
eye imaging apparatus which includes a housing, a front imaging module for
imaging a posterior
segment of an eye and an exterior imaging module for imaging an anterior
segment of the eye.
The front imaging module includes a posterior light source, a posterior
optical imaging system
comprising an optical window at a front end of the housing with a concave
front surface for
receiving the eye, and a posterior image sensor inside the housing disposed to
receive a posterior
image from the posterior segment of the eye. The exterior imaging module
includes a first
anterior lighting unit comprising a first anterior light source to illuminate
an anterior segment of
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the eye, a miniature camera comprising an anterior image sensor disposed to
receive an anterior
image from the anterior segment of the eye, and a computing and communication
unit in the
housing, configured to receive and transmit the image. The eye imaging medical
system further
comprises an image computing module configured to receive the image from and
exchange data
with the eye imaging apparatus, an image storage module comprising a database,
configured to
store the image, and an image review module comprising a display, configured
to display the
image.
[0017] Various embodiments also disclose a method for imaging an eye. The
method
comprises illuminating an eye by using a light source to form an image of the
eye, receiving the
image by using an image sensor, controlling the light source and the image
sensor by using a
hand-held computing device through an adaptation module, and receiving and
transmitting the
image by using the hand-held computing device.
[0018] In some embodiments, a method of imaging an anterior segment of an eye
is
disclosed. The method comprises illuminating an anterior segment of an eye by
a first lighting
unit comprising a first light source and a second lighting unit comprising a
second light source,
receiving an image of the anterior segment by using an image sensor, wherein
the image sensor
is positioned between the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit.
The method further
comprises controlling the first light source, the second light source and the
image sensor by using
a hand-held computing device, and receiving and transmitting the image by
using the hand-held
computing device.
[0019] Various embodiments disclose a method of imaging an eye by using an eye
imaging medical system. The method comprises imaging a posterior segment and
an anterior
segment of an eye by using a hand-held eye imaging apparatus. Using the hand-
held eye imaging
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apparatus comprises illuminating the posterior segment by using a first light
source inside a
housing, receiving a first image of the posterior segment by using a first
image sensor,
illuminating the anterior segment by using a second light source, receiving a
second image of the
anterior segment by using a second image sensor, controlling the first and the
second light
source, the first and the second image sensor by using a hand-held computing
device inside the
housing, receiving and transmitting the first and the second image by using
the hand-held
computing device. The method further comprises transferring the first and the
second image to
an image computing module, storing the first and the second image in an image
storage module
with a database, and displaying the first and the second image on an image
review module
comprising a large display monitor.
[0020] Various embodiments include a hand-held eye imaging apparatus, which is
compact and may be carried away to the remote rural areas. The hand-held eye
imaging
apparatus utilizes the advanced features of wireless data transmission and
high computing power
of a hand-held computing device. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus is
capable to image both
the posterior segment and the anterior segment of the eye. In addition, the
hand-held eye
imaging apparatus may also be connected with an ultrasound probe. The
versatile hand-held eye
imaging apparatus may use miniature cameras and solid state lighting
technology to achieve high
imaging performance and significant size reduction.
[0021] The hand-held eye imaging apparatus may be used in an eye imaging
medical
system. The users with little training may carry the hand-held eye imaging
apparatus in a small
carrying box to the remote rural areas. The images of an eye of a patient,
including both the
posterior segment and the anterior segment, may be captured by using the hand-
held eye imaging
apparatus. Then the images may be transferred to the image computing module,
stored in the
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image storage module and displayed on the image review module. The images may
reviewed by
highly trained medical professionals through the eye imaging medical system in
more
convenient locations, such as in hospitals or large eye care clinics in the
cities.
[0022] Various embodiments disclosed herein include:
Embodiment 1. An eye imaging apparatus comprising:
a light source configured to illuminate an eye;
an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye;
a computing and communication unit comprising a modified mobile
computing device configured to receive and transmit the image; and
an adaptation module configured to adapt the modified mobile computing
device to control the light source and the image sensor.
Embodiment 2. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein
the
modified mobile computing device comprises a modified hand-held computing
device.
Embodiment 3. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 2, wherein
the
modified mobile computing device is a modified smart phone.
Embodiment 4. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 2, wherein
the
signal processing unit comprises instructions to convert the signals from the
image sensor
and the light source to a data format that is recognizable by one of the
input/output ports
of the hand-held computing device and to convert the signals from one of the
input/output
ports of the hand-held computing device to a data format that is recognizable
by the
image sensor and the light source.
Embodiment 5. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, further
comprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control button
comprises a
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multi-functional and multi-directional button, wherein the primary control
button
comprises electrical switches to control the light source and the image sensor
through the
adaptation module.
Embodiment 6. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 2, further
comprising at least one lens positioned between the eye and the image sensor,
wherein
the lens is movable by an actuator, and wherein the adaptation module is
further
configured to adapt the hand-held computing device to control the actuator of
the lens.
Embodiment 7. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 6, wherein
the
signal processing unit includes instructions to convert the signals from at
least one of the
image sensor, the light source and the actuator of the lens to a data format
that is
recognizable by one of the input/output ports of the hand-held computing
device, and to
convert the signals from one of the input/output ports of the hand-held
computing device
to a data format that is recognizable by at least one of the image sensor, the
light source
and the actuator of the lens.
Embodiment 8. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 6, further
comprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control button
comprises a
multi-functional and multi-directional button, wherein the primary control
button
comprises electrical switches to control the light source, the image sensor
and the
actuator of the lens through the adaptation module.
Embodiment 9. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, further
comprising a driver module configured to drive the light source.
Embodiment 10. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, further
comprising a multiplexing module.
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Embodiment 11. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 2, further
comprising at least one control button exposed from the hand-held computing
device
configured to be operational through a mechanical relay.
Embodiment 12. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein
the
computing and communication unit is configured to receive and transmit the
image by a
wired communication system.
Embodiment 13. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein
the
computing and communication unit is configured to receive and transmit the
image by a
wireless communication system.
Embodiment 14. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein
the
eye imaging apparatus is configured to be powered by a battery.
Embodiment 15. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 3, the
modified
smart phone comprising at least one of a low power central processing unit, a
graphic
processing unit, an operating system, a touch screen display, a microphone, a
speaker and
a module for wireless connectivity.
Embodiment 16. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein
the
image comprises a video stream.
Embodiment 17. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein
the
light source, the image sensor, and the adaptation module are disposed inside
a housing.
Embodiment 18. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein
the
light source and the image sensor are disposed on an exterior portion of a
housing.
Embodiment 19. An eye imaging apparatus comprising:
a front imaging module comprising:
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a light source configured to illuminate an eye;
an optical imaging system comprising:
an optical window at a front end of the housing with a
concave front surface for receiving the eye; and
a main module comprising
an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye from the
optical imaging system,
a computing and communication unit comprising a modified
mobile computing device, configured to receive and transmit the image; and
an adaptation module configured to adapt the modified mobile computing
device to control the light source and the image sensor.
Embodiment 20. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodimentl 9, wherein
the
modified mobile computing device is a hand-held computing device.
Embodiment 21. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 20, wherein
the
modified mobile computing device is a modified smart phone.
Embodiment 22. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
adaptation module includes instructions to convert the signals from at least
one of the
image sensor and the light source to a data format that is recognizable by one
of the
input/output ports of the modified mobile computing device, and to convert the
signals
from one of the input/output ports of the modified mobile computing device to
a data
format that is recognizable by at least one of the image sensor and the light
source.
Embodiment 23. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment19, further
comprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control button
comprises a
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multi-functional and multi-directional button, wherein the primary control
button
comprises electrical switches to control the light source and the image sensor
through the
adaptation module.
Embodiment 24. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodimentl 9, further
comprising at least one lens positioned between the eye and the image sensor,
wherein
the at least one lens is movable by an actuator, and wherein the adaptation
module is
further configured to adapt the modified mobile computing device to control
the actuator
of the lens.
Embodiment 25. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 24, wherein
the
adaptation module includes instructions to convert the signals from at least
one of the
image sensor, the light source and the actuator of the lens to a data format
that is
recognizable by one of the input/output ports of the modified mobile computing
device,
and to convert the signals from one of the input/output ports of the modified
mobile
computing device to a data format that is recognizable by at least one of the
image
sensor, the light source and the actuator of the lens.
Embodiment 26. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 24, further
comprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control button
comprises a
multi-functional and multi-directional button, wherein the primary control
button
comprises electrical switches to control the light source, the image sensor
and the
actuator of the lens through the adaptation module.
Embodiment 27. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, further
comprising a driver module configured to drive the light source.
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Embodiment 28. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, further
comprising a multiplexing module.
Embodiment 29. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, further
comprising at least one control button exposed from the modified mobile
computing
device configured to be operational through a mechanical relay.
Embodiment 30. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
front imaging module is capable of being repeatedly attached to and removed
from the
main module.
Embodiment 31. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 30, wherein
the
eye imaging apparatus further comprises a locking ring between the front
imaging
module and the main module.
Embodiment 32. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
front imaging module is configured to be replaced with an ultrasound probe.
Embodiment 33. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
modified mobile computing device is mounted at a top of a housing, wherein the
front
imaging module is mounted at another side with the optical window at a bottom
of the
housing.
Embodiment 34. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
modified mobile computing device is mounted at an inclined angle with the
optical axis
of the optical imaging system.
Embodiment 35. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
modified mobile computing device is mounted substantially perpendicular to the
optical
axis of the optical imaging system.
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Embodiment 36. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
modified mobile computing device is mounted substantially parallel to the
optical axis of
the optical imaging system.
Embodiment 37. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
eye imaging apparatus is configured to receive and transmit the image by a
wired
communication system.
Embodiment 38. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
eye imaging apparatus is configured to receive and transmit the image by a
wireless
communication system.
Embodiment 39. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
eye imaging apparatus is configured to be powered by a battery.
Embodiment 40. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
main module further comprises a power receiver unit configured to receive
power
without a connection cable.
Embodiment 41. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, the
modified mobile computing device comprising at least one of a low power
central
processing unit, a graphic processing unit, an operating system, a touch
screen display, a
microphone, a speaker and a module for wireless connectivity.
Embodiment 42. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein
the
image comprises a video stream.
Embodiment 43. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19,
comprising
a housing having a cylindrical section and a cuboid section.
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Embodiment 44. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 43, further
comprising a rubber ring with a bump, wherein the rubber grip ring is disposed
along the
cylindrical section of the housing, wherein the bump is configured to fit with
a palm of a
user.
Embodiment 45. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, further
comprising a second imaging module comprising a second light source, a second
image
sensor, wherein the second image sensor is configured to receive a second
image of the
eye, wherein the adaptation module is further configured to adapt the modified
mobile
computing device to control the second light source and the second image
sensor.
Embodiment 46. An eye imaging apparatus comprising:
a housing;
an exterior imaging module comprising
a lighting unit comprising a light source configured to illuminate an eye;
an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye;
wherein the exterior imaging module is disposed on an exterior
portion of the housing; and
a main module in the housing comprising
a computing and communication unit comprising a modified
mobile computing device configured to receive and transmit the image; and
an adaptation module in the housing, wherein the adaptation
module is configured to adapt the hand-held computing device to control the
light source
and the image sensor.
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Embodiment 47. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein
the
modified mobile computing device comprises a modified hand-held computing
device.
Embodiment 48. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein
the
modified mobile computing device comprises a modified smart phone.
Embodiment 49. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein
adaptation module includes instructions to convert the signals from at least
one of the
image sensor and the light source to a data format that is recognizable by one
of the
input/output ports of the modified mobile computing device, and to convert the
signals
from one of the input/output ports of the modified mobile computing device to
a data
format that is recognizable by at least one of the image sensor and the light
source.
Embodiment 50. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, further
comprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control button
comprises a
multi-functional and multi-directional button, wherein the primary control
button
comprises electrical switches to control the light source and the image sensor
through the
adaptation module.
Embodiment 51. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, further
comprising at least one lens positioned between the eye and the image sensor,
wherein
the lens is movable by an actuator; wherein the adaptation module is further
configured to
adapt the modified mobile computing device to control the actuator of the
lens.
Embodiment 52. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 51, wherein
the
adaptation module comprises a signal processing unit that comprises
instructions to
convert the signals from at least one of the image sensor, the light source
and the actuator
of the lens to a data format that is recognizable by one of the input/output
ports of the
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modified mobile computing device, and to convert the signals from one of the
input/output ports of the modified mobile computing device to a data format
that is
recognizable by at least one of the image sensor, the light source and the
actuator of the
lens.
Embodiment 53. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 51, further
comprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control button
comprises a
multi-functional and multi-directional button disposed on the housing, wherein
the
primary control button comprises electrical switches to control the light
source, the image
sensor and the actuator of the lens through the adaptation module.
Embodiment 54. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, further
comprising a driver module inside the housing configured to drive the light
source.
Embodiment 55. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, further
comprising a multiplexing module inside the housing.
Embodiment 56. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, further
comprising at least one control button exposed from the modified mobile
computing
device configured to be operational through a mechanical relay.
Embodiment 57. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein
the
eye imaging apparatus is configured to receive and transmit the image by a
wired
communication system.
Embodiment 58. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein
the
eye imaging apparatus is configured to receive and transmit the image by a
wireless
communication system.
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Embodiment 59. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein
the
eye imaging apparatus is configured to be powered by a battery.
Embodiment 60. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein
the
modified mobile device comprises at least one of a low power central
processing unit, a
graphic processing unit, an operating system, a touch screen display, a
microphone, a
speaker and a module for wireless connectivity.
Embodiment 61. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein
the
image comprises a video stream.
Embodiment 62. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, further
comprising a front imaging module comprising a second light source and an
optical
window at a front end thereof with a concave front surface for receiving the
eye, wherein
the main module further comprises a second image sensor, wherein the second
image
sensor is configured to receive a second image of the eye, wherein the
adaptation module
is further configured to adapt the modified mobile computing device to control
the
second light source and the second image sensor.
Embodiment 63. A hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:
an anterior eye imaging module comprising
a first lighting unit comprising a first light source to illuminate an eye;
a second lighting unit comprising a second light source to illuminate the
eye;
a miniature camera comprising:
an image sensor configured to receive an image of the eye; and
at least one lens between the eye and the image sensor;
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wherein the image sensor is positioned between the first lighting unit and
the second lighting unit, wherein a first optical axis of the first lighting
unit and a second
optical axis of the second lighting unit are converged at an optical axis of
the miniature
camera;
wherein the anterior eye imaging module is configured to image an
anterior segment of the eye.
Embodiment 64. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the image sensor is positioned at a first distance to the first
lighting unit and at a
second distance to the second lighting unit, wherein the first distance is
equal to the
second distance.
Embodiment 65. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the first light source comprises a first light emitting element and
the second light
source comprises a second light emitting element.
Embodiment 66. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the first lighting unit is configured to emit a first divergent light
beam, and the
second lighting unit is configured to emit a second divergent light beam.
Embodiment 67. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the first and the second light source emit light in a narrowband
spectrum.
Embodiment 68. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the first and the second light source emit light in a broadband
spectrum.
Embodiment 69. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the first and the second light source emit light in visible spectrum.
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Embodiment 70. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the first and the second light source emit light in invisible
spectrum.
Embodiment 71. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the image sensor comprises a miniature sensor with a format no more
than 1/2.2
inches or 1/3.2 inches.
Embodiment 72. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the image sensor detects light in the visible spectrum.
Embodiment 73. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the image sensor detects light in the invisible spectrum.
Embodiment 74. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus is configured to be powered by a
battery.
Embodiment 75. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the first and the second lighting units are configured to be activated
independently.
Embodiment 76. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a third lighting
unit
comprising a third light source, wherein the third lighting unit is positioned
near the
image sensor at a distance less than a size of the image sensor, and is
configured to
generate a focused light beam with a beam waist positioned at a distance less
than 5 mm
from the optical axis of the miniature camera.
Embodiment 77. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
76,
wherein the third light source comprises a third light emitting element.
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Embodiment 78. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
76,
wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a fourth lighting
unit
comprising a fourth light source, positioned near the image sensor at a
distance less than
a size of the image sensor, configured to generate a divergent light beam.
Embodiment 79. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
78,
wherein the fourth light source comprises a fourth light emitting element.
Embodiment 80. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a third lighting
unit
comprising a third light source, positioned near the image sensor at a
distance less than a
size of the image sensor, configured to generate a divergent light beam.
Embodiment 81. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
80,
wherein the third light source comprises a third light emitting element.
Embodiment 82. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
80,
wherein the third light source emits light in the visible spectrum.
Embodiment 83. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
80,
wherein the third light source emits light in the invisible spectrum.
Embodiment 84. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
further comprising a front imaging module, configured to image a posterior
segment of
the eye, wherein the front image module comprises a posterior light source, an
optical
window with a concave front surface for receiving the eye, an imaging lens
disposed
rearward the optical window and optically aligned with the optical window,
wherein the
hand-held imaging apparatus further comprises a second image sensor disposed
to
receive a second image of the eye.
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Embodiment 85. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
63,
further comprising a main module comprising a computing and communication unit
comprising modified mobile computing device, configured to receive and
transmit the
image, and an adaptation module i configured to adapt the modified mobile
computing
device to control at least one of the first light source, the second light
source and the
image sensor.
Embodiment 86. A hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:
an anterior eye imaging module comprising:
a first lighting unit comprising
a first light source to illuminate an eye; and
optics forward the first light source, configured to generate
a focused light beam; and
a miniature camera comprising
an image sensor configured to receive an image of the eye, wherein
the first lighting unit is positioned near the image sensor at a distance less
than a size of
the image sensor; and
at least one lens between the eye and the image sensor;
wherein the focused light beam has a beam waist positioned at a
distance less than about 5 mm from an optical axis of the miniature camera;
wherein the anterior eye imaging module is configured to image an
anterior segment of the eye.
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Embodiment 87. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
86,
wherein the image sensor comprises a miniature sensor with a format no more
than about
1/2.2 inches or about 1/3.2 inches.
Embodiment 88. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
86,
wherein the image sensor works in a spectrum of light visible to a human eye.
Embodiment 89. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
86,
wherein the image sensor works in a spectrum of light invisible to a human
eye.
Embodiment 90. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
86,
wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus is configured to be powered by a
battery.
Embodiment 91. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
86,
wherein the first light source comprises a first light emitting element.
Embodiment 92. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
86,
wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a second lighting
unit
comprising a second light source, positioned near the image sensor at a
distance less than
the size of the image sensor, wherein the second lighting unit is configured
to generate a
divergent light beam, wherein a second optical axis of the second lighting
unit is
substantially parallel with the optical axis of the miniature camera.
Embodiment 93. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
92,
wherein the second light source comprises a second light emitting element.
Embodiment 94. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
92,
wherein the second light source emits light in the visible spectrum.
Embodiment 95. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
92,
wherein the second light source emits light in the invisible spectrum.
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Embodiment 96. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
86,
further comprising a front imaging module, configured to image a posterior
segment of
the eye, wherein the front image module comprises a posterior light source, an
optical
window with a concave front surface for receiving the eye, an imaging lens
disposed
rearward the optical window and optically aligned with the optical window,
wherein the
hand-held imaging apparatus further comprises a second image sensor to receive
a second
image of the eye.
Embodiment 97. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
86,
further comprising a main module in the housing comprising a computing and
communication unit comprising a modified mobile computing device, configured
to
receive and transmit the image, and an adaptation module configured to adapt
the
modified mobile computing device to control the first light source, the second
light
source and the image sensor.
Embodiment 98. A hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:
an anterior eye imaging module comprising:
a first lighting unit comprising:
a first light source configured to generate a divergent light beam to
illuminate an eye; and
a miniature camera comprising:
an image sensor configured to receive an image of the eye, wherein the
first lighting unit is positioned near the image sensor at a distance less
than a size of the
image sensor; and
at least one lens between the eye and the image sensor;
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wherein a first optical axis of the first lighting unit is substantially
parallel with the optical axis of the miniature camera;
wherein the anterior eye imaging module is configured to image an
anterior segment of the eye.
Embodiment 99. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
98,
wherein the image sensor comprises a miniature sensor with a format no more
than about
1/2.2 inches or about 1/3.2 inches.
Embodiment 100. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
98,
wherein the image sensor detects light in the visible spectrum.
Embodiment 101. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
98,
wherein the image sensor detects light in the invisible spectrum.
Embodiment 102. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
98,
wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus is configured to be powered by a
battery.
Embodiment 103. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
98,
wherein the first light source comprises a first light emitting element.
Embodiment 104. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
98,
wherein the first light source emits light in the visible spectrum.
Embodiment 105. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
98,
wherein the first light source emits light in the invisible spectrum.
Embodiment 106. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
98,
further comprising a front imaging module configured to image a posterior
segment of
the eye, wherein the front image module comprises a posterior light source, an
optical
window with a concave front surface for receiving the eye, an imaging lens
disposed
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rearward the optical window and optically aligned with the optical window,
wherein the
hand-held imaging apparatus further comprises a second image sensor in the
housing
disposed to receive a second image of the eye.
Embodiment 107. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
98,
further comprising a main module in the housing comprising a computing and
communication unit comprising a modified mobile computing device, configured
to
receive and transmit the image, and an adaptation module, wherein the
adaptation module
is configured to adapt the modified mobile computing device to control at
least one of the
first light source, the second light source and the image sensor.
Embodiment 108. A stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus
comprising:
an anterior eye imaging module comprising:
a first lighting unit comprising a first light source to illuminate an
eye;
a second lighting unit comprising a second light source to
illuminate the eye;
a first miniature camera comprising a first image sensor configured
to receive a first image of the eye;
a second miniature camera comprising a second image sensor
configured to receive a second image of the eye;
wherein the first image sensor and the second image sensor are
positioned between the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit,
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wherein a first optical axis of the first miniature camera and a
second optical axis of the second miniature camera are converged with a
convergent
angle,
wherein the anterior eye imaging module is configured to image an
anterior segment of the eye.
Embodiment 109. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first image sensor is positioned at a first
distance to the
first lighting unit and at a second distance to the second lighting unit,
wherein the first
distance is substantially equal to the second distance, wherein the second
image sensor is
positioned proximate the first image sensor to provide stereo imaging.
Embodiment 110. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 109, wherein the first image sensor is optically aligned with an
optical axis
of the eye, wherein the second image sensor is tilted with the optical axis.
Embodiment 111. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 109, wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises
optics in
front of the second image sensor, wherein the second optical axis is in
parallel with the
first optical axis between the optics and the second image sensor, wherein the
optics is
configured to bend the second optical axis to form a convergent angle with the
first
optical axis.
Embodiment 112. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first image and the second image sensor are
positioned
symmetrically about an optical axis of the eye.
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Embodiment 113. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises
optics in
front of the first image sensor and the second image sensor, wherein the first
optical axis
and the second optical axis are parallel and separated with a distance between
the optics
and the first and second image sensors, wherein the special optics is
configured to bend
the first optical axis and the second optical axis to form a convergent angle.
Embodiment 114. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first image sensor and the second image sensor are
symmetrically tilted to form a convergent angle.
Embodiment 115. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first light source comprises a first light
emitting element
and the second light source comprises a second light emitting element.
Embodiment 116. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the convergent angle is fixed.
Embodiment 117. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the convergent angle is adjustable.
Embodiment 118. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the convergent angle is between 5 to 13 degrees.
Embodiment 119. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first and the second light source emit light in a
narrowband
spectrum.
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Embodiment 120. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first and the second light source emit light in a
broadband
spectrum.
Embodiment 121. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first and the second light source emit light in
visible
spectrum.
Embodiment 122. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first and the second light source emit light in
invisible
spectrum.
Embodiment 123. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first image sensor comprises a first miniature
sensor with a
format no more than about 1/2.2 inches or about 1/3.2 inches, and wherein the
second
image sensor comprises a second miniature sensor with a format no more than
about
1/2.2 inches or about 1/3.2 inches.
Embodiment 124. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first and the second image sensor detect light in
the visible
spectrum.
Embodiment 125. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first and the second image sensor detect light in
the
invisible spectrum.
Embodiment 126. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the hand-held stereoscopic eye imaging apparatus is
configured to be powered by a battery.
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Embodiment 127. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the first and the second lighting units are configured
to be
activated independently.
Embodiment 128. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a
third
lighting unit comprising a third light source and optics, wherein the third
lighting unit is
positioned near the image sensor at a distance less than a size of the image
sensor,
wherein the optics is configured to generate a focused light beam with a beam
waist
positioned at a distance less than about 5 mm from the optical axis of the
miniature
camera.
Embodiment 129. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 128, wherein the third light source comprises a third light
emitting element.
Embodiment 130. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 128, wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a
fourth
lighting unit comprising a fourth light source, positioned near the image
sensor at a
distance less than a size of the image sensor, configured to generate a
divergent light
beam, wherein a fourth optical axis of the fourth lighting unit is
substantially parallel
with the optical axis of the miniature camera.
Embodiment 131. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 130, wherein the fourth light source comprises a fourth light
emitting
element.
Embodiment 132. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, wherein the exterior imaging module further comprises a third
lighting
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unit comprising a third light source positioned near the image sensor at a
distance less
than a size of the image sensor and configured to generate a divergent light
beam,
wherein a third optical axis of the third lighting unit is substantially
parallel with the
optical axis of the miniature camera.
Embodiment 133. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 132, wherein the third light source comprises a third light
emitting element.
Embodiment 134. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 132, wherein the third light source emits light in the visible
spectrum.
Embodiment 135. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 132, wherein the third light source emits light in the invisible
spectrum.
Embodiment 136. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, further comprising a front imaging module configured to image
a
posterior segment of the eye, wherein the front image module comprises a
posterior light
source, an optical window with a concave front surface for receiving the eye,
an imaging
lens disposed rearward the optical window and optically aligned with the
optical window,
wherein the hand-held imaging apparatus further comprises a posterior image
sensor
disposed to receive a posterior image of the eye.
Embodiment 137. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 108, further comprising a main module comprising a computing and
communication unit comprising a modified mobile computing device, the
computing and
communication unit configured to receive and transmit the image, and an
adaptation
module configured to adapt the hand-held computing device to control at least
one of the
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first light source, the second light source, the first image sensor and the
second image
sensor.
Embodiment 138. A stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus
comprising:
an anterior eye imaging module comprising:
a first lighting unit comprising a first light source to illuminate an
eye;
a first miniature camera comprising a first image sensor configured
to receive a first image of the eye;
a second miniature camera comprising a second image sensor
configured to receive a second image of the eye;
wherein the first image sensor is positioned near the first lighting
unit with a first distance less than 10 mm, and the second image sensor is
positioned near
the first lighting unit with a second distance less than 10 mm,
wherein a first optical axis of the first miniature camera and a
second optical axis of the second miniature camera are converged with a
convergent
angle,
wherein the exterior imaging module is configured to image an
anterior segment of the eye.
Embodiment 139. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the first image sensor is optically aligned with an
optical axis
of the eye, wherein the second image sensor is positioned closely near the
first image
sensor.
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Embodiment 140. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 139, wherein the second image sensor is tilted with the optical
axis.
Embodiment 141. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 139, wherein the exterior imaging module further comprises optics
in front
of the second image sensor, wherein the optics is configured to bend the
second optical
axis to form a convergent angle with the first optical axis.
Embodiment 142. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the first image and the second image sensor are
positioned
symmetrically about an optical axis of the eye.
Embodiment 143. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 142, wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises
optics in
front of the first image sensor and the second image sensor, wherein the
optics is
configured to bend the first optical axis and the second optical axis to form
a convergent
angle.
Embodiment 144. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the first image sensor and the second image sensor are
symmetrically tilted to form a convergent angle.
Embodiment 145. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the first lighting unit further comprises optics
configured to
generate a focused light beam with a beam waist positioned at a distance less
than about 5
mm from an optical axis of the eye.
Embodiment 146. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the first lighting unit is configured to generate a
divergent
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light beam, wherein a first optical axis of the first lighting unit is
substantially parallel
with an optical axis of the eye.
Embodiment 147. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the first light source comprises a first light
emitting element.
Embodiment 148. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the convergent angle is fixed.
Embodiment 149. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the convergent angle is adjustable.
Embodiment 150. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the convergent angle is between about 5 to about 13
degrees.
Embodiment 151. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the first image sensor comprises a first miniature
sensor with a
format no more than about 1/2.2 inches or about 1/3.2 inches, and wherein the
second
image sensor comprises a second miniature sensor with a format no more than
about
1/2.2 inches or about 1/3.2 inches.
Embodiment 152. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, wherein the stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus is
configured to be powered by a battery.
Embodiment 153. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, further comprising a front imaging module configured to image
a
posterior segment of the eye, wherein the front image module comprises a
posterior light
source, an optical window with a concave front surface for receiving the eye,
an imaging
lens disposed rearward the optical window and optically aligned with the
optical window,
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wherein the stereoscopic hand-held imaging apparatus further comprises a
posterior
image sensor disposed to receive a posterior image of the eye.
Embodiment 154. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
Embodiment 138, further comprising a main module in the housing comprising a
computing and communication unit comprising a hand-held computing device
configured
to receive and transmit the image, and an adaptation module configured to
adapt the
hand-held computing device to control at least one of the first light source,
the first image
sensor and the second image sensor.
Embodiment 155. A hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:
a front imaging module comprising:
a posterior light source configured to illuminate a posterior segment of an
eye,
a posterior optical imaging system comprising:
an optical window with a concave front surface for receiving the eye;
an imaging lens disposed rearward the optical window and optically
aligned with the optical window;
a posterior image sensor disposed to receive a posterior image from
the posterior segment of the eye; and
an anterior eye imaging module comprising:
a first anterior lighting unit comprising a first anterior light source to
illuminate an anterior segment of the eye; and
a miniature camera comprising
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an anterior image sensor disposed to receive an anterior image
from the anterior segment of the eye; and
at least one lens between the eye and the anterior image sensor.
Embodiment 156. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
155,
wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a second anterior
lighting unit
comprising a second anterior light source to illuminate the anterior segment
of the eye,
wherein the anterior image sensor is positioned between the first anterior
lighting unit
and the second anterior lighting unit, wherein a first optical axis of the
first anterior
lighting unit and a second optical axis of the second anterior lighting unit
are converged
at an optical axis of the miniature camera;
Embodiment 157. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
155,
wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises optics, wherein the
first
anterior lighting unit is positioned near the anterior image sensor at a
distance less than a
size of the anterior image sensor, wherein the optics is configured to
generate a focused
light beam with a beam waist positioned at a distance less than about 5 mm
from an
optical axis of the miniature camera.
Embodiment 158. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
155,
wherein the first anterior lighting unit is positioned near the anterior image
sensor at a
distance less than a size of the anterior image sensor, wherein the first
anterior lighting
unit is configured to generate a divergent light beam, wherein a first optical
axis of the
first anterior lighting unit is substantially parallel with an optical axis of
the miniature
camera.
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Embodiment 159. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
155,
wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus is configured to be powered by a
battery.
Embodiment 160. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
155,
further comprising a main module comprising a computing and communication unit
comprising a hand-held computing device configured to receive and transmit the
image,
and an adaptation module configured to adapt the hand-held computing device to
control
at least one of the posterior light source, the posterior image sensor, the
first anterior light
source, and the anterior image sensor.
Embodiment 161. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment
160,
wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus is configured to receive and
transmit the
image wirelessly.
Embodiment 162. A lens cleaning apparatus comprising:
an accessory comprising:
a disposable package comprising
a small tube;
an optical index matching gel inside the small tube; and
two alcohol patches.
Embodiment 163. A lens cleaning apparatus comprising:
a disposable package comprising
a cup having a tightened rim, wherein a size of the cup matches a
profile of the front end of a hand-held camera;
a disinfectant disposed in a package with a seal, wherein the
disinfectant is configured to be released to the cup; and
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an alcohol patch.
Embodiment 164. An eye imaging medical system comprising:
an eye imaging apparatus comprising:
a light source configured to illuminate an eye;
an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye;
a computing and communication unit comprising a modified mobile
computing device, configured to receive and transmit the image;
and
an adaptation module configured to adapt the hand-held computing device
to control the light source and the image sensor, and
an image computing module configured to receive the image from and exchange
data with the eye imaging apparatus;
an image storage module comprising a database configured to store the image;
and
an image review module comprising a display configured to display the image.
Embodiment 165. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 164,
wherein the image is transferred among the eye imaging apparatus, the image
computing
module, the image storage module, and the image reviewing module in real time.
Embodiment 166. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 164,
wherein the image is transferred among the hand-held eye imaging apparatus,
the image
computing module, the image storage module, and the image reviewing module
wirelessly.
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Embodiment 167. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 164,
further comprising a carrying case, wherein the eye imaging apparatus is
placed inside
the carrying case.
Embodiment 168. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 167,
wherein the carrying case is less than 600 mm x 400 mm x 300 mm.
Embodiment 169. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 167,
wherein the carrying case is disposed on a shelf of a mobile cart, wherein an
information
input device is disposed on the cart.
Embodiment 170. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 167,
wherein the carrying case comprises a plurality of regions to hold one or more
of the eye
imaging apparatus, the image computing module, an power supply, an extra
battery, and
a disposable package.
Embodiment 171. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 169,
wherein the carrying case further comprises a region to hold a printer.
Embodiment 172. A kit comprising a disposable package comprising a
sufficient amount of optical index matching gel inside a small tube, and two
alcohol
patches, wherein the small tube is disposed behind at least one alcohol patch,
wherein the
small tube is configured to eject at least one alcohol patch.
Embodiment 173. A kit comprising a disposable package comprising a
cup
having a tightened rim, wherein a size of the cup matches a profile of the
front end of a
camera, a disinfectant disposed in a package with a seal, wherein the
disinfectant is
configured to be released to the cup, and an alcohol patch.
Embodiment 174. An eye imaging medical system comprising:
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a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:
an anterior eye imaging module comprising:
a first lighting unit comprising a first light source to illuminate an eye;
a second lighting unit comprising a second light source to illuminate the
eye;
a miniature camera comprising:
an image sensor configured to receive an image of the eye; and
at least one lens between the eye and the image sensor;
wherein the image sensor is positioned between the first lighting unit and
the second lighting unit, wherein a first optical axis of the first lighting
unit and a second
optical axis of the second lighting unit are converged at an optical axis of
the miniature
camera;
wherein the anterior eye imaging module is configured to
image an anterior segment of the eye; and
a computing and communication unit and configured to receive
and transmit the image, and
an image computing module configured to receive the image from and exchange
data with the eye imaging apparatus;
an image storage module comprising a database, configured to store the image;
and
an image review module comprising a display, configured to display the image.
Embodiment 175. An eye imaging medical system comprising:
a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:
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a housing;
a front imaging module comprising:
a light source configured to illuminate an eye;
an optical imaging system comprising:
an optical window with a concave front surface for
receiving the eye; and
a main module comprising:
an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye
from the optical imaging system; and
a computing and communication unit, configured to receive and
transmit the image, and
an image computing module configured to receive the image from and exchange
data with the eye imaging apparatus;
an image storage module comprising a database configured to store the image;
and
an image review module comprising a display configured to display the image.
Embodiment 176. An eye imaging medical system comprising:
a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:
a front imaging module comprising:
a posterior light source configured to illuminate a posterior
segment of an eye,
a posterior optical imaging system comprising an optical window
at a front end of the housing with a concave front surface for receiving
the eye;
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a posterior image sensor disposed to receive a posterior image
from the posterior segment of the eye;
an anterior eye imaging module on an exterior portion of the housing
comprising:
a first anterior lighting unit comprising a first anterior light source
to illuminate an anterior segment of the eye;
a miniature camera comprising an anterior image sensor disposed
to receive an anterior image from the anterior segment of the eye; and
a computing and communication unit in the housing, configured to receive
and transmit the image, and
an image computing module configured to receive the image from and exchange
data with the eye imaging apparatus;
an image storage module comprising a database configured to store the image;
and
an image review module comprising a display configured to display the image.
Embodiment 177. A method for imaging an eye comprising
illuminating an eye by using a light source to form an image of the eye;
receiving the image by using an image sensor;
controlling the light source and the image sensor by using a modified
mobile computing device through an adaptation module; and
receiving and transmitting the image by using the modified mobile
computing device.
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Embodiment 178. The method of imaging an eye in Embodiment 177,
further
comprising controlling an actuator of at least one lens by using the modified
mobile
computing device through the adaptation module.
Embodiment 179. The method of imaging an eye in Embodiment 177,
further
comprising converting signals from at least one of the image sensor and the
light source
to a data format that is recognizable by one of the input/output ports of the
modified
mobile computing device, and converting signals from one of the input/output
ports of
the modified mobile computing device to a data format that is recognizable by
at least
one of the image sensor and the light source by a signal processing unit in
the adaptation
module.
Embodiment 180. A method of imaging an anterior segment of an eye
comprising:
illuminating an anterior segment of an eye by a first lighting unit
comprising a first light source and a second lighting unit comprising a second
light
source,
receiving an image of the anterior segment by using an image sensor,
wherein the image sensor is positioned between the first lighting unit and the
second
lighting unit;
controlling the first light source, the second light source and the image
sensor by using a modified mobile device; and
receiving and transmitting the image by using the modified mobile
computing device.
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Embodiment 181. The method of imaging an anterior segment of an eye
in
Embodiment 180, further comprising illuminating the anterior segment of the
eye by a
third lighting unit comprising a third light source, wherein the third
lighting unit is
positioned near the image sensor at a distance less than a size of the image
sensor,
wherein the third lighting unit is configured to generate a focused light beam
with a beam
waist positioned at a distance less than about 5 mm from the optical axis of
the eye.
Embodiment 182. The method of imaging an anterior segment of an eye
in
Embodiment 181, further comprising illuminating the anterior segment of the
eye by a
fourth lighting unit comprising a fourth light source, wherein the fourth
lighting unit is
positioned near the image sensor at a distance less than a size of the image
sensor,
wherein the fourth lighting unit is configured to generate a divergent light
beam.
Embodiment 183. A method of imaging an eye by using an eye imaging
medical system comprising:
imaging a posterior segment and an anterior segment of an eye by using a
hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising
illuminating the posterior segment by using a first light source inside a
housing,
receiving a first image of the posterior segment by using a first image
sensor, illuminating the anterior segment by using a second light source,
receiving a second image of the anterior segment by using a second image
sensor,
controlling the first and the second light source, the first and the second
image sensor by using a modified hand-held computing device,
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receiving and transmitting the first and the second image by using the
modified hand-held computing device;
transferring the first and the second image to an image computing module;
storing the first and the second image in an image storage module with a
database; and
displaying the first and the second image on an image review module comprising
a large
display monitor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a hand-held eye imaging apparatus in
accordance
with various embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 2(A) schematically illustrates a perspective view of the hand-held
eye
imaging apparatus comprising a removable front imaging module, a main module
and a locking
ring, according to some embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 2(B) schematically illustrates a side view of the hand-held eye
imaging
apparatus comprising a removable front imaging module, a main module and a
locking ring,
according to some embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 3(A) schematically illustrates additional details of the hand-held
eye imaging
apparatus comprising the removable front imaging module and the main module,
according to
various embodiments.
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[0027] FIG. 3(B) schematically illustrates the optical imaging system of the
hand-held
eye imaging apparatus comprising the removable front imaging module and the
main module,
according to various embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 3(C) schematically illustrates a block diagram of the eye imaging
apparatus
comprising an adaptation module.
[0029] FIG. 3(D) schematically illustrates a block diagram of the hand-held
eye imaging
apparatus comprising a hand-held computing device, according to various
embodiments.
[0030] FIG. 3(E) schematically illustrates the eye imaging apparatus
comprising a
primary control button interfaced with the adaptation module, according to
various
embodiments.
[0031] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exterior imaging module disposed on
the
exterior portion of housing of the eye imaging apparatus, according to various
embodiments.
[0032] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a special illumination configuration
of the exterior
imaging module, according to various embodiments.
[0033] FIG. 6(A) schematically illustrates an eye imaging apparatus comprising
a second
miniature camera with a second image sensor to take stereoscopic images,
according to some
embodiments.
[0034] FIG. 6(B) schematically illustrates a special illumination system for
the
stereoscopic exterior imaging module.
[0035] FIG. 7(A) schematically illustrates another embodiment of a
stereoscopic exterior
imaging module.
[0036] FIG. 7(B) schematically illustrates an exterior imaging module with
stereoscopic
(3D) imaging capability, according to some embodiments.
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[0037] FIG. 8(A) schematically illustrates additional stereoscopic exterior
imaging
module, according to some embodiments.
[0038] FIG. 8(B) schematically illustrates other stereoscopic exterior imaging
module,
according to some embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a disposable package for the hand-held
eye
imaging apparatus, according to some embodiments.
[0040] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the disposable package for the eye
imaging
apparatus, according to some embodiments.
[0041] FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a disposable package for improved
disinfection
treatment of the hand-held eye imaging apparatus, according to some
embodiments.
[0042] FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a networking eye imaging system
comprising the
hand-held eye imaging apparatus.
[0043] FIG. 13 schematically illustrates the networking eye imaging system on
a cart,
according to some embodiments.
[0044] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of the networking eye imaging
system
comprising the hand-held eye imaging apparatus, according to various
embodiments.
DETAILED DISCRIPTION
[0045] The present invention now will be described in detail with reference to
the
accompanying figures. This invention may be embodied in many different forms
and should not
be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments discussed herein.
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[0046] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a hand-held eye imaging apparatus 100,
according
to various embodiments. For example, the eye imaging apparatus 100 can
comprise a housing
comprising a cylindrical portion 111 and a cuboid portion 112. The cuboid
portion 112 can be
mounted on top of the cylindrical portion 111 in some embodiments. The
cylindrical portion 111
can have a tapered front portion 116, which may be closer to an eye of a
patient during an
examination procedure. The cylindrical portion 111 can have a length between
about 50 mm and
about 200 mm, and a diameter between about 20 mm and about 80 mm in some
embodiments.
The cylindrical portion 111 can have a front portion 116 and a back portion
118. The front
portion 116 of the cylindrical portion 111 can be in a frusto-conical or
truncated cone shape with
a length between about 10 mm and about 50 mm, and a diameter between about 5
mm and about
20 mm at a front end 113 in some embodiments. The back portion 118 of the
cylindrical portion
111 can be connected to the cuboid portion 112. The cuboid portion 112 may
comprise a touch
screen display 105. The dimension of the cuboid portion 112 can be between
about 50 mm x 100
mm and about 130 mm x 200 mm in some embodiments. The cuboid portion 112 may
be
mounted at an angle with the cylindrical portion 111. The angle may be between
about 0 and 90
degrees in some embodiments. The cuboid portion 112 may be perpendicular to
the cylindrical
portion 111 in some embodiments. The cuboid portion 112 may also be parallel
to the
cylindrical portion 111 in some other embodiments. The cuboid portion 112 and
the cylindrical
portion 111 may be integrally formed, e.g., so as to form a unitary body. For
example, the
cuboid portion 112 may be along a sidewall of the cylindrical portion 111, in
some
embodiments. The eye imaging apparatus 100 may comprise only the cylindrical
portion 111, or
only the cuboid portion 112 in various alternative embodiments. In some
embodiments, the
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housing of the eye imaging apparatus 100 may be in other shapes, not limited
to the combination
of a cylindrical portion and a cuboid portion.
[0047] The eye imaging apparatus 100 may be compact to improve mobility,
maneuverability, and/or portability. For example, in various embodiments, the
eye imaging
apparatus 100 can have a size less than about 250 mm along the longest
dimension thereof. For
example, in some embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus 100 may be about 250
mm, 200 mm,
150 mm, or 100 mm along the longest dimension. In some embodiments, the eye
imaging
apparatus 100 may weigh less than about 1 kg. For example, the eye imaging
apparatus 100 may
weigh between about 0.5 kg and about 1 kg, between about 0.3 kg and about 1
kg, or between
about 0.2 kg and about 1 kg in various embodiments. Advantageously, the
relatively small size
and weight of the eye imaging apparatus 100 can improve the portability of the
apparatus 100
relative to other systems, thereby enabling the user to easily move the
apparatus 100 to different
locations and to easily manipulate the apparatus 100 during use.
[0048] The eye imaging apparatus 100 can comprise a front imaging module 101
and a
main module 102 in various embodiments. The front imaging module 101 can be
configured to
be repeatedly attached to and removed from the main module 102 in various
embodiments. The
front imaging module 101 may be disposed at the front portion 116 of the
cylindrical portion 111
of the housing. The main module 102 may be disposed at the back portion 118 of
the cylindrical
portion 111 and possibly in the cuboid portion 112 of the housing. The hand-
held eye imaging
apparatus 100 may be used to image the posterior segment of the eye through
the front imaging
module 101. The front imaging module 101 may be removable and replaced with
other imaging
and illumination optics in various embodiments. When imaging and illumination
optics are
capable of being removed or replaced, the potential applications of the eye
imaging apparatus
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100 may be significantly expanded. For example, the eye imaging apparatus 100
may be used to
image the posterior segment of the eye with various magnifications, and under
different
illumination conditions, including illumination from broadband and/or
narrowband light sources.
The iris of the patient may or may not need to be dilated with special drugs
prior to the imaging
procedure. Color images from the posterior segment of the eye may also be
obtained in the form
of mono (2D) or stereoscopic (3D) images. The front imaging module 101 may be
designed to
image the anterior segment of the eye. The front imaging module 101 may also
be replaced with
an ultrasound probe, which is discussed in detail below.
[0049] The main module 102 can comprise a computing and communication unit.
The
computing and communication unit may comprise a hand-held computing device
104, for
example, a modified mobile computing device, in some embodiments. For example,
the hand-
held computing device 104 shown in FIG. 1 is a modified smart phone; in other
embodiments,
the hand-held computing device 104 may be any other suitable modified mobile
computing
device. For example, the modified mobile computing device 104 can comprise a
retrofitted
device in some arrangements. The modified mobile computing device 104 may
comprise any of
a low power central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), an
operating
system, a touch screen display, a microphone, a speaker and a miniature
digital camera, as well
as other modules for wireless connectivity such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and/or
3G/4G, or any
combination thereof. The modified mobile computing device 104 can be capable
of providing
voice and/or data communication. The modified mobile computing device 104 can
also be
configured to enable web browsing through a wireless connection with digital
wireless data
communication networks. The modified mobile computing device 104 may have
enhanced and
expanded high speed data communication capability and a higher computing power
than a
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conventional mobile phone. The modified mobile computing device 104 (e.g., a
modified smart
phone) may be based on smart phones with Android or iOS mobile operating
systems, as well as
other operating systems. The modified mobile computing device 104 may have
built-in high
speed data communication capability and high computing power. Adapting a
standard mobile
smart phone into a modified smart phone may be more cost effective than
designing a computing
and communication unit from scratch. In addition, the touch screen display 105
of the mobile
computing device 104 may be used as a display to review the image and may also
act as a user
input interface to control the image capturing process. Captured images may be
transferred to
other computing devices or internet-based devices, like storage units, through
wired or wireless
communication systems. In various embodiments, the imaging apparatus can be
powered by a
battery, thus improving the maneuverability and operation by the user.
[0050] The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 100 can be designed to be operated
by users
with little training. The cylindrical portion 111 may be usable as a handle to
allow the users to
easily hold the apparatus 100 with only one hand. The users may precisely
adjust the position
and/or angle of the apparatus with one hand, freeing another hand to work on
other tasks, for
example, opening the eyelids of the patient with the fingers. The cuboid
portion 112 may
comprise a display and/or user input interface such as a touch screen display
105 to allow the
users to navigate through the multiple functions of the imaging apparatus and
control the image
capturing process.
[0051] The eye imaging apparatus 100 may be used as a disease screening or
medical
diagnostic device for various ophthalmic applications. The apparatus 100 may
be used in
remote, rural areas where traveling to eye care facilities may be
inconvenient. The apparatus 100
may also be used as a portable medical imaging device for other medical needs
such as ear-nose-
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and-throat (ENT) or dermatology applications. Furthermore, the imaging
apparatus 100 may
have applications in areas other than medical applications, for example, for
security screening
applications in which the images from the posterior/anterior segment of the
eye may be used for
personal identification purposes. The eye imaging apparatus 100 may also be
used to image the
eyes of animals. In such applications, the optical design of the apparatus 100
may be
substantially the same as that used to image human eyes. In other embodiments,
the optical
design of the apparatus 100 may be modified for imaging the eyes of animals.
For example, the
eye imaging apparatus 100 may be used to image or photograph the eyes of
animals such as
livestock, pets, and laboratory test animals, including horses, cats, dogs,
rabbits, rats, guinea
pigs, mice, etc.
[0052] FIG. 2(A) and FIG. 2(B) schematically illustrate a hand-held eye
imaging
apparatus 200. Unless otherwise noted, reference numerals used in FIG. 2
represent components
similar to those illustrated in FIG. 1, with the reference numerals
incremented by 100. As shown
in FIG. 2(A) and FIG. 2(B), the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 200 can
include a removable
front imaging module 201, a main module 202 and a locking ring 203. The cuboid
portion 212
can be mounted on top of the cylindrical portion 211 at an inclined angle, for
allowing easier
operation of the apparatus 200 by the users. The cuboid portion 212 may
comprise a touch screen
display 205. The orientation of the cuboid portion 212 shown in FIG. 2 however
may be different
from the cuboid portion 112 illustrated and described with respect to
embodiments in FIG 2 and
in FIG. 1. The longer dimension of the cuboid portion 212 is from left to
right in FIG. 2, while
the shorter dimension of the cuboid portion 112 is from left to right in FIG.
1. The orientation of
the cuboid portion 212 in FIG. 2 may allow users to view the images in more
natural way.
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However, the longer edge of the rectangular part 212 may block the view of the
users from
seeing the photographed object directly.
[0053] The imaging apparatus may further comprise a locking ring 203
configured to
attach and/or remove the front imaging module 201 from the main module 202.
For example, the
removable front imaging module 201 may be detached from the main module 202 by
moving or
rotating the locking ring 203 from a locked position to an unlocked position.
The use of the
locking ring 203 may not only prevent accidental removal of the module 201,
but also may seal
the gaps between two modules when a water-tight sealing is desired. The
locking ring 203 can
be attached to the main module 202 by way of a mechanical locking structure
provided by the
locking ring 203. The locking structure can be employed to allow the users to
both securely
attach the front imaging module 201 with the main module 202, and to detach
the front imaging
module 201 from the main module 202. Part of the locking structure can be
disposed in the front
imaging module 201, and part of the locking structure can be disposed in the
main module 202.
In addition, a liquid-tight sealing structure comprising two circular ring
shaped surfaces can be
disposed within the locking ring 203 and around the cylindrical portion 211 of
the housing body.
The two ring shaped surfaces, which can be disposed in the front imaging
module 201 and the
main module 202, respectively, can have precisely matched contact surfaces
between them. The
two ring shaped surfaces may comprise metal, plastic or rubber materials. When
the two ring-
shaped surfaces are pressed against each other, a liquid-tight seal can be
formed to prevent water
or liquid from entering the cylindrical portion 211 of the housing from the
outside. After the
front imaging module 201 is attached to the main module 202, the locking ring
203 may be
moved or rotated to the locked position from the unlocked position. Moving the
locking ring
203 to the locked position may help to prevent accidental removal of the
module 201 and enable
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the liquid-tight sealing between module 201 and module 202. The locking ring
203 may also be
used in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0054] FIG. 3(A) and 3(B) schematically illustrate additional details of a
hand-held eye
imaging apparatus 300. The apparatus 300 can comprise the removable front
imaging module
301 and the main module 302 in various embodiments. The hand-held eye imaging
apparatus
300 can be configured to image both the posterior and the anterior segments of
the eye. To
image the posterior segment of the eye, an optical window 303 of the removable
front imaging
module 301 may be carefully placed over the cornea of the eye. The optical
window 303 can be
designed to have a radius of curvature for a frontal surface closely matching
a radius of curvature
of the cornea. In some embodiments, for example, the outer surface of the
optical window can
have a radius of curvature of between about 6 mm and about 15 mm. An optical
index matching
gel may be added between the cornea and the optical window to reduce light
scattering and
optical aberrations. The viscosity of the index matching gel may be at least
about 100 centipoise,
at least about 200 centipoise, or at least about 300 centipoise in certain
embodiments.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 3(B), illumination light can be projected from the
optical
window 303. A light conditioning element 322 may be used to project the light
through the
designated areas on the cornea and the crystalline lens of the eye, and
eventually onto the
posterior segment of the eye. An imaging lens 324 behind the optical window
303 may be used
to form an image of the posterior segment, which includes the space from the
retina and the
posterior vitreous chamber of the eye. A first group of relay lenses 325 may
be used to relay the
image of the posterior segment to a secondary image plane 328. The secondary
image plane 328
may be positioned within the front imaging module 301 or the main module 302.
A second
group of relay lenses 329 may be added to relay the image from the secondary
image plane 328
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onto the image sensor 320 which can be positioned within the main module 302.
The image
sensor 320 can be configured to stream real-time video images and/or capture
high resolution
still images through various pre-programmed functions. The image sensor 320
may be any
suitable type of imaging sensor, e.g., a CCD or CMOS sensors. Other type of
image sensors may
also be used.
[0056] The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300 may comprise at least one
focusing lens
321 positioned in front of the image sensor 320. The focusing lens or lenses
321 may be
configured to adjust a focal length or a magnification of the eye imaging
apparatus 300. In
various embodiments, one or more of the focusing lenses 321 can be configured
to be moved or
adjusted. For example, one or more of focusing lenses 321 can be translated
longitudinally along
an optical axis of the optical imaging system with respect to one or more of
the other of the
focusing lenses in the lens group321. Displacing the focusing lenses 321
relative to one another
may change the effective optical focal length of the set of focusing lenses
321, which can change
the magnification and can result in an optical zoom for the images acquired.
Actuators such as
voice coils, stepper motors or other types of actuators or combinations
thereof may be used to
longitudinally translate one or more, or all, of the focusing lenses to change
the effective focal
length(s) and/or provide zoom. During an eye imaging procedure, the focusing
lens or lenses
321 may be controlled manually or automatically. In the fully automatic mode,
the eye imaging
apparatus 300 may automatically look for features in the images and try to
adjust the actuator of
the focusing lens or lenses 321 to achieve the best focus. In the manual mode,
the users may
select the area of focus over the live images by using the touch screen
monitor 305. The eye
imaging apparatus 300 may adjust the focusing lens or lenses 321 to achieve
the best focus in
that area and then provide a visual or audible indication when the area is in
focus. The image
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brightness or exposure may also be controlled through automatic or manual
mode. In the
automatic exposure mode, the users may allow the eye imaging apparatus to
adjust the brightness
of the images automatically based on preset imaging criteria. Alternatively,
the user may fine
tune the exposure by gauging the proper exposure at a selected area in the
image, which is often
also the area for fine focus adjustment. The overall brightness of the image
may be adjusted or
set by the users according to their preference. The brightness of the image
may be controlled by
the sensitivity of the image sensor or luminance of the light source. In some
embodiments, the
sensitivity of the image sensor can be set to a fixed level when the quality
of the images or the
noise level of the image is a critical measure. The luminance of the light
source can be adjusted
to achieve the desired brightness based on the darkness of the retinal
pigmentation layer. A
maximum level of allowable luminance may be set in order to prevent the
illuminance from
exceeding the level allowed by regulations due to the concern of phototoxicity
to the eye.
[0057] During the imaging session, the operator may spend a significant amount
of time
adjusting the image brightness, focus, and field of view while viewing the
live images on the
screen. The operator may capture few pictures in a short time afterwards. In
some
embodiments, to reduce the amount of light to which the patient's eye is
exposed, the sensitivity
of the image sensor during the adjustment process may be configured to
increase by a suitable
amount, e.g., by 2 or 4 times higher than the desired level of sensitivity
during the imaging
session when the images are captured. The increased sensitivity may
accordingly result in a
reduction in the level of illumination light by 2 or 4 times, although such
increase in sensor
sensitivity may cause a higher noise level and poor image quality for the live
images. When the
operator captures still pictures during the imaging session, the sensitivity
of the image sensor
may be configured to momentarily decrease to the desired level to provide
acceptable image
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quality. At the same time, the amount of illumination light can be configured
to increase by the
same ratio momentarily, which may result in the same exposure and brightness
for the still
images with higher image quality and a lower noise level. The increase of the
sensor's light
sensitivity during the adjustment process may be 2 times, 3 times, 5 times, 8
times and any level
between higher than the desired sensitivity level during the imaging session.
In some alternative
embodiments, the level of the luminance from the light source may be fixed or
selected by the
users when a specific level of light exposure is desired. The sensitivity of
the image sensor may
accordingly be adjusted automatically.
[0058] The main module 302 of the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300 may
comprise
a computing and communication unit 331 and an image processing unit 332 in
various
embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3(C). With continued reference to FIGs 3A-3C,
the images from
the image sensor 320 may be processed by the image processing unit 332, and/or
transmitted out
of the eye imaging apparatus 300 by the computing and communication unit 331
through wired
or wireless communication systems. The computing and communication unit 331
may comprise
a hand-held computing device 304, for example, a modified mobile computing
device with a
built-in data communication capability in various embodiments. In some
embodiments, the
modified mobile computing device 304 can be encapsulated within the main
module 302 with
the touch screen monitor 305 and various control buttons 306 exposed. The
modified mobile
computing device 304 may be mounted on top of the main module 302. The front
imaging
module 301 can be mounted on an opposite side with the optical window 303 at
the bottom. In
some embodiments, the modified mobile computing device 304 can be mounted at
an inclined
angle, allowing easier operation of the modified mobile computing device 304
by the user. In
some alternative embodiments, the modified mobile computing device 304 may
also be mounted
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perpendicular to the optical axis of the front imaging module 301. The
modified mobile
computing device 304 may further comprise a touch screen monitor 305. The
touch screen
monitor 305 may be configured to display the images, including simple mono
images and/or
stereoscopic (3D) images. In addition, the touch screen monitor 305 may also
have a touch
screen control feature to enable the user to interact with the monitor 305.
The control buttons
306 and 307 may be operational through a mechanical relay. The control buttons
306 and 307
can be configured to respond to certain motions of the fingers of the user.
The mechanical relay
may comprise a mechanical structure that translates a motion of the user into
a motion that one
of the electrical switches on the computing device 304 is configured to
respond to. For example,
the modified mobile computing device 304 may comprise an electrical switch
that is configured
to respond to a pushing motion, e.g., a force applied inwardly relative to the
device 304. When a
user slides a button 307, the mechanical relay may translate the sliding
motion of the users into
an inward pushing motion on the switch. As a result, the electrical switch of
the computing
device 304 can respond to the sliding motion of the button 307.
[0059] The main module 302 can be configured to receive the images from one or
more
imaging sensors 320 in real time sequentially and/or simultaneously. The main
module 302 can
be configured to display the live images on the touch screen monitor 305. The
image sensor 320
and the image capturing features may be controlled through the functions of
the modified mobile
computing device 304 on the touch screen monitor 305, by the control buttons
306 exposed on
the modified mobile computing device 304, and/or by voice command functions of
the mobile
computing device 304. The main module 302 can also be configured to exchange
data and
communicate with other electronics devices through wired or wireless
communication systems,
such as WiFi or 3G standard telecommunication protocols.
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[0060] As explained above, the eye imaging apparatus 300 can comprise the
modified
mobile computing device 304 in various embodiments. For example, the hand-held
computing
device 300 may comprise a modified version of a smart phone in some
embodiments. The eye
imaging apparatus may utilize the built-in high speed wireless data
communication capability
and the high computing power of a smart phone. However, a typical smart phone
may be
primarily configured to communicate audio signals with limited input/output
communication
ports. For example, the smart phone may only have a few in/out communication
ports such as an
input port for charging power, an output port for a speaker phone, and a few
control buttons such
as volume adjustment buttons. Conventional smart phones may not be capable of
controlling a
complex device positioned outside the phone.
[0061] The eye imaging apparatus 300 may comprise an adaptation module 309 in
various embodiments. FIG. 3(C) schematically illustrates a block diagram of
the eye imaging
apparatus 300 comprising the adaptation module 309. A conventional smart phone
may be
modified and reconfigured to control the image capturing process and transmit
the captured
images through the adaptation module 309. The adaptation module 309 may be
added and
connected to the modified mobile computing device 304 (e.g., the modified
smart phone) to
further expand the control capability and flexibility of the modified smart
phone. The adaptation
module 309 can be configured to adapt the modified mobile computing device 304
to control the
operation of the light source 323 and the image capturing features of the
image sensor 320,
which may be positioned outside the modified mobile computing device 304. The
adaptation
module 309 may further be configured to adapt the modified mobile computing
device 304 to
control the actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321 in front of the image
sensor 320 to adjust
the effective focal length and/or the magnification of the eye imaging
apparatus 300. The data
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from the image sensor 320, the light source 323 and/or the actuator of
focusing lens or lenses 321
may be input into the modified mobile computing device 304 through the
adaptation module
309.
[0062] The adaptation module 309 may comprise a microcontroller 339 and a
signal
processing unit 360. The microcontroller 339 may comprise a central processing
unit, a memory
and a plurality of communication input/output ports in various embodiments.
The central
processing unit may range from 16-bit to 64-bit in some embodiments. The
microcontroller 339
may further comprise any suitable type of memory device, such as ROM, EPROM,
EEPROM,
flash memory, etc. The microcontroller 339 may comprise analog-to-digital
converters and/or
digital-to-analog converters in various embodiments. The microcontroller 339
may comprise
input/output ports such as I2C, Serial SCCB, MIPI and RS-232. In some
embodiments, USB or
Ethernet ports may also be used. The microcontroller 339 may be connected to
the light source
323, the image sensor 320, and the actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321
through the
plurality of communication input/output ports. The microcontroller 339 may
comprise a signal
processing unit 360. The signal processing unit 360 can include instructions
to convert the
signals from the image sensor 320, the light source 323, and the actuator of
the focusing lens or
lenses 321 to a data format that is recognizable by one of the input/output
communication ports
of the modified mobile computing device 304. The signal processing unit 360
can also be
configured to convert the signals from the modified mobile computing device
304 to a data
format that is recognizable by the image sensor 320, the light source 323 and
the actuator of the
focusing lens or lenses 321. For example, the voice input/output port of the
modified mobile
computing device 304 may be used in some embodiments. The control signal from
the image
sensor 320 may be read into the microcontroller 339 through an I2C port. The
signal processing
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unit 360 in the microcontroller 339 can include a set of instructions to
convert the control signal
into a set of data encoded as an audio signal, and the microcontroller 339 can
output the audio
signal into the voice input port of the mobile computing device 304. The
microcontroller 339
can also include another set of instructions to convert the audio signal from
the voice output port
of the modified mobile computing device 304 to a set of recognizable signals
for the image
sensor 320. The conversion of different signals may employ different
instructions with different
conversion algorithms.
[0063] In some embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus 300 may further comprise
an
independent driver module 335 to drive the light source 323 when the required
electrical power
of the light source 323 is substantially higher than the power of a
conventional light source of a
smart phone. The driver module 335 may comprises an integrated multi-channel
current-source
type driver chip in some embodiments. The driver chip may modulate the light
output or the
brightness of the light source based on configurations of pulse-width-
modulation. As a result,
the independent driver module 335 can be configured to drive a more powerful
light source than
the conventional light source in typical smart phones, In addition, as shown
in FIG. 3(C), the
driver module 335 can be configured to drive multiple light sources 323 at the
same time. The
driver module 335 may be powered by a battery in the modified mobile computing
device 304 or
by a separate battery with larger capacity and larger current. The control of
the light source 323,
as well as the control of the driver module 335, may be carried out by the
modified mobile
computing device 304 through the microcontroller 339 in the adaptation module
309.
[0064] Conventional smart phones often have a limited numbers of imaging
sensors and
light sources. To extend the ability of a smart phone to control and drive
multiple image sensors,
light sources and focusing lenses, a multiplexing module 314 may be added in
the main module
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to allow interaction between the modified mobile computing device 304 with
multiple image
sensors 320 and light sources 323 through the adaptation module 309. The
multiplexing module
314 may act like a digital switcher, and can expand the number of the image
sensors 320 and the
light sources 323 to which the modified mobile computing device 304 may have
access.
Additionally, the control of the multiplexing module 314 may be realized by
the modified mobile
computing device 304 directly. It should be appreciated that the multiplexing
module 314 may
not be used if, for example, the modified mobile computing device 304 is built
with a
multiplexing capability to interface with multiple devices.
[0065] Advantageously, the eye imaging apparatus may be more cost effective by
utilizing the build-in wireless high speed communication capability of a
conventional smart
phone. However, a hand-held computing device can also be provided without
using a modified
mobile computing device. For example, the hand-held computing device may
comprise any
suitable computing device comprising a microprocessor, a memory, a wireless
transmitter and a
wireless receiver that can be held or carried by the user in various
embodiments. For example,
the computing device can be capable of supporting e-mail, web browsing, text
messaging, etc., in
various embodiments. In some embodiments, however, the hand-held computing
device
comprises a modified smart phone, tablet or other type of hand-held computing
device. The
hand-held computing device may comprise a modified conventional cell phone,
though the
modified conventional cell phone might provide less functionality than a
modified smart phone.
In some embodiments, the hand-held computing device may not include the touch
screen
display.
[0066] Recharging the batteries used in the hand-held eye imaging apparatus
300 shown
in FIG. 3(A) to FIG. 3(C) may be performed through a standard USB port or
other recharging
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port by a connection cable. However, in order to keep the eye imaging
apparatus hermetically
sealed, the existence of such an electric port may be problematic. One
solution may be the use of
a power charging device without the use of the connection cable. The main
module 302 may
further comprise a power receiver module 338 disposed near a side surface of
the main module
302. When the main module 302 is placed next to the power charging mat or pad,
the batteries of
the imaging apparatus 300 may be charged through the exchange of power from
the power
charging mat to the power receiver module 338 without using the connection
cable.
[0067] The main module 302 can provide a platform for integrating additional
functional
modules and features into the eye imaging apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 3(A).
When the front
imaging module 301 is connected with the main module 302, an electrical
connection may also
be provided between the two modules 301, 302 to power the electronic devices
in the front
imaging module 301 and send electronic signals back to the main module 302. In
some
embodiments, the front imaging module 301 may be replaced with an ultrasound
probe 341,
which has a profile and size similar to that of the front imaging module 301.
The ultrasound
probe 341 may comprise an A-scan or B-scan type of probe to measure the size
and structure of
the eye. Both types of probes may have an ultrasound wand (transducer) 343
with a concave
external surface similar to that of the optical window 303, which can be
placed against the
cornea or eyelids during the eye examination. A gel similar to that used with
the optical imaging
applications may be used between the probe and the tissue. The ultrasound
transducer 343 can
generate high-frequency sound waves that travel through the eye, and can also
detect reflections
(echoes) of the sound waves to form an image of the structure of the eye. The
measurement
from the A-Scan probe can provide structural information about the eye, and
the measurement
from the B-scan probe can provide cross sectional, two-dimensional images of
the inner eye.
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The data from the ultrasonic probe 341 may be preprocessed by electronics
circuits 342
positioned within the main module 302 before the data is sent to the modified
mobile computing
device 304 through the adaptation module 309. The result may be displayed on
the touch screen
monitor 305, or may be transferred to other computing or display devices.
[0068] It should be appreciated that the front imaging module 301 and the main
module
302 may not be formed in two separate units in some embodiments. The front
imaging module
301 and the main module 302 may be built into one piece with the front imaging
module 301
permanently fixed with the main module 302 of the eye imaging apparatus 300.
[0069] FIG. 3(D) is a flow diagram of the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300
comprising a modified mobile computing device 304, according to various
embodiments. The
eye imaging apparatus 300 may comprise an electronic system which is built
around the
modified mobile computing device 304, for example, a modified smart phone. An
adaptation
module 309 may be connected to the modified mobile computing device 304 to
expand the
communication capability of a conventional smart phone. A multiplexing module
314 may also
be provided to extend the ability of the modified mobile computing device 304
to control and
drive the multiple image sensors 320 and/or light sources 323 directly. The
imaging sensor 320
and the light source 323 may interface with the modified mobile computing
device 304 through
the adaptation module 309. The standard data bus between the multiplexing
module 314 and
modified mobile computing device 304 may also include a serial or parallel
port as well as MIPI
and DVP as long as a digital interface required for transmitting digital
images is provided. The
data bus may also include the interface/channels for controlling the actuator
of the focusing lens
or lenses 321. In some embodiments, a driver module 335 may also be used to
drive more
powerful light source 323. The modified mobile computing device 304 may
control the light
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source 323 and the driver module 335 through the input/output ports of the
adaptation module
309. The live images captured by the imaging sensor 320 can be transmitted to
the modified
mobile computing device 304, e.g., in the form of RAW data format. The live
images can be
processed and calibrated to form a standard video stream, which may be
displayed on the small
touch screen monitor 305 of the modified mobile computing device 304. The same
video stream
may be transmitted out of the device 304 in real time.
[0070] The eye imaging apparatus 300 may further comprise a primary control
button
350 interfaced with the adaptation module 309 in various embodiments, as shown
in FIG. 3(E)
and FIG. 3(C). The primary control button 350 may comprise a multi-functional
and multi-
directional button disposed on the housing of the apparatus 300. The primary
control button 350
can be configured to control the light source 323, the actuator of focusing
lens or lenses 321 and
the image sensor 320. In some embodiments, for example, the primary control
button 350 can be
disposed on the cylindrical portion 311 of the housing of the eye imaging
apparatus 300, thus
allowing easy operation of the user with only one hand. As shown in FIG. 3(E),
the eye imaging
apparatus 300 may be held by the user using four fingers, while leaving the
index finger (or other
finger) free to operate the primary control button 350 in some embodiments.
The introduction of
the primary control button 350 can enable the operation of the imaging
apparatus 300 with only
one hand. The primary control button 350 can comprise electrical switches to
control the light
source 323, the actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321 and/or the image
sensor 320.
Therefore the primary control button 350 can allow the user to control the
focus, the light
intensity and/or the image capturing process by using just one finger. For
example, in some
embodiments, the intensity level of the light source 323 may be adjusted by
pushing the primary
control button 350 to the left and/or right, and the actuator of the focusing
lens or lenses 321 may
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be adjusted by pushing the multi-functional control button 350 up and/or down.
In other
embodiments, the intensity level of the light source 323 may be adjusted by
pushing the primary
control button 350 up and/or down, and the actuator of the focusing lens or
lenses 321 may be
adjusted by pushing the multi-functional control button 350 left and/or right.
In some
embodiments, the primary control button 350 may also be used as a trigger for
the image sensor
320 by pushing the primary control button inwardly. Other variations of using
the primary
control button 350 to control the eye imaging apparatus may also be suitable.
[0071] As seen from the FIG. 3(E), the housing of the imaging apparatus 300
may further
comprise a rubber ring 352 having a bump. The bump of the rubber ring 352 may
fit
comfortably with the palm of the user, allowing the user to hold the body of
the imaging
apparatus 300 in the palm tightly. The bump of the rubber ring 352 may be
replaced easily.
Several rings 352 may be provided with different bump sizes to fit users who
have large or small
hands. The rubber grip ring 352 may be rotated along the cylindrical portion
of the imaging
apparatus, thus allowing a comfortable fitting with the palm of the user's
hand. The rubber grip
ring 352 may fit with both left-handed and right-handed users. The rubber grip
ring 352 may
also comprise various shapes other than a completed ring, e.g., such as a
partial annulus.
[0072] The block diagram of the eye imaging apparatus 300 comprising the
primary
control button 350 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3(C). The primary
control button 350 can
be configured to control the light source 323, the actuator of the focusing
lens or lenses 321
and/or the image sensor 320 through the adaptation module 309 in various
embodiments. The
microcontroller 339 in the adaptation module 309 can convert the motion of the
finger of the user
on the primary control button 350 into commands or signals recognized by the
modified mobile
computing device 304. Communication between the adaptation module 309 and the
modified
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mobile computing device 304 may be realized through the standard input/output
ports of the
modified mobile computing device 304, which may be a modified smart phone. For
example, a
microphone port of the modified mobile computing device 304 may be used to
provide such
communication. The adaptation module 309 may send a command comprising a
signal (e.g., a
five-digit signal) to the modified mobile computing device 304. To do so, the
adaptation module
309 may send a series of electric pulses representing the five-digit signal,
which can be encoded
in the frequency of audio signals, to the microphone port of the modified
mobile computing
device 304. The modified mobile computing device 304 (e.g., modified smart
phone) can
receive the audio signals as if the audio signals are voice calls. However,
the modified mobile
computing device 304 can comprise another signal processing unit comprising
another set of
instructions to convert and recognize the received audio signals, thereby
recovering the
command. In the other direction, a command from the mobile device smart phone
may be
encoded as audio signals and sent out to the speaker port. The adaptation
module can receive
and interpret the audio signals into commands, which can be used by the
adaptation module 309
to control the light source 323, or the actuator of the focusing lens or
lenses 321, or the image
sensor 320. Though the microphone port and the speaker port of the modified
mobile computing
device 304 may be used in the communication to the adaptation module 309 in
some
embodiments, other standard input/output ports of the modified mobile
computing device 304
may be used as well. The adaptation module 309 may comprise other signal
processing units to
convert the various commands into signals recognizable by other input/output
ports.
[0073] The various embodiments of the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300 also
include a method for imaging an eye. The method comprises illuminating an eye
by using a light
source 323, thereby forming an image of the eye through an optical window and
an imaging lens.
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The method can also include receiving the image by using an image sensor 320,
controlling the
light source 323 and the image sensor 320 by using a modified mobile computing
device 304, for
example, a modified smart phone, and receiving and transmitting the image by
using the
modified mobile computing device 304. The image may be an image of the
posterior segment of
the eye, or an anterior segment of the eye. The method may also comprise
controlling an
actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321 to adjust the focal length and the
magnification by
using the modified mobile computing device 304. In addition, the method may
further comprise
displaying the image on a touch screen monitor 305 of the modified mobile
computing device
304.
[0074] The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300 may be used to image the
posterior
segment of the eye and/or the anterior segment of the eye. The eye imaging
apparatus 300 may
image the anterior segment of the eye through the front imaging module 301
when the proper
adjustment of focus is made. However, the images of the anterior segment of
the eye acquired
by the front imaging module 301 may exhibit a large field of curvature. In
addition, in order for
the posterior segment imaging and anterior segment imaging to share part of
the same optical
system, the image quality of the posterior segment and/or the anterior segment
may be
compromised. However, to achieve high image quality and utilize special
illumination for the
anterior segment of the eye, the eye imaging apparatus 300 may further
comprise an exterior
imaging module that is configured to photograph the anterior segment of the
eye. The hand-held
eye imaging apparatus 300 may further provide stereoscopic (3D) color imaging
capability for
the anterior segment of the eye. The captured images may be viewed in
stereoscopic (3D)
fashion when using a proper three-dimensional display device.
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[0075] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exterior imaging module 460
disposed on an
exterior portion of housing of an eye imaging apparatus 400, according to
various embodiments.
For example, the eye imaging apparatus 400 may comprise a front imaging module
401, an
exterior imaging module 460, a main module 402, a front optical window 403 and
a hand-held
computing device 404 in some embodiments. The exterior imaging module 460 may
be
disposed, for example, on an outer side surface of the cuboid portion 412
(which may have
rounded edges in various embodiments) of the housing in some embodiments. The
exterior
imaging module 460 may comprise two lighting units 405, 406 and one miniature
camera 407
between the two lighting units 405, 406. The lighting units 405, 406 may
comprise a light source
and possibly the light conditioning optics in front of the light source. The
light source may
comprise a light emitting element. The light emitting element may comprise a
solid state light
emitter such as a light emitting diode and/or any other element that is
capable of emitting light.
The light emitting element may be compact, highly efficient and driven by low
voltage. In some
arrangements, the lighting units 405, 406 may be disposed at an approximately
equal distance
from the miniature camera 407. The lighting units 405, 406 may emit light with
a narrowband
spectrum, such as with a bandwidth less than about 100 nm, and at wavelengths
in the visible,
ultraviolet and/or infrared spectrum. The lighting units 405, 406 may also
emit light in a
broadband spectrum, such as white light in the visible spectrum from about 450
nm to about 700
nm. The miniature camera 407 may comprise an image sensor and at least one
focusing lens in
front of the image sensor. The image sensor may comprise a miniature image
sensor with a
format no more than about 1/2.2 inches or no more than about 1/3.2 inches. The
focusing lens or
lenses may comprise miniature lens or lenses with a diameter less than about
10 mm, less than
about 5.0 mm, or less than about 2 mm. The miniature camera 407, which can
comprise the
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image sensor and the focusing lens or lenses, can have a length x width
between 10 mm x 10 mm
and 5 mm x 5 mm, or smaller in some arrangements. In some embodiments, the
image sensor
may have an active area that is between about 8 mm and 4 mm x 6 mm and 3 mm or
between
about 7 mm and 5 mm x 5 mm and 4 mm. The miniature camera 407 may work in the
visible
light spectrum or invisible light spectrum, or both visible and invisible
spectra at same time. The
exterior imaging module 460 may comprise only one lighting unit in some other
embodiments.
[0076] The exterior imaging module 460 may further comprise two additional
lighting
units 408, 409. The two lighting units 408, 409 may be disposed near the
miniature camera 407,
and the lighting units 408, 409 may have different purposes. The two lights
units 408 and 409
may be used to provide special illumination for imaging the anterior segment
of the eye which
will be discussed below. The lighting unit 408 may comprise a solid state
light emitting element
that emits light in the broadband spectrum, e.g., white light, which is
visible to the human eye.
The light emitted from the lighting unit 409 may be in narrowband or broadband
spectrum, in
visible or invisible spectrum to human eyes. The light from the lighting units
405, 406, 408
and/or 409 may be activated at the same time, in different combinations or
individually.
[0077] The miniature camera 407 may comprise a set of focusing lenses with the
focusing adjustment capability to allow high quality imaging at different
working distances. The
set of focusing lenses may comprise at least one focusing lens. The focusing
lens or lenses may
also have the optical zooming capability to allow the users to change the
magnification of the
captured images for the desired object at a fixed distance. Actuators such as
voice coils, stepper
motors or other types of actuators may be used to longitudinally translate one
or more or all of
the focusing lenses to change the effective focal length(s) and/or provide
zoom. In various
embodiments, the set of focusing lenses can be configured to be moved or
adjusted, for example,
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longitudinally along the optical axis of the exterior imaging system to adjust
the position of the
entire set of focusing lenses to change the effective focal length of the
exterior imaging system,
thus changing the focus of the eye imaging apparatus for the anterior segment
imaging. In
various embodiments, one or more of the focusing lenses can be configured to
be moved or
adjusted, for example, longitudinally along the optical axis of the exterior
imaging system with
respect to one or more of the other focusing lenses, to change the effective
optical focal length of
the set of focusing lenses, which can change the magnification of the exterior
imaging and can
results in an optical zoom for the anterior segment images.
[0078] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a special illumination configuration
of an exterior
imaging module 560 in various embodiments. The lighting units 505, 506, 508,
509 may be the
same as or similar to the lighting units 405, 406, 408, 409 shown in FIG. 4,
respectively. The
miniature camera 507 may be the same as or similar to the miniature camera 407
of FIG. 4. The
miniature camera 507 can comprise an image sensor 520 and a set of focusing
lenses 522. The
set of focusing lenses 522 can comprise at least one focusing lens. The
lighting units 505 and 506
can comprise the light sources and the light conditioning optics, and can be
configured to project
diverging light beams. The divergent angles of the lighting units 505, 506 may
be wide enough
to cover the objects seen by the imaging sensor 520 in the full field of the
view. The image
sensor 520 can be substantially centered and can be positioned between the
lighting unit 505 and
the lighting unit 506. The optical axes of the lighting units 505 and 506 can
converge at an
optical axis of the miniature camera 507. In FIG. 5, the eye 501 can also be
positioned at the
convergent point of the light beams from the lighting units 505 and 506. The
convergent point of
the light from the lighting units 505 and 506 can be positioned at a distance
between about 40
mm and about 200 mm from the image sensor 507. The eye can be imaged at or
near the center
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of the pictures 502 and 503 which are acquired by the miniature camera 507.
The intensity or
brightness of the light from the lighting unit 505 and 506 can be adjustable,
e.g., manually or
automatically. Two bright spots 510 and 511 may be seen in the picture 502
from the specular
reflection of light off the cornea, which may originate from the lighting
units 505 and 506,
respectively. The optical illumination configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 may
produce a uniform
illumination of the eye 501 when both lighting unit 505 and 506 are turned on,
and may produce
high contrast images when only one lighting unit is turned on. The contrast of
the images may
be adjusted by the ratio of the light intensities from two lighting units 505
and 506. The default
setting may cause identical brightness for the lighting units 505 and 506,
while the brightness can
be adjustable for both units 505, 506.
[0079] The miniature camera 507 may further comprise a focusing sensor which
can
detect the focus status within a specific area, which is the area of a
focusing zone indicated to the
users within the live image window. For example, in a picture 502, a small
color block 512
indicates the area of the focusing zone. The users may select or change the
area of focusing zone
512 by tapping the desired area in the window of live images shown in the
touch screen monitor
of the mobile computing device. The change in the color of the block 512 may
indicate if the
object is in focus or not. In various embodiments, the miniature camera 507
can have two
working modes for focusing: manual and autofocus. If the autofocus mode is
chosen, the
miniature camera 507, through its focus sensor and focusing lens or lenses,
may automatically
focus on the area of the object indicated by the area of the focusing zone. In
some embodiments,
the actuator of the focusing lenses 522 may move one or more of the focusing
lenses 522
longitudinally along the optical axis of the miniature camera 507 with respect
to one or more
other of the focusing lenses 522 to change the sharpness of the optical image,
according to the
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feedback signals from the focusing sensor. The focusing sensor may comprise a
special chip
and/or instructions disposed within the imaging sensor 520. The special chip
and/or instructions
may be based on the measurement of image sharpness of the live images. In some
other
embodiments, the focusing sensor may comprise a number of special pixels in
the image sensor
520 that may detect the focus of the optical images in real time. Because the
display or monitor
used in the imaging apparatus for previewing of live images often has low
display resolution, the
status of precise focus may be determined by the focusing sensor and not by
the sharpness of the
live images on the display. The resulting focusing status can be indicated in
the frame of live
images with a symbol, for example, the color of the focus area 512 or an
audible sound. If the
manual focus mode is selected, it can be used to photograph an object at a
predetermined
focusing distance. In some embodiments, the relative position of the set of
focusing lenses 522
of the miniature camera 507 can be calibrated to provide a predetermined
(fixed) focusing
distance for the miniature camera. To achieve the best focus during the
imaging session, the user
may then move the miniature camera 507 (by holding the eye imaging apparatus)
back and forth
while using the focus sensor indicator 512 as guidance. If the focal length of
the focusing lenses
522 is also fixed, or a focusing lens 522 with fixed focal length is used,
then the optical
magnification of the imaging system may also be fixed in such an arrangement.
With the help of
the focusing sensor, the focusing lenses 522 with a fixed working distance
and/or with a fixed
optical focal length may enable the user to capture images with a fixed
magnification, which can
be important if the geometrical measurement is to be taken later from the
captured images.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 5, the lighting units 508 may be used to provide
special
illumination for the anterior segment of the eye. The lighting unit 508 can be
positioned near the
image sensor 520 at a distance less than the size of the image sensor 520, or
as close as
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physically possible to the miniature camera 507. The special optics may be
used in front of the
lighting unit 508 to generate a focused light beam. The beam waist (the
narrowest part of the
beam or focus of the beam) may be positioned at a predetermined distance
between about 40 mm
and about 200 mm from the miniature camera 507. For example, when a human eye
501 is
positioned at the predetermined distance, the light from the lighting unit 508
may be focused
near the same location, but slightly away from the optical axis of the
miniature camera 507, e.g.,
by a distance from the optical axis less than about 5 mm. The picture 503 can
present a separate
view seen from the miniature camera 507 when the eye is photographed. The
circle 513 in the
center of the picture 503 can indicate the opening of the iris from the eye.
The light beam from
the lighting unit 508 can be focused and projected into the eye from the edge
of the opening of
the iris, which is indicated by spot 514 in the picture 503. The configuration
of FIG. 5 can
provide a special lighting condition called retroillumination. The
retroillumination condition may
allow users to observe eye diseases including a cataract in the eye.
[0081] The lighting unit 509 may also be used to provide another special
illumination for
imaging the anterior segment of the eye. The lighting unit 509 can be
positioned near the image
sensor, e.g., by a distance less than the size of the image sensor, or as
close as physically possible
to the camera 507. The light from the lighting unit 509 may form a divergent
beam, and an
optical axis of the lighting unit can be almost parallel with the optical axis
of the miniature
camera 507. The divergence of the light beam can ensure that the object within
the field of view
of the miniature camera 507 is well illuminated at the working distance. Using
the close
proximity between the light source 509 and the miniature camera 507, such an
illumination
configuration can allow the user to examine objects in narrow spaces or in
closed cavities. When
an eye is imaged at a close distance with illumination from the lighting unit
509, a "shadowless"
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image can be created as shown in the picture 503. The bright spot 515
represents the specular
reflection from the cornea which is originated from the lighting unit 509. The
illumination
condition created by the lighting unit 509 may also be used as the
supplementary "background"
illumination for photographing a cataract in the eye under the
retroillumination. For example,
the focus indication area 516 in the picture 503 may be used to focus
precisely onto the cataract
seen in the crystalline lens. In some embodiments, the lighting unit 509 may
comprise a light
source, for example, a light emitting element, with wavelength in the visible
(about 450nm to
about 700 nm) or invisible (near infrared IR, e.g., about 680nm to about
850nm) spectrum, or
light emitting elements with visible and invisible wavelengths. In some other
embodiments, the
lighting unit 509 may comprise two light emitting elements, one with
wavelength in visible
spectrum and the other in near infrared spectrum. The two light emitting
elements may be
activated separately or simultaneously. When the patient is positioned at a
distance longer than
about 200 mm from the miniature camera 507, the facial image of the patient
under the
illumination from the lighting unit 509 may be used to diagnose a medical
condition known as
amblyopia. Here, the light from the lighting unit 509 may enter the eye of the
patient and
produce a diffused reflection of light from the retina area. When such light
returns through the
irises of the patient, it is often seen as a "red eye" in the facial image. If
the reflections of light
from two eyes are not symmetric as it appears in the openings of the irises,
it may indicate
possible eye problems such as amblyopia. Additional potential applications for
such special
illumination may include photographing cavities in the ear, mouth, and nose of
patients. In other
embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus may comprise the exterior imaging
module comprising
only the lighting unit 508, or only the lighting unit 509.
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[0082] The various embodiments of the exterior imaging module 560 shown in
FIG. 5
may use only a single miniature camera 507. FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) schematically
illustrate an
eye imaging apparatus 600 comprising a second miniature camera 610b with a
second image
sensor 620b in addition to a first miniature camera 607b with a first image
sensor 627b in order
to take stereoscopic images, according to some embodiments. The stereoscopic
images can have
the advantage of displaying depth information, and may be better in
visualizing the transparent
medium, such as the cornea. As shown in FIG. 6(A), lighting units 605a, 606a,
608a, 609a may
function in the same way as the lighting units 405, 406, 408, 409 shown in
FIG. 4. Meanwhile,
the miniature camera 607a may comprise substantially the same optics and may
perform the
same tasks as the miniature camera 407 shown in FIG. 4. A second miniature
camera 610a can
be added near the miniature camera 607a, which can be operated in
synchronization with the
miniature camera 607a. In other words, the shutters for both miniature cameras
607a and 610a
may be opened and closed at substantially same time. Together, the miniature
cameras 607a and
610a may generate pictures resembling the images formed in the two eyes of a
human being
when they are focused at the same object.
[0083] FIG. 6(B) schematically illustrates the illumination for the same
exterior imaging
module shown in FIG. 6(A), in which the lighting unit 605b, the lighting unit
606b, the miniature
camera 607b and the miniature camera 610b are the same as the lighting unit
605a, the lighting
unit 606a, the miniature camera 607a and the miniature camera 610a,
respectively. A
photographed object 601b, e.g., an eye, is located near the convergent point
of light beams from
unit 605b and 606b, as well as at the convergent point of the optical axes of
the two miniature
cameras 607b and 610b. The convergent angle 604b, formed by the optical axes
of the two
miniature cameras 607b and 610b, may be either fixed or adjustable. In some
embodiments in
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which the convergent angle 604b is fixed, the distance between the object 601b
and the imaging
apparatus 600 may be chosen based on the size of the object in pictures 602b
and 603b, as well
as the distance between two miniature cameras 610b and 607b. Depending on the
viewing
conditions of the stereoscopic display system, the convergent angle 604b
typically may be
between about 5 degrees to about 13 degrees. The image 611b from the miniature
camera 607b
and the image 612b from the miniature camera 610b may be combined and
superimposed in one
display 603b. Because both miniature cameras 607b and 610b are focused at the
convergent
point of their optical axes, if the object (e.g., the eye), is not located at
the convergent point, the
images 611b and 612b captured by the miniature cameras 610b and 607b,
respectively, will not
overlap each other, as shown in picture 603b. In order to produce stereoscopic
images with
proper focus and stereopsis, the user may move the imaging apparatus 600 back
and forth in
order to cause the two images 611b, 612b to overlap, as shown in the picture
602b. In the picture
602b, the two bright spots 613b and 614b represent the specular reflections of
light beams from
the lighting unit 606b and 605b as reflected by the cornea of patient 601b.
When the convergent
angle 604b is fixed, the working distance at which the two images captured
from the miniature
cameras 607b and 610b are fully overlapped is also predetermined and fixed.
Therefore, the use
of dual cameras 607b, 610b may not only generate the stereoscopic images for
review, but also
may provide a precise method to set a constant working distance from the
photographed object
601b to the miniature cameras 610b and 607b. Additionally, the images taken at
the constant
working distance may also have the same optical magnification, if the focal
length of the
focusing lenses in front of miniature cameras 610b and 607b are the same. Such
fixed
magnification can be important for many medical applications, because the
geometrical
measurement may be taken later from the captured images. Further, topographic
profiles of the
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photographed objects may be calculated from the stereoscopic image pairs.
Although the focus
of the miniature camera 607b and the miniature camera 610b may be pre-fixed at
the convergent
point of the optical axes of the miniature camera 607b and the miniature
camera 610b, the
miniature cameras 607b, 610b may also be set into auto focus mode during such
operation, and
the focus can be adjustable.
[0084] FIG. 6(B) further schematically illustrates various embodiments of the
hand-held
stereoscopic eye imaging apparatus 600. In some embodiments, the miniature
camera 610b can
be tilted at a convergent angle 604b from the optical axis of miniature camera
607b. In some
other embodiments, the miniature camera 610b can be disposed parallel with the
miniature
camera 607b. Then a small optical component 615b, for example, an optical
wedge, can be
disposed in front of the miniature camera 610b to bend the optical axis of the
miniature camera
610b to satisfy the required convergent angle 604b. The angle of bending may
be adjusted by
the optical component 615b if necessary.
[0085] Because the lighting unit 608a and 609a can be constructed in the same
fashion as
the lighting unit 508 and 509, the miniature camera 607a alone may perform all
of the tasks that
the miniature camera 507 performs under the illumination conditions discussed
above, including,
e.g., the retroillumination and the background illumination. The images may be
mono or
nonstereoscopic. However, when the image from the miniature camera 610a is
added, the
stereoscopic image pairs can be generated, providing depth information to the
user.
[0086] The exact locations of the lighting unit 608a, the lighting unit 609a
and the
miniature camera 610a may not be the same as that shown in FIG. 6(A). For
example, the
miniature camera 610a may be positioned at the right hand side of the
miniature camera 607a
and may still function well. The positions and patterns of the lighting unit
608a, the lighting unit
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609a and the miniature camera 610a may be arranged in other configurations as
well. Any
suitable configuration of the lighting unit 608a, the lighting unit 609a, the
lighting unit 605a, the
lighting unit 606a, the miniature camera 607a and the miniature camera 610a
may be used.
[0087] FIG. 7(A) schematically illustrates some other embodiments of a
stereoscopic
exterior imaging module 760, which may perform the same or similar functions
as the
embodiment shown in FIG. 6(A). The lighting unit 705a, 706a, 708a and 709a may
be the same
as or similar to the lighting unit 605a, 606a, 608a and 609a, and may work in
the same fashion.
The stereoscopic miniature camera pair 710a and 711a can be synchronized and
can work the
same as or similar to the miniature camera pair 607a and 610a in order to
generate the
stereoscopic image pairs. However, the configuration of the stereoscopic
miniature camera
module 760 shown in FIG. 7(A) is different. In FIG. 7(A), the lighting unit
708a and 709a can
be disposed on the same side of the miniature cameras 710a and 711a, while in
FIG. 6(A), the
lighting unit 608a and 609a are illustrating as being disposed on opposite
sides of the miniature
camera 607a and 610a. In FIG. 7(A), the miniature camera 710a and 711a may be
disposed
symmetrically about the optical axis of the eye. By contrast, in FIG. 6(A),
the miniature camera
607a may be disposed along the optical axis of the eye, and the miniature care
610a may be
disposed at a distance to the optical axis of the eye. The locations of the
lighting unit 705a, 706a,
708a and 709a and the miniature camera 710a and 711a may have other variations
as well. For
example, the lighting unit 708a and 709a may be disposed below the miniature
cameras 710a and
711a instead of above the miniature cameras 710a and 711a.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 7(B), in some embodiments, special optics 712b may be
placed
in front of the miniature camera 710b and 711b, which may be the same as or
similar to
miniature cameras as 610a and 611a shown in FIG. 6(A). The lighting units
705b, 706b and
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708b may be the same as or similar to the lighting units 705a, 706a and 708a.
The exterior
imaging module can comprise the miniature cameras 710b and 711b, which can be
disposed with
their optical axes in parallel but can separated by a distance from the
special optics 712b. The
special optics 712b may cause the bending of optical axes of the miniature
cameras 710b and
711b symmetrically to form a convergent angle 704b. The special optics 712b
may be in the
form of spherical-plano lens or double wedge prism. The optical bending power
of the special
optics 712b may be either fixed or adjustable, resulting in a fixed or an
adjustable convergent
angle 704b. FIG. 7(B) further schematically illustrates some other embodiments
of the
stereoscopic exterior imaging module 760 with the fixed convergent angle 704b.
The convergent
angle 704b can be formed by tilting the optical axes of the miniature camera
713b and the
miniature camera 714b.
[0089] FIG. 8(A) schematically illustrates more embodiments for the
stereoscopic
exterior imaging module 860. The exterior imaging module 860 formed by the
lighting unit
805a, 806a, 808a, 809a and the miniature camera 810a and 811a can behave the
same or similar
to the exterior imaging module with the lighting unit 705a, 706a, 708a, 709a
and the miniature
camera 710a and 711a shown in FIG. 7(A). However, the locations of the
lighting units shown in
FIG. 8 may be different from the lighting units illustrated in FIG. 7(A). In
FIG. 8(A), two
lighting elements can be used for the lighting unit 808a to increase the
luminance on the object.
In some other embodiments in FIG. 8(B), one stereoscopic imaging module 860,
comprising the
lighting unit 805b, 806b, 809b and the miniature camera 810b, 811b, can be
combined with a
mono imaging module 870, comprising the lighting unit 808b, 809b and the
miniature camera
807b. The lighting unit 809b may be used in the stereoscopic imaging module
860 and the mono
imaging module 870. The lighting unit 808b can produce a focused light beam
for the
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retroillumination application. Under the illumination of the divergent light
beam from the
lighting unit 809b, the mono camera 807b may be used in imaging applications
where
stereoscopic images are not desired. The emitted light from the lighting unit
808b may be visible
or invisible to human eyes. The miniature camera 807b may also be operated in
manual focus or
auto-focus mode. The stereoscopic imaging modules 860 shown in FIG. 8(A) and
FIG. 8(B),
comprising the miniature camera 810a, 811a and 810b, 811b, may be constructed
from the
optical design similar to that described above for the miniature camera 710b
and 711b, or 713b
and 714b in FIG. 7(B).
[0090] Various embodiments of the eye imaging apparatus including an exterior
imaging
module include a method of imaging an anterior segment of an eye. The method
of imaging an
anterior segment of an eye can comprise illuminating an anterior segment of an
eye by a first
lighting unit comprising a first light source and a second lighting unit
comprising a second light
source. The method can include receiving an image of the anterior segment of
the eye by using
an image sensor. The optical axes of the first and the second light sources
can converge at the
anterior segment of the eye. The image sensor can be positioned between the
first light source
and the second light source. The method further comprises controlling the
first light source, the
second light source and the image sensor by using a hand-held mobile computing
device.
Moreover, the method can comprise receiving and transmitting the image by
using the mobile
computing device. In some embodiments, the method of imaging the anterior
segment can
comprise illuminating the eye by using a lighting unit comprising a light
source near the image
sensor. The lighting unit can be configured to generate a focused light beam.
The method
further can comprise directing the focused light beam to position a beam waist
at an edge of an
opening of an iris of the eye to provide retroillumination, and using a hand-
held computing
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device to control the light source and the image sensor in addition to
receiving and transmitting
the image. In some embodiments, the method of imaging an anterior segment of
an eye can
comprise illuminating the eye by using a light source with a divergent light
beam dispersed
closely near the image sensor, and directing the light source with its optical
axis almost in
parallel with the image sensor to provide background illumination. The method
can further
comprise controlling the light source, receiving and transmitting the image by
using the hand-
held computing device. In some embodiments, the method of imaging an anterior
segment of an
eye can further comprise receiving a second image of the anterior segment of
the eye by using a
second image sensor, and controlling the second image sensor by using the hand-
held mobile
computing device. A first optical axis of the first image sensor and a second
optical axis of the
second image sensor can form a convergent angle to generate a stereoscopic
image.
[0091] The hand-held eye imaging apparatus may comprise the front imaging
module
only, or both the front imaging module and the exterior imaging modules, or a
portion of the
exterior imaging modules. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus may also
comprise only the
exterior imaging module in various embodiments. The eye imaging apparatus may
be capable of
imaging both the posterior segment of the eye (for example, the retina), and
the anterior segment
of the eye (for example, the cornea). The eye imaging apparatus may be used as
a hand-held
imaging apparatus to perform eye disease screen including, e.g., retina
diseases and/or cornea
diseases.
[0092] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a disposable package 901 for the hand-
held eye
imaging apparatus 900, according to some embodiments. Because the optical
window of the
front imaging module may be in contact with the patient's cornea in various
embodiments, the
optical window and nearby areas should be disinfected before and after each
imaging session,
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often with rubbing alcohol. A small amount of optically clear gel can also be
applied to the
cornea of the patient's eye and the optical window prior to each imaging
session. The disposable
package 901 of the hand-held eye imaging apparatus may comprise sufficient
index matching gel
inside a small hollow tube 903 and two patches 902 and 906, e.g., patches 902,
906 filled with
alcohol. As the content of package 901 may be used for one imaging session
only, the package
901 can be sterilized during the manufacturing process and can be kept
sterilized. Before being
used, one side of the package 901 may be cut or tom open, allowing one of the
two alcohol
patches 902 to be ejected from the package 901 along with the small hollow
tube 903. The
alcohol patch 902 may be used to disinfect the optical window and the front
end of the housing
of the eye imaging apparatus before each imaging session. The tube 903 may
comprise plastic or
other materials. The tube 903 may be bent behind the alcohol patch 902 during
the
manufacturing process and stored inside the package. When part of package is
cut open, the tube
903 may be released like a spring and ejected out of the package. As shown in
the FIG. 9, one
end of the tube 903 may comprise an end cap 904 while the other end may be
sealed (glued) into
a flexible but sealed container (bottle) 905 that stores the index matching
gel therein. Care may
be taken to ensure that the container 905 and the tube 903 are filled with the
index matching gel
sufficiently full, and that there are no air bubbles in the gel. After the end
cap 904 is cut off, the
gel may be squeezed out from the end of the tube 903 by compressing on the top
of the container
905. After the imaging session is finished, another side of the disposable
package may be cut or
torn off to expose the second alcohol patch 906. Both alcohol patches 902, 906
and the package
901 may be disposed after a single use.
[0093] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates other embodiments of a disposable
package 1001
of the eye imaging apparatus. The container for the index matching gel 1005
can be disposed at
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one end of the package 1001, instead of in the middle of the package 901 shown
in FIG. 9 above.
A portion of the flexible tube 1003 can be bent and disposed between the two
alcohol patches
1002, 1006 in the package 1001 during manufacturing. When one side of the
package 1001 is cut
or torn off, the release of the bent flexible tube 1003 can push the first
alcohol patch 1002 out of
the package 1001. When the end cap 1004 is cut off, the index matching gel may
be release by
squeezing the container 1005. The second alcohol patch 1006 may be pushed out
from the
package 1001, or can be exposed when an additional cut or tear is made.
[0094] The optical window and surrounding area may not only be disinfected by
the
alcohol before and after each imaging session, but also may be soaked into a
bleach-based
chemicals solution regularly for more thorough treatment. A disposable package
1100 of single
use for such disinfection treatment is shown in FIG. 11, which may be used
conveniently and
directly onto the eye imaging apparatus 1105. The disposable kit may comprise
a cup 1101,
disinfectant 1103 and sanitation patch 1104 (e.g., an alcohol patch), which
can be sterilized and
wrapped into a compact package and ready to be used at the site. The cup 1101
may comprise
plastic or other light weighted and flexible materials, and the size of the
cup 1101 may be
configured to match the profile of the eye imaging apparatus 1105. The rim of
the cup 1102 may
comprise a rubber like material and can act like a rubber band when the cup
1101 is fit onto the
eye imaging apparatus 1105. The disinfectant 1103 may be stored in a sealed
package and
released to the cup 1101 after the seal of the package is cut or torn off.
When the cup 1101 is
disposed under the optical window of the eye imaging apparatus 1105, the
optical window may
be submerged under the disinfectant. The tightened rim of the cup 1102 may
form a seal around
the front portion of the housing of the eye imaging apparatus 1105, and
prevent the liquid from
accidentally spilling. After the disinfection process is finished, the alcohol
patch 1104 may be
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taken out of its sealed package and used to clean up the chemical residue on
the surface of
apparatus 1105. In some embodiments, the package of the sealed disinfectant
1103 and the
alcohol patch 1104 can be placed under the bottom of the cup 1101 in the
manufacturing process.
It may help to save packaging space when multiple of such disposable kits are
stacked up in a
larger shipping box. However, the packages for the disinfectant 1103 and
alcohol patch 1104
may also be placed inside the cup and/or against the bottom of the cup.
[0095] FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a networking eye imaging system 1200
comprising a hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201, similar to the apparatus
100 shown in FIG.
1. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201 may be used in an eye imaging
system. In the eye
imaging system 1200, the images of the eye of the patient and related patient
information can be
captured and/or received by the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201 and can
be input into an
image computing module 1202 stored in an image storage module 1203. The images
and/or
other patient information can be shared and/or reviewed through an image
review module 1204
by different medical professionals at the same or different locations. In
various embodiments,
the eye imaging system 1200 can comprise the hand-held eye imaging apparatus
1201, the
image computing module 1202, the image storage module 1203 and the separate
image review
module 1204. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201, the image computing
module 1202,
the image storage module 1203 and the image review module 1204 may have their
own power
supply/batteries, although the batteries for the eye imaging apparatus 1201,
the image computing
module 1202, the image storage module 1203 and the image review module 1204
may be
charged automatically when the eye imaging apparatus and different image
modules are
connected to each other. For example, the battery in the eye imaging apparatus
1201 may be
automatically recharged by the larger battery in the imaging module 1202 when
the eye imaging
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apparatus 1201 is placed inside a carrying case 1205 and/or connected to the
imaging module
1202 through an interconnect, such as a USB cable. The recharging process may
be stopped
when the battery reaches the full capacity of the battery.
[0096] The eye imaging apparatus 1201 may be carried by the user in a small
carrying
case 1205 with a handle because the apparatus 1201 is relatively compact and
easy for the user to
carry. For example, in some embodiments, a carrying case can have dimensions
less than about
600 mm x 400 mm x 300 mm and can weigh less than about 15 kg.. In some
embodiments, for
example, the carrying case (with or without the handheld device inside) can be
between (600 mm
and 300 mm) x (400 mm and 200 mm) x (300 and 150 mm). Also, the carrying case
1205 can
weigh between about 10 kg and about 15 kg in some arrangements, or between
about 5 kg and
about 15 kg, in some embodiments. Sizes outside these ranges for the eye
imaging system 1200
and the carrying case 1205 are also possible.
[0097] The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201 and the image computing module
1202 may be stored in the carrying case 1205 and carried away by the user. The
carrying case
1205 may comprise a power supply, which may be connected with the external
power source, an
extra battery 1206 and the disposable package discussed above. The extra
battery 1206 may be
placed under the bottom of the case 1205. The extra battery 1206 can be used
to charge the
batteries in the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201 and the image computing
module 1202
when they are stored in or connected with the case 1205. The eye imaging
apparatus 1201 can
be configured to operate for a long period of time without accessing an
external power source by
charging through the extra battery 1206, which may have a lager capacity.
[0098] The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201 may temporarily store the
captured
images in a memory in the eye imaging apparatus 1201. The captured images may
also be
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immediately transferred to the image computing module 1202, e.g., by wired or
wireless
communication system. The wireless transmission can comprise any suitable
wireless protocol,
such as WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. The transmission of images from the eye imaging
apparatus 1201
to the image computing module 1202 may be in the form of still images and/or
live video
images, with or without using the real time image compression process. When
the live video is
transmitted, the live images captured by the eye imaging apparatus 1201 may be
viewed on the
display monitor of the image computing module 1202 in real-time. The live
images from the eye
imaging apparatus 1201 may also be viewed on one or more external display
monitors of a larger
size, such as monitors1207 and 1208, which receive the video signal from the
image computing
module 1202. The images from the eye imaging apparatus 1201 may further be
processed in the
image computing module 1202 to improve the image quality. Then the images may
be displayed
and/or recorded, together with other related information of the patient, in
the image computing
module 1202. Thus, the user may capture the images with the smaller hand-held
eye imaging
apparatus 1201, while viewing the live video at a larger display monitor from
the image
computing module 1202, or one or more large display devices, such as monitors
1207 and 1208,
associated with the image review module 1204. The larger display monitors
1207, 1208
associated with the image review module 1204 may also be viewed by a larger
group of people
at more convenient locations. The data transmission between the eye imaging
apparatus 1201
and the image computing module 1202 can be bidirectional. For example, the
data transmission
can also allow the related patient information to be passed from the image
computing module
1202 to the eye imaging apparatus 1201 and synchronized. The recording of the
images in the
image computing module 1202 can comprise still images and/or video clips,
depending on the
need of the user. The video and still images may share the same
format/resolution or have
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different resolutions. The recorded images in the image computing module 1202
may be stored
in a database, which may in some embodiments be temporary in nature.
[0099] The image storage module 1203 may comprise a relatively permanent
storage of
the images and the related patient information. The image storage module 1203
may be disposed
in a secure location for ensuring the safety of the data. The data
exchange/synchronization
between the image computing modules 1202 and the image storage module 1203 may
be carried
out by a wired or a wireless communication system. The storage devices in the
image storage
module 1203 may have the extra-large capacity and redundancy to protect the
data. The image
storage module 1203 can have a database to store data from a single device or
multiple devices
of the image computing module 1202. The image review module 1204 may comprise
a display
device attached to the image storage module 1203, or a detachable computing
device in
communication with with the image storage module 1203, for example, by a wired
or wireless
communication system. In some embodiments, the image review module 1204 may
comprise
one or more detachable or separate display devices with a wireless connection
capability, for
example, one or more tablet PCs. The users may use one or more devices of the
image review
module 1204 to review the patient information and images at a distance from
the image storage
module 1203.
[00100] The eye imaging apparatus 1201 may store the images, e.g.,
still and/or
video streams, while broadcasting the video/live images to multiple display
devices 1207 and
1208 directly without the image computing module 1202. In some embodiments,
the user may
also operate the eye imaging apparatus 1201 without the computing module 1202,
and may
directly transfer the images to the image storage module 1203 for safe
storage. In some other
embodiments, network storage 1209 (e.g., the Internet) may be used to store
the image and other
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patient data. The images from the eye imaging apparatus 1201 and the image
computing module
1202 may be directly transmitted out through the wired or wireless connection
to the network
instead of using the local storage. Such data transmission can also be bi-
directional. The data
from the network storage 1209 may also be downloaded to and synchronized with
the eye
imaging apparatus 1201 or the image computing module 1202. The images and
patient
information stored in the image storage module 1203 may be synchronized with
the database in
the network storage 1209 such that the images and patient information may be
shared in an even
larger patient pool.
[00101] In various embodiments, the color images from the database in
the eye
imaging apparatus 1201, the image computing module 1202 or the image storage
module 1203
may be printed out from a color printer 1210, while the patient information
may be optionally
printed out from a report printer 1211. The transmission among the one or more
printers 1210,
1211, the eye imaging apparatus 1201, the image computing module 1202 and the
image storage
module 1203 may be through the wired or wireless connection. The printer 1210
and 1211 may
also comprise stand-alone printers. An additional color printer 1212 may be
placed in the
carrying case 1205 for printing color photographs for convenience. Extra
storage space 1213
may also be provided in the carrying case 1205 for additional optics and other
accessories such
as the disposable package described above.
[00102] The eye imaging system may have various embodiments with
different
configurations, setups and arrangements. FIG. 13 schematically illustrates
some other
embodiments of the networking eye imaging system 1300. To enable the
convenience of being
used in clinical and surgical rooms, the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1301
can be placed on
a mobile cart 1315. The cart 1315 can be built with multiple shelves and
wheels in order to
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store multiple devices and to allow easy maneuvering in tight spaces. The
carrying case 1305
may be placed on one of the shelves with the eye imaging apparatus 1301 stored
inside the
carrying case 1305. The user may take out the entire case 1305 from the cart
1315 and use the
case 1305 in other locations, or may use the case 1305 for storage in the cart
1315. The image
computing module 1302 and the extra battery 1306 may also be placed in the
carrying case 1305
and may be used in the same manner as described in the above paragraphs. When
the carrying
case 1305 is placed on the shelf of the cart 1315, a power cord of the case
may be connected
directly into the electric power supply system of the cart; the battery of the
case 1305 may be
recharged automatically. In some embodiments, the display monitor 1316 may
comprise a
display device of the image review module 1304. The display monitor 1316 may
be used to
display both live and still images, and also may display the patient-related
information. In some
other embodiments, the display monitor 1316 may also comprise a display
monitor of the image
computing module 1302. An information input device 1317 may be placed on the
shelf of the
cart 1315 to allow the users to input the patient information into and
navigate through the image
computing module 1302. The input device 1317 may, for example, be a mouse,
keyboard or a
touch screen monitor connected to the image computing module 1302. The
connection or
information exchange between the input device 1317 and the display device 1316
may be by
wired or wireless communication system. The image storage module 1303 may be
used to store
the patient information and images permanently. The printing device 1310 may
be used to print
out color images, and/or a medical report at the site. The device 1310 may
comprise one printer
or a plurality of printers depending on the needs of the user. A power
conditioning unit 1318
may be used to supply electric power to the hand-held eye imaging apparatus
130, the image
computing module 1302, the image storage module 1303 and the image review
module 1304 on
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the cart 1315 as required by the medical regulations, and to provide
undisrupted power supply
when the cart 1315 is disconnected from the electric main power. In various
embodiments,
there may be no need to use all elements shown in FIG. 12.
[00103] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of the networking eye
imaging
system 1400 comprising a hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1480 in various
embodiments. The
eye imaging apparatus 1480 may comprise a hand-held computing device 1401, for
example, a
modified smart phone, as well as an electronic system built around the hand-
held computing
device in some embodiments. The electronic system may be configured to further
expand the
control capability and flexibility of the hand-held computing device 1401. In
various
embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus 1480 may comprise a front imaging
module 1421 for
imaging the posterior segment of the eye. The front imaging module 1421 may
comprise an
imaging sensor 1402 and a light source 1403. In some embodiments, the imaging
sensor 1402
and the light source 1403 may communicate with the hand-held computing device
1401 through
the standard data bus, which can include MIPI serial or DVP parallel output
interface for the
image sensor 1402 and a communication/driving port for the light source 1403.
In various
embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus 1480 may further comprise an exterior
imaging module
1422. In some embodiments, the exterior imaging module 1422 may optionally
comprise two
image sensors 1405, 1407 and two lighting units 1406, 1408. The two image
sensors 1405, 1407
and two lighting units 1406, 1408 may, for example, interface with the hand-
held computing
device 1401 through a multiplexing module 1404 in some embodiments. The
multiplexing
module 1404 may be built around the standard data bus for digital image
sensors/lighting
devices, which allows interaction between the hand-held computing device 1401
with individual
image sensor and light source. The multiplexing module 1404 can act like a
digital switcher, and
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can expand the number of the image sensors and lighting sources to which the
hand-held
computing device 1401 may have access. Additionally, the control of the
multiplexing module
1404 may be realized through the standard input/output ports already built
into the standard data
bus and/or by the hand-held computing device 1401 directly. The standard data
bus may also
comprise the serial or parallel port other than MIPI and DVP as long as it
provides the digital
interface required for transmitting digital images. The data bus may also
comprise the
interface/channels for controlling a focus motor or other actuator used in the
front imaging
module 1421 and the exterior imaging module 1422 in various embodiments.
Although only two
imaging modules (which comprise the image sensor 1402, the image sensor 1405,
the image
sensor 1407, the light source 1403, the lighting unit 1406 and/or the lighting
unit 1406) are
shown in FIG. 14, additional imaging modules, image sensors, and/or light
sources are possible
and may be added to the configuration. The front imaging module 1421 and/or
the exterior
imaging module 1422 may comprise any reasonable number of image sensors or
light sources.
The eye imaging apparatus 1480 may comprise only the front imaging module 1421
or only the
exterior imaging module 1422 in some other embodiments.
[00104] In order to further expand the control capability and
flexibility of the eye
imaging apparatus 1480, the eye imaging apparatus 1480 may further comprise an
adaptation
module 1409. The adaptation module 1409 can be connected to the hand-held
computing device
1401 through the standard interface ports of the hand-held computing device
1401, which often
are built around the standard USB port. The adaptation module 1409 may
comprise a
microcontroller and a signal processing unit. In some embodiments, the
adaptation module 1409
may be configured to adapt the hand-held computing device 1401 to control the
image sensors
1402, 1405, 1407 and the light sources 1403, 1406, 1408 through the standard
interface ports of
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the hand-held computing device 1401, while the standard interface ports of the
hand-held
computing device 1401 may not control the image sensors and the light sources
without the
adaptation module 1409. Therefore, the imaging sensor 1402 and the light
source 1403 may
interface with the hand-held computing device 1401 through the adaptation
module 1409 in
some embodiments.
[00105] The eye imaging apparatus 1400 may further comprise a driver
module
1410. When the light sources in the eye imaging apparatus 1400 are more
powerful than a
conventional light source in a hand-held mobile computing device 1401 (for
example, an original
light source in a smart phone), the driver module 1410 may be used to power
and drive more
powerful light sources. In some embodiments, the driver module 1410 may be
connected to the
light source 1403, the lighting unit 1406, and the lighting unit 1408. The
driver module 1410
may be powered by the battery in the hand-held computing device 1401 or by a
separate battery
1411 with larger capacity and larger driver current. The hand-held mobile
computing device
1401 may control the light source 1403, the lighting units 1406, 1408, and the
driver module
1410 through the input/output ports of the adaptation module 1409. The
multiplexing module
1404 may also be controlled through either the driver module 1410, or directly
from the
input/output ports of the adaptation module 1409. Because the latency in the
USB type of
interface may be rather large, the light source 1403, the lighting unit 1406,
and/or the lighting
unit 1408 may be controlled through the interaction between the driver module
1410 and the
standard data bus directly from the hand-held computing device 1401. For
example, setting the
status and power may be provided by the driver module 1410, while the real
time trigger may be
synchronized by the existing digital input/output ports for the lighting
device in the standard data
bus of the hand-held computing device 1401.
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[00106] As shown in FIG. 14, the live images captured by the imaging
sensors
1402, 1405, 1407 may be transmitted to the hand-held computing device 1401,
e.g., in the RAW
data format. The live images may be processed and calibrated to form the
standard video stream,
which may be displayed on the small touch screen display of the hand-held
computing device
1401. The same video stream may be transmitted out of the hand-held computing
device 1401 in
real time, with or without going through a video compression process, and may
be received by
the image computing module 1412. The real time video stream may be displayed
on touch screen
display of the imaging apparatus 1400 and/or on an external display device in
an image review
module 1413. The real time images may be viewed on either display devices,
thus allowing the
users to perform pre-view functions when the video latency is minimized.
Depending on the
type of the shutters used by the imaging sensors 1402, 1405 and 1407, the
light from the light
source 1403, the lighting unit 1406 and the lighting unit 1408 may be
continuous or may be
pulsed in order to be synchronized with the opening of the shutters. The video
stream may also
be recorded by either the hand-held computing device 1401 or the image
computing module
1412. The video stream may also be transmitted directly to the external
display device in the
image review module 1413 without being relayed by the image computing module
1412. A
backup version of video stream may also be sent to the image storage module
1414. The data
transmission or exchange among the imaging apparatus 1400, the image computing
module
1412, the image review module 1413 and the image storage module 1414, or any
combination
thereof, may be carried out through the wired or wireless communication
system.
[00107] When the users trigger the shutters to take still images, the
imaging
sensors 1402, 1405, 1407 may be reset with different sensitivity and
resolutions. The light
output from the light source 1403, the lighting unit 1406, and the lighting
unit 1408 may also be
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reset to correspond to the new status of the imaging sensors 1402, 1405, 1407
and to be
synchronized with the shutters. The data of the images, which may be in a RAW
format, may be
sent to the hand-held computing device 1401 from the imaging sensors 1402,
1405, 1407 and
pre-processed by the image processing pipeline in order to produce high
quality still images. An
image processing unit, which may be specific to the type of objects that the
images capture, may
process the images in the hand-held computing device 1401 or in the image
computing module
1412. The final composite images can be displayed on the display screen of the
image computing
module 1412 or on the external display device of the image review module 1413
for the user to
review. The relatively permanent storage of the images can be kept in the
image storage module
1414.
[00108] The image storage module 1014 may comprise a computer
database which
is configured to store a copy of the complete information, comprising the
location and
identification of the eye imaging apparatus 1480, the patient's personal and
medical information
and/or time stamps/exposure parameters. The initial data entry and the
updating of the patient
information may be carried out at the hand-held computing device 1401 or the
image computing
module 1412. As shown in FIG 10, the information can then be automatically
updated and
synchronized among any of the hand-held computing device 1401, the image
computing module
1412, the image review module 1413 and the image storage module 1414, or
combinations
thereof.
[00109] Various embodiments of the networking eye imaging system
disclose a
method of method of imaging an eye by using a networking eye imaging system.
The method
can comprise imaging an eye by using a hand-held eye imaging apparatus,
transferring the image
to an image computing module, storing the image in an image storage module
with a database,
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and displaying the image on an image review module including a large display
monitor or at
least a monitor larger than from on the hand-held device in some embodiments.
Imaging an eye
by using a hand-held eye imaging apparatus can comprise illuminating the eye
by using a light
source inside a housing, receiving an image of the eye by using an image
sensor, controlling the
light source and the image sensor by using a hand-held computing device inside
the housing,
receiving and transmitting the image by using the hand-held computing device.
In some
embodiments, the method of imaging an eye by using a networking eye imaging
system may
comprise imaging both the posterior segment and the anterior segment of an eye
by using a hand-
held eye imaging apparatus. The method can comprise illuminating the posterior
segment by
using a first light source inside a housing, and receiving a first image of
the posterior segment by
using a first image sensor. The method can further comprise illuminating the
anterior segment by
using a second light source, and receiving a second image of the anterior
segment by using a
second image sensor. The method can comprise controlling the first and the
second light source
and the first and the second image sensor by using a hand-held computing
device, and receiving
and transmitting the first and the second image by using the hand-held
computing device. The
method can further comprise transferring the first and the second image to an
image computing
module, storing the first and the second image in an image storage module with
a database, and
displaying the first and the second image on an image review module including
a large display
monitor, such as a display larger than that on the hand-held imaging device in
some
embodiments.
[00110] While the present invention has been disclosed in exemplary
embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate
that many additions,
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deletions and modifications to the disclosed embodiment and its variations may
be implemented
without departing from the scope of the invention.
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