An imaging system may include a panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus that includes a disposable component configured to rest against a cornea of a patient, and an objective optical device configured to direct a continuous panoramic image of an entire circumference of an iridocorneal angle of the patient on an intermediate imaging plane, and a relay lens configured to direct the continuous panoramic image from the intermediate imaging plane to a sensor such that the sensor captures the entire circumference of the iridocorneal angle at once. The imaging system may also include a computing device in communication with the panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus, where the computing device configured to display an image of the entire circumference of the iridocorneal angle.

FIELD

The application relates generally to devices for panoramic gonioscopic imaging of the eye.

BACKGROUND

The iridocorneal angle, or angle between the cornea and the iris at the point where the two meet, is useful in diagnosing and managing several medical conditions. The iridocorneal angle is typically evaluated using gonioscopy, a physician-performed procedure involving a gonioscopy prism that is placed against the anesthetized patient cornea and aligned with a slit lamp microscope.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus including a disposable lens which is configured to rest against a cornea of a patient or against an optically clear fluid on the cornea of the patient. The apparatus may include an objective optical device configured to place a continuous panoramic image of an iridocorneal angle of the patient on an intermediate imaging plane and a relay lens configured to relay the continuous panoramic image from the intermediate imaging plane to a sensor. The objective optical device may be reflective or refractive. The relay lens may include an aperture or shutter.

One or more additional embodiments of the present disclosure may include an imaging system that may include a panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus that includes a disposable component configured to rest against a cornea of a patient, and an objective optical device configured to direct a continuous panoramic image of an entire circumference of an iridocorneal angle of the patient on an intermediate imaging plane, and a relay lens configured to direct the continuous panoramic image from the intermediate imaging plane to a sensor such that the sensor captures the entire circumference of the iridocorneal angle at once. The imaging system may also include a computing device in communication with the panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus, where the computing device configured to display an image of the entire circumference of the iridocorneal angle.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, devices for panoramic gonioscopic imaging of the eye. Gonioscopy usually involves a physician placing a gonioscopy prism against the anesthetized patient cornea and aligning it with a slit lamp microscope. The gonioscopy prism typically has 4 to 6 flat prism mirrors, each allowing the physician to view one portion of the circumferential iridocorneal angle tissue. The physician looks through each mirror sequentially in order to evaluate the full 360 degrees of the iridocorneal angle, which is time-consuming, technically difficult, and uncomfortable for the patient. The physician makes notes using standardized notations for gonioscopic evaluation. While slit lamp smart phone adapters exist to allow photographic imaging of the iridocorneal angle via gonioscopy, several photos must be taken and stitched together to provide a panoramic view of the iridocorneal angle. This requires processing power, is prone to alignment error, and introduces a delay between each photo. A continuous photographic evaluation of the 360 degrees of the iridocorneal angle (e.g., capturing the entire circumference of the iridocorneal angle in a single image) would improve medical eye care by providing an objective, repeatable, detailed, comprehensive, and simple way to evaluate the iridocorneal angle, either as a supplement to, or in place of, physician gonioscopic evaluation.

For example, a disposable component like a steep, curved disposable lens may be placed against a patient's cornea or on a thin layer of optically clear fluid upon the cornea of a patient. The disposable component may allow light from a full 360 degrees of the iridocorneal angle to escape the eye (e.g., a ring of light depicting the entire iridocorneal angle about the entire eye). The light from the 360 degrees of the iridocorneal angle may then pass through a rotationally symmetric objective lens or be reflected by a rotationally symmetric reflective device which may direct the light to an intermediate imaging plane. The light from the 360 degrees of the iridocorneal angle may form a panoramic image of the iridocorneal angle at the intermediate imaging plane (e.g., in a ring shape). A relay lens (which may or may not also be rotationally symmetric) may transmit the intermediate panoramic image of the iridocorneal angle to a sensor which may capture the panoramic image of the full iridocorneal angle.

FIGS.1A and1Billustrate example images of the entire circumference of an iridocorneal angle, in a circular representation and in a linear representation, respectively. For example, an image100amay represent the circular image captured of the entire iridocorneal angle. An image100bmay represent the entire iridocorneal angle in a linear manner, rather than in a circle. For example, image processing may be applied to the image100ato break the ring along a radial line and stretch, skew, etc. the image100ato present the circular image of100ain the linear representation100bofFIG.1B.

FIG.2Aillustrates an example gonioscopic imaging apparatus200a, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The gonioscopic imaging apparatus200amay include a disposable component240, an objective optical device250, a relay lens270, a sensor290, and/or one or more illumination sources295(such as295a/b).

In some embodiments, the disposable component240may include a disposable lens (such as a disposable contact lens), an optically neutral window or sleeve, etc. In some embodiments, the disposable component240may rest upon a cornea210of the eye of the patient. There may be a thin layer of optically clear fluid such as natural tear film of the eye or a synthetic lubrication fluid between the disposable component240and the cornea210. The iridocorneal angle230is formed at the point where the iris220and the cornea210meet. Light rays211that reflect off the iridocorneal angle230to permit imaging of the iridocorneal angle230would normally be trapped within the eye by total internal reflection due to the sharp angle at which the light rays211contact the surface of the cornea210. Contact between the cornea210and the disposable component240, however, may allow the light rays211to escape the eye, making imaging of the iridocorneal angle230possible.

In some embodiments, the light rays211may be received at the objective optical device250from the disposable component240. The objective optical device may be shaped and configured to transmit the light rays211for imaging the iridocorneal angle230from the disposable component240to an intermediate imaging plane260where the light rays211may form a ring-shaped image of the entire iridocorneal angle230about the entire eye.

The objective optical device250may take a variety of shapes and configurations.FIGS.3A-3B and4A-4Billustrate various embodiments of the object optical device250. InFIG.2A, the objective optical device250is shown only as an element of the gonioscopic imaging apparatus200alocated between the disposable component240and the intermediate imaging plane260. In some embodiments, the objective optical device250may include a plurality of lenses and/or mirrors. When imaging the iridocorneal angle230, the objective optical device250may transmit, direct, reflect, or otherwise convey the light rays211for imaging the iridocorneal angle230to the intermediate imaging plane260, but this is not a limit to its functionality. The objective optical device250may contain a central area and a peripheral area. The peripheral area of the objective optical device250may transmit, direct, reflect, or otherwise convey the image of the iridocorneal angle230to the intermediate imaging plane260, and the central area of the objective optical device250may do the same or may be used for another purpose, such as imaging the iris220, the lens of the eye (not shown), and/or the surrounding tissue of the iris and lens.

In some embodiments, the relay lens270may transmit the image of the iridocorneal angle230as rendered at the intermediate imaging plane260to a sensor290. The relay lens270may include an aperture280which may act as a shutter for the sensor290. In some embodiments, the aperture280may act as a baffle or other optically limiting device to limit the image being captured such that the image is focused on the iridocorneal angle230.

In some embodiments, the central area of the objective optical device250and/or the relay lens270may contain a central imaging pathway for imaging the iris, lens, and/or adjacent tissues in the eye. The central imaging pathway may use the same sensor290and/or optical components as the light rays211for imaging the iridocorneal angle230. Additionally or alternatively, the objective optical device250and/or the relay lens270may be hollow or otherwise have a void in material through the central region of the gonioscopic imaging apparatus200a. In these and other embodiments, the central imaging pathway may include a separate sensor and/or one or more separate optical components. In some embodiments, the hollow or void in the central area of the objective optical device250may additionally or alternatively contain structural elements. For example, the central area of the objective lens could be used for nesting different optical components of the objective optical device250or it could contain structural elements for positioning the gonioscopic imaging apparatus200a.

In some embodiments, the gonioscopic imaging apparatus200amay have the ability to image panoramic views of the entire circumference of the iridocorneal angle230using a single imaging pathway. The objective optical device250may be rotationally symmetric about an axis extending outwards from the pupil of the eye, thereby permitting imaging of the entire iridocorneal angle230. The objective optical device250may have a donut-shaped field of view. For example, the objective optical device250may take the form of an asphere or a toroidal surface. With a donut-shaped, rotationally symmetric field of view, the objective optical device250may transmit to the intermediate imaging plane260the light rays211from a full three hundred and sixty degrees of the iridocorneal angle230. In such a case, the intermediate imaging plane260may receive a panoramic image of the iridocorneal angle230. In some embodiments, the panoramic image may also include the zonules when the pupil of the eye is adequately dilated. For example, the image of the iridocorneal angle and/or images from the central region of the objective optical device250may facilitate capturing images of the zonules.

In some embodiments, the intermediate image plane260may represent the field stop version of the image of the iridocorneal angle230. For example, one or more walls, baffles, etc. may be used to constrict and/or otherwise limit the light rays211provided to the relay lens270to be those which depict the iridocorneal angle230at the intermediate image plane260.

In some embodiments, illumination sources295may provide any type of illumination to the iridocorneal angle230and/or the eye generally to facilitate imaging of the iridocorneal angle230and/or other parts of the eye. Such illumination may be diffuse, patterned, or combinations thereof. For example, the illumination may be provided by a continuous circumferential light source (such as a ring of adjacent sources, or a non-circumferential light source that is optically projected as a circumferential source using optical components) or by multiple distinct point sources. The illumination may be coaxial with the imaging pathway or non-coaxial, or a combination of illumination sources providing illumination in both coaxial and non-coaxial pathways. For example, the illumination may comprise coaxial diffuse illumination and angled patterned illumination.

In some embodiments, a separate illumination source295may be directed through the pupil of the eye to induce constriction of the pupil. The separate illumination source295may be separately adjustable relative to the iridocorneal illumination. In these and other embodiments, sequential panoramic images of the iridocorneal angle230may be taken with varying levels of illumination through the pupil to cause the pupil to dilate to different levels while panoramic images of the iridocorneal angle230are captured. Such a series of images may provide dynamic information about the iridocorneal angle230as it changes due to pupil constriction. Additionally or alternatively, sequential panoramic images of the iridocorneal angle230may be beneficial in guiding the panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus200ainto position by providing real-time feedback.

In some embodiments, the gonioscopic imaging apparatus200amay include a computing device205that may facilitate performance of the various operations described according to the present disclosure. For example, the computing device205may cause the illumination sources295to change direction, frequency, magnitude, level, etc. of the illumination provided. As another example, the computing device205may trigger the sensor290to capture data as a captured image. As a further example, the computing device205may synchronize the illumination sources295and/or the sensor290to capture images in conjunction with changes in illumination. In some embodiments, the computing device205may combine various images in certain ways and/or may present those images to a user (such as a clinician).

In some embodiments, the computing device205may include a processor, a memory, etc. and may be in communication with and/or part of the panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus200a.

Generally, the processor may include any suitable special-purpose or general-purpose computer, computing entity, or processing device including various computer hardware or software modules and may be configured to execute instructions stored on any applicable computer-readable storage media. For example, the processor may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or to execute program instructions and/or to process data.

It is understood that the processor may include any number of processors distributed across any number of networks or physical locations that are configured to perform individually or collectively any number of operations described herein. In some embodiments, the processor may interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or processing data stored in the memory. By interpreting and/or executing program instructions and/or process data stored in the memory, the device may perform operations, such as the operations performed by the panoramic gonioscopic apparatuses described in the present disclosure.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the gonioscopic imaging apparatus200awithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the gonioscopic imaging apparatus200amay include more or fewer elements than those illustrated inFIG.2A. For example, the objective optical device250and the relay lens270may comprise one or more lenses and mirrors.

FIGS.2B and2Cillustrate a side view and a front view, respectively, of portions of the gonioscopic imaging apparatus200band200c, corresponding to the gonioscopic imaging apparatus200aofFIG.2A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.FIGS.2B and2Cillustrates the light rays211such that the rotationally symmetrical nature of the light rays211is understood. For example, the light rays211may extend outward in a radiating manner from the disposable component240in a full three hundred and sixty degrees corresponding to the entire circumference of the iridocorneal angle.

FIG.3Aillustrates an example panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus300with a reflective objective optical device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.3, the cornea310, iris320, light rays311, iridocorneal angle330, and/or disposable component340may be similar or comparable to the cornea210, iris220, light rays211, iridocorneal angle230, and/or disposable component240ofFIG.2. The light rays311from the iridocorneal angle330may exit the eye, pass through the disposable component340and reflect off a reflector surface370. The reflector surface370may be an example implementation and/or component of the objective optical device250as illustrated inFIG.2. The reflector surface370may include one or more reflective surfaces and/or refractive lenses for directing, reflecting, transmitting or otherwise conveying the light rays311to an intermediate imaging plane360.

In some embodiments, a central area of the gonioscopic imaging apparatus300may include central objective lens(es)350and a peripheral area with the reflector surface370. The peripheral area of the gonioscopic imaging apparatus300with the reflector surface370may direct the light rays311for imaging the iridocorneal angle330to the intermediate imaging plane360. Additionally or alternatively, the central area of the gonioscopic imaging apparatus300may facilitate imaging of the iris, lens, and/or surrounding tissue.

The reflector surface370may take the form of a rotationally symmetric surface and have a donut-shaped field of view. For example, the reflector surface370may take the form of an asphere with the inner surface mirrored or otherwise reflective. The reflector surface370may also take the form of a toroidal surface, including a partial toroidal surface (e.g., with open regions proximate the eye to allow the light rays311to pass into the interior of the toroidal surface and/or open regions proximate the sensor (not shown) to permit the light rays311to proceed to the sensor) with the inner surface mirrored or otherwise reflective. In some embodiments in which the reflector surface370is a toroidal shape, the rotational axis of the toroid may fall between the disposable component340and the intermediate imaging plane360. As another example, the reflector surface370may take the form of a spherical segment, a truncated sphere, an ellipsoid segment, a truncated ellipsoid, etc. where the internal surface may be reflective. The periphery of the reflector surface370may include a reflector surface for directing the light rays311from the iridocorneal angle330to the intermediate imaging plane360. In some embodiments, the reflector surface370may be shaped and positioned such that the light rays311may be telecentric at the intermediate imaging plane360(e.g., the light rays311may be generally parallel with the optical axis of the gonioscopic imaging apparatus300and/or the eye).

In some embodiments, the reflector surface370may include multiple reflective surfaces rather than a single mirrored surface. Additionally or alternatively, the reflector surface370may include a hybrid reflector with some refractive surfaces in addition to the reflective surface or surfaces.

Following the intermediate imaging plane360, a relay lens may transmit the light rays311to a sensor, for example, as shown inFIG.2.

In some embodiments, the central objective lens(es)350may contain a central imaging pathway for imaging the iris, lens, and/or adjacent tissues in the eye. The central imaging pathway may use the same sensor and/or optical components as the light rays311for imaging the iridocorneal angle330or it may use a separate sensor and/or optical components. In some embodiments, the central area of the gonioscopic imaging apparatus300may include structural elements. For example, the central area may be used for nesting different optical components of the central objective lens350and/or the reflector surface370. Additionally or alternatively, the central area may contain structural elements for positioning the gonioscopic imaging apparatus300.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made toFIG.3Awithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the reflector surface370may comprise multiple reflective surfaces and/or refractive lenses. As another example, the reflector surface370may take the form of any rotationally symmetric surface.

FIG.3Billustrates a cutaway view of portions the example panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus300ofFIG.3A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The relay lens375, the aperture380, the sensor390, and the illumination sources395a/395bmay be similar and/or comparable to the relay lens270, the aperture280, the sensor290, and the illumination sources295a/295bas illustrated inFIG.2A, respectively. For example, the relay lens375may direct the light rays311(not shown) at the intermediate imaging plane360to the sensor390. As another example, the aperture380may act as a shutter for the sensor390. As a further example, the illumination sources395a/395bmay operate to provide various types of illumination to the iridocorneal angle, such as various frequencies of illumination, various types of indirect/direct illumination, etc.

As illustrated inFIG.3B, the reflector surface370may have a toroidal and/or aspherical shape with a reflective inner surface.

In some embodiments, the aperture380may be formed by walls385and/or baffles or other physical structure to absorb or block certain light rays311within the gonioscopic imaging apparatus300.

While the central objective lens350and/or the relay lens375are illustrated as large generally cylindrical shaped bodies, it will be appreciate that they can take any shape or form with various curvatures on their respective surfaces to facilitate directing various light rays and/or directing light in the manner described in the present disclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the central objective lens350and/or the relay lens375may be divided into multiple individual components positioned within the general region indicated by the central objective lens350and/or the relay lens375.

FIG.4Aillustrates an example of a panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus400with a refractive objective lens, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus400illustrated inFIG.4Amay include one or more peripheral objective lenses470in addition to or alternative to the reflector surface370ofFIG.3A. As illustrated inFIG.4A, the cornea410, iris420, light rays411, iridocorneal angle430, and/or disposable component440may be similar or comparable to the cornea210, iris220, light rays211, iridocorneal angle230, and/or disposable component240ofFIG.2A. The light rays411from the iridocorneal angle430may exit the eye, pass through the disposable component440and pass through one or more peripheral objective lenses470. The peripheral objective lenses470may include one or more refractive lenses for transmitting, directing, and/or otherwise conveying the light rays411to an intermediate imaging plane460.

Each of the peripheral objective lenses470may take the form of a rotationally symmetric surface or lens with a donut-shaped field of view. In these and other embodiments, the peripheral objective lenses470may include refractive components for transmitting or otherwise directing the light rays411from the iridocorneal angle430to the intermediate imaging plane460. In some embodiments, the peripheral objective lenses470may direct the light rays411along the periphery of the gonioscopic imaging apparatus400, rather than directing them through the central region of the gonioscopic imaging apparatus400.

In some embodiments, the peripheral objective lenses470may be shaped and/or positioned such that the light rays411may be telecentric at the intermediate imaging plane460. Following the intermediate imaging plane460, a relay lens (not shown) may transmit the light rays411to a sensor (not shown), such as described with reference toFIG.2A.

In some embodiments, the peripheral objective lenses470may be shaped and/or positioned to transmit, direct, or otherwise convey the light rays411from one peripheral objective lens470to a next peripheral objective lens470in a cascade or series of lenses until the light rays411are directed transmitted, directed, or otherwise conveyed to the intermediate imaging plane460. In some embodiments, the cascade or series of lenses may be continued until the light rays are telecentric at the intermediate imaging plane460.

In some embodiments, a central area of the objective lens may include the central objective lens450that may be used to facilitate a central imaging pathway for imaging the iris, lens, and/or adjacent tissues in the eye. The central imaging pathway may use the same sensor and/or optical components as the light rays411for imaging the iridocorneal angle430or it may use a separate sensor and/or optical components. The central area may additionally or alternatively contain structural elements. For example, the central area may be used for nesting different optical components associated with the central and/or peripheral objective lens(es)450/470or it could contain structural elements for positioning the gonioscopic imaging apparatus400.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made toFIG.4Awithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the peripheral objective lenses470may include multiple refractive lenses which may take many shapes.

FIG.4Billustrates a cutaway view of portions the example panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus400ofFIG.4A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. For example,FIG.4Billustrates an example of a cascade of peripheral objective lenses470, including the lenses470a-470d. As can be seen in the cut away view, each of the lenses470a-dmay be individually rotationally symmetrical about the optical axis of the panoramic gonioscopic imaging apparatus400. Additionally, they may be shaped such that the central region of each of the lenses470a-dincludes a void/hole such that the central objective lens450may be disposed therein. Additionally, it may be observed that the lenses470a-dmay or may not be partially nested within each other.

In some embodiments, the panoramic gonioscopic apparatuses200a-c,300, and/or400ofFIGS.2A-4B, respectively, may rapidly acquire sequential panoramic images of the iridocorneal angle. In some embodiments, the sequential panoramic images may provide information about the iridocorneal angle in different conditions such as different illumination levels, different spectra and/or different focus positions. For example, sequential panoramic images of the iridocorneal angle captured with different illumination levels may be processed or stacked to increase the dynamic range of a single image. As another example, sequential panoramic images of the iridocorneal angle captured at different focal planes may be used to create an enhanced depth of field. In some embodiments, sequential panoramic images may allow for stacking of multiple images taken in similar conditions to improve the signal to noise ratio of a composite image. In some embodiments, sequential panoramic images of the iridocorneal angle captured with different frequencies of illumination may be used to enhance viewing and/of identification of different features, aspects, or landmarks in the iridocorneal angle.

In some embodiments, a series of images may be taken in rapid succession with differing levels of illumination of the iridocorneal angle itself. Such images may be processed and/or stacked such that the dynamic range of a single image may be enhanced and/or increased. For example, a clinician may observe, at their leisure, the sequentially stacked images with varying illumination to observe the iridocorneal angle subjected to different wavelengths/spectrums of illumination, different intensities of illumination, etc.

However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.