JPH0576498A - Slit lamp microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] To provide a slit lamp microscope in which a plurality of image capturing devices can be easily and reliably selected by operating one optical path changing member. [Constitution] The observation optical system is provided so that it can be inserted into and removed from the optical path,
Deflection means for deflecting the light flux of the optical path when being inserted into an imaging light flux, detection means for detecting insertion / removal of the deflection means, and two imaging devices mounted,
And a selecting unit that selects one of the imaging devices to operate according to the detection result.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slit lamp microscope for illuminating an eye to be inspected by ophthalmic examination with slit light for observation and photographing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A slit lamp microscope is a kind of microscope used by a medical staff such as an ophthalmologist to observe an eye to be inspected with slit light. Imaging of an observation image with the slit lamp microscope is performed by mounting an imaging device in the middle of the observation optical path and guiding a part or all of the observation light to the imaging surface by the optical path changing member. A beam splitter, a half mirror, or a reflection mirror is used as the optical path changing member. There are various types of photographing devices, and one or two photographing devices are attached depending on the photographer's need.

A conventional example in which one photographing device is attached to a slit lamp microscope will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, 1 is a slit lamp part, 2 is a variable magnification objective microscope part, 3 is a photographing device part, 4 is a binocular eyepiece microscope part, 5 is an eyepiece lens part, and 7 is an eye to be inspected. A beam splitter (or a half mirror) 3b is used as an optical path changing member in the photographic device 3, and it is manually moved in and out of the observation optical path.

Illumination light source lamp 1 in slit lamp unit 1
The illuminating light emitted from 1 is the condenser lens group 1b.
After passing through, the width is adjusted by the slit width adjusting mechanism 12, the light is vertically deflected by the reflecting mirror 1d. The vertically polarized illumination light is applied to the subject's eye 7. The reflected light from the subject's eye passes through the objective lens 2b of the variable power objective microscope unit 2 and the variable power lens group 2c as observation light. Objective lens 2
b, the observation light that has passed through the variable power lens group 2c is split and deflected by the beam splitter 3b of the photographic device section 3. The observation light deflected by the beam splitter 3b passes through the relay lens 3c as a light flux for imaging, is deflected again by the reflection prism 3d, and is guided to the photographic film 3e. On the other hand, the observation light that has passed through the beam splitter 3b is reflected by the reflecting prisms 4b and 4c of the binocular eyepiece microscope unit 4.
Is deflected by and passes through the lens 5b of the eyepiece lens unit 5,
The observation image plane 5c is reached.

When a beam splitter or a half mirror is used for this optical path changing member, a part of the observation light is deflected toward the photographing device while the optical path changing member is inserted in the observation optical path, and the remaining Since the observation light is used as it is as the observation light, it can be observed by a part of the observation light even during the photographing.

Further, an example of a conventional device in which an electrically controlled reflection mirror is used as an optical path changing member will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 6 is a photographic device. The reflective mirror 6b is put in and taken out by electrical control.
Release button 4 installed on the joystick 41
It is done in conjunction with 2. When the release button 42 is turned on, the reflection mirror 6b is automatically inserted into the observation light path 6a immediately before the shutter (not shown) of the photographing device is opened to guide the observation light into the photographing device. After the shutter is closed, the reflection mirror 6b is automatically deviated from the observation optical path 6a, and the observation light returns to the observation image forming surface 5c.

According to this device, the release button is turned on.
Then, the reflecting mirror is automatically moved in and out of the observation optical path by electrical control. This eliminates the complexity of the shooting operation.

Next, a conventional example in which two imaging devices are mounted on the slit lamp microscope will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 and 10, 1 is a slit lamp part, 2 is a variable magnification objective microscope part, 3 is 35 mm
The photography device unit, 4 is a binocular microscope unit, 5 is an eyepiece lens unit, 6 is an instant photography device unit, and 7 is an eye to be inspected. The 35 mm photographic device unit 3 and the instant photographic device unit 6 use a beam splitter or a half mirror as a member for changing the optical path, and they are manually put in and taken out from the observation optical path.

A procedure for taking a 35 mm photograph will be described with reference to FIG. First, the beam splitter (or half mirror) 3b of the 35 mm photographic device 3 is manually inserted into the observation optical path 2a, and the beam splitter (or half mirror) 6b of the instant photographic device 6 is removed from the observation optical path 2a. To do. The observation light that has passed through the variable-magnification objective microscope unit 2 is split and deflected by the beam splitter 3b of the 35 mm photography device unit 3. The observation light deflected by the beam splitter 3b is guided to the photographic film 3e. On the other hand, the observation light passing through 3b is
The observation image plane 5c is reached.

A procedure for taking an instant picture will be described with reference to FIG. First, the beam splitter 6b of the instant photography device 6 is manually inserted into the observation optical path 2a, and the beam splitter 3b of the 35 mm photography device 3 is removed from the observation optical path 2a. The observation light that has passed through the variable-magnification objective microscope unit 2 is split in quantity by the beam splitter 6b of the instant photography device unit 6,
Biased. The observation light deflected by the beam splitter 6b is guided to the photographic film 6d. On the other hand, the observation light that has passed through the beam splitter 6b is reflected by the observation image forming surface 5c.
Reach

The position detection switches 31 and 61 detect whether or not the beam splitters 3b and 6b are present in the observation optical path, respectively. Position detection switch 31, 61
Is linked with a release button 42 installed on the joystick 41. The release button 42 is 35m
The m photography device 3 and the instant photography device 6 operate in common. Therefore, the 35 mm photography device 3
When the beam splitter or half mirror 3b of No. 2 is located on the optical axis 2a, the release button 42 is turned on.
By setting N, the shutter of the 35 mm photograph taking device 3 is activated and a 35 mm photograph can be taken. Further, when the beam splitter or half mirror 6b of the instant photo taking device 6 is located on the optical axis 2a, the shutter of the instant photo taking device 6 is actuated by turning on the release button 42, and an instant photo can be taken. ..

According to this apparatus, when a beam splitter or a half mirror is used as the optical path changing member of the two photographing devices, a part of the observation light is inserted with the optical path changing member inserted in the observation optical path. Since the remaining observation light is deflected in the direction of the photographing device and used as the observation light as it is, it is possible to observe a part of the observation light even during photographing.

[0013]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, there is a demand to use a plurality of photographing devices for each purpose of diagnosis and research, but in reality, when a plurality of photographing devices are mounted, There was a drawback that the shooting operation became complicated. When multiple imaging devices that use beam splitters or half mirrors are attached at the same time, the photographer must reach for each shooting, identify the beam splitter or half mirror for each imaging device, and put it in and out, Very annoying and agile. Since the observer is complicated to give instructions to the patient and fix the affected area in addition to the photographing operation, it is a burden that many operations are required to properly use the photographing apparatus.

When a plurality of photographing devices are attached, even if a beam splitter or a half mirror of the photographing device different from the photographing device desired to be photographed is inserted, when the release button is pressed, the photographing is performed by the different photographing devices as it is. Therefore, it was sometimes noticed after the development that the intended shooting was not performed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a slit lamp microscope which allows easy and reliable selection of the photographing devices even when a plurality of photographing devices are mounted.

[0016]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a slit lamp optical system for illuminating an eye to be inspected with slit light, and for observing the illuminated eye to be inspected In a slit lamp microscope having an observation optical system, one or more detachable imaging devices, and a release device for sending a release signal to the imaging device, the observation optical system is provided so that it can be inserted into and removed from the optical path, Deflection means for deflecting the light flux of the optical path when it is inserted into a photographing light flux, detection means for detecting insertion / removal of the deflection means, and the detection when the two photographing devices are mounted. A slit lamp microscope is provided, which comprises a selecting unit that selects one of the imaging devices to operate according to a result.

[0017]

According to the present invention, when two image pickup devices are attached to the slit lamp microscope, one of the deflecting devices included in each device is used to instruct which device should perform the image pickup. An instruction reception section is installed. An operation permission signal for permitting the photographing operation is output to the instructed photographing apparatus. The other deflecting means is composed of a reflecting mirror and a driving means for driving the reflecting mirror in and out, and on condition that an operation permission signal is input, sends a release signal to the driving means to drive the reflecting mirror in and out of the observation optical path. Therefore, when the photographing device is selected and the other photographing device is selected only by operating one of the deflecting means, the photographing device reflecting mirror is inserted into the observation optical path in conjunction with the release button.

Further, regardless of the instruction received by the instruction receiving section, it is possible to install a forced instructing means for taking an image with the other image taking apparatus.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an optical path of the slit lamp microscope of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a slit lamp portion, 2 is
Is a variable power microscope section, 4 is a binocular microscope section, 5 is an eyepiece lens section, 7 is an eye to be inspected, 8 is a 35 mm photographic device, 20 is an electronic still photographic device, and 40 is a slide table.

The variable power microscope section 2, the binocular microscope section 4 and the eyepiece lens section 5 constitute an observation optical system. The slit lamp optical system 1 and the observation optical system are respectively supported on the slide table 40, and between the variable power microscope unit 2 and the binocular microscope unit 4, 3
5 mm photography device 8 and electronic still photography device 2
0 is placed. The 35 mm photography device 8 and the electronic still photography device 20 each have a reflection mirror 8b and a beam splitter 20b as a deflecting member.
The limit switch 22 for detecting the insertion of the beam splitter 20b of the electronic still picture into the observation optical path 2a is located inside the lens barrel 120m of the electronic still picture photographing device 20. The automatic / forced photographing changeover switch 30 for forced photographing in the 35 mm photograph photographing device is arranged on the observer side of the lens barrel of the 35 mm photograph photographing device 8. A release button 42 for outputting a release signal is installed on the joystick 41, and the joystick 41 is arranged on the slide table 40 on the observer side. The image for electronic still photography is converted into an electric signal by the TV camera 20a, sent to the electronic still photography device 20, and photographed. Further, a video recorder 20d is connected in parallel with the electronic still picture taking device 20, and an image can be video-recorded. On the TV monitor 20c, real-time images, video recorded images, and electronic still pictures can be played back.

Next, the operation of the beam splitter 20b which is an optical path changing member for the electronic still photographic device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2 (a),
Beam splitter 20b arranged in lens barrel 120m
Is attached to the support plate 120e, and the notch 1 of the lever 120g is formed by the protrusion 120f on the support plate 120e.
It is engaged with 20h. The beam splitter 20b is
As the internal lever 120g moves, it moves up and down along the support rod 120i to be inserted into and removed from the observation optical path 2a. The limit switch 22 is provided on the support plate 120e.
The jig 120j for pushing in is attached,
As shown in FIG. 3A, when the beam splitter 20b is inserted in the observation optical path 2a, the actuator 22b of the limit switch 22 is pushed in, and the contact mechanism section 22a becomes conductive. On the outside on the left side as seen from the examiner of the lens barrel 120m,
As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, the external lever 120
n are arranged. The outer lever 120n is connected to the inner lever 120h. When the examiner turns the outer lever 120n, the inner lever 120g is raised and lowered, and the beam splitter 20b moves to the observation optical path 2.
It is inserted into and removed from a.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the electrical wiring connection when the 35 mm photo-taking device unit 8 and the electronic still photo-taking device unit 20 are mounted on the slit lamp microscope body 11 at the same time. The slit lamp microscope body 11 is a connector 8 of the 35 mm photography device unit 8.
A connector 11a that can be connected to both f1 and 8f2 and to the connectors 20f1 and 20f2 of the electronic still photography unit 20.
1 and 11a2. 35mm photography device section 8
Are connected to the main body 11 via connectors 8f1, 8f2 and 11a1, 11a2. Further, the electronic still photography device unit 20 includes connectors 20f1, 20f2 and 8g.
It is connected to the 35 mm photography device section 8 via 1 and 8g2. The operation permission circuits 8e and 20e are 35 mm in the electronic still photography device 20 when the beam splitter 20b is inserted and when they are not inserted.
Photographing device Outputs a photographing permission signal to the photographing device 8 and, even when the beam splitter 20b is inserted, when the forced photographing changeover switch 30 is forcibly switched, the 35 mm photographing device is permitted to photograph. It is configured to output a signal.

The release signals output from the release button 42 are the connectors 11a1 and 8f1, 8g1 and 20f.
1 through slit lamp microscope body 1
It is drawn through the 1, 35 mm photography device unit 8 and the electronic still photography device unit 20. The operation permission circuits 8e and 20e for outputting the operation permission signal are connected to the connector 8g2.
And 20f2 to the 35 mm photo-taking device unit 8 and the electronic still photo-taking device unit 20, and the operation permitting circuit 5
Forming 0. When the photographing control circuit 8m of the 35 mm photograph photographing device section 8 receives both the release signal and the high level from the end (A) of the operation permission circuit 50,
For example, an AND circuit is configured to output an operation signal to the shutter and the reflection mirror 8b of the mm photography device unit 8. The shooting control circuit 20m of the electronic still photo shooting device section 20 uses the release signal and the operation permission circuit 50.
When low level and both are received from the end (B) of
For example, an AND circuit is configured to output a shooting signal to the electronic still photo shooting device unit 20.

A high level voltage is applied to the wiring 8h in the 35 mm photographing device section 8. A low level voltage is applied to the wiring 20h in the electronic still photography device section 20. If the beam splitter 20b of the electronic still photography device 20 is inserted into the observation optical path 2a when the automatic / forced switch 30 of the 35 mm photography device 8 is set to "automatic", the operation permission circuit 50 is connected to the wiring 20h. It becomes low level and the operation permission circuit 50
Both of the end portions (A) and (B) become low level, and the electronic still photography device 20 operates. Further, when the beam splitter 20b is removed from the observation optical path 2a, the operation permission circuit 50 is separated from the wiring 20h, is connected to the high level voltage of the wiring 8h via the pull-up resistor 8k, and the end portion of the operation permission circuit 50 ( Since both A and B are at the high level, the 35 mm photography device section 8 operates. When the automatic / forced switch 30 is set to "forced",
Regardless of whether or not the beam splitter 20b is inserted, the operation permission circuit 50 is separated from the wiring 20h, is connected to the high level voltage of the wiring 8h via the pull-up resistor 8k, and the end portion (A ) (B)
Both are at a high level, so the 35mm photography device section 8
Works.

FIG. 5 shows an example of electrical wiring when only the electronic still photographic device 20 is mounted on the slit lamp microscope main body 11. The release signal circuit is led to the slit lamp microscope body 11 and the electronic still photography device 20 via the connectors 11a1 and 20f1. The operation permission circuit 20e includes the connector 11a.
It is drawn through the slit lamp microscope body 11 and the electronic still photography device 20 via 2 and 20f2. A low level voltage is applied to the wiring 11h in the slit lamp microscope body 11. At this time, the operation permission circuit 20e is at the low level regardless of whether the beam splitter 20b is inserted or not,
Since the end portion (B) of the operation permission circuit 20e is always at the low level, the electronic still photography device 20 operates.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the connection of electric wiring when only the 35 mm photographing device 8 is mounted. The release signal circuit is led to the slit lamp microscope body 11 and the 35 mm photography device 8 via the connectors 11a1 and 8f1. The operation permission circuit 8e is a connector 8f.
No. 2 is not connected, so it is not connected to the slit lamp microscope body 11. The operation permission circuit 8e is connected to the wiring 8h and is always at a high level, and the end portion (A) of the operation permission circuit 8e is always at a high level to operate the 35 mm photography device section 8.

In FIG. 1, an electronic still photography device 2 is shown.
The procedure for shooting at 0 will be described. First, the beam splitter 20b is inserted into the observation optical path 2a. Next,
Release button 4 installed on the joystick 41
Turn on 2. As described above, the shooting control circuit 20m of the electronic still photo shooting device 20 outputs a shooting signal to the electronic still photo shooting device 20. The illumination light emitted from the illumination light source lamp 11 passes through the condenser lens group 1b and is adjusted in width by the slit width adjustment mechanism 12,
It is vertically deflected by the reflecting mirror 1d. The vertically polarized illumination light is applied to the subject's eye 7. The reflected light from the eye to be inspected is used as observation light, and the objective lens 2 of the variable magnification objective microscope unit 2
b, passing through the variable power lens group 2c. The observation light that has passed through the objective lens 2b and the variable power lens group 2c is split into a light beam by a beam splitter 20b installed on the optical axis,
Some light flux is deflected vertically upwards. The light beam deflected vertically upward by the beam splitter 20b enters the TV camera 20a as an imaging light beam, is converted into an electric signal, and is photographed by the electronic still photography device 20. Of the observation light that has passed through the objective lens 2b and the variable power lens group 2c, the light flux that has passed through the beam splitter 20b is used as observation light and is reflected by the reflecting prisms 4b and 4b of the binocular eyepiece microscope unit 4.
It is deflected by c, passes through the lens 5b of the eyepiece lens unit 5, and reaches the observation image forming surface 5c.

Next, referring to FIG. 1, a procedure for taking a 35 mm photograph will be described. Electronic still photography device 2
When the 0 beam splitter 20b is not inserted, it is only necessary to turn on the release button 42. The beam splitter 20b is inserted, that is, the TV
When the light flux is captured by the camera 20a, the automatic / forced photographing switching switch 30 is forced. As described above, the operation permitting circuit 50 is provided in the 35 mm photography device 8
Outputs a high level that activates. Next, when the release button 42 installed on the joystick 41 is turned on, the shooting control circuit 8m receives both the release signal and the operation permission signal, and drives the reflection mirror driving unit 81 and the shutter of the 35 mm photo shooting device 8 respectively. Output signal and release signal. The drive unit 81 of the reflection mirror of the 35 mm photography device 8 receives the drive signal and installs the reflection mirror 8b on the optical axis 2a. The illumination light emitted from the illumination light source lamp 11 passes through the condenser lens group 1b, and the width thereof is adjusted by the slit width adjusting mechanism 12, and then the reflecting mirror 1
It is vertically deflected by d. The vertically polarized illumination light is applied to the subject's eye 7. The reflected light from the subject's eye passes through the objective lens 2b of the variable power objective microscope unit 2 and the variable power lens group 2c as observation light. Observation light that has passed through the objective lens 2b and the variable power lens group 2c turns on the release button 42.
As a result, a drive signal is received from the shooting control signal, and the light is deflected vertically downward by the reflection mirror 8b installed on the optical axis. The observation light deflected vertically downward by the reflection mirror 8b passes through the relay lens 8c as an imaging light flux, is deflected again by the reflection prism 8d, passes through the shutter, and reaches the photographic film 8e. After the photographing, the reflecting mirror 8b is separated from the optical axis 2a, and the objective lens 2b,
The observation light that has passed through the variable power lens group 2c is deflected by the reflection prisms 4b and 4c of the binocular eyepiece microscope unit 4, passes through the lens 5b of the eyepiece lens unit 5, and reaches the observation image forming surface 5c.

When two photo-taking devices are mounted at the same time, the operating photo-device can be selected only by operating the beam splitter 20b, and by operating the automatic / forced photo-taking switch 30, the TV can be operated. Camera 2
It is possible to take a picture with the 35 mm picture taking device 8 while taking a picture with 0a. When one photographic device is attached, the attached photographic device can be operated without any special operation.

A switch 3 for automatically / compulsively changing the photographing device
0 may be, for example, a slide switch or a push-in switch, and it is preferable that the state of the switch can be determined by hand and can be changed. It is also preferable that the switch is illuminated so that the switch can be recognized in a dark room.

Although the limit switch 22 is used to detect the insertion of the beam splitter 20b, other switches or sensors may be used, for example, a photosensor, an electrical contact, or the like can be used.

In the above embodiment, the high level and the low level at the end of the operation permitting circuit of the image pickup apparatus are set as described above, but the reverse setting is also possible.

Since the beam splitter 20b is inserted in the observation optical path of both eyes, a stereo picture can be taken by replacing the TV camera 20a with a stereo picture taking device.

[0036]

According to the present invention, there is provided a slit lamp microscope capable of easily and surely selecting a photographing device by operating one optical path changing member even when a plurality of photographing devices are mounted. It

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an optical layout diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a slit lamp microscope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a drive unit of an optical path changing member of the slit lamp microscope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a drive unit of an optical path changing member of the slit lamp microscope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a photographing control means of an embodiment of the slit lamp microscope shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of photographing control means when a 35 mm photographing device is attached to a slit lamp microscope.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of photographing control means when an instant photographing device is attached to a slit lamp microscope.

FIG. 7 is an optical layout diagram showing an example of a conventional device in which one photography device is attached to a slit lamp microscope and a beam splitter is used as an optical path changing member.

FIG. 8 is an optical layout diagram showing an example of a conventional device in which one photography device is attached to a slit lamp microscope and an electronically controlled reflection mirror is used as an optical path changing member.

FIG. 9 is an optical layout diagram showing a configuration at the time of taking a 35 mm photograph in a conventional example in which two photography devices are attached to a slit lamp microscope and a beam splitter is used as an optical path changing member.

FIG. 10 is an optical layout diagram showing a configuration at the time of instant photography in a conventional example in which two photography apparatuses are attached to a slit lamp microscope and a beam splitter is used as an optical path changing member.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Slit lamp part, 2 ... Variable magnification objective microscope part, 3 ... Photographing device, 3b ... Beam splitter, half mirror, 4 ... Binocular eyepiece microscope part, 5 ... Eyepiece lens part, 7 ... Eye, 8 ... 35mm photograph Imaging device, 8b ... Reflective mirror, 8c
... relay lens, 8d ... reflective prism, 8e ... photography film, 20 ... electronic still photography device, 30 ... automatic / forced photography switch, 42 ... release button

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A slit lamp optical system for illuminating an eye to be inspected with slit light, an observation optical system for observing the illuminated eye to be inspected, one or more detachable photographing devices, and a photographing device. In a slit lamp microscope having a release device for sending a release signal, the observation optical system is provided so that it can be inserted into and removed from the optical path, and when inserted, the luminous flux in the optical path is deflected to become a photographing luminous flux. Deflecting means, a detecting means for detecting insertion / removal of the deflecting means, and a selecting means for selecting one of the photographing devices to operate according to the detection result when two photographing devices are mounted. A slit lamp microscope characterized by having. 2. The slit lamp microscope according to claim 1, wherein the deflecting means has an operating mechanism for operating insertion / removal into / from the optical path from the outside. 3. The slit lamp microscope according to claim 1, further comprising a forced selection unit for forcibly selecting one of the imaging devices to operate regardless of the detection result.