EYE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS
Various embodiments of an eye imaging apparatus are disclosed. In some embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus may comprise a light source, an image sensor, a hand-held computing device, and an adaptation module. The adaptation module comprises a microcontroller and a signal processing unit configured to adapt the hand-held computing device to control the light source and the image sensor. In some embodiments, the imaging apparatus may comprise an exterior imaging module to image an anterior segment of the eye and/or a front imaging module to image a posterior segment of the eye. The eye imaging apparatus may be used in an eye imaging medical system. The images of the eye may be captured by the eye imaging apparatus, transferred to an image computing module, stored in an image storage module, and displayed in an image review module.
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.
2 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the modified mobile computing device comprises a modified hand-held computing device.
3 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 2 , wherein the modified mobile computing device is a modified smart phone.
4 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the modified mobile computing device comprises a signal processing unit, 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 mobile computing device and to convert the signals from one of the input/output ports of the mobile computing device to a data format that is recognizable by the image sensor and the light source.
5 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 1 , 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.
6 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 1 , 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 modified mobile computing device to control the actuator of the lens.
7 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 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 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.
8 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 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.
9 . An eye imaging apparatus comprising:
a front imaging module comprising:
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.
10 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 9 , wherein the modified mobile computing device is a modified smart phone.
11 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 9 , 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.
12 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 9 , 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.
13 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 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.
14 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 13 , 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.
15 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 9 , 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.
16 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 9 , wherein the front imaging module is capable of being repeatedly attached to and removed from the main module.
17 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 9 , wherein the eye imaging apparatus further comprises a locking ring between the front imaging module and the main module.
18 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 9 , 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.
19 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 9 , wherein the modified mobile computing device is mounted at an inclined angle with the optical axis of the optical imaging system.
20 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 9 , comprising a housing having a cylindrical section and a cuboid section.
21 . The eye imaging apparatus in claim 20 , 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.
22 . 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.
23 . The method of imaging an eye in claim 22 , further comprising controlling an actuator of at least one lens by using the modified mobile computing device through the adaptation module.
24 . The method of imaging an eye in claim 22 , 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.