Multiple off-axis channel optical imaging device with overlap to remove an artifact from a primary fixation target

1. An optical imaging device, comprising:

a support structure; and

a plurality of imaging channels, each imaging channel of the plurality of imaging channels including a discrete optical imaging pathway, the plurality of imaging channels disposed within the support structure, the plurality of imaging channels aimed at different angles relative to each other such that each optical imaging pathway is directed towards a pupil of an eye; and

a primary fixation target positioned inside a first imaging channel of the plurality of imaging channels between optical illumination of the first imaging channel and the eye, the primary fixation target configured to emit optical signals along a primary fixation target projection path towards the pupil of the eye,

wherein an artifact of the primary fixation target is generated onto a portion of the eye to be imaged, the artifact in a form of a shadow cast by the primary fixation target blocking at least a portion of the optical illumination of the first imaging channel;

wherein the artifact of the primary fixation target is positioned at a first location of a retina; and

wherein the primary fixation target projection path intersects the retina at a second location different from the first location.

2. The optical imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the primary fixation target projection path and an optical imaging pathway of at least one imaging channel of the plurality of imaging channels share one or more common optical lenses.

3. The optical imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the primary fixation target projection path impinges on a prism.

4. The optical imaging device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of image capturing devices, each image capturing device of the plurality of image capturing devices respectively associated with one of the plurality of imaging channels to capture digital photograph images of respective portions of the eye.

5. The optical imaging device of claim 4 , wherein:

the digital photograph images from the plurality of imaging channels overlap each other at least in an overlap region and are stored in a storage device of the optical imaging device for stitching together such that the digital photograph images form a composite image; and

the artifact is positioned in the overlap region such that the artifact is omitted in the composite image.

6. The optical imaging device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of sets of optical lenses, at least one lens in each of the sets of optical lenses having a fixed position within a respective imaging channel of the plurality of imaging channels.

7. A system comprising:

one or more processors configured to receive optical imaging data; and

an optical imaging device configured to generate optical imaging data, the optical imaging device communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and the optical imaging device comprising:

a support structure; and

a plurality of imaging channels, each imaging channel of the plurality of imaging channels including a discrete optical imaging pathway, the plurality of imaging channels disposed within the support structure, the plurality of imaging channels aimed at different angles relative to each other such that each optical imaging pathway is directed towards a pupil of an eye; and

a primary fixation target positioned inside a first imaging channel of the plurality of imaging channels between optical illumination of the first imaging channel and the eye, the primary fixation target configured to emit optical signals along a primary fixation target projection path towards the pupil of the eye,

wherein an artifact of the primary fixation target is generated onto a portion of the eye to be imaged, the artifact in a form of a shadow cast by the primary fixation target blocking at least a portion of the optical illumination of the first imaging channel;

wherein the artifact of the primary fixation target is positioned at a first location of a retina; and

wherein the primary fixation target projection path intersects the retina at a second location different from the first location.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the primary fixation target projection path and an optical imaging pathway of at least one imaging channel of the plurality of imaging channels share one or more common optical lenses.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the primary fixation target projection path impinges on a prism.

10. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a plurality of image capturing devices, each image capturing device of the plurality of image capturing devices respectively associated with one of the plurality of imaging channels to capture digital photograph images of respective portions of the eye.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein:

the digital photograph images from the plurality of imaging channels overlap each other at least in an overlap region and are stored in a storage device of the optical imaging device for stitching together such that the digital photograph images form a composite image; and

the artifact is positioned in the overlap region such that the artifact is omitted in the composite image.

12. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a plurality of sets of optical lenses, at least one lens in each of the sets of optical lenses having a fixed position within a respective imaging channel of the plurality of imaging channels.