IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,336,762
Granted Patent B2
US 12,336,762 · App. 17/661,092 · Granted Jun 24, 2025

Color checker device for a fundus imaging camera

Inventor: Christye P. Sisson (Pittsford, NY)
Assignee: Rochester Institute of Technology
A61B3/14A61B3/12G06T7/80G06T7/90A61B2560/0233G06T2207/10024G06T2207/30201
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,336,762
App. No.
17/661,092
Granted
Jun 24, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A color checker device is disclosed. The color checker device includes a substrate configured to be inserted into a model eye and to conform to a surface curvature of the model eye when inserted therein. A color test target is located on the substrate. The color test target comprises a plurality of color sections configured for generating a color characterization profile of a fundus imaging camera configured to capture a color image of a human retina. A method of generating a color characterization profile using the color checker device and a fundus imaging system having the color characterization profile stored thereon are also disclosed.

Claims (28)

1. A color checker device comprising:

a substrate configured to be inserted into a model eye and to conform to a surface curvature of the model eye when inserted therein; and

a color test target located on the substrate, wherein the color test target comprises a plurality of painted color sections, each section having a different color that is represented in a human retina, which when imaged under magnification by a fundus imaging camera provides a mathematically represented painted color absent individual dots of ink being visible and generates color data for a color characterization profile of the fundus imaging camera.

2. The color checker device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of color sections are configured to generate a color bias profile for the fundus imaging camera.

3. The color checker device of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of color sections include one or more anchor colors and a plurality of retinal reference colors that are representative of colors found in the human retina.

4. The color checker device of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of retinal reference colors comprise at least a first set of colors representative of variations in pigmentation in the human retina and a second set of colors representative of retinal disease signs and symptoms in the human retina.

5. The color checker device of claim 4 , wherein the variations in pigmentation are based on age, ethnicity, or disease factors.

6. The color checker device of claim 3 , wherein the one or more anchor colors are representative of reference colors standard to the fundus imaging camera.

7. The color checker device of claim 1 , wherein the color test target is configured to be imaged at a standard magnification of the fundus imaging camera.

8. A method of generating a color characterization profile of a fundus imaging camera configured to capture a color image of a human retina, the method comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, an image of a model eye having a color checker device inserted therein captured by the fundus imaging camera, wherein the color checker device comprises a substrate configured to be inserted into the model eye and to conform to a surface curvature of the model eye when inserted therein and a color test target located on the substrate, wherein the color test target comprises a plurality of color sections configured for generating the color characterization profile of the fundus imaging camera;

comparing, by the computing device, color data in the received image to known color data for the plurality of color sections in the color test target; and

generating, by the computing device of the fundus imaging system, the color characterization profile for the fundus imaging camera based on the comparison between the color data in the obtained image to known color data for the plurality of color sections in the color test target.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the image is captured by the fundus imaging camera at a reduced viewing illumination.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the image is captured by the fundus imaging camera at a normal angle of view.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the image is captured by the fundus imaging camera at substantially a normal exposure level.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the generating comprises subtracting the color data in the obtained image from the known color data for the plurality of color sections in the color test target to determine the color characterization profile for the fundus imaging camera.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of color sections on the color checker device are painted on the substrate.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of color sections on the color checker device are configured to generate a color bias profile for the fundus imaging camera.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of color sections on the color checker device include one or more anchor colors and a plurality of retinal reference colors that are representative of colors found in the human retina.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of retinal reference colors on the color checker device comprise at least a first set of colors representative of variations in pigmentation in the human retina and a second set of colors representative of retinal disease signs and symptoms in the human retina.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the variations in pigmentation are based on age, ethnicity, or disease factors.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more anchor colors on the color checker device are representative of reference colors standard to the fundus imaging camera.

19. A fundus imaging system comprising:

a fundus imaging camera; and

a computing device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory having stored thereon a color characterization profile of a fundus imaging camera generated using an image of a model eye having a color checker device inserted therein, wherein the color checker device comprises a substrate configured to be inserted into the model eye and to conform to a surface curvature of the model eye when inserted therein and a color test target located on the substrate, wherein the color test target comprises a plurality of color sections configured for generating the color characterization profile of the fundus imaging camera, wherein the processor is configured to:

receive an image of a human retina captured by the fundus imaging camera; and

apply the color characterization profile to the received image to remove color bias of the fundus imaging camera.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2022
From: SISSON, CHRISTYE P.
To: ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Reel/Frame 060380/0766 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63180885 · Apr 28, 2021
Related Publication 20220346644A1 · Nov 3, 2022
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Cited By (1)
US 12,682,498