Adjustable Lens Opacity Control for Amblyopia Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional eye patch treatments for conditions like amblyopia can lead to social stigma in young children, reducing adherence and lack feedback on treatment progress, requiring frequent doctor visits.

Innovation Solution

A wearable computing device with adjustable lenses that adaptively controls vision correction based on user eye movement and context, providing real-time feedback and remote monitoring through a networked system, including eye tracking sensors and external cameras.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an eye patch is used to cover the good eye, then the amblyopic eye is forced to use and improve vision, but social stigma reduces patient adherence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidpatient adherence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical eye patch system with an electronic wearable computing device that uses adjustable lenses and digital displays to achieve vision correction. This substitution eliminates the social stigma associated with traditional patches while maintaining treatment effectiveness through programmable vision control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of vision correction from fixed opacity patches to dynamically adjustable lens opacity and display brightness. This allows programmable control of vision input to the amblyopic eye, enabling customized treatment protocols that can be adjusted over time to maintain adherence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional eye patch treatment is used, then vision correction is provided, but no feedback on treatment progress is available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevision correctionVSAvoidtreatment progress feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sensors, eye tracking cameras, and progress monitoring systems that continuously measure treatment effectiveness and provide feedback to both the patient and healthcare provider. This eliminates the information loss by enabling real-time tracking of vision improvement and adherence metrics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If doctor visits are scheduled to monitor progress, then treatment effectiveness can be assessed, but time and convenience are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogress assessmentVSAvoidpatient convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the treatment system to automatically monitor and assess its own effectiveness through integrated sensors, eye tracking, and progress algorithms. This self-monitoring capability eliminates the need for frequent manual doctor visits while maintaining precise measurement of treatment progress, saving patient time and improving convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If a wearable computing device with adjustable lenses is used, then vision correction and feedback are provided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevision correction capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single wearable device platform, including vision correction through adjustable lenses, eye tracking via cameras, progress monitoring through sensors, and wireless communication. This multi-functionality approach manages complexity by consolidating diverse capabilities into one unified system rather than separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances treatment adherence by reducing stigma, providing continuous feedback, and allowing remote monitoring of progress, thus improving the effectiveness of vision correction exercises.

Implementation Method 1

controlling an opacity of an adjustable lens of the one or more adjustable lens to generate a viewing port through the adjustable lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOpacity control:

Implementation Method 2

receiving eye tracking sensor data from an eye tracking sensor of the wearable computing device; determining a gaze direction of an eye of a user of the wearable computing device based on the eye tracking sensor data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEye tracking:

Data Source

PatentUS9939644B2Technologies for controlling vision correction of a wearable computing device

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Technologies for controlling vision correction of a wearable computing device includes controlling an opacity of an adjustable lens of the wearable computing device to generate a viewing port through the adjustable lens such that a region defined by the viewing port has an opacity less than a remaining region of the adjustable lens. For example, the opacity of the adjustable lens may be increased except for the region defined by the viewing port. In use, the wearable computing device may adjust the location, size, and/or shape of the viewing port based on a predefined prescription, the direction of the user's gaze, the user's viewing context, and/or other criteria. Additionally or alternatively, an image may be displayed on an external display surface of the adjustable lens. The wearable computing device may include multiple adjustable lens, each of which may be controlled in a similar manner.