Automated Visual Function Assessment Device for Animals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing retinal function in animals, such as electroretinogram and rodent pupillary light reflex and optomotor reflex tests, are limited in their ability to accurately measure visual perception and performance, and are often crude, inaccurate, and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The development of automated devices and systems that use visual stimuli to assess visual functions in animals, including pupillary light reflex and optomotor reflex, by monitoring movement and processing images to determine visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated devices and systems are developed to assess visual functions in animals, then measurement precision and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides visual function assessment into separate modular components: a visual stimulus unit for presenting stimuli, an input device for monitoring movements, and a processor for analyzing data. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated assessment device is designed to evaluate multiple visual functions including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, pupillary light reflex, and optomotor reflex through a single integrated system. This multi-functionality improves measurement precision across different visual parameters while avoiding the need for multiple separate complex devices.
2Productivity
If automated image processing is used to monitor animal movement, then productivity and measurement precision are improved, but loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images at predetermined time points during visual stimulus presentation, and the processor is pre-configured with algorithms to automatically detect and analyze animal movements. This preliminary setup of capture timing and analysis protocols enables rapid processing of large datasets without significant time loss, thereby improving productivity.
3Measurement precision
If subjective visual assessment methods are replaced with automated monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces subjective human visual assessment with automated electronic monitoring using input devices such as cameras to capture animal movements. The processor then objectively analyzes these captured images to determine visual function metrics. This substitution eliminates human subjectivity and improves measurement precision, while the automated nature of the system manages the complexity through algorithmic processing rather than manual evaluation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are provided for assessing visual function, especially in animals. For example, a device can be used for assessing visual functions, such as PLR and OMR, in animals that includes a visual stimulus unit. The device can also include one or more input devices that include at least one camera that is configured to monitor movement of the test subject and a processor that is configured to analyze the movement of the test subject taken by the camera and to assess visual functions of the test subject. The device can be used in a system including a designated general location for the test subject in which the test subject can see the visual stimulus unit and move freely while being monitored by the camera.