Integrated Audio-Optical Diagnostic Assembly for Ophthalmic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional audiological screening methods for hearing assessment are burdensome and time-consuming, requiring dedicated examination rooms and resources, which is not feasible in standard ophthalmology settings.

Innovation Solution

An integrated diagnostic test assembly for ophthalmic devices that includes a mechanical interface module, audio output module, tone generator module, and user interface module, allowing for audiological screening during ophthalmological examinations using a series of pure tone sine waves and reflex test sounds, enabling hearing assessment in standard ophthalmology rooms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional audiological screening methods are used, then hearing assessment can be performed, but it requires dedicated examination rooms and resources which increases device complexity and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing assessment capabilityVSAvoidexamination room requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines audiological screening functionality with ophthalmological examination equipment by integrating a tone generator module, audio output module, and processor into the ophthalmic device housing. This merging allows hearing assessment to be performed using the same physical equipment and space as eye examinations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated audiology examination rooms while maintaining reliable hearing assessment capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ophthalmic device is enhanced with multi-functionality by incorporating both ophthalmological examination capabilities and audiological screening capabilities into a single system. The device can perform its primary eye examination function while also conducting hearing assessments through integrated pure tone audiometry, making the equipment universal and adaptable to multiple diagnostic purposes without requiring separate specialized rooms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional audiological screening methods are used, then hearing assessment can be performed, but it is time-consuming which increases loss of time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing assessment capabilityVSAvoidexamination duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated system enables continuous useful action by allowing the patient to undergo both ophthalmological examination and audiological screening in a continuous workflow within the same examination session. The tone generator module can operate continuously during the eye examination procedure, eliminating idle time and transitions between separate examination rooms, thereby reducing overall loss of time while maintaining assessment reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If integrated audiological screening is implemented, then resource requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexamination efficiencyVSAvoidintegrated module complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audiological screening components are nested within the existing ophthalmic device structure. The tone generator module, audio output module, and related components are housed within the same physical housing as the ophthalmic equipment, with the processor integrated into the existing control architecture. This nesting approach allows the system to perform multiple functions while utilizing the existing structural framework, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250110023A1Systems and methods for integrated audio-optical testing

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 LINEWEAVER SCOTT

AI summary

A diagnostic test assembly for an ophthalmic device comprising a housing, an audio output module disposed within the housing, a tone generator module disposed within the housing and in electronic communication with the audio output module, a user interface module disposed within the housing, a mechanical interface module integrated with the housing and configured to removably couple the housing to the ophthalmic device, a processor disposed within the housing and in electronic communication with the user interface module and the tone generator module, a tangible, non-transitory electronic memory in communication with the processor, the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations.