Chamfered-Edge Illuminated Contact Lens for Retinal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current eye examination methods are inefficient and invasive, leading to late diagnosis of retinal disorders like diabetic retinopathy and AMD, which can cause irreversible vision loss, and there is a shortage of eye care providers to manage the growing number of affected individuals.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated contact lens with a chamfered edge and integrated light source, coupled with a low-light ocular imaging camera and a mobile diagnostic system, allows for rapid and non-invasive retinal imaging and diagnosis by eye care specialists.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional eye examination methods are used, then diagnosis can be performed by eye care providers, but the process is inefficient and invasive leading to late diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens divides the eye examination function into two segments: a wearable imaging component that captures retinal images at home, and a diagnostic component that analyzes images remotely. This segmentation enables efficient early detection without requiring patients to travel to eye care providers, resolving the contradiction between diagnosis capability and examination efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical examination process (physical eye exams requiring patient visits) with an optical-digital system (contact lens imaging combined with digital image analysis). This substitution eliminates the invasive nature of traditional exams while enabling rapid, non-invasive retinal imaging, thereby improving both productivity and detection timing.
2Reliability
If traditional office visits for eye exams are required, then comprehensive examination can be performed, but there is a shortage of eye care providers and high burden on healthcare systems
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens system enables patients to perform self-examination by capturing retinal images at home without requiring eye care providers for every diagnostic step. Patients wear the lens and use the accompanying device to capture images, which are then automatically transmitted for analysis, reducing the burden on healthcare systems while maintaining diagnostic reliability through automated image processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (automated image analysis algorithm) between the contact lens imaging component and the final diagnosis. This intermediary processes the captured images to identify retinal disorders, reducing the direct burden on eye care providers while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through computational analysis.
3Ease of operation
If illuminated contact lens with integrated light source is used, then non-invasive rapid imaging is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the illumination function and imaging function into a single integrated contact lens assembly. The light source is incorporated directly into the lens structure, eliminating the need for separate illumination devices and reducing overall system complexity while enabling non-invasive rapid imaging. This consolidation directly addresses the contradiction by combining multiple functions into one unified device.
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
Enables efficient, early detection of retinal disorders, reducing the burden on healthcare systems and improving patient outcomes by allowing specialists to diagnose hundreds of patients per hour, while minimizing the need for traditional office visits.
Implementation Method 1
a light source to illuminate the anterior and posterior segment of a patient's eye
Implementation Method 2
a reflector and a light source to illuminate the anterior and posterior segment of a patient's eye
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of an ocular contact lens may include a curved surface on a first side, a flat surface on a second side opposing the first side, and one or more chamfered edges between the first side and the second side where the one or more chamfered edges has a wider circumference near the flat surface. A straight edge may be included between the curved surface and the one or more chamfered edges oriented perpendicular with the flat surface along with a light source circling and contact at least a portion of the one or more chamfered edges.