Chromatic Multifocal Pupillometer for Objective Retinal Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current visual field testing methods for retinitis pigmentosa, such as dark-adapted Goldmann perimetry and automated perimetry, are subjective and require patient cooperation, leading to unreliable results, especially in young children and individuals with impaired communication skills, and suffer from test-retest variability, making it difficult to assess disease progression and interpret clinical trials effectively.
Innovation Solution
A chromatic multifocal pupillometer system that uses chromatic stimuli to record temporal pupil responses, processing data to generate parameters like maximal contraction velocity and percentage of pupil contraction, allowing for objective assessment of retinal degeneration and visual field defects without relying on patient cooperation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If subjective perimetry methods (Goldmann or automated) are used, then visual field testing can be performed, but reliability of results deteriorates due to patient cooperation requirements and attention demands
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses objective pupillary light response measurements that do not require patient cooperation or conscious decision-making. The pupil's automatic constriction response to light stimuli serves as the measurement mechanism, eliminating the need for patient attention and communication skills while improving reliability of visual field assessment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/subjective reporting system (patient pressing buttons or verbal responses) with an optical measurement system that directly measures pupillary constriction. This substitution of measurement mechanism eliminates subjective factors and provides objective, reliable data without requiring patient cooperation
2Productivity
If frequent examinations are conducted to assess disease progression, then monitoring capability improves, but test-retest variability increases making interpretation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The objective pupillometry measurement system replaces subjective perimetry methods, providing consistent and repeatable measurements across multiple test sessions. The automated optical measurement of pupillary response eliminates human factors contributing to variability, enabling reliable longitudinal monitoring of disease progression
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides quantitative objective metrics (pupillary light response parameters) that serve as feedback for assessing retinal function over time. This objective feedback mechanism allows for precise tracking of disease progression and treatment response with minimal test-retest variability
3Adaptability or versatility
If young children or individuals with impaired communication skills undergo subjective perimetry, then visual field testing can be attempted, but result accuracy deteriorates due to inability to cooperate
Solution Approach 1:
The pupillary light response measurement system requires no active participation from the patient beyond maintaining fixation. The pupil's automatic physiological response to light stimuli provides the measurement, making the system adaptable to young children, elderly patients, and individuals with communication impairments while maintaining high measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The objective pupillometry system serves as a universal testing method applicable to all patient populations regardless of age or communication ability. By measuring automatic pupillary responses rather than requiring subjective reporting, the system achieves both broad adaptability and high measurement precision across diverse groups
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
The system provides reliable, objective measurements of retinal health and visual field defects, reducing test-retest variability and enabling more accurate monitoring of disease progression and therapeutic assessments.
Implementation Method 1
Selected ones of the chromatic beam emitters are structurally configured to generate chromatic stimuli within a blue portion of a visible electromagnetic spectrum. Selected ones of the chromatic beam emitters are structurally configured to generate chromatic stimuli within a red portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum.
Implementation Method 2
The camera is positioned to record temporal pupil contraction of the eye in response to the blue and red chromatic stimuli of the chromatic beam emitters.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining a state of health of an eye using a pupillometer is provided comprising an ocular fixture, a testing compartment, a camera, and a controller. The testing compartment comprises a plurality of chromatic beam emitters arranged about a visual field. The ocular fixture is positioned to facilitate exposure of light sensitive ocular structures of the eye to a chromatic stimuli. The camera is positioned to record temporal pupil responses of the eye. The controller controls emission wavelength, intensity, and duration of the chromatic beam emitters. The controller processes temporal pupil response data to generate signals representative of the eye positioned at the ocular fixture in response to the chromatic stimuli at a plurality of locations in the visual field. The method comprises driving the chromatic beam emitters with the controller to generate signals using chromatic stimuli and determining the state of health of the eye.