Compact Visual Field Perimetry Apparatus with Fixed-Focus Dome

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing visual field perimetry testing apparatuses are bulky and complex, lacking compactness and simplicity, which hinders their portability and ease of use, particularly in providing accurate examination results without auto-focus capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A compact, head-mounted examination apparatus with a simple optical assembly featuring a fixed-focus design and a dome device with micro-LEDs, eliminating the need for auto-focus and accommodating spectacles within a 'front volume', allowing for accurate visual field and blind spot assessments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If professional visual field perimetry apparatuses are used, then examination accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and size increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexamination accuracyVSAvoidapparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple examination functions (visual field perimetry and blind spot testing) into a single integrated head-mounted apparatus. The optical assembly merges stimulus presentation and response detection pathways, eliminating the need for separate professional apparatuses while maintaining examination accuracy through unified optical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus performs multiple visual examination functions (perimetry and blind spot testing) using a single optical assembly and stimulus delivery system. The dome-shaped display presents various stimulus configurations for different test types, making the device universally applicable for multiple visual field assessment protocols without requiring separate specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If professional visual field perimetry apparatuses are used, then examination accuracy is maintained, but device size and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexamination accuracyVSAvoidapparatus size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical assembly is nested within a compact head-mounted structure where the dome-shaped display is positioned within the frame formed by the mechanical assembly. The stimulus presentation optics and detection pathways are nested within each other, allowing the entire examination system to fit within a portable head-mounted form factor while maintaining professional-grade examination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Measurement precision

If auto-focus capabilities are added to the apparatus, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus accuracyVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical assembly is pre-configured with fixed focal length lenses positioned at predetermined distances from the dome-shaped display and the patient's eye. The mechanical assembly pre-positions the optical components during head-mounted setup, eliminating the need for auto-focus mechanisms while ensuring accurate focus for visual field perimetry and blind spot testing through preliminary optical alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 apparatus achieves a compact and lightweight design, providing accurate examination results while being easy to use, with a simple optical setup that reduces weight and cost, and allows for head-mounted or table-based operation, enhancing portability and usability.

Implementation Method 1

an optical assembly (labelled 100 in Fig. 1) and a dome device (labelled 200 in Fig. 1) for the visual field perimetry capabilities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission and focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP4093262B1Compact examination apparatus with visual field perimetry and blind spot capabilities
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 NIDEK CO LTD
  • EP4093262B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4093262B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4093262B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The examination apparatus (10) has visual field perimetry and blind spot capabilities and comprises: a mechanical assembly (1000) arranged to contact a front side of a face of a patient (20), a fixed-focus optical assembly (100) mounted to said mechanical assembly (1000), and arranged to be located opposite to an eye (25) of the patient (20), a fixed-position dome device (200) mounted to the mechanical assembly (1000), having a curved surface (210), associated to a plurality of light emitting devices (220), the dome device (200) being arranged to be located behind the optical assembly (100), an illumination device (230) arranged to illuminate said curved surface (210), a semi-transparent mirror (500) being located between said optical assembly (100) and said dome device (200), and an electronic display (600) for blind spot examination, being arranged so that its images are directed towards said optical assembly (100) thanks to said mirror (500).