Contact Lens User Support System for Remote Defect Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact lens users face challenges in detecting defects such as contamination and damage, which can lead to reduced wear comfort and risk of corneal damage, due to the complexity and impracticality of existing inspection methods.
Innovation Solution
A contact lens user support system utilizing client apparatuses for image signal acquisition, server apparatuses for evaluation, and communication networks to transmit and analyze images of contact lenses, providing users with condition evaluation data for timely inspection and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users periodically examine contact lenses themselves or bring them to dealer shops, then defect detection may be achieved, but it is difficult to inspect for defects and not practical since users need to always wear contact lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to independently inspect their contact lenses using portable imaging devices and automated analysis software, eliminating the need to visit dealer shops. Users capture images of their lenses and the system automatically detects defects, allowing them to perform inspections themselves without specialized knowledge or equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual inspection process is replaced by an automated digital imaging and image analysis system. Instead of relying on users' visual inspection skills or dealer shop examinations, the system uses portable imaging devices coupled with automated defect detection software to identify contaminants, scratches, and other lens defects objectively and consistently.
2Reliability
If users send lenses to dealer shops for inspection, then defect detection may be achieved, but it is not practical since users need to always wear contact lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The system empowers users to conduct lens inspections independently at home or anywhere with a portable device, eliminating the need to travel to dealer shops. Users can inspect lenses immediately when needed, saving significant time and making the inspection process as convenient as taking a photograph.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to perform inspections at any time during the lens wear period, rather than waiting for scheduled dealer shop visits. Users can proactively check for defects and receive immediate feedback, allowing them to take preventive action before defects cause problems, rather than waiting for periodic professional examinations.
3Measurement precision
If users use staining reagents to detect contaminants, then contamination extent may be detected, but the detection procedure remains very complicated and requires specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The complex chemical staining procedure is replaced by a simple digital imaging process. Instead of requiring users to handle staining reagents and interpret color changes, the system uses portable imaging devices to capture lens images and automated software to detect and quantify contaminants, eliminating the need for specialized chemical knowledge or equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy (image) of the contact lens that can be analyzed without physically handling or chemically treating the lens. The image capture and analysis process provides a non-invasive way to detect contaminants, preserving the lens in its original state and eliminating the complexity of chemical processing steps.
4Measurement precision
If users use extraction solutions to detect proteins or lipids, then total quantity detection may be achieved, but the detection operation involves special extraction solutions making it difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The time-consuming chemical extraction process is replaced by rapid digital imaging and image analysis. The system captures images of the lens and uses automated software to detect and quantify protein and lipid contaminants based on their optical properties, eliminating the need for lengthy extraction procedures and special solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system bypasses the lengthy chemical extraction and analysis steps by directly imaging the lens and using computational methods to detect contaminants. This approach rushes through the detection process in seconds or minutes rather than requiring extended laboratory procedures, making rapid contaminant assessment practical for users.
Data Source
AI summary
It is an object to provide a novel system for supporting contact lens users, who has not been provided with an after-selling support sufficiently, which is able to provide an appropriate support to individual contact lens user so that he can use contact lenses with comfortable. In order to attain the object, an image signal of the user's currently used contact lenses (20) acquired by a user client apparatus (18) is transmitted via communication network means (38), to a server apparatus (12) of a supporting entity (10). The server apparatus (12) then obtains lens condition evaluation data, which are stored in memory means (14) and transmitted via the communication network means (38) to the user client apparatus (18) so that the user (16) can be provided with the lens condition evaluation data.