Corneal Measurement Slit Mask Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corneal measurement devices face challenges in accurately positioning apertures to project slits of light, leading to inaccuracies in recreating the cornea over time.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a second slit mask with a selection aperture and a movement apparatus to selectively transmit light through a plurality of apertures, allowing for precise positioning and accurate projection of slits onto the cornea without moving the light source, using a Scheimpflug arrangement and high-power LEDs for enhanced imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single aperture is translated to project multiple slits, then the device can measure multiple locations across the cornea, but the positioning accuracy of slits deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the slit projection function into multiple fixed apertures arranged in a matrix pattern, allowing simultaneous measurement at multiple corneal locations without translating the aperture, thus maintaining positioning accuracy while improving measurement efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture mask is pre-configured with multiple fixed apertures at predetermined positions, eliminating the need for real-time translation and ensuring consistent, accurate slit positioning across all measurement locations without degradation over time
2Device complexity
If a single aperture is translated to form multiple slits, then the device structure is simpler, but the reliability of corneal measurement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single aperture is segmented into multiple fixed apertures arranged in a matrix, allowing simultaneous projection of multiple slits at predetermined locations without mechanical translation, thereby improving measurement reliability while maintaining acceptable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of translating a single aperture to create multiple slits, the system uses multiple copies of the aperture pattern fixed at predetermined positions, ensuring consistent and reliable slit positioning across all measurement locations without degradation over time
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
This approach ensures more accurate and stable positioning of slits, resulting in improved representations of the cornea with increased precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
projecting slits of light onto a patient's cornea
Implementation Method 2
after the light in the slit has been scattered by the cornea
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An apparatus for measuring a subject's cornea, comprising (A.) a slit projection subsystem comprising a light source, (B.) a mask subsystem disposed in a path of light from the light source, comprising a first slit mask defining a plurality of apertures, (C.) a movement apparatus adapted to move at least a portion of the slit projection subsystem, the movement apparatus configured and arranged such that, by moving the portion of the slit projection subsystem, portions of the light can be selectively transmitted through an aperture of the plurality of apertures toward the cornea, (D.) an imaging element configured and arranged to image at least one of the plurality of apertures onto the cornea, and (E.) an image capture subsystem arranged to capture images of the portions of light after the light impinges on the cornea.