Corneal Tear Film Imaging With Thermal Mapping for Dry Eye Typing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for distinguishing dry eye syndrome types, particularly mucus and lipid layer-deficient dry eye syndromes, are inadequate due to lack of non-invasive and reproducible measurement techniques, leading to inaccurate differentiation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using an optical camera to capture corneal images and a thermal imaging camera to monitor temperature changes, enabling precise determination of tear film break-up time and surface temperature patterns to differentiate dry eye syndrome types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tear film break-up time is measured to diagnose mucus layer-deficient dry eye syndrome, then diagnostic capability is improved, but differentiation accuracy from lipid layer-deficient dry eye syndrome deteriorates because tear film break-up time is shortened in both conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diagnostic process into two distinct measurement components: optical camera for tear film break-up time and thermal imaging camera for corneal temperature changes. This segmentation allows differentiation between mucus layer-deficient and lipid layer-deficient dry eye syndromes by analyzing separate physiological parameters that are affected differently by each condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces corneal temperature changes as an intermediary parameter to differentiate between types of dry eye syndrome. While tear film break-up time alone cannot distinguish between mucus and lipid layer deficiencies, the addition of thermal imaging data serves as a mediator that provides the necessary discriminatory information for accurate diagnosis.
2Measurement precision
If conjunctival impression cytology is performed to measure goblet cell density for mucus layer deficiency, then measurement capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to invasive test method and difficulty in routine performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive conjunctival impression cytology method with a non-invasive optical imaging system. The optical camera captures tear film dynamics without physical contact or tissue sampling, eliminating the invasiveness and operational complexity of traditional cytology while providing real-time functional assessment of mucus layer status.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic system uses the eye's own tear film and corneal surface as the measurement medium, requiring no external samples or invasive procedures. The natural tear film dynamics and corneal temperature changes provide the diagnostic information needed, making the test self-sufficient and suitable for routine clinical use.
3Measurement precision
If lipid layer thickness is measured using commercialized diagnostic device, then measurement capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to low reproducibility and false thick measurements when lipid layer is contaminated by cosmetics or when aqueous layer amount is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from static lipid layer thickness to dynamic corneal temperature changes over time. This parameter change avoids the pitfalls of thickness measurement (cosmetic contamination, aqueous layer volume effects) and directly assesses the functional impact of lipid layer status on tear evaporation and corneal thermoregulation, providing more reliable and reproducible results.
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
Accurately distinguishes dry eye syndrome types by correlating tear film break-up time with corneal temperature changes, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
based on the image reflected from the cornea
Implementation Method 2
the time when the temperature of the corneal surface changes using an optical camera and a thermal imaging camera
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a diagnosis method and diagnostic device for distinguishing types of dry eye syndrome. The method comprises: (a) checking tear film break-up time point and location by photographing cornea of the subject's eye and checking in time series at least one or more times of the tear film break-up time point, at which the reflected image from the photographed cornea is confirmed to be broken over time; (b) checking corneal surface temperature by measuring the surface temperature of the cornea of the subject to be evaluated using a thermal imaging camera performed simultaneously with the photographing of the tear film of the eye to check in time series a change in the surface temperature of the cornea with respect to time; (c) mapping the tear film break-up time point and the change in the surface temperature of the cornea based on time to compare the tear film break-up time point and time point of the temperature change of the cornea surface; and (d) diagnosing type of dry eye syndrome based on any one of the tear film break-up time point and a location of surface temperature change time point of the corneal corresponding thereto, in mapping result in step (c).