Electro-Optical Phoropter for Binocular Refraction Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phoropters lack the capability to provide digital, binocular measurement and simulation of ocular refraction beyond simple blurring and astigmatism, limiting their ability to evaluate higher-order optical aberrations and offer personalized visual corrections effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optical phoropter system utilizing a phase modulator to manipulate incident radiation for binocular ocular refraction measurement and simulation, enabling the presentation of visual stimuli through different phase profiles without moving parts, and allowing for digital control of aberrations to simulate any optical element, including high-order corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional mechanical lens interchange systems are used in phoropters, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the measurement precision and capability to evaluate higher-order optical aberrations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical lens interchange system with an electro-optical phase modulator that uses electric fields to control the optical phase. This substitution enables precise control of wavefront phase profiles without mechanical moving parts, thereby improving measurement precision for higher-order aberrations while the patent addresses the complexity issue through integrated control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from mechanical lens position to electrical phase modulation signals. By controlling the phase modulator with electrical signals, the system can dynamically adjust optical path differences and phase profiles, enabling precise measurement of various aberration types including higher-order corrections without being constrained by mechanical lens sets
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional phoropters with fixed lens sets are used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to simulate different optical elements and visual conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The phase modulator serves multiple functions: it can simulate various optical elements (lenses, prisms, aberrations), create different visual conditions (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism), and perform both measurement and simulation tasks. This single electro-optical component replaces what would traditionally require multiple mechanical lens sets and adjustment mechanisms, providing universal adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static mechanical lens configurations to dynamic electro-optical phase control. The phase modulator can rapidly and continuously adjust phase profiles in response to control signals, enabling real-time simulation of different optical conditions and elements, thereby enhancing adaptability through dynamic reconfigurability
3Measurement precision
If binocular measurement capability is added to phoropters, then the measurement completeness improves, but the device complexity and alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical paths for both eyes through a common phase modulator that is optically conjugated with both input and output pupils. This integration allows simultaneous control of phase profiles for both eyes using a single device, achieving binocular measurement capability while reducing the complexity that would arise from having separate systems for each eye
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
Enables precise, binocular measurement and simulation of ocular refraction, providing personalized corrections for each subject by generating any phase profile, enhancing the evaluation of visual quality and facilitating the design of tailored ophthalmic elements for various vision conditions, including nocturnal and close-up scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a single phase modulator, which is optically conjugated with the two input pupils and the two output pupils of the instrument, in which the one phase modulator manipulates the phase of the incident radiation for the first output pupil and the phase of the incident radiation for the second output pupil
Data Source
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AI summary
Ophthalmic instrument for the measurement of ocular refraction and visual simulation and method of measurement for obtaining the ocular refraction in a binocular manner, which incorporates digitally controlled phase modulator (9) for generating the best ophthalmic correction in each subject. The instrument enables measuring refraction, not only associated with blurring and astigmatism, but also any optical aberration of any order. Among the capabilities of the phoropter is simulating vision by means of any phase profile, including those of a diffractive or discontinuous type. The instrument also incorporates subsystem for the presentation of stimuli (1) that produces stereoscopic vision of the same, enabling the subject to enjoy a three dimensional perception during the process, and two output pupils (14, 15). The instrument, thanks to its electro-optical features, enables the simulation of the vision as it would be modified after submitting the eye to different surgical techniques, such as refractive surgery or interocular lens implantation.