Eye Refraction Measurement Using Aberration Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining eye refraction do not always provide optimal results due to the neglect of confounding factors inherent to the eye's optical system, leading to inaccuracies in objective refraction measurements, which can impact the reliability of eye surgery and other applications.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus equipped with an optical element that compensates specific aberrations of the eye's optical system, allowing for improved measurement of the remaining aberrations by modifying and measuring the optical output, thereby reducing noise and crosstalk from compensated aberrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional refraction measurement methods are used, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision is reduced due to confounding factors from the eye's optical system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobjective refraction measurement accuracyVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the total aberration measurement into multiple components by using an optical element to compensate for a specific aberration (such as corneal higher-order aberrations). This allows the measurement system to isolate and measure individual aberration components separately, improving the accuracy of objective refraction determination by eliminating confounding factors from the eye's optical system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical element as an intermediary component between the light source and the eye, or between the eye and the detector. This optical element is configured to compensate for specific aberrations in the eye's optical system, thereby improving the quality of the optical output used for refraction measurement without requiring complete redesign of the entire measurement apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If all aberrations are measured simultaneously, then the measurement is comprehensive, but the reliability is reduced due to crosstalk between different aberration components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefraction information reliabilityVSAvoidaberration separation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by using an optical element to address and compensate for a specific type of aberration (e.g., corneal higher-order aberrations) while measuring other aberration components. This segmentation approach prevents crosstalk between different aberration sources, allowing each component to be measured independently and reliably, thereby improving the overall reliability of the refraction information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying different optical treatments to different parts of the optical system. The optical element is specifically designed to compensate for aberrations from a particular component of the eye (such as the cornea), while allowing other components to contribute their respective optical characteristics to the measurement, thus achieving reliable separation of aberration sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables more accurate and reliable determination of objective refraction, enhancing the precision of eye surgery by providing more accurate refractive information, particularly for higher order aberrations, and improving the assessment of subjective refraction as well.

Implementation Method 1

an optical element configured to compensate an aberration of the eye... The aberration to be compensated may comprise (or consist of) a specific (optical) aberration out of a plurality of specific partial (optical) aberrations of the eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical aberration compensation: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4260795A1Apparatus, method and computer program for determining a refraction of an eye
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 LIGI TECH MEDICALI SPA
  • EP4260795A1 patent drawingFigure 1
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AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a computer program for determining a refraction of an eye. An apparatus for determining an objective refraction of an eye is disclosed wherein the apparatus comprises an optical element configured to compensate an aberration of the eye.