Ultrasonic Eye Scan Head Position Tracking Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic eye scanning technologies face challenges in accurately accounting for unintended eye movements during scans, which can lead to blurred images and reduced precision, especially when multiple scans are combined to form a composite image.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of position tracking sensors, such as ultrasound or optical sensors, fixed relative to the scan head positioning mechanism, continuously monitor the eye's anatomical features like the cornea, lens surfaces, and iris to provide multi-dimensional correction for unwanted eye motion during the scanning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic imaging is used to obtain accurate images of eye structures, then measurement precision is improved, but unintended eye movements during scanning cause image blurring and reduced precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by tracking eye position continuously during the scan and calculating correction factors before final image reconstruction. The position tracking sensors monitor eye movements in real-time, and the system pre-computes the necessary spatial transformations to compensate for detected motions, ensuring that corrections are applied systematically rather than reactively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using position tracking sensors to continuously monitor eye position during scanning. The detected position data is fed back to the image processing system, which then applies real-time or post-processing corrections to compensate for unintended movements. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that measurement precision is maintained despite patient motion.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple scans are combined to form composite images, then comprehensive coverage of eye structures is improved, but unintended eye movements between scans reduce alignment accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
Position tracking data is used as feedback to determine the spatial relationship between multiple scans. The system continuously monitors eye position throughout the scanning session and uses this information to accurately register and align multiple scans when forming composite images, maintaining high alignment precision even when scanning large areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical alignment methods with computational approaches. Instead of relying on physical registration markers or manual alignment procedures, the system uses position tracking sensors and software-based spatial transformations to automatically align multiple scans, achieving superior alignment accuracy and eliminating mechanical constraints.
3Loss of time
If rapid scanning is performed to minimize eye movement during acquisition, then scan time is reduced, but scanning speed limits the ability to capture complete composite images
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning and planning actions before the actual imaging scan. Position tracking is established in advance, and the scanning protocol is optimized based on pre-acquired position data. This allows for more efficient scan paths and reduced total scan time while maintaining complete coverage of the required anatomical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces time-consuming mechanical realignment procedures with rapid computational methods. Position tracking sensors provide continuous data that enables software-based registration and composite image formation, eliminating the need for time-intensive mechanical adjustments between scans and significantly reducing total acquisition 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 accurate and precise ultrasonic imaging by continuously tracking and correcting for eye movements, enhancing the reliability and precision of eye scans and allowing for the formation of clear, composite images.
Implementation Method 1
optical position sensors
Implementation Method 2
ultrasound position sensors
Implementation Method 3
at least one ultrasonic transducer emits and receives an ultrasound pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method are disclosed for detecting and correcting unintended eye movements that may occur during an ultrasound scan by monitoring multiple position tracking sensors, examples being but not limited to ultrasound or optical position sensors. These position tracking sensors are in addition to the ultrasound imaging transducer and are in a fixed position on the scan head so as not to move during the scanning operation. These position tracking sensors can continuously monitor the distance to the cornea or other clearly defined anatomical features of the eye such as the posterior pigment layer of the iris during the movement of the scan head assembly and can provide continuous multi-dimensional correction for any unwanted motion of the eye relative to the scan head that may occur during the ultrasound scan.