Automated Eye Tracker Strabismus Angle Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining strabismus angles, such as the prism cover test and alternate prism cover test, are inaccurate and time-consuming, leading to a high rate of unsuccessful eye surgeries due to incorrect measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method using an eye tracker device to measure the position and line of sight of an individual's eyes by displaying a small image element on a screen, calculating the strabismus angle by determining the difference in horizontal and vertical gaze directions between the eyes, and storing the results for statistical analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If automated eye tracking is used to measure strabismus angle, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrabismus angle measurement precisionVSAvoideye tracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods (prism cover tests requiring physical prisms and manual angle estimation) with an automated optical eye tracking system that uses cameras and image processing to detect eye position and calculate strabismus angles automatically, thereby improving precision while the automation reduces operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computer system that processes raw eye tracking data through algorithms to calculate strabismus angles, serving as a mediator between the eye tracker hardware and the final measurement result, which manages the complexity by encapsulating the computational logic in a dedicated processing layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual measurement methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement system complexityVSAvoidstrabismus angle measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The eye tracking system performs self-calibration and automatic angle calculation without requiring manual intervention for each measurement, with the computer system automatically processing the eye position data and computing strabismus angles, thereby maintaining simplicity in operation while achieving high precision through automated algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If traditional prism cover test is used, then measurement time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement timeVSAvoidstrabismus angle measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The eye tracking system continuously captures eye position data at high frame rates throughout the measurement process, allowing for multiple measurements and statistical analysis to be performed simultaneously, thereby maintaining rapid measurement while improving precision through continuous data collection and averaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Measurement precision

If high cooperation level is required from patient, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrabismus angle measurement precisionVSAvoidpatient cooperation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces methods requiring active patient participation (such as responding to commands or maintaining specific positions) with passive eye tracking that automatically detects eye movements and positions through optical sensing, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing the cooperation and attention required from the patient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a more precise and efficient measurement of strabismus angles, reducing the need for reoperations and improving the accuracy of eye surgery by allowing for high-precision calculation of strabismus angles.

Implementation Method 1

providing an eye tracker device to follow the viewing direction of the eyes of the individual; measuring a position and line of sight of the eyes of the individual with the eye tracker device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10813548B2Method, system and computer readable medium to determine a strabismus angle between the eyes of an individual

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 STICHTING AMSTERDAM UMC

AI summary

A method, system and computer readable medium for determining a strabismus angle of the eyes of an individual by: positioning the individual with his or her eyes in front of an eye tracker device and in front of a screen at a viewing distance; displaying a small image element on the screen; measuring a position and line of sight of the eyes of the individual with the eye tracker device while the individual is focussing on the small image element; forwarding the measured position and line of sight of the eyes from the eye tracker device to a computer system; and, calculating the strabismus angle between the eyes by calculating the difference in line of sight of the left and right eyes of the individual.