Eye Tracking System Using Symmetrical Reflection Patterns for Cornea Vertex Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for detecting position data in the front region of the eye face challenges in maintaining continuous alignment and accuracy during movements, leading to inhomogeneous information densities and local inaccuracies, especially during refractive laser treatments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that continuously detect position changes of the cornea's vertex and other structures using electromagnetic radiation, with symmetrical light sources creating reflection patterns to determine the vertex position, allowing for precise tracking and correction of movements, and enabling continuous data collection for diagnostic and treatment processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chronological serial diagnostic and treatment processes are used, then the examination and treatment of the eye can be performed in multiple steps, but the oculomotor system causes movements that impair the integrity and continuity of the process, resulting in inhomogeneous information densities and local inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the diagnostic system continuously monitors eye position and provides real-time position data to the treatment system. This feedback loop allows the treatment beam to be dynamically adjusted to track moving eye structures, maintaining measurement precision and process reliability despite oculomotor movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary tracking system that acts as a mediator between the diagnostic and treatment processes. This intermediary continuously detects eye position changes and translates them into corrective positioning commands, ensuring continuity and accuracy throughout the chronological serial process.
2Measurement precision
If the vertex of the cornea is used as a reference point for recording data sets, then a shared geometric reference point is established for diagnostic and therapeutic data, but subsequent corrections and tracking are not practical for treatment systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous tracking and correction during the treatment process rather than relying on subsequent corrections. The system continuously monitors eye position and dynamically adjusts the treatment beam in real-time, making the treatment process itself adaptive and eliminating the need for impractical post-treatment corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static reference point approach into a dynamic system where the reference point (vertex) is continuously tracked and updated. The treatment system dynamically adapts its positioning based on real-time eye movements, maintaining alignment accuracy throughout the procedure rather than relying on fixed pre-established references.
3Adaptability or versatility
If strong eye movements occur during examination, then the oculomotor system causes significant position changes, but this results in inhomogeneous information densities and local inaccuracies in the diagnostic data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic tracking that continuously adapts to eye movements during examination. The diagnostic system dynamically adjusts its positioning and data collection parameters in real-time based on detected eye position changes, maintaining uniform information density across the entire field of view regardless of movement intensity.
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
Ensures reliable and precise tracking of the eye's movements and structures, reducing inaccuracies and allowing for real-time monitoring of fixation and refraction corrections, enabling accurate diagnostic and treatment data sets without subsequent lateral movement tracking.
Implementation Method 1
illuminate the cornea using at least one light source, so that reflections are created on the cornea, wherein the current position of the vertex is then determined from the positions of the reflections
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting position data of an element in the front region of an eye. A first system component continuously detects position changes of the vertex of the cornea of the eye. A second system component directs electromagnetic radiation at topographical structures of the cornea to be ascertained or modified. A control unit includes a processor and memory. Alignment of the first system component with respect to the alignment of the second system component is defined, and the second system component is continuously guided to the respective target position thereof, by the control unit based on the position changes detected by the first system component. Light sources, which illuminate the cornea, are symmetrically disposed around the main axis of the system so that a pattern of reflection points is created on the cornea. The processor determines the current position of the vertex as the center of the reflection points.