Field of Light Imaging for Non-Invasive Eye Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-invasive analysis methods for the human eye, such as ultrasound and Optical Coherence Tomography, are invasive, costly, and require skilled operators for focusing and alignment, making them impractical for untrained users or home use, especially when imaging the eye's optical complexities.
Innovation Solution
A field of light imaging system that captures multiple data sets at various relative locations and orientations, using meta-data to correct for optical signal distortions caused by the eye's elements, allowing for non-invasive sub-surface imaging without focusing, and providing measurements of key eye parameters like focal length and axial length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasound or OCT systems are used to measure eye parameters, then measurement capability is provided, but the systems are invasive, costly, and require skilled operators for focusing and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables untrained users to perform eye measurements independently through automated focus-free imaging. The plenoptic camera captures light field data that inherently contains depth information, eliminating the need for manual focusing operations required by conventional cameras and OCT systems. The processed images automatically provide measurements without requiring skilled operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical focusing mechanisms with computational methods. Instead of physically adjusting focus as required by conventional cameras and OCT systems, the system uses software processing of light field data to achieve focus-free imaging and automatic measurement extraction, thereby simplifying operation for untrained users.
2Reliability
If conventional camera or OCT systems are used for eye imaging, then imaging capability is provided, but focusing and alignment procedures are required which are not practical for untrained users
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically handles focus and alignment through its light field capture methodology. The plenoptic camera captures rays from multiple angles simultaneously, and the processing system automatically determines depth and focus planes without requiring user intervention for focusing or alignment, making the system self-sufficient for untrained users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D image processing to 4D light field data processing by capturing spatial and angular information simultaneously. This additional dimension of angular data enables computational focus adjustment and alignment without physical mechanical adjustments, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining imaging reliability.
3Productivity
If the eye's optical elements are not accounted for in field of light imaging, then imaging can be performed, but the lens and other optical elements distort the path of optical signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates iterative processing where initial images are generated quickly, then distortion parameters are estimated from the captured light field data. These parameters are used to correct subsequent images, with the process repeating until convergence. This feedback loop maintains high productivity while progressively improving measurement precision by accounting for optical distortions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary capture of light field data that contains inherent depth and angular information before final image generation. This preliminary data collection enables subsequent computational correction of optical distortions caused by the eye's lens and other elements, maintaining imaging speed while improving accuracy through post-processing.
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 accurate, non-invasive, and cost-effective imaging of the eye's internal structures, including the retina, without the need for skilled operators, by iteratively refining distortion corrections and providing clear, distortion-free images.
Implementation Method 1
capturing at least one field of light data sets of the target at each of the multiple relative locations and orientations
Implementation Method 2
the eye is itself an optical instrument that includes a lens
Data Source
AI summary
The invention teaches a field of light based method and system suitable for non-invasive target analysis, including in vivo analysis. A embodiment of the system comprises a field of light imaging device; an illuminating module consisting of a plurality of light sources that emit light radiation centered on multiple wavelengths; a partially reflective minor positioned to reflect radiation to the target from the illumination module, and from the target to the field of light imaging device; a display; a processing and control module coordinating target position, and the synchronous output of the illumination module with image capture by the field of light imaging device; and an output and storage device.