Self-illuminated Handheld Fundus Lens with Integrated Ring Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld fundus lenses used in retinal examinations suffer from significant image aberrations and limited field of view due to external slit lamp illumination, making accurate diagnosis and surgical procedures challenging, especially for diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy.
Innovation Solution
A self-illuminated handheld fundus lens with integrated ring illumination, using fiber optics or LEDs, is designed to provide even and widefield illumination directly to the retina, eliminating external slit lamp reliance and reducing reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If external slit lamp illumination is used with handheld fundus lens, then the device structure remains simple, but image quality deteriorates due to significant lens reflections and aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination source and the fundus lens into a single integrated device. The handheld lens now contains both the viewing optics and the illumination system (ring light source with diffuser), eliminating the need for separate external slit lamp illumination and reducing lens reflections while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diffuser as an intermediary element between the light source and the retina. This diffuser spreads the light evenly across the retinal field of view while minimizing direct reflections into the optical path, thereby improving image quality without significantly complicating the device structure
2Area of stationary object
If external slit lamp illumination is used, then the device portability is maintained, but field of view is limited to less than 1% of total retina surface area
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the illumination system within the handheld lens, the patent enables wider field illumination (up to 50 degrees or more) without requiring the large external slit lamp infrastructure, thus expanding the visible retinal area while maintaining portability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from narrow slit beam illumination (linear dimension) to annular ring illumination (two-dimensional area), enabling simultaneous illumination of a much larger retinal field while keeping the handheld device compact and portable
3Manufacturing precision
If integrated ring illumination is implemented, then image quality improves with even illumination, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a ring-shaped light source positioned at the periphery, with a diffuser specifically designed to spread light evenly across the central field of view. This localized illumination approach achieves uniform illumination without requiring complex control systems or multiple light sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a two-dimensional annular light source geometry to achieve uniform illumination across the retinal field, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms or multiple discrete light sources, thereby improving illumination quality while limiting complexity growth
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 solution enhances the field of view, improves image quality, and reduces reflections, allowing for more accurate diagnoses and safer surgical interventions by providing clear, reflection-free illumination of the retina.
Implementation Method 1
using fiber optics or LEDs
Implementation Method 2
using fiber optics or LEDs
Implementation Method 3
a light baffle separating the integrated light source and the light channel from a central aperture between the viewing lens and the contact lens
Implementation Method 4
a contact lens to be applied to an eye
Implementation Method 5
light reflections off the handheld lens
Data Source
AI summary
System and method directed towards providing full and even illumination of a patient's retina through lighting integrated into a handheld fundus lens. By integrating the lighting, the method and system reduces and even eliminate many lens artifacts and reflections. By increasing the accuracy, quality, and field of view 10 afforded during clinical examination of the retina, the method and system will allow practitioners to make more accurate diagnoses and will increase safety during retinal surgical procedures.