Gaze Fixation Device with Beam Splitter for On-Axis Patient Observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing accommodative function in patients, such as those with down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or autism, are inaccurate due to examinations being taken off-axis from the patient's line of sight, making it difficult to ensure fixation and interest in the target, especially in younger patients or those with developmental disabilities.
Innovation Solution
A gaze fixation device with a partially reflective surface that allows incident light from a target and the patient to be directed such that the patient can view the target and be viewed simultaneously along the same plane, utilizing a beam splitter mirror that reflects and transmits light to enable accurate observation and recording without obstructing the patient's line of sight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the examination is conducted off-axis from the patient's line of sight to avoid obscuring the target, then the practitioner can view the patient, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam splitter that creates a new observation dimension, allowing the practitioner to view the patient's eye along the same optical axis as the patient's line of sight. This resolves the contradiction by enabling on-axis examination without obscuring the fixation target, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter acts as an intermediary optical element that separates the practitioner's line of sight from the patient's line of sight. It allows the practitioner to observe the patient's eye while the patient maintains fixation on the target, eliminating the need for off-axis positioning and improving measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the practitioner positions themselves to view the patient directly, then the examination is easier to perform, but the fixation target becomes obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter creates a new observation pathway that allows the practitioner to view the patient's eye from the same direction as the patient's line of sight without blocking the fixation target. This enables direct viewing while maintaining target visibility, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter serves as an intermediary that allows the practitioner's observation path to coincide with the patient's line of sight. It directs a portion of the light from the patient's eye to the practitioner while allowing the fixation target to remain visible to the patient, thus maintaining both ease of operation and target visibility.
3Device complexity
If standard fixation targets are used, then the examination setup is simple, but the patient's interest and fixation stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows for changing the parameters of the fixation target by displaying images or videos on a screen rather than using static standard targets. This increases patient interest and fixation stability while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through the use of common display technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can accommodate various types of fixation targets including static images, moving images, and videos on a screen, making it universally applicable to different patient ages and preferences. This multi-functionality improves fixation stability without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 precise measurement of accommodative function while maintaining the patient's focus on an interesting target, improving the accuracy and comfort of clinical examinations by allowing direct visualization along the patient's line of sight, applicable in various clinical settings beyond eye care.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion of said target incident light is transmitted through the surface
Implementation Method 2
a second portion of the target incident light is reflected from said surface at an angle offset from the angle of incidence
Implementation Method 3
a first portion of said patient incident light is transmitted through the surface
Implementation Method 4
a second portion of the patient incident light is reflected from said surface at an angle offset from the angle of incidence
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to aids or devices with optical elements which include a partially reflective surface, which allow examination or recordal of a patient who is fixated on a visual target, with said examination or recordal occurring along the same axis as the line of sight. The invention also allows for a target more personalised and customised to the patient's needs.