Handheld Ophthalmic Screening Device with Infrared Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing ocular and neurological conditions such as glaucoma and retinal diseases are cumbersome, expensive, and often require specialized equipment and trained personnel, making early detection and population screening challenging, especially in resource-constrained settings.
Innovation Solution
A handheld ocular and neurological screening device that includes an eyepiece, a tubular stimulus chamber with an illumination source, and an infrared camera, capable of capturing images without interfering with light stimuli, and a controller that transmits data to an external computing device or cloud storage for analysis, allowing for objective and affordable detection of pupillary and ocular movement changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bulky lab-based equipment is used for pupillary response examination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from bulky lab-based equipment and implements it in a handheld device. The infrared camera and light stimulus channel are selectively extracted to create a portable pupillary response examination device that maintains measurement capability while eliminating unnecessary complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with an infrared imaging system. The infrared camera captures pupillary responses optically without requiring mechanical stimulus delivery mechanisms, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If specialized equipment and trained personnel are used for screening, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld device enables self-administered pupillary response screening. Users can independently position the device over their eye and complete the examination without requiring trained personnel, making screening accessible in community settings while maintaining objective measurement through automated infrared capture
3Measurement precision
If multiple time-consuming procedures are used for glaucoma screening, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity and loss of time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple screening functions into a single handheld device that can perform pupillary response measurement, eye movement tracking, and neurological assessment. This integration allows comprehensive ocular and neurological screening to be completed in one procedure rather than requiring separate HVF, OCT, and slit lamp examinations
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses rapid sequential light stimulus presentation through the light stimulus channel to elicit and capture pupillary responses. The periodic stimulation approach enables quick data collection and analysis, reducing the time required for comprehensive screening while maintaining measurement accuracy
4Measurement precision
If expensive imaging techniques and software are used for detection, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive specialized imaging equipment with a standardized infrared camera platform. The infrared camera, combined with software analysis of captured images, provides objective pupillary response measurement without requiring costly dedicated ophthalmic imaging systems
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device is designed to perform multiple functions including pupillary response measurement, eye movement tracking, and neurological assessment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, lowering overall system complexity and cost while maintaining comprehensive screening capability
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 early identification of ocular and neurological dysfunctions, facilitates self-assessment, and monitors disease progression, providing a cost-effective and accessible tool for screening and treatment monitoring in various settings.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared camera positioned outside the stimulus channel and inclined towards the opening, the infrared camera is configured to capture images through the opening without interfering with the light stimulus
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held sized ocular and neurological screening device, system and method, the screening device comprising an eyepiece and a hand-held housing, the housing comprising a tubular stimulus chamber defining a light stimulus channel, wherein an illumination source is configured to provide light stimulus towards an opening through the light stimulus channel and an operational chamber comprising an infrared camera positioned outside the stimulus channel and inclined towards the opening, the infrared camera is configured to capture images of the pupils and eye movements through the opening without interfering with the light stimulus and a controller configured to receive the captured images from the infrared camera. The hand-held sized device can include a clip-on fixture for fixing the device onto a table, a desktop, or any portable ophthalmic apparatus.