Imaging Device for Optical Viewing Devices with Automated Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capturing images from optical viewing devices, such as otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes, is challenging due to movement-induced blurring and the need for manual filter selection, which increases examination time and discomfort for patients.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device that attaches to optical viewing devices, capturing a sequence of images, determining image quality scores, selecting high-quality images, and storing them for later review, while allowing for automatic filter application and reduced manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a user manually captures images using a button press, then image capture is achieved, but device movement causes blurring and patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically captures images without requiring manual button presses. The optical viewing device autonomously performs image capture, eliminating the need for user intervention during the capture process and preventing device movement that would cause blurring.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical button-pressing action is replaced with an automated electronic capture system. The device uses electronic triggers and automated timing to capture images, substituting the mechanical interaction with an automated control system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple filters are manually selected during examination, then different anatomical views are obtained, but examination time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter variations are pre-captured in advance as part of the automated image sequence. Instead of manually switching filters during examination, the system captures images with different filter settings beforehand, allowing the user to review all filter variations without additional time spent during the actual examination.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system continuously captures images across multiple filter settings without interruption. The image capture process flows continuously through different filter configurations, eliminating the stop-and-go nature of manual filter selection and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the examination.
3Measurement precision
If contrast enhancing filters are implemented on optical viewing devices, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Digital image processing acts as an intermediary between the optical viewing device and the final image output. Instead of implementing complex physical contrast-enhancing filters in the optical path, the system captures standard images and applies contrast enhancement through digital processing algorithms, achieving the same effect with reduced optical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Physical optical filters and their associated mechanical selection mechanisms are replaced with digital image processing. The contrast enhancement that would traditionally require complex optical components is instead achieved through software-based image processing, substituting mechanical/optical complexity with computational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device for capturing images viewed from an optical viewing device. The imaging device includes a housing having a bracket for attaching the imaging device to the optical viewing device. The imaging device captures a sequence of images viewed from the optical viewing device, determines an image quality score for each image in the sequence of images, and selects a subset of images from the sequence of images based on the image quality score determined for each image in the sequence of images. The imaging device displays the subset of images, receives a selection of one or more images from the subset of images, and stores the one or more images selected from the subset of images.