Infrared Eye Alignment Detection for Retinal Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous systems for diagnosing retinal abnormalities struggle to ensure proper eye alignment without a medical professional, leading to errors and the need for multiple flashes during imaging.

Innovation Solution

The use of infrared imaging to determine proper eye alignment, with a processor receiving an infrared stream from an imaging device and outputting sensory feedback to aid the patient in adjusting their eye positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a guiding light is illuminated and a patient is instructed to focus on it to align the patient's pupil with a camera lens, then the patient may be guided to align the eye, but the patient may fail to do so and an image will nonetheless be captured that is insufficient for abnormality analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of eye alignmentVSAvoidreliability of proper alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time infrared feedback to the patient showing their eye alignment status. The infrared camera continuously monitors pupil position and provides visual feedback (e.g., alignment indicators) to guide the patient in adjusting their gaze, ensuring reliable alignment before capturing the retinal image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical alignment process (performed by a medical professional physically positioning the device) with an automated optical system using infrared imaging. The system automatically detects pupil position and guides alignment through software-controlled feedback mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple flashes are taken to capture images of the patient's eye for retinal disease diagnosis, then sufficient images may be obtained, but the patient's eyes are unnecessarily exposed to multiple flashes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of retinal imagesVSAvoideye exposure to flashes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary infrared alignment verification before capturing the actual retinal image with the flash. By ensuring proper alignment is achieved and confirmed in advance using infrared imaging, the system guarantees that the subsequent flash-captured image will be of sufficient quality, eliminating the need for repeated flashing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses infrared imaging to self-verify alignment and automatically determine when proper alignment is achieved, without requiring external verification. This self-checking mechanism ensures image quality while minimizing flash usage, as the system can autonomously confirm alignment readiness before triggering the flash.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If an autonomous system captures images without a medical professional operating the imaging device, then automation is improved, but the system is incapable of ensuring proper eye alignment and is prone to error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of imaging processVSAvoidprecision of eye alignment detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual alignment verification by medical professionals with automated infrared optical detection. The system uses infrared cameras and image processing algorithms to automatically detect pupil position, calculate alignment accuracy, and determine when proper alignment is achieved, achieving both high automation and precise measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces infrared imaging as an intermediary between the patient's eye and the final retinal image capture. This intermediate infrared verification step provides precise alignment data that the autonomous system uses to confirm proper positioning before capturing the diagnostic image, enabling accurate automated alignment detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach reduces the number of unsuccessful images taken, minimizing unnecessary exposure to flashes and improving the accuracy of retinal disease diagnosis.

Implementation Method 1

infrared imaging of the patient's eye may be performed to determine eye alignment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20250072752A1Using infrared to detect proper eye alignment before capturing retinal images

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 DIGITAL DIAGNOSTICS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for detecting eye alignment during retinal imaging. In an embodiment, the system receives an infrared stream from an imaging device, the infrared stream showing characteristics of an eye of a patient. The system determines, based on the infrared stream, that the eye is improperly aligned at a first time, and outputs sensory feedback indicative of the improper alignment. The system detects, based on the infrared stream at a second time later than the first time, that the eye is properly aligned, and receives an image of a retina of the properly aligned eye from the imaging device.