Intraocular Microdisplay Gaze Tracking for Tetherless Retinal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular micro-displays face challenges in providing a natural physio-optical user interface due to their compact form factor, lacking the ability to simulate natural eye movements and accommodation, and are prone to physiological compatibility issues and infection risks from transcutaneous tethers.
Innovation Solution
An intraocular micro-display system with a gaze tracking module, near-vision fiducial, and autofocus mechanism that simulates natural eye movements and accommodation by adjusting the focal distance and projecting a sub-portion of the scene image onto the retina, while being entirely contained within the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transcutaneous tether is used to provide power and data communication to the intraocular micro-display, then power and data transmission are enabled, but physiological compatibility issues, inflammation, and infection risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the transcutaneous tether component from the system entirely. Instead of extracting only the harmful part, the entire tether-based power and data transmission approach is replaced with wireless communication technology, eliminating the source of infection risk and inflammation while maintaining the essential functions of power and data transmission to the intraocular micro-display
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical tether connection is replaced with wireless electromagnetic field-based power and data transmission. The physical mechanical interface that caused infection risks is substituted with non-contact electromagnetic communication, achieving the same functional goals without the harmful physical penetration
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the intraocular micro-display is made compact to fit entirely within the eye, then infection risk is reduced, but the ability to simulate natural eye movements and accommodation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the compact intraocular micro-display device, including gaze tracking capability, autofocus mechanism, and image projection functionality. This multi-functionality allows the small implant to simulate natural eye movements and accommodation despite its limited size, maintaining adaptability while minimizing infection risk through the tetherless design
3Device complexity
If the intraocular micro-display lacks gaze tracking and autofocus capabilities, then device complexity is reduced, but the user experience becomes unnatural and less immersive
Solution Approach 1:
The intraocular micro-display incorporates self-service capabilities through automatic gaze tracking and autofocus mechanisms. The system autonomously monitors eye movements and adjusts focal distance without requiring manual intervention, thereby enhancing the naturalness of the user experience while managing device complexity through automated control algorithms
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
Restores a natural, holistic user experience by synchronizing eye movements with image changes and focal adjustments, providing real-time feedback and reducing infection risks through a tetherless design.
Implementation Method 1
a gaze tracking module to monitor movements of the user's eye
Implementation Method 2
an autofocus mechanism that adjusts the focal distance of the scene camera
Implementation Method 3
implantation of an intraocular micro-display in the excised lens of the eye can restore image reproduction onto their fully functioning retina
Data Source
AI summary
An intraocular micro-display (IOMD) system includes an auxiliary head unit. The auxiliary head unit includes a frame for mounting to a head of a user, a scene camera module mounted in or on the frame in a forward-facing orientation, a gaze tracking module disposed in or on the frame and configured to monitor an eye of the user, and an auxiliary controller. The auxiliary controller includes for: acquiring a scene image with the scene camera module, determining a gazing direction of the eye based upon gaze direction data from the gaze tracking module, identifying a sub-portion of the scene image based upon the gazing direction, and wirelessly relaying the sub-portion of the scene image to an IOMD implant within the eye for displaying to a retina of the eye.