Light Adjustable Lens Tracker for Automated Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for aligning illumination with Light Adjustable Lenses (LALs) implanted in the eye are labor-intensive and require significant skill from physicians, leading to potential misalignment and diminished visual acuity due to eye movements and involuntary movements during post-surgical adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A Light Adjustable Lens Tracker system that uses an Imaging System and Image Recognition System to create a LAL image, determine its position, and calculate a misalignment factor, generating an illumination control signal to assist in aligning the illumination pattern with the LAL, thereby reducing the effort and skill required for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment is used to maintain overlap of reticle and LAL image, then alignment can be maintained through physician skill, but the procedure becomes labor-intensive and requires several minutes of continuous attention
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-alignment through automated tracking and control. The imaging system continuously monitors LAL position, the image recognition system detects misalignment, and the control system automatically adjusts illumination pattern position without requiring continuous manual intervention from the physician.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical alignment process is replaced with an automated optical-electronic system. Instead of the physician manually adjusting components based on visual feedback, the system uses imaging sensors, image processing algorithms, and automated control mechanisms to maintain alignment.
2Reliability
If manual alignment is used during the illumination procedure, then the physician can maintain alignment through continuous adjustment, but the procedure becomes tiring and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system operates continuously throughout the illumination procedure, providing uninterrupted monitoring of LAL position. The automated control system maintains continuous alignment adjustment without interruption, ensuring reliable alignment maintenance throughout the entire procedure duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control where the imaging system continuously captures LAL position, the image recognition system analyzes the position data, and the control system adjusts the illumination pattern based on detected misalignment, creating a continuous feedback cycle that maintains alignment automatically.
3Measurement precision
If manual alignment skill is required for maintaining overlap, then precise alignment can be achieved, but the procedure requires additional physician skill mastery
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-alignment through automated tracking and control mechanisms. The imaging system automatically detects LAL position, the image recognition system identifies misalignment, and the control system adjusts illumination pattern position without requiring the physician to manually maintain alignment or master additional alignment skills.
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
The system improves alignment precision, reduces physician fatigue, and enhances visual acuity by automating the alignment process, ensuring accurate adjustment of the LAL's optical power to compensate for post-surgical shifts.
Implementation Method 1
creating a LAL image by imaging a LAL implanted into an eye
Implementation Method 2
determining a LAL position by determining a combined cross-correlator from the disk cross-correlator and the edge cross-correlator
Implementation Method 3
generating an illumination control signal in relation to the determined LAL misalignment factor
Data Source
AI summary
A Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) Tracker comprises an Imaging System, for creating a LAL image by imaging a LAL implanted into an eye; and an Image Recognition System, coupled to the Imaging System, for determining a disk cross-correlator with the LAL image; determining an edge cross-correlator with the LAL image; and determining a LAL position by determining a combined cross-correlator from the disk cross-correlator and the edge cross-correlator. A Tracking-based Illumination Control System comprises the LAL Tracker for tracking a LAL implanted in an eye, including an Imaging System, and an Image Recognition System; and an Illumination Controller, coupled to the LAL Tracker, configured for determining a LAL misalignment factor, corresponding to a LAL misalignment that characterizes a misalignment of the LAL position with a LAL illumination pattern, and generating an illumination control signal in relation to the determined LAL misalignment factor.