Matrix LED Ophthalmic Device for Glaucoma Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmologic examination apparatuses face challenges in achieving reliable glaucoma detection due to complex structures and the need for troublesome adjustments, while simpler systems fail to provide sufficient blinking frequency for reliable examinations.
Innovation Solution
A novel ophthalmologic examination apparatus using a matrix of light-emitting diodes and a liquid crystal shutter to form a visual target and background, allowing independent control of brightness and transmissivity for each pixel, enabling sinusoidal blinking at higher frequencies and eliminating the need for complex adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate light sources and combining means are used to present visual target and background, then the brightness can be controlled to suppress eye stimulation, but the device structure becomes complex and requires troublesome adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the visual target light source and background light source into a single light source unit. This single light source presents both the visual target and background light simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate light sources and combining means. The simplification maintains the ability to control brightness levels while removing the complex structure and adjustment requirements associated with multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single light source is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates both the visual target light and the background light. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate specialized light sources and combining optics, simplifying the overall apparatus structure while maintaining the functional capabilities needed for reliable examination.
2Device complexity
If a single light source is used to present both visual target and background, then the structure is simplified, but the blinking frequency is limited by light valve response speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical light valve system with electronic control of LED brightness. Instead of using a light valve to modulate continuous light, the system directly controls the brightness of individual LED elements electronically. This substitution enables much higher blinking frequencies because electronic control responds far faster than mechanical light valve systems, while maintaining the simplified single light source structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic blinking of the visual target by electronically modulating the brightness of specific LED elements at controlled frequencies. This periodic action is achieved through electronic timing circuits that can operate at high frequencies, enabling the visual target to blink reliably without the speed limitations of mechanical light valve systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate light sources are used for visual target and background, then brightness control is precise, but the apparatus requires troublesome adjustments and complex structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves precise brightness control by independently adjusting the intensity parameters of individual LED elements within the single light source. Each LED element can be controlled to emit at different brightness levels through electronic regulation, allowing precise control of visual target and background brightness without the mechanical adjustments and alignment complexities of separate light source systems.
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 solution simplifies the apparatus structure, allows for highly reliable examinations contributing to early glaucoma detection by ensuring accurate target and background presentation with controlled brightness and blinking frequency, reducing eye stimulation and improving examination reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A novel ophthalmologic examination apparatus using a matrix of light-emitting diodes
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal shutter to form a visual target and background
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
[Problem to be Solved] To realize highly reliable examination by means of an apparatus free of troublesome adjustment of which structure as a whole is simple. The examination contributes to early discovery of glaucoma in particular. [Means to solve Problem] Light emitted from a matrix-type light-emitting diose unit 12 is projected onto an eye to be examined through a liquid crystal shutter 16 and a main optical system 14. The matrix-type light-emitting diode unit 12 includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes devices 12b, 12b, ..., 12b, of the same specifications arranged in a matrix array. The light-emitting diode devices 12b, 12b, ..., 12b are independently controlled to form an image for use in the examination. The image includes a circular visual target 100a and a background 100b which is a remaining portion of the image. The visual target 100a flickers generally sinusoidally at a frequency between 1 Hz and 200Hz. With this arrangement, highly reliable examination contributing to early discovery of glaucoma is realized. The structure of the apparatus as a whole is simple, and no troublesome adjustments are required.