Mobile Dry Eye Illuminator with Placido Ring Projection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for diagnosing and monitoring dry eye syndrome are often expensive, non-portable, and primarily designed for medical professionals, making it difficult for patients to effectively monitor their condition at home.
Innovation Solution
A portable device system comprising a handheld or smartphone-mounted illuminator with a software application that records anterior eye video, overlays a simplified Placido ring pattern, and uses AI to analyze dry eye parameters, providing self-treatment guidance and allowing patients to monitor their condition independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If corneal topography devices are used for DES diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential Placido ring illumination and video recording capabilities from complex corneal topography devices, removing unnecessary topography analysis components while retaining the core functionality needed for dry eye diagnosis through tear film evaluation
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a universal Placido ring illumination system that serves multiple functions: corneal surface visualization, tear film pattern analysis, and dry eye syndrome diagnosis, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment
2Measurement precision
If desktop corneal topography devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the Placido ring illumination device with a mobile computing device (smartphone or tablet), combining optical components with portable computing capabilities to create a compact, handheld system that maintains measurement precision while enabling patient portability
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from fixed desktop equipment to a portable handheld device, changing the spatial dimension from stationary to mobile, allowing patients to perform measurements at home in various locations
3Measurement precision
If professional-only devices are provided, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables patients to perform self-diagnosis by providing them with the portable device and simplified interface, allowing them to independently conduct tear film measurements and receive diagnostic results without requiring professional medical personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by providing pre-configured software applications and automated analysis algorithms that simplify the measurement process for patients while maintaining clinically accurate diagnostic precision
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
Enables rapid, cost-effective, and user-friendly dry eye diagnosis and monitoring, allowing patients to track their condition and receive personalized treatment recommendations, reducing the need for frequent medical visits.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminator device configured to illuminate an anterior eye
Implementation Method 2
a camera configured to record a video of the anterior eye
Implementation Method 3
overlaying the recorded video with a projected grid or Placido ring pattern
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices and systems for treating dry eye syndrome by recording and analyzing video of the anterior eye surface using a binocular illuminator device operating with a computer running a software application. The illuminator includes a projector for projecting a simplified Placido ring pattern onto each eye, and an eye cup for aligning the illuminator with the eye(s). Some embodiments of the illuminator include an onboard camera while other embodiments use the camera system included with a mobile computer such as a smartphone. Also disclosed are methods to use an illuminator and a software application running on a computer to record videos of the anterior eye surface, to perform digital image processing on the videos, and to use the processed images to determine one or more dry eye-related parameters.