Modular Ophthalmic Headset With Automatic Fundus Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional eye examination systems are bulky, expensive, and require patients to maintain static head positions, limiting their accessibility and accuracy, especially for individuals with mobility issues or those unable to travel to a doctor's office.

Innovation Solution

A wearable headset system with a modular optical module that includes a miniaturized fundus camera and eye tracking capabilities, allowing for adjustable positioning and automatic alignment, enabling comprehensive eye examinations in various environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fundus camera systems are used, then comprehensive eye examination capability is achieved, but device portability and accessibility are severely limited due to bulk and expense

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexamination capabilityVSAvoiddevice portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the conventional fundus camera system into modular components that can be integrated into a wearable headset. The system segments the examination functionality from the bulky conventional equipment and redistributes it across wearable components including cameras, lights, and processors that can be worn on the head, enabling portability without sacrificing examination capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions the examination system from a stationary table-top configuration to a wearable head-mounted configuration. This dimensional change moves the system from fixed spatial location to mobile wearable form, fundamentally altering the portability dimension while maintaining examination functionality through strategic placement of optical components on the wearer's head

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If patients are required to maintain static head positions in chin rests, then optical alignment accuracy is improved, but accessibility for patients with mobility limitations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical alignment accuracyVSAvoidpatient accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses eye tracking cameras and image processing to automatically detect and track the patient's eye position without requiring manual positioning by the patient. The system self-adjusts to maintain optical alignment, eliminating the need for patients to physically position their heads in chin rests while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements real-time feedback through eye tracking cameras that continuously monitor eye position and provide data to the processing system. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of the examination parameters and maintains optimal optical alignment dynamically, accommodating patient movement while preserving alignment accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If conventional perimetry instruments are used, then visual field testing accuracy is achieved, but head motion sensitivity degrades results and requires dedicated examination space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual field testing accuracyVSAvoidmotion tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs real-time eye tracking feedback to monitor head and eye motion during perimetry testing. The processing system uses this feedback to compensate for motion artifacts and maintain accurate visual field measurements even when the patient moves their head, eliminating the strict motion constraints of conventional perimetry instruments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical chin rest and forehead bar positioning system with an optical-eye tracking-based positioning system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical constraints on the patient's head while maintaining measurement accuracy through software-based motion compensation and dynamic alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250331717A1Ophthalmologic testing systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 XENON VR INC

AI summary

A modular, headset for performing ophthalmic tests on a patient comprises a removable optical module that can be replaced based on ophthalmic testing need. A miniaturized fundus camera is provided and can be movably mounted within the headset, including to the optical module. The fundus camera position can be automatically adjusted to align the camera with a headset wearer's eye. Software controls image capture and captured images are combined assembled and combined to provide a wide field retinal image. The optical module can have replaceable sub-components allowing configuration for different ophthalmic tests, such as visual field testing and optical coherence tomography.