Modular Ophthalmology Imaging With Coupled Treatment Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic devices are expensive, require a large footprint, and necessitate multiple devices for imaging and treatment, increasing diagnosis and treatment time.
Innovation Solution
A modular ophthalmology system with a base device that allows for physical and optical coupling of input and output modules, including imaging and therapeutic lasers, along with a controller for alignment and calibration, enabling a single device to provide a wide range of functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for imaging and treatment, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system cost increases and requires a larger footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ophthalmic devices including imaging devices (SLO, OCT) and treatment devices (laser) into a single integrated platform. The base device includes a shared optical pathway, controller, and physical interface connections that accept various input optical modules (imaging and treatment) and output optical modules, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining optimized functionality for each purpose
Solution Approach 2:
The base device is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different types of optical modules through standardized physical and optical interface connections. The controller is configured to receive commands from multiple input optical modules and coordinate their operation, enabling a single device to perform imaging, treatment, and other ophthalmic procedures that previously required separate specialized devices
2Productivity
If multiple separate devices are used for imaging and treatment, then each device can operate independently, but diagnosis and treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating imaging and treatment capabilities into a single device with shared optical pathways and coordinated control, the system eliminates the time required to move between separate devices. The controller can coordinate imaging modules and treatment modules to operate sequentially or simultaneously, streamlining the diagnostic-to-treatment workflow and reducing overall procedure time
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device enables continuous operation where imaging can be performed followed immediately by treatment without breaking the procedural flow. The shared optical pathway and coordinated control allow for seamless transitions between different ophthalmic procedures, maintaining continuous productive action rather than requiring device changes that would interrupt the workflow
3Area of stationary object
If a single integrated device is used for imaging and treatment, then costs and space requirements are reduced, but alignment and calibration between different modules becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is configured to receive alignment information from the optical modules and use feedback to coordinate and adjust the optical pathways. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically compensate for alignment variations between modules, maintaining precision without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical components such as beam splitters, mirrors, and tunable lenses as intermediaries within the shared optical pathway to precisely direct and align light from different input modules to the correct target locations. These intermediary components serve as adjustable mediators that facilitate accurate alignment between imaging and treatment functions while maintaining a compact integrated structure
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 reduces costs and space requirements while allowing efficient imaging and treatment of various eye conditions using a single device, enhancing diagnostic and treatment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an optical pathway coupling the first optical device and the optical interface connection of the first input coupling to the first optical output
Implementation Method 2
optical pathway comprises one or more of: an optical splitter/combiner; an optical circulator; a filter; a galvanometer; a tunable lens; a lens; and a grating
Implementation Method 3
the first tunable lens and second tunable lens are controlled by the controller in order to co-align light from the first optical device and the optical interface connection of the first input coupling
Implementation Method 4
a physical interface connection for aligning and securing an input optical module
Data Source
AI summary
A modular ophthalmology device comprising: a first optical device having a light source and an imaging sensor, a first input coupling having an optical interface connection and a physical interface connection for aligning and securing an input optical module, a first optical output, an optical pathway and an output coupling securing a third optical device.