Multi-Channel Subjective Refraction for Side-by-Side Lens Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional refractors require sequential presentation of refractions, imposing cognitive demand on patients, leading to frustration, inefficiency, and potential inaccuracies in determining optimal vision correction.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel subjective refractor simultaneously presents two images with different refractions, allowing patients to compare them side-by-side, reducing mental load and chair time, and enabling more accurate and efficient refraction determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequential presentation of refractions is used, then device complexity is reduced, but patient cognitive demand increases and chair time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refractor is divided into multiple independent optical channels (first channel, second channel, shared channel) that can operate simultaneously. Each channel can present different refractions to the patient at the same time, eliminating the need for sequential presentation and reducing cognitive demand while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from temporal sequencing (presenting refractions one after another) to spatial parallelism (presenting refractions simultaneously in different optical paths). This dimensional change allows multiple refractions to be compared at the same time, reducing chair time and cognitive load without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Device complexity
If sequential presentation of refractions is used, then device complexity is reduced, but chair time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple refraction channels operate simultaneously and continuously, allowing the patient to compare different refractions at the same time rather than sequentially. This parallel processing eliminates waiting time between refraction comparisons and significantly reduces total chair time while the modular channel structure keeps device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the refractor into independent channels that can function simultaneously, the system performs multiple refraction comparisons in parallel rather than sequentially. This segmentation enables continuous useful action without requiring complex coordination mechanisms, thus reducing time while maintaining acceptable device complexity.
3Device complexity
If sequential presentation of refractions is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The refractor is divided into multiple independent optical channels that can simultaneously present different refractions to the patient. This segmentation allows for direct parallel comparison of refractions, improving measurement precision by eliminating memory-dependent comparisons while the modular design keeps device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from sequential (temporal) refraction presentation to simultaneous (spatial) presentation across multiple channels. This dimensional change enables direct comparison of refractions without relying on patient memory, significantly improving measurement precision while the distributed channel architecture prevents exponential complexity growth.
4Loss of time
If multi-channel simultaneous presentation is used, then chair time is reduced and patient comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refractor is divided into multiple independent optical channels (first channel, second channel, shared channel) that can operate simultaneously. Each channel is a self-contained unit with its own optics and refraction control, allowing parallel refraction presentation. This segmentation achieves time reduction while keeping complexity manageable through modular, standardized channel designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared channel serves multiple functions by receiving and combining images from both first and second channels, and by providing additional refraction control. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the benefits of simultaneous multi-channel presentation and reducing chair time.
5Measurement precision
If multi-channel simultaneous presentation is used, then refraction determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refractor is divided into multiple independent optical channels that simultaneously present different refractions. This segmentation enables direct parallel comparison, improving refraction determination accuracy by eliminating memory-dependent comparisons. The modular channel structure keeps device complexity manageable despite the increased number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared channel provides universal functionality by combining images from multiple channels and providing common refraction control for all channels. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and simplifies the overall system architecture, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high refraction determination accuracy through simultaneous multi-channel presentation.
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 multi-channel design enhances patient comfort, reduces chair time, and increases the likelihood of determining the optimal refraction with higher accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a beam combiner to receive and to combine the first image and the second image
Implementation Method 2
a first channel to refract the first image with a first channel refraction; a second channel to refract the second image with a second channel refraction
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-channel subjective refractor can comprise a first display to generate a first image; a second display to generate a second image; a first channel to refract the first image with a first channel refraction; a second channel to refract the second image with a second channel refraction; a beam combiner to receive and to combine the first image and the second image; and a shared channel, to receive the first image and the second image from the beam combiner to refract, in combination with the first channel, the first image with a first refraction; to refract, in combination with the second channel, the second image with a second refraction; and to present the first image with the first refraction and the second image with the second refraction to an eye simultaneously.