Multi-Channel Subjective Refractor for Simultaneous Refraction Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refractors, or phoropters, rely on sequential presentation of refractions, which places a cognitive burden on patients, is time-consuming, and may not accurately determine the optimal refraction due to reliance on subjective patient feedback, leading to inefficiencies and increased chair time for optometrists.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel subjective refractor that presents two images with different refractions simultaneously, allowing patients to compare and choose the sharper image directly, reducing mental load and chair time, and potentially improving the accuracy of refraction determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sequential presentation of refractions is used in traditional refractors, then the device structure remains simple, but the cognitive burden on patients increases and chair time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from sequential temporal presentation to simultaneous spatial presentation by adding a second display side-by-side with the first display. This dimensional change allows patients to compare refractions directly without relying on memory of previous presentations, reducing cognitive burden while the added display component increases device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractor is divided into multiple independent display channels (first display and second display), each presenting a different refraction simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple refraction options, enabling direct comparison by the patient without sequential recall requirements.
2Productivity
If sequential presentation of refractions is used, then the device structure remains simple, but chair time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous comparison of refractions through simultaneous display, eliminating the interruptions and back-and-forth transitions required in sequential presentation. The useful action of refraction comparison continues without pause as both displays operate simultaneously, increasing productivity despite added device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the spatial dimension of a second display positioned side-by-side with the first display, the system achieves parallel presentation of refractions. This dimensional addition enables simultaneous comparison rather than sequential evaluation, directly reducing chair time while increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If subjective patient feedback is relied upon, then the refraction determination process remains simple, but measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual copies of refraction options through multiple displays showing identical eye charts with different refractions applied. This copying allows patients to directly compare the visual quality of different refractions without relying on memory or verbal feedback, improving measurement precision while the additional display components increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/verbal feedback mechanism with an optical/visual comparison mechanism. Instead of relying on patients to recall and describe previous refractions, the system uses simultaneous visual presentation to enable direct comparison, improving precision while adding optical components that increase device complexity.
4Loss of time
If multiple refractions are presented simultaneously, then chair time is reduced and patient cognitive load is decreased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the time-loss contradiction by adding a spatial dimension through a second display positioned side-by-side with the first display. This spatial arrangement enables simultaneous presentation of multiple refractions, eliminating the time required for sequential presentation and patient recall, thereby reducing chair time while the additional display hardware increases device complexity.
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 simultaneous presentation of refractions in the multi-channel subjective refractor alleviates cognitive demands on patients, reduces chair time, and enhances the likelihood of determining the optimal refraction with greater efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter, to direct the light beam; an aberration compensator optic, to receive the light beam from the beam splitter, to propagate the light beam with a compensating aberration to an eye of a patient, and to propagate a reflected light beam, reflected by the eye, to the beam splitter
Implementation Method 2
an aberration compensator optic, to receive the light beam from the beam splitter, to propagate the light beam with a compensating aberration to an eye of a patient
Data Source
AI summary
An autorefractor includes a point-like light source, to emit a light beam; a beam splitter, to direct the light beam; an aberration compensator optic, to receive the light beam from the beam splitter, to propagate the light beam with a compensating aberration to an eye of a patient, and to propagate a reflected light beam, reflected by the eye, to the beam splitter; wherein the beam splitter is configured to direct the reflected light beam, received from the aberration compensator optic; a camera, to receive the reflected light beam from the beam splitter, and to capture an image formed by the reflected light beam; and a controller, to determine a compensation indicator of the reflected light beam from the captured image, and to adjust the aberration compensator optic to improve the compensation indicator. In some embodiments, the above autorefractor can be combined with a multi-channel subjective refractor.