Portable Ocular Screening Device for AMD Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring age-related macular degeneration require frequent and costly physician visits, which are burdensome and inadequate due to the spontaneous nature of the transition from dry to wet age-related macular degeneration, leading to potential extensive vision loss.
Innovation Solution
A portable ocular monitoring device that uses shape discrimination hyperacuity tests to remotely and accurately identify the transition from dry to wet age-related macular degeneration, allowing patients to conduct regular self-assessments at home, reducing the need for frequent medical appointments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent physician visits are conducted to monitor age-related macular degeneration, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and healthcare cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a portable ocular monitoring device that enables patients to perform self-testing at home using shape discrimination hyperacuity tests. The device includes a display showing test images, a processor analyzing responses, and a mechanism for calculating SDH values without requiring physician presence, thus achieving reliable monitoring while eliminating the need for frequent clinical visits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of in-person physician examinations with an automated optical testing system. The portable device uses displayed test images and automated processing of patient responses to perform retinal health assessment, substituting the need for physical physician-patient interaction with an automated visual testing mechanism
2Device complexity
If infrequent evaluations are conducted to reduce healthcare burdens, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to spontaneous transition from dry to wet AMD
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback through regular self-testing, where the portable device calculates SDH values from patient responses and compares them against baseline measurements. This feedback mechanism enables early detection of transitions from dry to wet AMD by identifying changes in shape discrimination hyperacuity over time, maintaining measurement precision without requiring complex clinical infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of disease progression using shape discrimination hyperacuity testing before significant vision loss occurs. By continuously monitoring SDH values and comparing them to baseline, the system identifies early signs of transition from dry to wet AMD, enabling timely intervention before extensive vision loss happens between evaluations
3Measurement precision
If physician assessments are used to evaluate AMD progression, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to travel and appointment scheduling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables patients to perform comprehensive AMD evaluations at home using the portable device, eliminating the need to travel to physician offices. Patients can conduct tests during regular daily activities, and the device automatically processes responses and calculates SDH values, maintaining measurement precision while completely eliminating time loss associated with appointment scheduling and travel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a portable ocular monitoring device as an intermediary between the patient and the healthcare system. This device performs the measurement function that would otherwise require a physician's direct involvement, capturing precise SDH measurements and transmitting results to healthcare providers, thereby eliminating the need for patient travel while preserving measurement quality
4Productivity
If remote monitoring is implemented to reduce healthcare burdens, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate without professional oversight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for professional oversight with an automated processing system that objectively analyzes patient responses and calculates SDH values. The processor automatically compares test responses against baseline measurements and identifies transitions from dry to wet AMD based on quantitative changes in shape discrimination hyperacuity, eliminating subjectivity while maintaining precision through automated algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses quantitative parameter changes in shape discriminationhyperacuity to objectively measure disease progression. By calculating SDH values from patient responses and comparing them against baseline measurements, the system detects transitions from dry to wet AMD through measurable parameter changes rather than subjective clinical assessment, maintaining precision while enabling remote monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A portable ocular screening device for tracking macular degeneration having a portable body including a graduated focusing mechanism including an inner chamber. The apparatus also includes a monocular eyepiece disposed on the graduated focusing mechanism and a display screen and a processor disposed within the inner chamber. Additionally, a method of monitoring macular degeneration includes providing a monocular screening device having a display screen disposed within a body of the screening device. The method further includes displaying an image and also providing a prompt in response to the display of the image. Subsequently, the method includes receiving a response via an input device, the response indicative of a user's perception of the image and evaluating the response to determine if the response indicates a user accurately perceived the first image.