Ophthalmic Alignment via Radial Light Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic examination instruments, such as fundus cameras, face challenges in aligning with the eye accurately due to patient and eye movements, leading to dim or vignetted images and spurious reflections, especially when trying to examine portions behind the iris.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a light manipulation arrangement that generates specific light patterns which guide the eye into proper alignment by directing converging and diverging light beams through the pupil aperture, allowing the eye to self-align by maximizing visibility of these patterns, with the iris blocking or allowing light based on position, indicating alignment adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional alignment methods are used, then operator intervention is required, but alignment speed and accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-alignment by having the patient actively participate in the alignment process through visual feedback. The light patterns provide real-time guidance that allows the patient to self-adjust their eye position, eliminating the need for operator intervention while achieving both high accuracy and speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs visual feedback through multiple light patterns that change based on alignment status. The light patterns provide continuous information about the current alignment state, guiding the patient to make precise adjustments. This feedback mechanism enables both rapid convergence to the correct position and verification of alignment accuracy
2Reliability
If manual alignment is performed, then alignment can be achieved, but patient movement causes misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic updates of light patterns that refresh continuously during the alignment process. This periodic visual feedback maintains the patient's attention and provides ongoing guidance, ensuring that alignment is maintained even as the patient makes adjustments. The system can be used for both initial alignment and continuous verification
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual operator adjustment with an automated optical feedback system. Instead of the operator mechanically adjusting components, the system uses light patterns to guide the patient's natural eye movements, substituting a mechanical adjustment process with an optical guidance process that is more responsive and accurate
3Measurement precision
If light patterns are used for guidance, then alignment accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system is divided into separate functional components: a light source, a light manipulation arrangement with multiple independent light patterns, and a visualization path. Each light pattern can be independently controlled and optimized for specific alignment tasks. This segmentation allows complex alignment functionality to be built from simpler, modular components
Solution Approach 2:
The light manipulation arrangement serves multiple functions: providing alignment guidance, verifying alignment status, and potentially indicating different alignment dimensions (horizontal, vertical, rotational). The same basic optical components are used for multiple purposes, reducing overall system complexity while achieving comprehensive alignment capability
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
This method enables precise and accurate alignment of the eye with the ophthalmic examination instrument, reducing the need for operator intervention and improving alignment speed and accuracy, suitable for both patient-operated and autonomous systems, enhancing the patient experience.
Implementation Method 1
a light manipulation arrangement (104) receives light from a visible radiation source (102) and forms light patterns (106)
Implementation Method 2
with the iris blocking or allowing light based on position, indicating alignment adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic examination apparatus, characterized in that the ophthalmic examination apparatus comprises at least one visual radiation source and a light manipulation arrangement, which is configured to receive light from the visible radiation source, and form light patterns from the light and direct at least one light pattern of the light patterns in a converging manner toward an pupil aperture in a pupil plane of the ophthalmic examination apparatus and locate the at least one light pattern at a non-zero radial distance from a pupil center of the pupil aperture such that a waist of the light patterns is located at the pupil plane in order to provide a person with guidance for enabling an aperture of an iris of his/her eye to approach and/or locate at the pupil aperture in the pupil plane.