Ophthalmic Apparatus Protocol Selection and Progress Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic apparatuses face challenges in usability due to complex examination protocols and lack of clear progress status during imaging, making it difficult for unskilled operators to navigate and confirm image-captured examinations efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic apparatus with an examination unit, storage unit, and control unit that displays information about multiple examination protocols, allowing operators to select and execute protocols easily, and provides real-time progress status of examinations, enabling efficient operation and confirmation of results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If examination protocols are stored with multiple imaging operations and conditions, then the functionality and comprehensiveness of the examination system is improved, but the complexity of selecting and understanding the appropriate protocol increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments examination protocols into hierarchical levels: protocol groups (categorized by examination type such as OCT, fundus imaging, glaucoma screening) and individual protocols within each group. This segmentation allows operators to navigate complex functionality through organized categories rather than facing a single overwhelming list, resolving the contradiction by maintaining comprehensive functionality while reducing selection complexity through structured division.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a categorical dimension to protocol organization by introducing protocol groups as a higher-level classification layer. Instead of a flat one-dimensional list of protocols, the system creates a two-dimensional structure where protocols are organized within groups based on examination type. This dimensional addition allows operators to efficiently locate appropriate protocols by first selecting the relevant examination category, then choosing from protocols within that category, thereby managing complexity while preserving comprehensive functionality.
2Loss of information
If detailed imaging conditions and sequential orders are included in protocol information, then the completeness of protocol documentation is improved, but the difficulty of quickly understanding and selecting protocols increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments protocol information into multiple display stages: first displaying protocol group names and associated imaging types at the group level, then displaying detailed protocol names and conditions only when a specific group is selected. This segmentation prevents information overload during initial protocol selection while ensuring complete information is available when needed, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and selection ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary organization of protocol information by categorizing protocols into groups based on examination types before presentation to the operator. This preliminary action structures the information in advance, allowing operators to quickly identify relevant examination categories without being presented with all detailed protocol information at once. The detailed conditions are prepared and organized but only revealed when the operator navigates to the appropriate group, balancing completeness with ease of operation.
3Loss of information
If multiple examination protocols are displayed simultaneously, then the overview of available examinations is improved, but the clarity of individual protocol details decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display of examination protocols by organizing them into separate protocol groups, each dedicated to a specific examination type (e.g., OCT, fundus imaging). Within each group, protocols are listed with their names and associated imaging types. This segmentation provides a comprehensive overview of all available examinations across groups while maintaining clarity within each group by limiting the number of protocols displayed simultaneously and using consistent formatting for protocol names and conditions.
4Reliability
If the system provides comprehensive protocol information including imaging operations and conditions, then the accuracy of protocol selection is improved, but the time required for operator training and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments protocol information presentation into hierarchical levels where protocol groups provide high-level categorization by examination type, and individual protocols within groups provide detailed imaging conditions. This segmentation allows operators to quickly identify the appropriate examination category and protocol without being overwhelmed by all details at once during training, while still providing access to complete information when needed for accurate selection, thereby reducing training time while maintaining selection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a categorical dimension to information presentation by organizing protocols into groups based on examination types. This dimensional organization provides context and structure that helps operators understand protocol purposes without requiring extensive memorization of detailed conditions. Operators can accurately select protocols by understanding the categorical structure (examination type → specific protocol) rather than needing to memorize all detailed conditions, reducing training time while maintaining selection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
One of information processing apparatuses according to the technique disclosed herein includes an examination unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The examination unit is configured to examine an eye of an examinee. The storage unit is configured to store a plurality of examination protocols, each of the plurality of examination protocols including a plurality of examinations. The control unit is configured to control a display unit such that information that represents a plurality of examinations included in each of at least two examination protocols among the plurality of examination protocols stored is displayed on a protocol-by-protocol basis for the at least two examination protocols, and is configured to control the examination unit in accordance with one examination protocol selected according to an instruction given from an examiner from among the at least two examination protocols.