Ophthalmic Image Capture for Persistent Astigmatism Axis Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for indicating ophthalmic attributes like the astigmatism axis during cataract surgery, such as using optical biometers or invasive ink markings, are either equipment-dependent or prone to fading, necessitating re-marking.
Innovation Solution
Capture ophthalmic images using a user device with a camera, such as a smartphone, guided by clinical image parameters to ensure quality, and graphically annotate the astigmatism axis, which can be registered with real-time images for surgical use without specialized equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive ink markings are used to indicate the astigmatism axis, then the astigmatism axis can be visually indicated for surgical reference, but the markings are prone to fading and require re-marking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures and stores the astigmatism axis information in a digital image during the pre-operative examination phase. This preliminary capture of the axis information eliminates the need for invasive markings during surgery, as the digital image can be retrieved and displayed on screens throughout the surgical process, ensuring persistent reference without fading or wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the astigmatism axis information by capturing it in an image during pre-operative examination. This digital copy replaces the need for physical ink markings on the patient's eye, allowing the axis information to be stored, preserved, and displayed multiple times without degradation or fading.
2Measurement precision
If specialized hardware such as an optical biometer is used to capture ophthalmic images, then clinical image parameters can be accurately measured, but the equipment dependency increases and accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables standard camera devices to perform clinical-grade ophthalmic imaging by implementing software-based guidance and validation. The system provides interactive guidance to users and automatically verifies that captured images meet clinical parameters, allowing consumer devices to achieve medical-grade measurement accuracy without requiring specialized optical biometer hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/optical measurement systems with a software-based image capture and validation system. Instead of relying on specialized optical biometer hardware, the system uses standard camera devices with software algorithms to guide capture and verify clinical parameters, substituting mechanical complexity with computational processing.
3Productivity
If non-clinical images are captured without guidance, then image acquisition is simple and quick, but the images may not satisfy clinical image parameters required for surgical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an interactive guidance system that provides real-time feedback to users during image capture. The system guides users through the capture process and verifies that the captured images meet clinical parameters before acceptance. This feedback mechanism ensures high-quality clinical images are obtained without significantly increasing the time required, as the guidance streamlines the capture process rather than adding complex manual verification steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of acquiring ophthalmic images for clinical use may include receiving, at a user device including a camera, a command to initiate image acquisition relative to an eye of a patient. The computer-implemented method may also include, responsive to the receiving, interactively guiding, at the user device, a user to capture at least one image of the eye that satisfies one or more clinical image parameters. The computer-implemented method may also include, responsive to the interactively guiding, the user device causing the at least one image to be stored in relation to the patient in a location accessible to an ophthalmic surgical system.