Electronic Ophthalmic Lens Multi-Input Voting Scheme
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of multiple sensors and electronic components into ophthalmic lenses poses challenges due to size constraints, power management, and the need for reliable and safe operation, particularly in detecting physiological changes like blinks for controlling lens functions, while minimizing false triggering.
Innovation Solution
A multi-input voting scheme is implemented in an electronic ophthalmic lens system, which samples multiple sensors, compares results to thresholds and patterns, and generates a single decision signal to configure actuators, ensuring safe, convenient, and low-power operation, including blink detection algorithms to control refractive power changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are integrated into the ophthalmic lens to improve detection reliability, then the reliability of detecting physiological changes is improved, but the device complexity and size constraints are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (optical sensor, capacitive sensor, impedance sensor) into a single ophthalmic lens device to detect physiological changes through multiple modalities. This merging approach improves detection reliability by cross-validating signals from different sensor types while maintaining compact form factor suitable for lens integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The ophthalmic lens is designed with multi-functional capabilities, serving both as a vision correction device and as a platform for physiological monitoring. The lens integrates multiple sensing functions (optical detection, capacitive detection, impedance detection) into a single universal device that can detect various eye states including blinks, gaze direction, and physiological parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and electronic components are integrated into the lens, then the functionality is enhanced, but the power management requirements and energy consumption are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic sampling of sensor signals rather than continuous monitoring, reducing power consumption while maintaining detection capability. The optical sensor, capacitive sensor, and impedance sensor are activated at specific intervals to detect physiological changes, allowing the lens to function with limited power resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and stores electrical energy from various sources including biocompatible batteries, energy harvesting elements, and wireless power transfer. Excess energy is stored for later use, and the system discards non-essential functions when power is limited, prioritizing critical detection and communication functions.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to detect eye states, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and false triggering are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where signals from multiple sensors are continuously monitored and cross-validated. The optical sensor, capacitive sensor, and impedance sensor provide feedback signals that are processed to determine actual eye states, reducing false positives by requiring corroboration from multiple sensing modalities before triggering lens state changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates redundant sensing capabilities as a form of prior cushioning against detection errors. By having multiple sensors that can detect the same physiological events through different physical principles, the system prepares in advance for potential false readings from any single sensor, ensuring reliable operation even if one sensor fails or produces erroneous signals.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the lens incorporates electronic components for enhanced functionality, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of manufacture and integration are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic components are nested within the lens structure, with sensors, processors, and power sources integrated into the lens body. The optical sensor, capacitive sensor, and impedance sensor are positioned within the lens to minimize external connections and simplify manufacturing. This nested arrangement allows the electronic components to be manufactured and assembled as part of the lens fabrication process.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic or powered ophthalmic lens includes one or more systems having one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. These systems may change the state of the powered ophthalmic lens. In systems having one or more sensors, a decision making process is required to substantially reduce the possibility of changing the state of the powered ophthalmic lens based upon inaccurate, incomplete or erroneous information supplied by the sensors, changing physiologic conditions , as well as noise and/or interference from internal and external sources.