Optical Stimulation with Patterned Retinal Projection and Eye Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to effectively restore and augment vision for individuals with photoreceptor damage, such as those with retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, by stimulating functional retinal cells like retinal ganglion cells.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a light source, display module, steering module, and sensor module, which projects patterned light frames onto the retina to stimulate optogenetically modified cells or retinal implants, dynamically adjusting light projection based on eye and retinal movement to enhance visual input and acuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional light projection methods are used, then the system structure is simple, but they fail to effectively stimulate functional retinal cells for vision restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the light projection task into multiple specialized modules: a display module for generating patterned light frames, a steering module for directing light to specific retinal locations, and a sensor module for tracking eye movements. This segmentation enables effective stimulation of functional retinal cells while managing system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts light projection based on real-time eye movement tracking. The steering module continuously modifies light direction in response to sensor feedback, ensuring accurate stimulation of retinal cells despite eye movements. This dynamic adaptation is crucial for maintaining vision restoration effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If static light projection is used, then the system is easy to control, but it cannot adapt to eye movements and maintain high acuity
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module continuously tracks eye movements and provides feedback to the steering module. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain high visual acuity by dynamically adjusting light projection to compensate for eye movements, while the automated control reduces operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically tracks and compensates for eye movements without requiring manual intervention. The sensor module and steering module work together to self-adjust the light projection, maintaining high acuity perception while simplifying user operation.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive eye and retinal tracking is implemented, then diagnostic capabilities are enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module serves multiple functions: tracking eye movements for steering control and simultaneously monitoring retinal features for diagnostic purposes. This multi-functionality enhances measurement precision for both vision restoration and diagnostics while avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems.
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
The system restores and augments visual input by stimulating functional retinal cells, enabling high acuity perception and providing diagnostic capabilities for retinal health evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to project light; a spatial light modulator configured to modulate the light to output patterned light
Implementation Method 2
a spatial light modulator configured to modulate the light to output patterned light
Implementation Method 3
a steering module configured to steer the patterned light
Implementation Method 4
a first sensor configured to collect a set of measurements of an external feature of an eye; a second sensor configured to collect a set of measurements of a retinal feature of a retina of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
The system for optical stimulation can include: a light source, a display module, a steering module, a sensor module, and a processing system. In variants, the system can function to project a time series of patterned light frames onto the retina of an eye (e.g., onto optogenetically modified cells in the retina, onto a retinal implant, etc.).