Portable Eye Refraction Measurement Using Annular Beam Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available autorefractors are cumbersome, expensive, and complex, limiting their accessibility and affordability for consumer use.
Innovation Solution
Development of a portable, battery-operated, and inexpensive optical measurement system using annular collimated beams, collection optics, and deformable lenses to measure optical properties of the eye, employing techniques such as annulus illumination, imaging, and deformable lens feedback loops for aberration correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional autorefractors are used, then measurement precision is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and simplifies the core measurement function of traditional autorefractors by using a portable optical sensor system that captures only the essential optical data (refraction errors and aberrations) through a simplified optical path, eliminating the need for complex mechanical and electronic components while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the eye's refractive properties by projecting annular collimated beams through the eye's optical system and capturing the distorted images, which contain encoded information about refraction errors and aberrations, allowing measurement without direct contact with the eye's internal structures
2Measurement precision
If traditional autorefractors are used, then measurement precision is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The portable optical measurement system enables consumers to perform self-measurement of optical properties at home, eliminating the need for professional optometrists or ophthalmologists to operate complex equipment, thereby improving ease of operation and accessibility while maintaining measurement precision through automated optical analysis
3Ease of operation
If portable optical measurement system is developed, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional optical sensor system that can measure multiple optical properties (refraction errors, aberrations, and other optical characteristics) using a single portable device with a unified optical path, avoiding the need for multiple separate instruments and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining ease of operation
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective measurement of optical properties, including refraction errors and aberrations, in a handheld device suitable for consumer use, providing a more accessible and efficient alternative to traditional autorefractors.
Implementation Method 1
an annular collimated beam is projected into the eye or optical system to be measured
Implementation Method 2
an eye or optical system is illuminated with a light that reflects off of the focal plane of the optical system
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include means and methods of automatically measuring numerous characteristics of an optical system, such as an eye. Measured or displayed optical properties may include but are not limited to. spherical power, cylinder and axis for astigmatism. Higher order optical aberrations may also be measured. Disclosed embodiments may be used to measure refraction for creating corrective lenses for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Measurements of higher order aberrations of an eye may be used for measuring enhanced correction, accommodation state and range.