Integrated Progressive Lens Simulator for Patient-Centric Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for prescribing progressive lenses lack patient-centric customization, relying on outdated analog technologies that do not account for individual visual needs, particularly in terms of multiple viewing distances and binocular vision, leading to suboptimal designs and frequent adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A Progressive Lens Simulator system that uses an Eye Tracker, Off-Axis Progressive Lens Simulator, and Axial Power-Distance Simulator to create comprehensive simulations, allowing patients to interactively explore and provide feedback on various lens designs, leveraging modern optoelectronics and artificial intelligence for personalized optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional analog lens systems are used to test vision, then the examination process is simple and quick, but the lens design becomes suboptimal and does not account for individual visual needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the progressive lens prescription that can be simulated and tested digitally before manufacturing. The system generates a digital model of the lens with its specific power distribution, corridor geometry, and optical zones, allowing patients to experience the lens effects through head-mounted displays without requiring physical lens prototypes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical optometric devices (lens clocks, trial frames, phoropters) with optoelectronic systems including head-mounted displays, eye trackers, and computer-controlled lens simulators. This substitution enables more precise measurement and simulation capabilities while maintaining patient comfort and clinical workflow.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only two distances (near and distance) are tested, then the examination time is short, but the lens design does not optimize for multiple viewing distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic testing where the virtual lens simulation adapts in real-time to the patient's actual gaze movements and viewing distances. The eye tracker continuously monitors eye position and the system adjusts the simulated lens parameters to match the patient's natural viewing behavior, enabling optimization across multiple distances without extending examination time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal testing framework that evaluates lens performance across multiple distances (distance, intermediate, near) and various viewing conditions simultaneously through the virtual simulation. A single examination session assesses the lens design's adaptability to different working distances, screen positions, and patient habits without requiring separate tests for each distance.
3Manufacturing precision
If more parameters are determined through additional tests, then the lens design becomes more optimized, but the treatment time per patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements and calculations during the standard examination workflow without requiring additional patient time. The system captures eye movement data, head position, and viewing habits during normal lens evaluation and uses this information to generate optimized prescription parameters automatically, eliminating the need for extended testing sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automated analysis where the system independently processes the collected optical and behavioral data to generate optimized lens parameters. The computer algorithm automatically determines the optimal corridor geometry, power distribution, and zone boundaries based on the patient's measured characteristics, reducing reliance on clinician interpretation time and enabling faster prescription finalization.
4Manufacturing precision
If progressive lens prescriptions are under-defined with only 2-3 parameters, then the prescription process is quick, but the optimization algorithm cannot identify truly optimal designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lens design optimization into distinct parameter groups: basic prescription parameters (add power, distance prescription), geometric parameters (corridor length, width, curvature), and performance parameters (distortion control, field of view). This segmentation allows the system to systematically evaluate and optimize each aspect independently while maintaining overall design coherence and manufacturability.
Data Source
AI summary
A Progressive Lens Simulator comprises an Eye Tracker, for tracking an eye axis direction to determine a gaze distance, an Off-Axis Progressive Lens Simulator, for generating an Off-Axis progressive lens simulation; and an Axial Power-Distance Simulator, for simulating a progressive lens power in the eye axis direction. The Progressive Lens Simulator can alternatively include an Integrated Progressive Lens Simulator, for creating a Comprehensive Progressive Lens Simulation. The Progressive Lens Simulator can be Head-mounted. A Guided Lens Design Exploration System for the Progressive Lens Simulator can include a Progressive Lens Simulator, a Feedback-Control Interface, and a Progressive Lens Design processor, to generate a modified progressive lens simulation for the patient after a guided modification of the progressive lens design. A Deep Learning Method for an Artificial Intelligence Engine can be used for a Progressive Lens Design Processor. Embodiments include a multi-station system of Progressive Lens Simulators and a Central Supervision Station.