Intraocular Reference Plane Imaging for Vitreous Object Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic devices struggle to accurately locate and visualize structures within the vitreous humor of the eye, such as vitreous opacities or floaters, due to their transparent nature and the short depth of field of microscopes, making it difficult to determine their position relative to other eye structures like the retina or lens.
Innovation Solution
A device is developed to determine the location of objects within the eye by generating optical beam paths and a reference plane, using geometric optics and trigonometric functions to measure the object distance between the reference plane and the object of interest, which can be a known eye structure or formulated independently, allowing precise determination of the object's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a microscope is used to view structures within the vitreous humor, then magnification is achieved, but depth of field becomes too short to locate transparent structures like the lens or vitreous opacities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light source as an intermediary element that projects light through the pupil onto the vitreous humor. This allows transparent structures to become visible by illuminating them from behind, creating optical paths that make the normally invisible structures detectable through the microscope without requiring increased magnification that would further reduce depth of field.
2Device complexity
If traditional microscopy is used to examine the vitreous humor, then the examination can be performed with standard equipment, but the position of objects within the vitreous humor cannot be accurately determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the examination by introducing a reference plane with known position and measuring the object distance from this plane. This transforms the problem from three-dimensional localization in a transparent medium to a two-dimensional measurement problem on a reference plane, enabling accurate position determination while maintaining equipment simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If the pupil is used as the aperture to view posterior structures, then access to the vitreous humor is achieved, but transparent structures cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs illumination that causes transparent structures to exhibit optical properties that make them distinguishable. By projecting light through the pupil onto the vitreous humor, the structures reflect or scatter light in ways that create visible contrast, effectively changing their optical appearance from transparent to detectable without altering the anatomical structures themselves.
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 reliable measurement of the object distance, facilitating better visualization and treatment of structures within the vitreous humor by providing precise positional information for medical practitioners.
Implementation Method 1
using geometric optics and trigonometric functions to measure the object distance
Implementation Method 2
means for generating at least one optical beam path onto the object of interest and a reference plane
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for determining a location of an object of interest within an eye of a patient, in particular within a vitreous body of the eye, with means for generating at least one optical beam path and with a reference plane opposite the object of interest, the device is set up to determine an object distance between the reference plane and the object of interest at the reference plane.