Patient-Controlled Refraction Device with Movable Astigmatic Lens Belt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refraction devices rely heavily on subjective patient feedback, leading to potential inaccuracies in refractive error measurements due to communication flaws between patients and eye care professionals, and lack patient involvement, which can result in decreased accuracy and patient confidence in the prescription outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A patient-operable refraction device is designed with a main body, spherical and astigmatic power lenses, and a visual display that allows patients to actively participate in the examination process by adjusting lenses and viewing acuity tests, providing more control and intuitive experience, including a belt system for astigmatic power lenses and a tunable prism for eye alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the patient only provides subjective feedback while the eye care professional controls all adjustments, then the examination process is simple to operate, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to communication flaws and lack of patient involvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patient is empowered to directly control the optical elements (spherical lens, astigmatic lens, prism) through user interface controls. The patient can adjust lens powers and positions independently while viewing the visual acuity chart, eliminating reliance on subjective feedback loops and improving measurement accuracy through direct patient involvement in the adjustment process.
2Measurement precision
If the patient actively controls the optical elements during examination, then the measurement precision improves through increased patient involvement, but the device complexity increases requiring multiple controllable components
Solution Approach 1:
The refraction device integrates multiple optical adjustment functions (spherical power adjustment, astigmatic power adjustment, axis rotation, prism power adjustment, base direction control) into a single unified instrument. All these functions are controlled through a common user interface system, allowing the patient to access and adjust multiple optical parameters without requiring separate devices, thereby managing complexity while enabling comprehensive patient control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple astigmatic power lenses are positioned on a movable belt, then the adaptability improves for different astigmatic conditions, but the device complexity increases with the belt and bracket mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The astigmatic power lenses are mounted on a movable belt that can be dynamically positioned to bring different lenses into the optical path. The belt mechanism allows continuous or discrete selection of various astigmatic powers and axes by moving lenses along the belt and rotating them to different orientations. This dynamic positioning system provides versatile adaptability for different astigmatic conditions while consolidating multiple lenses into a single movable structure rather than requiring fixed separate mounting positions.
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
This design enhances measurement accuracy, increases patient involvement, and improves the confidence in the final prescription by allowing patients to actively adjust lenses and align their vision, leading to more precise refractive error determination and improved accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
a spherical power lens coupled to the main body, an astigmatic power lens movably coupled to the main body
Implementation Method 2
a visual display coupled to the main body and oriented toward an optical pathway extending through the spherical power lens and the astigmatic power lens
Data Source
AI summary
A refraction device includes a main body, a spherical power lens coupled to the main body, an astigmatic power lens movably coupled to the main body, and a visual display coupled to the main body and oriented toward an optical pathway extending through the spherical power lens and the astigmatic power lens. The visual display is configured to display an image for testing visual acuity.