Retinal Imaging Eye Position Tracking for Artifact Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retinal cameras have a limited eyebox, making precise alignment between the eye and the imaging system difficult, leading to optical aberrations and image artifacts, which are exacerbated by increased brightness, straining patient interactions and increasing the complexity and cost of alignment solutions.
Innovation Solution
A retinal imaging system with a controller computing device and alignment tracker that determines the three-dimensional position of the eye and gaze direction, generating intuitive interfaces to guide the eye into alignment, reducing the difference between the eye's position and the desired position within the eyebox.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the brightness of illumination is increased to improve image fidelity, then image quality improves, but optical artifacts such as corneal reflections, iris reflections, and lens flare become more pronounced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment of the eye within the eyebox using tracking feedback before image capture begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the illumination and imaging paths are properly aligned, preventing optical artifacts from forming in the first place rather than attempting to correct them after they occur
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs real-time tracking of eye position and provides feedback to adjust the alignment between the eye, illumination source, and retinal camera. This feedback mechanism maintains optimal alignment during imaging, ensuring that high brightness illumination does not produce artifacts due to misalignment
2Ease of operation
If the eyebox size is increased to ease alignment, then alignment difficulty decreases, but the system becomes mechanically complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the patient's own eye movements and position as the basis for alignment feedback. The tracking system monitors where the patient is looking and provides feedback to guide them into proper alignment, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment adjustment mechanisms with a computational feedback system. Instead of using motorized stages or mechanical components to physically adjust alignment, the system uses software-based tracking and visual feedback to guide the patient into proper positioning
3Device complexity
If conventional alignment methods are used, then the system remains simple, but patient interactions during alignment become strained and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time visual feedback to the patient during alignment, showing them exactly where their eye needs to be positioned within the eyebox. This immediate feedback eliminates the trial-and-error process that strains patient interactions and extends alignment time
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system continuously monitors eye position during the alignment process, performing preliminary assessments of where the patient needs to look. This allows the system to provide targeted feedback rather than requiring extensive back-and-forth adjustment, reducing both time and patient strain
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, readily understandable information displays are provided to help an operator guide an eye of a subject into an eyebox of a retinal imaging system. In some embodiments, a three-dimensional position of the eye with respect to the retinal imaging system is determined, and an interface that includes a three-dimensional representation of the position of the eye with respect to the eyebox is generated. In some embodiments, the gaze direction may also be determined and presented in the interface, so that the operator can also prompt the subject to correct issues with incorrect gaze direction.