Retinal Fluorescent Imaging via Wavelength Separation in Head-Mounted Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable devices struggle to effectively image the retina due to the low reflection of external illumination from the retina compared to superficial eye structures, making it difficult to isolate the retinal image signal.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted device (HMD) is equipped with a light source that illuminates the retina with a wavelength corresponding to the excitation wavelength of a fluorophore, and a detector captures fluorescent light emitted by the fluorophore, allowing for retinal imaging by selectively sensing the emission wavelength while minimizing interference from the excitation wavelength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external illumination is used to image the retina, then the retinal image signal can be obtained, but the signal is weak due to low reflection compared to superficial eye structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination wavelength parameter to match the excitation wavelength of fluorophores in the retina. This causes the fluorophores to emit fluorescent light at a different wavelength, creating a spectral separation between the excitation light and the emitted signal. This parameter change enables the detector to selectively sense the emission wavelength while minimizing interference from the excitation wavelength, thereby improving retinal image signal strength and reducing corneal reflection interference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fluorescent imaging is implemented in a head-mounted device, then retinal imaging capability is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single head-mounted device platform. The device simultaneously provides retinal imaging through fluorescent detection, gaze direction determination, user identity verification, and medical condition detection (such as diabetic retinopathy screening). By making the device multi-functional, the added complexity of fluorescent imaging is justified by the broad range of applications, and shared components (light source, detector, processing unit) reduce the overall device complexity.
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 method enables accurate retinal imaging, allowing for the determination of gaze direction, user identity, and medical conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, while minimizing interference from corneal reflections and other image signals.
Implementation Method 1
illuminating a retina in an eye with incident light from a light source in a head-mounted device, in which the incident light has a wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of a fluorophore present in the retina; detecting, using a detector disposed in the head-mounted device, fluorescent light emitted from the fluorophore in response to the incident light
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are described herein for fluorescent imaging of a retina using a head-mountable device. The retina is illuminated by a head-mountable device (HMD) with light at an excitation wavelength of a fluorophore in the retina and imaged by the HMD at an emission wavelength of the fluorophore. The direction of gaze of a user of the HMD could be determined from the retinal image. The pattern of vasculature in the retinal image could be used to identify the user of the HMD. Information in the retinal image could be used to determine the medical state of the user and diagnose disease states. Fluorescent agents can be introduced into the vasculature of the wearer of the HMD to facilitate these or other applications of fluorescent imaging of the retina using the HMD.