Retinal Imaging via Eye Tracking and Single-Point Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current retinal imaging methods lack efficient and improved techniques for capturing detailed images of the retina using natural eye movements, particularly in applications like biometrics and digital biomarkers.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a single data-point sensing module with a low-power light source and photodiode, integrated with a high-speed eye-tracking unit, to measure and combine light reflections from multiple points on the retina over time, forming an image without the need for complex mechanical components or imaging detectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional retinal imaging methods are used, then detailed retinal images can be obtained, but the system complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retinal imaging function is segmented into two separate units: an eye-tracking unit that monitors eye position and a single-point sensing module that measures light intensity. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining imaging capability through temporal integration of multiple measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational process that maps eye position data to retinal location and integrates sequential single-point measurements into a complete retinal image. This computational intermediary replaces complex optical imaging mechanisms, simplifying the physical hardware while preserving measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If traditional retinal imaging methods are used, then detailed retinal images can be obtained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function (light intensity at a single point) from the complete imaging process, eliminating power-intensive components such as complex optical scanners and array detectors. This extraction maintains sufficient measurement precision for retinal imaging while dramatically reducing power consumption through minimalistic hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously accumulates single-point measurements over time as the eye moves naturally, integrating these continuous data points to build a complete retinal image. This continuous accumulation approach allows low-power instantaneous measurements to collectively produce high-quality images without requiring high peak power consumption
3Device complexity
If high-speed eye tracking is integrated with single-point sensing, then retinal imaging can be achieved with low complexity, but measurement precision challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where eye position data from the eye-tracking unit continuously informs the mapping of measured light intensity to specific retinal locations. This real-time feedback loop ensures that even with simple single-point sensing, the system can accurately determine which retinal location is being measured at each moment, maintaining precision through dynamic position-based mapping
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter being measured from spatial distribution (traditional imaging captures all points simultaneously) to temporal sequence (single-point sensing measures one location at a time over duration). By transforming the measurement parameter from spatial to temporal, the patent reduces hardware complexity while maintaining precision through the relationship between eye position and measurement timing
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 approach enables continuous, power-efficient, and low-complexity retinal imaging, leveraging natural eye movements to construct detailed images with high accuracy and high repetition rates, suitable for integration into head-worn devices like AR glasses.
Implementation Method 1
measuring light reflected or emitted from a point on a retina of the eye
Implementation Method 2
focusing light reflected from the point on the retina onto a detector
Implementation Method 3
The step of determining the position may comprise using an eye-tracking unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method of imaging a retina an eye includes determining a position of an eye, measuring light reflected or emitted from a point on a retina of the eye, determining a location of the point on the retina based on the position of the eye. The method further includes repeating the steps of determining and measuring over time to provide multiple measurements of light reflected from points in different locations on the retina, and combining the measurements to form an image of the retina.