Retinal Imaging Interface Sleeve for Comfortable Eye Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Taking images of the retina can be uncomfortable or scary for patients, especially premature babies, making remote diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) challenging.
Innovation Solution
A system with a camera apparatus and patient interface that includes a contact portion conforming to the anterior eye surface, a sleeve directing light into and from the eye, and a communication interface to generate and output image data, allowing for comfortable imaging and remote diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a camera apparatus is used to image the retina, then diagnostic capability is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A patient interface component acts as an intermediary between the camera apparatus and the patient's eye. This interface includes a contact portion that conforms to the eye's surface and a sleeve that receives and positions the camera stem, thereby mediating the interaction to improve comfort while maintaining diagnostic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The contact portion of the patient interface is designed as a flexible component that conforms to the curved surface of the eye. This flexibility allows the interface to adapt to different eye shapes and sizes, improving patient comfort during the imaging procedure
2Measurement precision
If direct retinal imaging is performed, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient anxiety increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface serves as a mediator that enables direct retinal imaging while reducing patient anxiety through comfortable contact and proper positioning, separating the diagnostic function from the uncomfortable aspects of direct eye exposure
3Productivity
If image data is transmitted remotely, then diagnostic efficiency is improved, but data transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface is designed with multi-functionality to handle various data transmission requirements. It can transmit image data remotely while managing the complexity through integrated communication protocols, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency without proportionally increasing operational 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
Enables comfortable and effective imaging of the retina, facilitating remote diagnosis and analysis of retinal diseases like ROP using a user-friendly interface and computer-based image analysis tools.
Implementation Method 1
An illuminator emits light
Implementation Method 2
Light reflected from the interior of the eye
Implementation Method 3
an objective lens system receives light
Implementation Method 4
The sensor generates a signal in response to detecting light received by the objective lens system
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a system generates image data for an image of the interior of an eye. The system includes a camera apparatus and patient interface. The camera apparatus includes a camera stem, sensor, processor, and communication interface. The camera stem has illuminators that emits light and an objective lens system that receives light. The sensor generates a signal in response to detecting light received by the objective lens system. The processor generates image data from the signal, and the communication interface outputs the image data. The patient interface includes a contact portion and a sleeve. The contact portion is shaped to conform to an anterior eye surface of the eye. The sleeve is shaped to receive the camera stem. The sleeve directs light from the illuminators towards the eye interior, and directs light reflected from the eye interior towards the camera apparatus.