Retinal Functional Imaging via Optical Stimulus Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophysiology methods for measuring retinal responses, such as ERGs, are invasive, uncomfortable, and difficult to perform outside a hospital setting, and provide bulk responses that make it hard to obtain accurate information about specific retinal locations.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive apparatus and method using optical stimuli and imaging means to obtain and correlate images of the retina with predetermined stimulation sequences, allowing for the determination of individual retinal responses without physical contact, using light sources like LEDs or OLED displays and imaging techniques like OCT or SLO to provide high-resolution, functional images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrodes are placed on the cornea to measure retinal electrical response, then measurement capability is achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates and procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact method (electrodes on cornea) with an optical method (imaging the retina). Instead of measuring electrical signals through physical contact, the system uses light sources to stimulate the retina and imaging means to capture the optical response, thereby eliminating the need for corneal electrode placement and its associated discomfort and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the stimulus and the retinal response measurement. Rather than directly measuring electrical responses through electrodes, the system uses optical stimuli and optical imaging to indirectly measure retinal function, serving as a non-invasive mediator that avoids direct physical contact with the eye
2Device complexity
If a non-localised stimulus is used to stimulate the retina, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision for specific retinal locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the retinal stimulus into multiple discrete locations using an array of light sources. Each light source or group of light sources targets a specific retinal location, and the imaging means captures responses from corresponding locations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain relative simplicity while achieving location-specific measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using targeted optical stimuli at specific retinal locations rather than uniform full-field stimulation. The array of light sources can be configured to illuminate specific regions, and the imaging means captures localized responses, enabling precise mapping of retinal function at different locations while maintaining overall system simplicity
3Productivity
If multiple distinct stimulus sequences are used to stimulate different retinal regions simultaneously, then measurement speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using time-multiplexed stimulus sequences where different retinal locations are stimulated in a repeating pattern. The light source array cycles through different stimulation patterns, and the imaging means captures responses during each phase. This periodic approach enables efficient measurement of multiple locations without requiring complex simultaneous multi-channel stimulation hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic stimulus sequences where the stimulation pattern changes over time according to predetermined algorithms. The system dynamically switches between different stimulation configurations, allowing efficient sampling of multiple retinal locations. This dynamic approach maintains measurement speed while managing device complexity through software-controlled stimulus timing rather than hardware 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 non-invasive, non-contact measurement of retinal responses at specific locations, reducing procedure time and discomfort, facilitating early diagnosis and monitoring of retinal defects, and allowing general practitioners to perform assessments.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more light sources may include broadband light sources such as ultrabright LEDs, femtosecond lasers or white light sources
Implementation Method 2
the one or more light sources comprises an organic light emitting diode display
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the one or more imaging means is adapted to obtain one or more optical coherence tomography images of the retina
Implementation Method 4
at least one of the one or more imaging means is adapted to obtain one or more reflectance images of the retina
Implementation Method 5
one or more processing means adapted to correlate the one or more images of the retina with the one or more predetermined stimulation sequences
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for obtaining, in vivo, a measurement of retinal response to an optical stimuli. Light sources provide optical stimuli to the retina in accordance with predetermined stimulation sequences, and images of the retina are obtained and correlated with the predetermined stimulation sequences so as to determine responses of the retina to the optical stimuli. In one particular embodiment, optical stimuli are provided according to m-sequences and correlated with corresponding optical coherence tomography images to determine a functional response of the retina.