Retinal Polarization Scanning for Eye Disease Risk Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the risk of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, are complex and prone to errors, lacking a simple and reliable approach to assess changes in retinal thickness and polarization that indicate the presence of such diseases.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a laser feedback interferometer sensor with a rotatable micromirror to emit and scan infrared light beams over the retina, detecting polarization signals through self-mixing effects, and comparing these signals over time to determine changes in retinal thickness, thereby assessing the risk of eye diseases like glaucoma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to determine retinal thickness and polarization changes, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (thickness measurement, polarization detection, risk assessment) into a single integrated optical system using laser feedback interferometry. This merging of functions reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic capability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed to perform multiple diagnostic functions simultaneously - measuring retinal thickness, detecting polarization changes, and assessing disease risk all through one unified platform. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized devices, reducing complexity while improving reliability through consistent measurement methodology.
2Measurement precision
If detailed retinal analysis is performed to accurately assess eye disease risk, then measurement precision improves, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous optical measurements across the retinal region without interruption, maintaining the laser beam in continuous operation to gather comprehensive polarization and thickness data. This continuous measurement approach achieves high precision through accumulated data while minimizing total measurement time compared to discrete, step-by-step measurement methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic scanning of the retinal region using the movable mirror, systematically moving the measurement beam across different areas in a structured periodic pattern. This periodic scanning ensures complete coverage for precise measurement while optimizing the time required by eliminating redundant movements and focusing measurements efficiently.
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
Provides a simple, error-free method to automatically determine the risk of eye diseases by analyzing retinal polarization changes, requiring minimal user interaction and using few components, with results obtainable within a two-week to one-year timeframe.
Implementation Method 1
first polarization signals of the first region of the retina of the eye are ascertained by means of a computing unit according to a self-mixing effect. This self-mixing effect is described in particular as an interference of the detected back-reflected first infrared light beam with a light wave located in a laser cavity of the laser feedback interferometer sensor
Implementation Method 2
at least one first infrared light beam is emitted by means of a laser feedback interferometer sensor
Implementation Method 3
the at least one first infrared light beam is scanned over a first region of a retina of an eye by means of at least one micromirror that is mounted so as to be rotatable in at least one dimension
Implementation Method 4
Since the eye, in particular the retina, generates a polarization change of the laser signal of the LFI laser signal, a change in the degree of polarization change over time causes a change in the signal strength of the measurement data
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a risk of the presence of an eye disease. At a first point in time, a first infrared light beam is emitted using a laser feedback interferometer sensor. The first infrared light beam is scanned over a first region of a retina of an eye using at least one micromirror. The first infrared light beam reflected back from the retina is detected using the laser feedback interferometer sensor. First polarization signals of the first region are ascertained according to a self-mixing effect. At a second point in time following the first point in time, the method steps are repeated and a second infrared light beam is emitted. The risk of the presence of the eye disease is determined according to a comparison of the ascertained first polarization signals with the ascertained second polarization signals.