Retinal Vein Imaging for Non-Invasive ICP Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for non-invasive assessment of the relation between intracranial pressure (ICP) and intraocular pressure (IOP) are not simple, fast, or efficient, despite established correlations with vein pulsation, due to the lack of a reliable measurement technique.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using an image recording device to record images of the retina, identify veins, determine characteristic vein diameters, and assess vein collapse, thereby establishing the relation between IOP and ICP, with the method allowing for efficient determination of whether IOP exceeds ICP by analyzing vein behavior compared to artery behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional invasive methods (drilling skull and inserting manometer) are used to measure ICP, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive manometer system with an optical imaging system. Instead of physically inserting a manometer into the skull, the system uses retinal imaging to indirectly assess ICP through vascular changes, eliminating the need for skull drilling and invasive mechanical measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces retinal blood vessels as an intermediary medium to assess ICP. Rather than directly measuring pressure in the skull, the system observes the effect of ICP on retinal vascular diameter and pulsation patterns, using the blood vessels as a window into intracranial pressure status.
2Ease of operation
If non-invasive methods based on optical artery inspection are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent focuses specifically on retinal vein characteristics (diameter, pulsation, collapse) rather than general arterial inspection. By concentrating on the local quality changes in retinal veins, which are more sensitive to ICP variations, the system achieves both non-invasive operation and improved measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors dynamic parameter changes in retinal veins including diameter variations, pulsation frequency, and collapse events throughout the cardiac cycle. These dynamic parameter changes provide more precise ICP information compared to static arterial measurements, while maintaining non-invasive operation.
3Measurement precision
If vein pulsation monitoring is used to assess ICP, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a standard retinal imaging device (fundus camera) that can be integrated into existing ophthalmological equipment. The same imaging system monitors multiple vein characteristics (diameter, pulsation, collapse) simultaneously, making the device multi-functional for comprehensive ICP assessment without requiring separate specialized equipment for each measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically analyzes retinal vein characteristics and generates ICP assessments without requiring manual intervention. The image processing algorithms automatically measure vein diameter, detect pulsation patterns, and identify collapse events, reducing the need for complex manual measurement procedures and expert interpretation.
4Measurement precision
If vein collapse detection is added to assess IOP-ICP relation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detecting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent monitors retinal vein characteristics throughout the cardiac cycle, capturing periodic pulsation patterns and collapse events that occur with each heartbeat. By analyzing these periodic actions, the system can reliably detect vein collapse and assess IOP-ICP relationships, transforming a difficult static measurement into a manageable dynamic pattern recognition problem.
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 provides a simple, fast, and efficient means to assess the relation between ICP and IOP, aiding in the identification of elevated ICP and potentially improving upon existing methods by accounting for vein pulsation changes during heart cycles.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure gradient varies because of the difference in the pulse pressure between the intraocular space and the cerebrospinal fluid
Implementation Method 2
The pulsation of veins has been correlated with ICP. The correlation between pulsation of veins and ICP is further explained by William H. Morgan, Christopher R. P. Lind, Samuel Kain, Naeem Fatehee, Arul Bala, Dao-Yi Yu, 'Retinal Vein Pulsation Is in Phase with Intracranial Pressure and Not Intraocular Pressure'
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for a non-invasive assessment of a relation between an intracranial pressure and an intraocular pressure. The method comprising the steps of recording a plurality of images of a retina part of an eye of a person, identifying at least one vein, determining a first plurality of characteristic vein diameters for the identified vein at a first vein location, determining whether the at least one vein has experienced a vein collapse during the first time period, and determining a relation between intraocular pressure and intracranial pressure during the first time period.