Smartphone Adaptor for Wide Field Fundus Photography
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fundus cameras have limitations in mobility and require complex connections to computer systems, offering a limited field of view, which hinders comprehensive retinal screening, especially for bed-bound patients and those in remote areas.
Innovation Solution
A smartphone adaptor with an optical system comprising an objective and secondary lens arrangement, allowing for a wide field of view and minimizing illumination interference, enabling smartphones to capture images of the retina with improved resolution and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional fundus cameras are used, then imaging capability is provided, but mobility is limited and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential imaging function from complex conventional fundus cameras by using a smartphone as the image capture device. The adaptor contains only the necessary optical components (objective lens, eyepiece lens, and illumination system) while the smartphone handles image processing, storage, and analysis, thereby reducing device complexity and improving mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the smartphone multi-functional by enabling it to perform fundus photography through the adaptor. The smartphone's camera aperture, processing unit, and display are utilized for capturing, processing, and displaying retinal images, eliminating the need for dedicated complex fundus camera systems.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional fundus cameras are used, then imaging is possible, but field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into distinct functional components: an objective lens arrangement for capturing light from the retina, an eyepiece lens arrangement for magnification, and a separate illumination system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while achieving a wide field of view through the coordinated action of these modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the field of view by utilizing the smartphone's camera aperture as an additional light pathway dimension. The adaptor's optical system is designed to work with the smartphone's existing camera characteristics, effectively adding a new dimension to the imaging capability that enables wider field of view without increasing overall system complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If illumination light is directed through the optical axis, then illumination is achieved, but back scatter interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric illumination by directing illumination light through the eyepiece lens at an angle offset from the optical axis. This asymmetric illumination path prevents the light from traveling back through the objective lens and causing back scatter interference, while still providing effective illumination of the retina through the pupil.
Solution Approach 2:
The eyepiece lens acts as an intermediary element that redirects illumination light from the illumination source to the pupil at an offset angle. This intermediary function allows the illumination system to deliver light to the retina without creating harmful back scatter paths that would interfere with the imaging process.
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 comprehensive retinal imaging with a wide field of view, improving diagnostic capabilities and patient care through portable and user-friendly smartphone-based fundus photography.
Implementation Method 1
the objective lens arrangement and the secondary lens arrangement are together configured to magnify an image of a pupil of the eye in proximity to a plane of one or more camera apertures
Implementation Method 2
the objective lens arrangement and the secondary lens arrangement are together configured to focus light waves from a light source directed into the passage toward the secondary lens
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An adaptor for attachment to an image acquisition device, the image acquisition device having one or more camera apertures for enabling capture of one or more images entering the image acquisition device via the one or more camera apertures. The adaptor has a housing defining a passage along which light waves may travel, an objective lens arrangement within the passage, a secondary lens arrangement within the passage positioned such that, when the adaptor is attached to an image acquisition device, the secondary lens arrangement is along a possible light pathway between the objective lens arrangement and one or more camera apertures. The lens arrangements are together configured to magnify an image of a pupil of the eye in proximity to a plane of one or more camera apertures and to focus light waves from a light source at a point external of the adaptor and offset from the optical axis of the objective lens.