Smartphone-Mounted Illuminator for Dry Eye Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for diagnosing and monitoring dry eye syndrome are costly, non-portable, and primarily designed for medical professionals, making it difficult for patients to monitor their condition at home and compare the effectiveness of treatments.
Innovation Solution
A portable and affordable system comprising a handheld or smartphone-mounted illuminator device with a software application that records and analyzes anterior eye video, using a simplified Placido ring pattern to measure dry eye-related parameters, allowing patients to perform self-diagnosis and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If corneal topography devices are used for DES diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential Placido ring illumination and video recording capabilities from complex corneal topography devices, removing unnecessary features like automated corneal mapping and advanced processing systems. This allows achieving adequate DES measurement precision through simplified hardware while reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified copy of the Placido ring pattern projection system that replicates the essential functional aspect for tear film visualization without requiring the full complexity of original corneal topography equipment. The mobile device camera captures the same ring pattern effects with much simpler hardware.
2Measurement precision
If desktop corneal topography devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the Placido ring illumination system with a mobile device (smartphone or tablet), combining the essential measurement functionality with portable computing and video capabilities. This integration achieves both measurement precision for DES diagnosis and portability for home use, eliminating the need for bulky desktop equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from fixed desktop equipment to mobile handheld devices, adding portability as a new dimension of the system. The Placido ring projection and video capture functionality is adapted to work with mobile devices, enabling precise DES measurement anywhere without requiring specialized stationary equipment.
3Measurement precision
If professional DES devices are provided to medical professionals, then measurement precision is improved, but accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables patients to perform self-diagnosis and monitoring at home using the portable device. The system includes automated video capture, Placido ring projection, and basic analysis capabilities that patients can operate independently, eliminating the need for professional equipment and expertise while maintaining adequate measurement precision for DES monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) that are widely available to patients rather than requiring expensive professional equipment. The simplicity and low cost of the mobile-based system enables broad accessibility while the video recording and analysis capabilities maintain sufficient precision for patient self-monitoring.
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 patients to conveniently and accurately monitor their dry eye condition, compare results over time, and receive self-treatment guidance, improving accessibility and cost-effectiveness of dry eye management.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminator device configured to perform anterior eye video recording... projecting a Placido ring pattern
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices and systems for treating dry eye syndrome by recording and analyzing video of the anterior eye surface through the use of an illuminator device operating with a computer running a software application. The illuminator includes a projector for projecting a simplified Placido ring pattern onto the eye, and an eye cup for aligning the illuminator with the eye. Some embodiments of the illuminator include an onboard camera while other embodiments use the camera system included with a mobile computer such as a smartphone. Also disclosed are methods to use an illuminator and a software application running on a computer to record videos of the anterior eye surface, to perform digital image processing on the videos, and to use the processed images to determine one or more dry eye-related parameters.