Smartphone Ophthalmic Attachment for Portable Eye Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic examination devices are limited in their portability, accessibility, and ability to provide high-resolution imaging of ocular structures, especially in remote or disaster scenarios where trained professionals may not be available, due to their size, weight, cost, and fragility, and they lack the capability for real-time teleconsultation and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A smartphone-based ophthalmic examination system that includes a handheld device equipped with a camera and optical imaging assembly, allowing for high-resolution imaging and telediagnostic analysis, enabling minimally trained personnel to conduct ocular examinations and transmit images for remote expert evaluation via a server-based system for rapid diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ophthalmic examination devices are used, then high-resolution ocular imaging can be achieved, but the devices are too large, heavy, expensive, and fragile for portable use in remote settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smartphone as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between traditional ophthalmic equipment and portable examination needs. The smartphone's camera and processing capabilities serve as a mediator, allowing connection to various ophthalmic attachments (slit lamp, fundus camera, etc.) while providing portability and telediagnosis functionality that neither traditional devices nor standalone smartphones could achieve alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a portable copy of traditional ophthalmic examination capabilities by integrating camera attachments and optical components with smartphone technology. This copying approach replicates the imaging functions of large, complex devices in a compact form factor, enabling high-resolution ocular imaging to be performed in remote settings without requiring the original bulky equipment.
2Measurement precision
If traditional ophthalmic examination devices are used, then comprehensive ocular analysis can be performed, but the devices require trained specialists that may not be available in remote areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms through automated image quality assessment and telediagnosis workflows. The smartphone application provides real-time feedback on image quality metrics, guiding minimally trained operators to capture adequate images. Additionally, images are transmitted to remote specialists who provide diagnostic feedback, creating a feedback loop that maintains high diagnostic accuracy without requiring the operator to be a trained specialist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service functionality through automated features including image capture guidance, quality assessment, and preliminary analysis. The system performs self-diagnosis of image quality and provides automated feedback to the operator, reducing the need for trained specialists to be present during image acquisition. This allows minimally trained personnel to conduct examinations independently while maintaining diagnostic quality through automated quality control.
3Loss of time
If rapid telediagnosis is implemented, then patient evacuation can be more judiciously advised, but the system requires reliable image transmission and analysis capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and pre-processing ocular images at the point of care before patient evacuation or transfer. Images are captured, quality-checked, and prepared for transmission in advance, allowing rapid telediagnosis consultation without delaying patient care decisions. This preliminary image acquisition and preparation enables timely remote evaluation while maintaining diagnostic reliability through controlled image capture protocols.
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
The system provides portable, accessible, and high-resolution ocular imaging capabilities, enabling rapid and accurate diagnosis in remote settings, reducing the need for on-site specialists and facilitating timely treatment decisions.
Implementation Method 1
obtain ocular imaging data of at least a portion of an eye via the optics of the optical imaging assembly
Implementation Method 2
a smartphone-based ophthalmic microscope or ophthalmoscope, ophthalmic slit lamp, pupillometer, fundoscope
Data Source
AI summary
Various examples of methods, systems and devices are provided for ophthalmic examination. In one example, a handheld system includes an optical imaging assembly coupled to a user device that includes a camera aligned with optics of the optical imaging assembly. The user device can obtain ocular imaging data of at least a portion of an eye via the optics of the optical imaging assembly and provide ophthalmic evaluation results based at least in part upon the ocular imaging data. In another example, a method includes receiving ocular imaging data of at least a portion of an eye; analyzing the ocular imaging data to determine at least one ophthalmic characteristic of the eye; and determining a condition based at least in part upon the at least one ophthalmic characteristic.