Structured Optical Beam for Haidinger's Brush Retinal Diagnosis

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing central visual field dysfunctions and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are complex and require trained professionals, limiting accessibility and effectiveness in using Haidinger's brushes for optical beam analysis.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates a structured optical beam with spatially dependent properties, allowing direct observation by a human eye to perceive Haidinger's brushes, utilizing a laser source, optical attenuators, single-mode fibers, interferometers, and polarization components to create a beam with position-dependent polarizations, enabling diagnosis without the need for highly trained personnel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional methods are used for diagnosing central visual field dysfunctions and AMD, then measurement precision may be maintained, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-diagnosis by the patient through direct observation of Haidinger's brushes in the structured optical beam without requiring trained professionals. The patient can directly observe and report the orientation and clarity of Haidinger's brushes, making the diagnostic process self-service oriented and eliminating the need for complex professional evaluation procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical/optical measurement systems with a simplified direct observation approach. Instead of using sophisticated detection devices and complex analysis systems, the invention uses the human eye's natural ability to perceive polarization through Haidinger's brushes, substituting mechanical detection with biological perception

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If traditional diagnostic methods are used, then reliability may be maintained through professional training, but accessibility and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-diagnosis by the patient through direct observation of Haidinger's brushes in the structured optical beam without requiring trained professionals. The patient can directly observe and report the orientation and clarity of Haidinger's brushes, making the diagnostic process self-service oriented and eliminating the need for complex professional evaluation procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to be universally applicable for diagnosing various retinal conditions including central visual field dysfunctions and AMD using a single integrated apparatus. The structured optical beam generation system can serve multiple diagnostic purposes through different observation configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If complex measurement systems are used, then measurement precision may be maintained, but ease of operation and accessibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical/optical measurement systems with a simplified direct observation approach. Instead of using sophisticated detection devices and complex analysis systems, the invention uses the human eye's natural ability to perceive polarization through Haidinger's brushes, substituting mechanical detection with biological perception

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a structured optical beam that replicates the polarization patterns necessary for Haidinger's brush formation, allowing the patient's eye to naturally copy and interpret the polarization information through the entoptic phenomenon, thereby maintaining measurement precision through biological replication rather than mechanical measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 allows for cost-effective, direct observation and analysis of retinal health by mapping spatially dependent Pancharatnam-Berry geometrical phases, enabling diagnosis of retinal diseases with improved accessibility and reduced complexity compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

receiving the optical beam from a laser source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

attenuating the optical beam to an exposure irradiance level that is safe for direct viewing by a human eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

transmitting the optical beam through a single mode fiber from the attenuator to a collimating lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 4

collimating the optical beam from the single mode fiber with a collimating lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollimation: Lens

Implementation Method 5

broadening the collimated optical beam with a beam expander to a size that covers at least 3 to 5 degrees of the field of view of the human eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam expansion: Lens

Implementation Method 6

preparing the optical beam with a position-dependent polarization profile by passing the collimated and broadened optical beam through an interferometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 7

The structured optical beam includes the position-dependent polarization profile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 8

mapping spatially dependent Pancharatnam-Berry geometrical phases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPancharatnam-Berry phase:

Implementation Method 9

removing a speckle pattern from the structured optical beam with a vibrating lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpeckle suppression by vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 10

When viewing polarized light, a bowtie-like shape (now known as 'Haidinger's brush') appears in the central point of the visual field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHaidinger's brush: Haidinger's Brush

Data Source

PatentEP3886676B1Preparing a structured optical beam for human observation

Publication Date: 2023.05.10 QUANTUM VALLEY INVESTMENT FUND

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AI summary

In a general aspect, a structured optical beam with position-dependent polarizations is prepared for human observation. In some examples, an optics method includes processing an optical beam to produce a structured optical beam for human observation. Processing the optical beam includes receiving the optical beam from a laser source; attenuating the optical beam to an exposure irradiance level that is safe for direct viewing by a human eye; expanding the optical beam to a size configured for a field of view of the human eye; and preparing the optical beam with a position-dependent polarization profile. The structured optical beam, which has the position-dependent polarization profile, is directed towards an observation region for human observation.