Inter-ocular Suppression Quantification via Adaptive Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clinical methods fail to quantify the severity of inter-ocular suppression in binocular vision impairment, which is crucial for diagnosing and treating conditions like amblyopia and binocular misalignment, as they rely on subjective patient reports and do not measure suppression outside central vision effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a stimuli presentation device and adaptive algorithm to present distinct stimuli to each eye, allowing for the quantification of inter-ocular suppression by adjusting stimuli based on patient reports and measuring suppression across different spatial frequencies and visual fields, employing 3D stereo shutter glasses, anaglyph glasses, or other devices to provide precise contrast ratios and spatial frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current clinical methods (Worth 4 dot test, Bagolini lenses, OXO tests) are used to assess suppression, then suppression can be identified qualitatively, but suppression severity cannot be quantified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the qualitative assessment into quantitative measurement by introducing contrast ratio as a measurable parameter. The system varies the contrast of stimuli presented to each eye independently and determines the balance point where the patient perceives equal brightness from both eyes, providing a numerical quantification of suppression severity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective patient reports with an objective measurement system that uses a computer-controlled stimuli presentation device to deliver precise contrast ratios and an adaptive algorithm to calculate suppression based on patient responses, transforming a subjective clinical test into an objective quantitative assessment
2Area of stationary object
If current clinical methods are used, then central vision can be assessed, but suppression outside central vision cannot be measured effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the visual field into multiple test locations including central and peripheral regions. The stimuli presentation device presents stimuli at different locations in the visual field, allowing suppression to be measured separately for each location, thus providing a spatial map of suppression across the entire visual field
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the assessment from one-dimensional central vision to two-dimensional visual field coverage by incorporating peripheral vision test locations. The system maps suppression across both horizontal and vertical dimensions of the visual field, providing comprehensive spatial assessment
3Reliability
If subjective patient reports are used for suppression assessment, then the assessment process is simple, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where the patient's response to each stimulus contrast level is fed back to the adaptive algorithm, which then adjusts the next stimulus contrast accordingly. This iterative feedback process continues until the balance point is determined, ensuring reliable and reproducible measurement results
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal assessment system that can evaluate suppression across multiple parameters including different spatial frequencies, contrast ratios, and visual field locations. The same basic apparatus and methodology can assess various aspects of binocular vision impairment, making the system both reliable and versatile
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 sensitive and quantitative assessment of inter-ocular suppression, measuring suppression on a fine spatial scale, including foveal and peripheral vision, and evaluating treatment efficacy, thereby aiding in the detection and treatment of amblyopia and other binocular vision impairments.
Implementation Method 1
employing 3D stereo shutter glasses, anaglyph glasses, or other devices to provide precise contrast ratios and spatial frequencies
Implementation Method 2
employing 3D stereo shutter glasses, anaglyph glasses, or other devices to provide precise contrast ratios and spatial frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for quantifying inter-ocular suppression in binocular vision impairment. The systems, apparatus, and methods may include a stimulus presentation device and a controller which present different stimuli to each eye of a patient. The stimuli can include letters, numbers, or shapes which are arranged in rows, and columns with a stimulus presented to each eye in a location corresponding a stimulus presented to the other eye. The combined contrast of corresponding stimuli equals a predetermined value, and this contrast can be adjusted with each iteration of stimuli presented. This adjustment can be based upon the patient's reports of what is seen and adjustments made by an algorithm executed by the controller. Suppression can thus be determined in terms of visual field location and quantified.