Tear Film Interferometry Calculation Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calculating tear film lipid and aqueous layer thickness and ocular surface refractive index from interferometry spectra are slow, requiring several minutes, which limits data analysis and statistical robustness.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a wavelength-dependent optical interferometer and a controller to quickly determine optical properties of the corneal region by obtaining combined tear film layer thickness, subtracting the lipid layer thickness to find the aqueous layer thickness, and calculating the corneal refractive index, significantly reducing calculation time by simplifying the fitting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing methods are used to calculate tear film lipid and aqueous layer thickness and ocular surface refractive index from interferometry spectra, then accurate results are obtained, but calculation time is several minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tear film into distinct layers (lipid layer and aqueous layer) and calculates their thicknesses separately using interferometry spectra. By dividing the complex calculation into manageable segments corresponding to different tear film layers, the method maintains measurement precision while enabling more efficient processing of each layer's optical properties independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by using known or previously determined values for certain optical parameters (such as refractive indices of tear film layers) to pre-simplify the calculation framework. This allows the system to focus computational resources on determining the unknown parameters (layer thicknesses) from the interferometry spectra, significantly reducing calculation time while preserving accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If existing calculation methods are used, then complete optical property determination is achieved, but data analysis speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the essential information needed for calculation from the interferometry spectra, rather than performing comprehensive analysis of all spectral features. By taking out and focusing on the specific wavelength regions and interference patterns that directly relate to layer thickness determination, the method achieves complete optical property determination at higher data analysis speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by transforming the interferometry spectra into a simplified mathematical representation that directly yields layer thickness values. By changing the parameter representation from raw spectral data to processed optical path difference measurements, the system achieves both complete optical property determination and improved productivity through faster calculations.
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 method completes calculations in seconds, allowing for more interferometry spectra analysis, providing identical results to existing methods but in a fraction of the time, enhancing data robustness and accounting for eye blink dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
wavelength-dependent optical interferometer
Implementation Method 2
determining optical properties of a corneal region
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining optical properties of a corneal region. The method includes the steps of obtaining a combined tear film aqueous layer plus lipid layer thickness; obtaining a tear film lipid layer thickness; subtracting the tear film lipid layer thickness from the combined tear film aqueous layer plus lipid layer thickness to obtain a tear film aqueous layer thickness; and determining a corneal layer refractive index based on the tear film lipid layer thickness and the tear film aqueous layer thickness.