Visual Prosthesis Fitting System with Touch Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visual prostheses often suffer from misalignment and confusion in visual processing due to imperfect positioning of the retinal array, leading to incorrect perception of visual stimuli, which can cause confusion in downstream visual processing systems.
Innovation Solution
An improved fitting and training system for visual prostheses using a touch-sensitive monitor that allows patients to correct the image location and movement, aligning it with their perceived vision, which can be automated or clinician-controlled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retinal array is implanted to stimulate visual neurons, then artificial vision can be provided, but misalignment and confusion in visual processing occur due to imperfect positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system presents visual stimuli through the retinal array and receives feedback from the patient about perceived image location and orientation. This feedback loop allows the system to measure and correct alignment errors between the prosthetic image and the patient's actual visual field, thereby resolving the misalignment problem caused by imperfect positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying solely on precise mechanical positioning of the retinal array during surgery, the system uses software-based calibration and transformation to correct alignment errors. The fitting system computationally adjusts the mapping between camera coordinates and retinal array coordinates, replacing the need for perfect mechanical alignment with a flexible software correction approach.
2Ease of manufacture
If the retinal array positioning is not perfectly centered and oriented, then implantation is simpler, but the image from the scene appears in incorrect locations causing confusion in downstream visual processing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical alignment procedures with a software-based fitting and calibration system. The fitting system computationally determines the transformation between camera coordinates and retinal array coordinates through patient feedback, allowing simple implantation while maintaining accurate spatial information through software correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mapping parameters between camera coordinates and retinal array coordinates based on patient feedback about perceived image locations. By adjusting these transformation parameters, the system corrects spatial distortions and ensures accurate representation of the visual scene despite imperfect physical positioning of the retinal array.
3Extent of automation
If a touch-sensitive monitor is used for patient feedback, then automated fitting and training is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch-sensitive monitor serves multiple functions: it displays visual stimuli to the patient, captures patient feedback about perceived image locations, and provides a user interface for the fitting system. This multi-functionality enables automated fitting while managing system complexity by using a single device for multiple purposes.
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 significantly improves the accuracy of visual perception by aligning the prosthetic image with the patient's actual vision, reducing errors and enhancing the effectiveness of the visual prosthesis in representing the real world.
Implementation Method 1
Neural tissue can be artificially stimulated and activated by prosthetic devices that pass pulses of electrical current through electrodes on such a device. The passage of current causes changes in electrical potentials across visual neuronal membranes, which can initiate visual neuron action potentials
Implementation Method 2
The patient uses a touch sensitive monitor which displays an image. The patient touches the monitor at the location where the patient perceives the image
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 1E~1H
Figure 1I~1L
AI summary
The present invention is an improved fitting and training system for a visual prosthesis. A patient, using the visual prosthesis observes a display and indicates location, movement, shape or other properties of the display image to provide for improved fitting and training. In one embodiment, the patient uses a touch screen monitor which displays an image. The patient touches the monitor at the location where the patient perceives the image. The system then corrects the image to the location indicated by the patient. In another embodiment a patient observes an image moving across the touch screen monitor and indicates by moving their hand across the monitor which direction they believe the image is moving. The system can then rotate the image to match the image perceived by the patient.