Vitreous Floater Shadow Imaging for Psychophysical Vision Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to effectively assess and treat the visual disturbances caused by vitreous floaters in the human eye, which can significantly impair vision.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for psychophysical evaluation of vitreous floaters using imaging techniques and virtual reality displays to replicate the patient's visual experience, allowing for accurate perception and assessment of floater shadows on the retina.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional evaluation methods are used for vitreous floaters, then the assessment process is simple, but the measurement precision of visual disturbances is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of visual disturbance assessmentVSAvoidcomplexity of evaluation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates observer stimulus images that are precise copies of the shadow images cast by floaters on the retina. These stimulus images replicate the exact visual appearance and characteristics of floater shadows, allowing observers to evaluate visual disturbances with high precision by viewing the copied images on a display device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary that processes clinical images to extract shadow images and generates observer stimulus images. This intermediary system bridges the gap between simple clinical imaging and precise psychophysical evaluation, automating the complex image processing and transformation steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If shadow images are extracted and processed through multiple steps, then the evaluation accuracy improves, but the productivity of the evaluation process decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of floater shadow identificationVSAvoidspeed of evaluation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical image processing with automated computing device operations. The computing device automatically performs shadow image extraction, processing, and stimulus image generation through software algorithms, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and significantly improving processing speed while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service evaluation where the computing device autonomously processes clinical images and generates ready-to-use observer stimulus images without requiring manual intervention at each step. The automated workflow allows practitioners to simply input clinical images and receive processed evaluation materials, improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12611099B2Psychophysical evaluation of the effect of vitreous floaters

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 ALCON INC

AI summary

Particular embodiments disclosed herein enable psychophysical evaluation of vitreous floaters. One or more patient stimulus images are projected onto the patient's retina, the patient images including a stationary or mobile fixation target. While the patient stimulus images are displayed, images of the patient's retina are captured, such as using an SLO, and shadow images are derived from the images. The shadow images include representations of shadows cast by floaters. Observer stimulus images are generated from the shadow images and the patient stimulus images and projected onto the retinas of an observer, such as using a virtual reality display device.