Wearable Vision Redirecting Devices for Ergonomic Posture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable optical devices for professionals like surgeons, dentists, and jewelers often require users to adopt non-ergonomic postures, leading to fatigue and increased risk of overuse injuries due to the need to bend and strain to maintain optimal viewing angles.
Innovation Solution
A wearable optical device system featuring a user-wearable frame with a centered display and a cantilevered or divergent view imaging modality, allowing for data connection and optical communication. This system redirects the user's vision to provide magnified images from a work area optical path, which can be oriented at various angles relative to the horizontal optical path, promoting ergonomic positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional loupes are mounted to eyeglass frames or headbands with multiple degrees of freedom for adjustment, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but users are required to manipulate their body outside of optimal ergonomic orientation, causing strain and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the optical system into distinct modular components: a headband support structure, a positioning assembly with adjustable elements, and the loupe optical element. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component - the headband provides stable support, the positioning assembly enables precise adjustment, and the loupe delivers magnification, thereby achieving both adaptability and ergonomic comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow users to modify interpupillary distance and frame orientation in real-time. These adjustable elements enable the device to adapt to different user anatomies and working conditions while maintaining proper ergonomic posture, resolving the contradiction between fixed structural support and flexible adaptation
2Manufacturing precision
If loupes provide high quality magnification at predetermined distances, then manufacturing precision and optical quality are improved, but users must assume contorted postures to achieve optimal viewing angles
Solution Approach 1:
The headband mounting system acts as a counterweight mechanism that supports the weight of the loupe assembly, distributing it across the head rather than requiring the user's neck and back muscles to bear the load. This allows users to maintain high-quality magnification at predetermined distances while keeping their posture upright and ergonomic
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning assembly serves as an intermediary between the headband support and the loupe optical element. It provides the necessary adjustment capabilities to align the optical axis with the user's line of sight at ergonomic distances, thereby achieving both high manufacturing precision in magnification and comfortable viewing angles without contorted postures
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 enables users to maintain an ergonomically correct, upright posture while ensuring high-quality magnification, thereby reducing fatigue and the risk of injuries associated with non-ergonomic postures.
Implementation Method 1
a vision redirecting mechanism that redirects the horizontal optical path to a second optical path defined by a different angle versus the horizontal optical path
Implementation Method 2
The vision redirecting mechanism or the viewing portion magnifies an image passed through the work area optical path
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to cantilevered and divergent view wearable optical systems that redirect an optical path, and provide for optimal ergonomics coupled with vision enhancement and vision magnification. Methods of use, devices, and kits are also contemplated.