INTERNAL CALIBRATION FOR AUTO-PHOROPTER

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an automated ophthalmic aberration measurement by an auto-phoropter. In some embodiments, the present invention features a vision testing system capable of automated calibration. In some embodiments, the system may comprise a phoropter capable of measuring the ophthalmic aberration of an eye, and providing the necessary correction. The phoropter may comprise a wavefront sensor, one or more lenses calibrated using an initial correlation factor, a model eye disposed within the phoropter for internal calibration, and a light redirection component disposed within the phoropter. The light redirection component may be capable of redirecting light into the model eye to determine an optimal correlation factor.

Claims

1. A vision testing system (100) capable of automated internal calibration comprising: a. an automatic phoropter (110) capable of measuring the ophthalmic aberration of an eye, and providing the necessary correction, the phoropter component (110) comprising: i. a wavefront sensor (111) configured to measure the ophthalmic aberration of the eye; ii. one or more lenses (112) configured to correct the measured ophthalmic aberration; iii. an internal model eye (113) disposed within the phoropter (110) for internal calibration; iv. a first optical path (114) between the wavefront sensor (111) and a test position for the eye; v. a second optical path (115) between the wavefront sensor (111) and the internal model eye (113); and vi. a light redirection component (116) configured to selectively enable either testing via the first optical path (114) or calibration via the second optical path (115); and b. a computing device (120) operatively coupled to the phoropter (110), comprising a processor capable of executing computer-readable instructions, and a memory component comprising a plurality of computer-readable instructions for: i. accepting a recalibration request; ii. enabling the second optical path (115); iii. measuring an ophthalmic aberration of the model eye (113) via the wavefront sensor (111); and iv. determining an optimal correlation factor based on a difference between the measured aberration of the model eye (113) and a known value.

2. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the memory component further comprises computer-readable instructions for: a. determining an optimal correction factor based on a difference between the measured aberration of the model eye (113) and a known correction value; wherein the optimal correction is calculated by measuring, by the wavefront sensor (111), a wavefront error of light reflected from the model eye (113).

3. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the light redirection component (116) comprises a rotating polarizer and a polarizing beam splitter.

4. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the light redirection component (116) comprises an electro-optics cell and a polarizing beam splitter.

5. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the light redirection component (116) comprises a mobile mirror mounted on an actuator.

6. The system (100) of claim 1 further comprising one or more atmospheric sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device (120), wherein each atmospheric sensor is capable of measuring environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof, wherein the memory component further comprises computer-readable instructions for: a. detecting, by the one or more atmospheric sensors, a change in environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof; and b. transmitting a recalibration request in response to the change in environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof.

7. A vision testing system (100) capable of automated calibration comprising: a. a phoropter (110) capable of measuring the ophthalmic aberration of an eye, and providing the necessary correction, the phoropter (110) comprising: i. a wavefront sensor (111); ii. one or more lenses (112) calibrated using an initial correlation factor; iii. a model eye (113) disposed within the phoropter (110) for internal calibration; and iv. a light redirection component (116) disposed within the phoropter (110); wherein the light redirection component (116) is capable of redirecting light into the model eye (113) to determine an optimal correlation factor.

8. The system (100) of claim 7, wherein the phoropter (110) is actuated by receiving a recalibration request from an external source.

9. The system (100) of claim 8, wherein the external source comprises a computing device (120).

10. The system (100) of claim 8, wherein the external source comprises one or more atmospheric sensors capable of detecting a change in temperature, pressure, or a combination thereof.

11. The system (100) of claim 7, wherein the light redirection component (116) comprises a rotating polarizer and a polarizing beam splitter.

12. The system (100) of claim 7, wherein the light redirection component (116) comprises an electro-optics cell and a polarizing beam splitter.

13. The system (100) of claim 7, wherein the light redirection component (116) comprises a mobile mirror mounted on an actuator.

14. A method for automated internal calibration of a vision testing system, the method comprising: a. providing an automatic phoropter (110) capable of measuring the ophthalmic aberration of an eye, and providing the necessary correction, the phoropter component (110) comprising: i. a wavefront sensor (111) configured to measure the ophthalmic aberration of the eye; ii. one or more lenses (112) configured to correct the measured ophthalmic aberration; iii. an internal model eye (113) disposed within the phoropter (110) for internal calibration; iv. a first optical path (114) between the wavefront sensor (111) and a test position for the eye; v. a second optical path (115) between the wavefront sensor (111) and the internal model eye (113); and vi. a light redirection component (116) configured to selectively enable either testing via the first optical path (114) or calibration via the second optical path (115); b. accepting a recalibration request; c. enabling the optical path; d. measuring an ophthalmic aberration of the model eye (113) via the wavefront sensor (111); and e. determining an optimal correlation factor based on a difference between the measured aberration of the model eye (113) and a known value.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising: a. determining an optimal correction factor based on a difference between the measured aberration of the model eye (113) and a known correction value.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the light redirection component (116) comprises a rotating polarizer and a polarizing beam splitter.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the light redirection component (116) comprises an electro-optics cell and a polarizing beam splitter.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the light redirection component (116) comprises a mobile mirror mounted on an actuator.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising: a. providing one or more atmospheric sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device (120), wherein each atmospheric sensor is capable of measuring environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof; b. detecting, by the one or more atmospheric sensors, a change in environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof; and c. transmitting a recalibration request in response to the change in environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a schematic of the system for internal phoropter calibration of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a method for internal phoropter calibration of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the model eye of the present invention comprising a quarter wave plate and a mirror.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein: [0017] 100 vision testing system [0018] 110 automatic phoropter [0019] 111 wavefront sensor [0020] 112 lens [0021] 113 model eye [0022] 114 first optical path [0023] 115 second optical path [0024] 116 light redirection component

[0025] The present invention features a procedure that allows for an auto-phoropter can be re-calibrated internally without the need to open the instrument, ship it back to the factory, use external device, or even to require special training.

[0026] The calibration of an auto-phoropter is usually done by placing a model eye in front of the instrument objective. The model eye replaces the eye of a subject, and has a known refractive power that is used to calibrate the instrument.

[0027] Instead of having an external model eye that needed to be manually placed in front of the instrument, it was found to be more convenient to have the model eye placed inside the instrument and to use a mechanism to redirect the light to the model eye when the system needs to be re-calibrated.

[0028] The mechanism to redirect the light can be of various nature such as a rotating polarizer together with a polarizing beam splitter, an electro-optics cell with a polarizing beam splitter, a mobile mirror mounted on an actuator, a digital micro-mirror device, and more.

[0029] The mechanism to redirect the light to the model eye can be activated at regular time intervals, before every measurement, when sensors sense atmospheric variation (temperature and/or pressure), or at the request of an operator.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention features a vision testing system (100) capable of automated internal calibration. In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise an automatic phoropter (110) capable of measuring the ophthalmic aberration of an eye, and providing the necessary correction. In some embodiments, the phoropter component (110) may comprise a wavefront sensor (111) configured to measure the ophthalmic aberration of the eye, one or more lenses (112) configured to correct the measured ophthalmic aberration, an internal model eye (113) disposed within the phoropter (110) for internal calibration, a first optical path (114) between the wavefront sensor (111) and a test position for the eye, a second optical path (115) between the wavefront sensor (111) and the internal model eye (113), and a light redirection component (116) configured to selectively enable either testing via the first optical path (114) or calibration via the second optical path (115).

[0031] The system (100) may further comprise a computing device (120) operatively coupled to the phoropter (110). The computing device (120) may comprise a processor capable of executing computer-readable instructions, and a memory component comprising a plurality of computer-readable instructions. The plurality of computer-readable instructions may comprise accepting a recalibration request, enabling the second optical path (115), measuring an ophthalmic aberration of the model eye (113) via the wavefront sensor (111), and determining an optimal correlation factor based on a difference between the measured aberration of the model eye (113) and a known value. In some embodiments, the memory component may further comprise computer-readable instructions for determining an optimal correction factor based on a difference between the measured aberration of the model eye (113) and a known correction value. The optimal correction may be calculated by measuring, by the wavefront sensor (111), a wavefront error of light reflected from the model eye (113)

[0032] In some embodiments, the light redirection component (116) may comprise a rotating polarizer and a polarizing beam splitter. In other embodiments, the light redirection component (116) may comprise an electro-optics cell and a polarizing beam splitter. In other embodiments, the light redirection component (116) may comprise a mobile mirror mounted on an actuator. The system (100) may further comprise one or more atmospheric sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device (120). Each atmospheric sensor may be capable of measuring environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the memory component may further comprise computer-readable instructions for detecting, by the one or more atmospheric sensors, a change in environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof, and transmitting a recalibration request in response to the change in environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof.

[0033] In some embodiments, the present invention features a vision testing system (100) capable of automated calibration for adaptive optical components (e.g. fluidic lens). In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a phoropter (110) capable of measuring the ophthalmic aberration of an eye, and providing the necessary correction. The phoropter (110) may comprise a wavefront sensor (111), one or more lenses (112) calibrated using an initial correlation factor, a model eye (113) disposed within the phoropter (110) for internal calibration, and a light redirection component (116) disposed within the phoropter (110). The light redirection component (116) may be capable of redirecting light into the model eye (113) to determine an optimal correlation factor.

[0034] The phoropter (110) may be actuated by receiving a recalibration request from an external source. In some embodiments, the external source may comprise a computing device (120). In other embodiments, the external source may comprise one or more atmospheric sensors capable of detecting a change in temperature, pressure, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the light redirection component (116) may comprise a rotating polarizer and a polarizing beam splitter. In other embodiments, the light redirection component (116) may comprise an electro-optics cell and a polarizing beam splitter. In other embodiments, the light redirection component (116) may comprise a mobile mirror mounted on an actuator.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, the present invention features a method for automated internal calibration for the adaptive optical components (e.g. fluidic lens) of a vision testing system. In some embodiments, the method may comprise providing an automatic phoropter (110) capable of measuring the ophthalmic aberration of an eye, and providing the necessary correction. In some embodiments, the phoropter component (110) may comprise a wavefront sensor (111) configured to measure the ophthalmic aberration of the eye, one or more lenses (112) configured to correct the measured ophthalmic aberration, an internal model eye (113) disposed within the phoropter (110) for internal calibration, a first optical path (114) between the wavefront sensor (111) and a test position for the eye, a second optical path (115) between the wavefront sensor (111) and the internal model eye (113), and a light redirection component (116) configured to selectively enable either testing via the first optical path (114) or calibration via the second optical path (115). The method may further comprise accepting a recalibration request, enabling the optical path, measuring an ophthalmic aberration of the model eye (113) via the wavefront sensor (111), and determining an optimal correlation factor based on a difference between the measured aberration of the model eye (113) and a known value. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise determining an optimal correction factor based on a difference between the measured aberration of the model eye (113) and a known correction value. The optimal correction may be calculated by measuring, by the wavefront sensor (111), a wavefront error of light reflected from the model eye (113)

[0036] In some embodiments, the light redirection component (116) may comprise a rotating polarizer and a polarizing beam splitter. In other embodiments, the light redirection component (116) may comprise an electro-optics cell and a polarizing beam splitter. In other embodiments, the light redirection component (116) may comprise a mobile mirror mounted on an actuator. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise providing one or more atmospheric sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device (120). Each atmospheric sensor may be capable of measuring environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof. The method may further comprise detecting, by the one or more atmospheric sensors, a change in environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof, and transmitting a recalibration request in response to the change in environmental temperature, environmental pressure, or a combination thereof.

[0037] In some embodiments, the model eye may comprise a quarter wave plate and a mirror. The rotation of the quarter wave plate may determine whether the light will be reflected towards the sensor or not. This way, a more compact system with no additional optical paths can be achieved. This is depicted in FIG. 3.

[0038] Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. In some embodiments, the figures presented in this patent application are drawn to scale, including the angles, ratios of dimensions, etc. In some embodiments, the figures are representative only and the claims are not limited by the dimensions of the figures. In some embodiments, descriptions of the inventions described herein using the phrase comprising includes embodiments that could be described as consisting essentially of or consisting of, and as such the written description requirement for claiming one or more embodiments of the present invention using the phrase consisting essentially of or consisting of is met.

[0039] The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.