Abstract:
A device for at least one of diagnosis and treatment of binocular vision disorders is disclosed. The device comprises a portable, wearable viewing apparatus that includes a left eye electronic display and a right eye electronic display, a dual data channel input, wherein each data channel corresponds to a respective one of the left eye and right eye electronic displays, a left eye adjustable optic structure adjusting a view of the left eye electronic display, and a right eye adjustable optic structure adjusting a view of the right eye electronic display. The device also includes a controller in communication with the dual data channel input that renders a first image at the left eye electronic display and a second image at the right eye electronic display simultaneously, in which the first and second images are different, and a memory in communication with the controller configured to store at least one of a diagnosis image pattern and a treatment image pattern for said binocular vision disorders for display by the viewing apparatus.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present description is related, generally, to diagnosis and treatment of binocular vision disorders and, more specifically, to a portable and wearable device for diagnosing and treating binocular vision disorder. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Binocular vision disorder is an inability of a person to fuse the two images from his or her two eyes into one coherent image (binocular combination) and/or to get a Three-Dimensional (3-D) dimensional view with depth perception (stereo acuity). Binocular vision disorder is especially common among amblyopia and strabismus patients but it is not limited to amblyopia and strabismus patients. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of normal binocular vision and binocular vision disorder. When presented with slide  101  at the left eye and slide  102  at the right eye, a person with healthy binocular vision will see image  103 , which is a combined 2-D image. By contrast, a person who has binocular vision disorder may see image  104 , which is improperly combined (in this case, not aligned). 
     When presented with slides  110  and  111  (which look similar but are slightly different so as to give a stereo 3-D effect), a person with healthy binocular vision will correctly perceive the 3-D quality of combined image  112 . On the other hand, a person with binocular vision disorder will not correctly perceive the combined image as 3-D. 
     Most studies focus on monocular deficits in the amblyopic eye. Most amblyopia treatment products are for treating amblyopia in spatial vision for improvement of visual acuity, spatial frequency and contrast sensitivity. For stroke patient recovery, treatment tends to focus on motor exercise. There is a general lack of treatment for binocular vision capability. 
     One conventional technique for treating binocular vision capability includes the synoptophore. When using a synoptophore, a patient rests his or her head in the device, aligned with two viewing apparatuses—one for each eye. A healthcare worker manually inserts slides into the viewing portions to show each eye a different image. Prisms may be used to change a viewing angle at an eye or to change an optical axis relative to a geometric axis. The patient attempts to combine the images into either a 2-D image or a 3-D image. The synoptophore can be used to diagnose binocular vision disorder by giving the healthcare worker an indication of the disability. For instance, people with normal vision will see the fused image without changing the viewing angle to a large extent, but eye patients may require the help of adjusting the viewing angle by the synoptophore in order to see the fused image. Additionally or alternatively, the healthcare worker can use the synoptophore to treat the disability. In one example, the healthcare worker applies a regimen to train the patient&#39;s eyes and mind to perform binocular capability and to see in true 3-D. The regimen may include showing a series of slides, and perhaps adjusting an angle of view or a geometrical axis of the slides, to gradually acclimate the patient to binocular combination and 3-D viewing. 
     Synoptophores are not an optimal device for treatment and diagnosis. Synoptophores are table-top instruments that are fairly large and heavy. Thus, synoptophores are not portable, and a patient must travel to a clinic for treatment, perhaps several times a week. Furthermore, synoptophores are expensive and almost completely manual. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods using a portable, wearable device to treat and/or diagnose binocular vision disorder. In one example, a device includes a pair of goggles that has two displays (e.g., Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs))—one for each eye. The two displays operate independently to show different images to each eye simultaneously. Additional features may include apparatuses to change a viewing angle of at least one of the displays and/or to change an optical axis of at least one of the displays. 
     Continuing with the example, the displays are controlled by one or more microprocessors that implement a diagnostic procedure or a treatment regimen. For instance, the device may display a series of differing images on each of the displays so as to provide images that can be combined in 2-D or 3-D and are relevant to binocular combination and/or stereo acuity. Such images can be used to diagnose or treat binocular vision disorder. Also, the device may modify viewing angles and/or axes in accordance with a diagnosis procedure or a treatment regimen. Images to be displayed and instructions for displaying images and analyzing treatment may be stored in computer-readable memory and accessed by the one or more microprocessors. 
     Various embodiments may include one or more advantages over conventional techniques. For instance, various embodiments provide a device that can be used at home or other convenient locations for a user, thereby minimizing the need for frequent travel. Also, smaller, lighter, and more automated devices may in some instances be manufactured more inexpensively than the heavy, manual synoptophores currently in use. Embodiments may be used to treat and/or diagnose amblyopia, strabismus, and other visual disorders affecting binocular vision. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of normal binocular vision and binocular vision disorder; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of exemplary embodiments of a device adapted according to aspects of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an exemplary diagnosis/treatment system adapted according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of an exemplary diagnosis/treatment system adapted according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 5A  and B are an illustration of an exemplary vision system, adapted according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of an exemplary vision system, adapted according to one embodiment of the invention for providing lens de-centering; 
         FIG. 7  is an example illustration of lens de-centering according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  shows an example of a left eye image and a right eye image usable in level two training; 
         FIG. 9  shows an example of a left eye image and a right eye image usable in level three training; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of an exemplary process, adapted according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of example images for use in a binocular fusion test according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of exemplary embodiments of a device adapted according to aspects of the invention.  FIG. 2  shows goggles  210 , according to a first embodiment, and goggles  220 , according to a second embodiment. Goggles  210  are smaller and lighter, whereas goggles  220  are a little larger and heavier but designed to fit better and to have a center of mass near the middle of the patient&#39;s head. The scope of embodiments is not limited to those shown in  FIG. 2 , as other embodiments may take other forms. 
     The example embodiments of  FIG. 2  illustrate a novel binocular vision system in a compact display platform, e.g., a portable electronic LCD goggle, and an inventive implementation of adjustable optics to achieve binocular fusion for diagnosis and treatment of binocular vision disorder in amblyopia and strabismus patients and other persons with visual disorders due to brain defects. Various implementations and methods of use are described further below. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of an exemplary diagnosis/treatment system  300  adapted according to one embodiment of the invention. System  300  includes main controller  310 , goggles  320 , and user interface device  330 . Main controller  310  may be integral to goggles  320  or separate from goggles  320 , depending on the configuration. Main controller  310  controls goggles  320  and user interface device  330 , as explained further below. 
     Main controller  310  can be implemented using any of a variety of processor-based devices. Examples include, but are not limited to, a general-purpose processor, a Field Programmable Gate Array, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and the like. Main controller  310  includes computer readable medium  311  (e.g., a hard drive media, optical media, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, tape media, cartridge media, flash memory, ROM, memory stick, and/or the like) that stores image pattern data. Processor  312  accesses computer readable medium  311  retrieve, and possibly store, image pattern data for use in treatment and/or diagnosis of binocular vision disorder. After image data has been processed by image engine  313 , it is passed to input/output (I/O) interface  314 , which acts as an interface to LCD drivers  316 ,  317 , and  331 . I/O interface  314  also sends control signals to backlight controllers  321  and receives control signals from user interface device  330 . 
     Display selector  315  allows for selection of stereo or mono vision. When stereo is selected, two different images are sent to the two LCD drivers  316 ,  317 . When mono is selected, the same image is sent to LCD drivers  316 ,  317 . Display selection  315  may be accessed e.g., by a button, on goggles  320  and/or by user interface device  320 . 
     LCD drivers  316 ,  317  provide dual data channel input  318  to goggles  320 , where dual data channel input  318  carries a respective video signal to each respective LCD matrix  324 ,  325 . Goggles  320  includes back light controllers  321  and respective backlight drivers  322 ,  323  which are in communication with individual LCD matrices  324 ,  325 . In other words, each eye of the patient sees a display that can be individually controlled to show a same or different image as one shown to the other eye. Additionally, each display can be turned off to rest both eyes or to show a single image to a single eye (e.g., in occlusion therapy). Individual brightness control for each of the displays may also be used in binocular vision training, where a blinking light is used to draw a patient&#39;s attention to one of the image pictures for binocular fusion training. 
     User interface device  330  is a device that may be separate from, or integral to, goggles  320  and may be separate from, or integral to, main controller  310 . User interface device  330  receives data output  319  from main controller  310 , where data output  319  transfers video data representative of the images shown to the patient. Such images are processed by LCD driver  331  to be rendered upon LCD matrix  332 . User interface device  330  also has input device  333 , which can be a keyboard, touchpad, joystick, or other kind of device for receiving input from a user. 
     User interface device  330  provides a way for a healthcare worker, or other person, to view the images that are seen by the patient and to control operation of goggles  320  in some instances. For example, a healthcare worker may view the images as they are seen by the patient and communicate with the patient at the same time, perhaps adjusting the series of images in response to the communication with the patient. The person can adjust the sequence of images, by using input device  333 , which provides control data to main controller  310 . 
     While system  300  is shown using an LCD display system, the scope of embodiments is not so limited. Any suitable display technology now known or later developed may be adapted for use in some embodiments. For instance, Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) displays are becoming more popular for video systems and can be used in some embodiments in addition to, or instead of, LCD displays. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of an exemplary diagnosis/treatment system  400  adapted according to one embodiment of the invention. The embodiment shown in FIG.  3  can be implemented according to the concept illustrated in  FIG. 4 , or in other ways, if desired. 
     Diagnosis/treatment system  400  includes goggles  410  and user interface device  420 . In this example, the main controller is integral to goggles  410  and is not shown for convenience. Goggles  410  include two independent displays  411 ,  412  so that each eye can be treated independently. Goggles  410  also have on/off button  413  and fit adjustment wheel  414 . 
     User interface device  420  has display  421 , which shows the images seen by the patient and may also show control information (e.g., control menus with selectable options) in some instances. User interface device  420  also has keypad  422  to receive user input. 
     User interface device  420  and goggles  410  may communicate over any suitable link now known or later developed. For instance, in some embodiments, a wired link may be used. In this example, user interface device  420  and goggles  410  are shown communicating with a wireless link  430 , which may be a Bluetooth™ link, an 802.11 link, an infrared link, or other suitable link. 
     Diagnosis and therapy for binocular vision disorder not only includes showing different images to each eye or changing a light intensity. Such techniques may also include changing an angle of view of at least one of the displays and/or changing an optical axis of at least one of the displays. Various embodiments provide mechanisms for changing angles and axes for each eye. 
       FIGS. 5A  and B are an illustration of exemplary vision system  500 , adapted according to one embodiment of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 5A  shows vision system  500  from a distance, whereas  FIG. 5B  shows a close-up view of an adjustable mirror system utilized by system  500  to change an angle of viewing for a left-eye display. It is understood that the adjustable mirror system for the right-eye operates in a manner similar to that described below for the adjustable mirror system for the left eye. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the left-eye mechanism includes lens  502 , which focuses light from display  501 . The light from lens  502  strikes fixed mirror  505  and reflects from fixed mirror  505  to adjustable mirror  504 . Adjustable mirror  504  directs the light at a desired angle to the patients&#39; left eye. The position of adjustable mirror  504 , and hence the angle of the light as it enters the patient&#39;s eye, is changed using mechanism  503 . Mechanism  503  is shown in this example as a manual mechanism, and it is understood that such mechanism may be implemented as an electromechanical mechanism in other embodiments that provide for automation of adjustment of mirror  504 . 
       FIG. 6  is an illustration of an exemplary vision system  600 , adapted according to one embodiment of the invention for providing lens de-centering. System  600  includes a mechanism to adjust a geometric axis with respect to an optical axis to thereby shift a virtual image seen by a patient. System  600  includes display  601  and lens  602  positioned in front of display  601 . Lens  602  is moved horizontally by use of the adjusting mechanisms that has a gear chain assembly  604  and an adjustment handle  603 . The gear chain assembly is shown in this example as a manual mechanism, and it is understood the gear chain assembly may be implemented as an electromechanical mechanism in other embodiments that provide for automation of adjustment of lens  602 . It is understood that the lens de-centering mechanism for the right eye may work in a same or similar manner to that described above for the left eye. 
       FIG. 7  is an example illustration of lens de-centering according to one embodiment of the invention. Scenario  710  shows alignment of geometric axis  725  with optical axis  715  of eye  701 . In scenario  710 , virtual image  703  and display  601  are also aligned with optical axis  715 . Persons who have healthy binocular vision see the virtual image aligned as shown in scenario  710  with no lens de-centering. Some patients with binocular vision disorder may not have the same alignment. 
     In scenario  720 , optical axis  715  is shifted relative to geometric axis  725 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the relative shift also shifts virtual image  703  as seen by the patient. Some diagnostic and treatment procedures include having the patient adjust the viewing distance and viewing angles until alignment is achieved, to teach the patient&#39;s eyes a different alignment geometry, etc. 
     Adjusting viewing angles and adjusting positions of the virtual image are tools that can be used in diagnosis and treatment of binocular vision disorders. In fact, the mechanisms of  FIGS. 5 and 6  are for the same purpose, i.e. they are different mechanisms for achieving variable viewing angles. Furthermore, although not shown herein, lens  502  and lens  602  may also include a zoom lens feature for adjusting virtual display image distance. 
     Various embodiments of the invention provide for methods to use a device, such as the devices described above. In one example diagnosis regimen, there are three levels. The first level is for coarse/qualitative binocular fusion test, using, e.g., slides  101 ,  102  of  FIG. 1 . The second level is for a fine/quantitative binocular fusion test with grid dimension in the slides, such as that shown in  FIG. 11 , where left eye image  1101  and right eye image  1102  are combined by a person with normal vision to see combined image  1110 . The third level is for stereo-acuity, using e.g., slides  110 ,  111  of  FIG. 1 . 
     In an example treatment regimen, there are three levels. In the first level, the patient undergoes monocular training, such as occlusion therapy, to strengthen the weaker eye. The first level may be especially applicable to amblyopia patients, though other patients may skip the first level and go to the second level. 
     In the second level, the patient undergoes binocular combination/fusion training. In level two, the patient trains to build the capability to position the two eyes at the right place so that the patient can see the image field un-separated. An example of a left eye image and a right eye image usable in level two training is shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  also shows a properly fused image. Training may include turning on and off two individual backlights (one for each eye) at different frequencies and time durations. The image provided to the weak eye stays on at a longer duration, whereas the image provided to the dominant eye stays on at a shorter duration. The exercise reminds the patient that the “+” should be formed in the middle of the box. 
     In level three, the patient undergoes stereo acuity training. An example of a left eye image and a right eye image usable in level three training is shown in  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9  also shows a properly fused image. Level three training presents two different images to each eye in a way that the patient&#39;s brain must combine the two images in order to successfully identify the whole picture. Training may include showing a series of different images to the patient so as to exercise and incrementally improve the patient&#39;s stereo acuity. In one example, the viewing angles and image distances are kept changing back and forth for stimulating/reminding the visual cortex to process the image signal at the weak eye side. 
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of exemplary process  1000 , adapted according to one embodiment of the invention. Process  1000  may be performed by a patient, a healthcare worker, a clinic, or other person using any of the devices described above. 
     In block  1001 , a first image is rendered at the left eye electronic display, and a second image is rendered at the right eye electronic display simultaneously for a human patient. In other words, the patient sees two different images at the same time. Examples include those shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  8 , and  9 . 
     In block  1002 , the actions of block  1001  are repeated according to at least one of: a procedure for diagnosing the human patient with at least one binocular vision disorder; a regimen for training the human patient to perform binocular combination with two eyes; and a regimen for training the human patient to perform stereo combination with two eyes; and. Examples of binocular combination training and stereo acuity training are described in more detail above. 
     Block  1002  may include adjusting a viewing angle and/or an optical axis of at least one of the images. The scope of embodiments is not limited to the exact process shown in  FIG. 10 . Other embodiments may add, delete, rearrange, or modify actions according to a training or diagnosis procedure. For instance, in one example, a user may employ the device for diagnosis and treatment in the same sitting or may employ the device for stereo acuity training and binocular combination training in the same sitting. 
     Various embodiments include advantages over previous devices. For instance, the example devices described above are more robust than the other devices shown in Table 1, below. In Table 1, below, the first entry describes an example embodiment of the present invention, whereas the other entries describe other devices. The other devices have fixed viewing optics and are adapted for entertainment use rather than vision diagnosis and treatment. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Adjustable 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Company/ 
                   
                 Image 
                 Eyes- 
                 Viewing 
                   
                 Programmable 
               
               
                 Country 
                 Model Name 
                 Input 
                 Separation 
                 Optics 
                 Image Size 
                 Chip 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 ASTRI Hong 
                 v-Trainer 
                 Dual 
                 Y 
                 Variable 
                 Variable 
                 Y 
               
               
                 Kong 
                   
                   
                   
                 distance and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 angle 
               
               
                 Prober China 
                 EVG920D 
                 Mono 
                 N 
                 Fixed 2 m 
                 Fixed 80 
                 N 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 inches 
               
               
                 Prober China 
                 IMV260 
                 Mono 
                 N 
                 Fixed 1.2 m 
                 Fixed 50 
                 N 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 inches 
               
               
                 Vuzix US 
                 VR920 
                 Mono 
                 N 
                 Fixed 2.7 m 
                 Fixed 62 
                 N 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 inches 
               
               
                 I-O Display 
                 i-glasses i3pc 
                 Mono 
                 N 
                 Fixed 3 m 
                 Fixed 70 
                 N 
               
               
                 US 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 inches 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Furthermore, various embodiments have advantages over the conventional synoptophore. For instance, the synoptophore is not readily movable, thereby requiring that patients travel to a clinic to receive treatment. On the other hand, various embodiments of the present invention are portable and can be worn by a patient. In some scenarios, a patient may be sent home with a device (such as that shown in  FIG. 2 ) to receive a training regimen at home. Some embodiments may also be cheaper to manufacture than a synoptophore. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.