Method and system for adaptive vision modification
View Patent ↗Methods and systems for modifying or enhancing vision are described. In exemplary embodiments, neural or neuromuscular activity is analyzed to determine a focus or other quality of a visual input, and the focus or quality information used as a basis for controlling an adjustable lens system or optical system.
1. A method of enhancing the vision of a subject with a vision modification system including an adjustable lens system, comprising the steps of:
a) detecting a neuromuscular signal from a nerve or a muscle of the subject;
b) inferring a focal condition based upon said detected neuromuscular signal, wherein there is a known relation between said focal condition and a state of focus of a visual input to an eye of said subject;
c) adjusting the adjustable lens system in response to said focal condition in order to modify said visual input; and
d) repeating steps a) through c) with said vision modification system in order to provide ongoing adaptive vision enhancement to said subject.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inferring the known relation between said focal condition and the state of focus of said visual input by a protocol comprising:
a) delivering a series of well-defined visual inputs of varying state of focus;
b) detecting a series of neuromuscular signals produced in response to said series of well-defined visual inputs;
c) detecting a focal condition of said series of neuromuscular signals; and
d) inferring a relation between said state of focus of said visual inputs and said focal condition of said neuromuscular signals.
3. The method of claim 2 , including performing said protocol prior to providing ongoing adaptive vision enhancement to said subject.
4. The method of claim 2 , including performing said protocol at intervals while providing ongoing adaptive vision enhancement to said subject.
5. The method of claim 1 , including detecting said neuromuscular signal from a nervous system of said subject.
6. The method of claim 1 , including detecting said neuromuscular signal from at least one motor nerve of said subject.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said neuromuscular signal is an electromyographic signal.
8. The method of claim 1 , including detecting said neuromuscular signal from at least one of an extraocular muscle, a ciliary muscle, an iris, and a facial muscle of said subject.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said detected neuromuscular signal is an optoelectronic measure of neuromuscular activity.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said detected neuromuscular signal is detected using near infrared imaging.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said detected neuromuscular signal is an optoelectronic measure of at least one indicator of metabolic activity in a neuromuscular structure.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said detected neuromuscular signal is an optoelectronic measure of at least one aspect of blood flow in a neuromuscular structure.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting said adjustable lens system includes adjusting a chromatic aberration correction of said adjustable lens system.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting said adjustable lens system includes adjusting a transverse position of said adjustable lens system with respect to an optical axis of said eye.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting said adjustable lens system includes adjusting an effective aperture of said adjustable lens system.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting said adjustable lens system includes adjusting a transmissivity of said adjustable lens system in at least one spectral waveband.