Digital imaging for eye examinations.
As a contractor and technical advisor, I worked directly with Scanoptix founder Dr. Arjun Dirghangi to turn early sketches into a functional ophthalmic imaging prototype. The work led to my being named as a co-inventor on granted patents.
Bringing imaging into the examination
Scanoptix developed technology for capturing, analyzing, and sharing photographs and video during eye examinations. The patented approaches include digital imaging attachments for binocular indirect ophthalmoscopes, with the goal of making clinical imaging and documentation more accessible within existing examinations.
Learn more from Scanoptix's website.
Documented co-inventorship
U.S. Patent 10,376,142
Granted August 13, 2019. Medical imaging attachment and methods for capturing and sharing imagery during ophthalmoscope examinations. I am a named co-inventor.
U.S. Patent 11,399,715
Granted August 2, 2022. Related medical imaging systems and methods for ophthalmoscope examinations. I am a named co-inventor.
European Patent EP 3 579 739 B1
Granted August 25, 2021. A related ophthalmic imaging patent also naming me as a co-inventor.
These patents concern related technology. They are not three unrelated inventions. Inventorship is shared, and the patents are assigned to Scanoptix, Inc.
From scrap-paper sketches to a working prototype
At the time, I was running the electronics and rapid prototyping lab at Tinkersmiths, a makerspace in Virginia. Dr. Arjun Dirghangi approached the lab for help developing an ophthalmic imaging device. I took on the project as a contractor and technical advisor.
Dr. Dirghangi came with early designs sketched on scrap paper. We worked directly together to turn his concept into a functioning prototype, making technical and practical decisions as we built and tested it.
Designing and building the first system
Hardware, optics & fabrication
I created the initial CAD models and selected the microprocessors, camera, and lenses. I designed and 3D-printed custom lens mounts and specified and hand-cut beam-splitter mirrors for the optical system.
Control software & integration
I developed the initial control scheme, programmed the Raspberry Pi control software myself, and worked on the integration and troubleshooting needed to turn the individual components into a working instrument.
From prototype to field testing
After Dr. Dirghangi and I developed the initial working prototype, the project expanded. A dedicated software development team and an engineering team took over the next stages of development.
Scanoptix ultimately reached approximately 30 working prototypes, tested in laboratories around Virginia. Some were also sent to Africa for field testing. Those later deployments were the work of the broader team, rather than prototypes I personally built or deployed.
Dr. Dirghangi invited me to take on a larger role in the business, but I ultimately stepped away from the project. I remain proud of the early technical work and the collaboration that helped move it forward.
From invention to implementation.
My work spans medical-device concepts, scientific instrumentation, and software product development.