Vision screening device including color imaging patent

ChangeBridge: Patent Grants - Diagnosis & Surgery (A61B)

Published April 7th, 2026

Detected April 7th, 2026

Summary

The USPTO granted Patent US12593977B2 to Welch Allyn, Inc. on April 7, 2026, covering a vision screening device that combines near-infrared radiation imaging with color imaging to detect eye diseases and abnormalities. The device generates composite images by comparing grayscale NIR reflections against expected values to identify ocular conditions. The patent includes 16 claims and covers methods and systems for automated vision screening.

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What changed

USPTO granted Patent US12593977B2 to Welch Allyn, Inc. for a vision screening device combining near-infrared radiation sources with white light color imaging capabilities. The device captures both grayscale images of radiation reflected from the eye and color images, generating composite images to identify diseases and abnormalities by comparing values against expected parameters. The patent covers 16 claims and is classified under CPC categories A61B 3/0008, A61B 3/032, A61B 3/10, A61B 3/12, and A61B 3/14 relating to ophthalmic examination instruments.

Healthcare providers and medical device manufacturers should note this patent grant as it may affect the competitive landscape for vision screening equipment. Competitors developing similar multi-modal imaging devices for eye disease detection should review the patent claims to assess potential freedom-to-operate concerns or licensing opportunities.

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Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Grants

Vision screening device including color imaging

Grant US12593977B2 Kind: B2 Apr 07, 2026

Assignee

Welch Allyn, Inc.

Inventors

Vivian Loomis Hunter, David L. Kellner, James Brendan Cappon, John A. Lane

Abstract

A vision screening device for administering vision screening tests to a patient, to determine the presence of diseases and/or abnormalities in the eye(s) of the patient, is described herein. The vision screening device may include associated methods and systems configured to perform the operations of the vision screening tests. The device may include a radiation source configured to generate near-infrared (NIR) radiation, a sensor configured to capture a grayscale image representing the radiation reflected by the eye(s) of the patient, a white light source, and a camera configured to capture a color image of the eye of the patient. The device may also be configured to generate a composite image based on the grayscale image and/or the color image, determine a difference between a value associated with the eye and an expected value, and generate an output indicative of a condition associated with the eye(s) based on the difference.