Blue–Yellow VEP with Projector-Stimulation in Glaucoma

Background and aim In the past, increased latencies of the blue-on-yellow pattern visually evoked potentials (BY-VEP), which predominantly originate in the koniocellular pathway, have proven to be a sensitive biomarker for early glaucoma. However, a complex experimental setup based on an optical bench was necessary to obtain these measurements because computer screens lack sufficient temporal, spatial, spectral, and luminance resolution. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic value of a novel setup based on a commercially available video projector. Methods BY-VEPs were recorded in 126 participants (42 healthy control participants, 12 patients with ocular hypertension, 17 with “preperimetric” glaucoma, and 55 with perimetric glaucoma). Stimuli were created with a video projector (DLP technology) by rear projection of a blue checkerboard pattern (460 nm) for 200 ms (onset) superimposed on a bright yellow background (574 nm), followed by an offset interval where only the background was active. Thus, predominantly S-cones were stimulated while L- and M-cone responses were suppressed by light adaptation. Times of stimulus onset to VEP onset-trough (N-peak time) and offset-peak (P-peak time) were analyzed after age-correction based on linear regression in the normal participants. Results The resulting BY-VEPs were quite similar to those obtained in the past with the optical bench: pattern-onset generated a negative deflection of the VEP, whereas the offset-response was dominated by a positive component. N-peak times were significantly increased in glaucoma patients (preperimetric 136.1 ± 10 ms, p < 0.05; perimetric 153.1 ± 17.8 ms, p < 0.001) compared with normal participants (123.6 ± 7.7 ms). Furthermore, they were significantly correlated with disease severity as determined by visual field losses retinal nerve fiber thinning (Spearman R = –0.7, p < 0.001). Conclusions Video projectors can be used to create optical stimuli with high temporal and spatial resolution, thus potentially enabling sophisticated electrophysiological measurements in clinical practice. BY-VEPs based on such a projector had a high diagnostic value for detection of early glaucoma. Registration of study Registration site: www.clinicaltrials.gov Trial registration number: NCT00494923.

Microdisplays as a versatile tool for the optical simulation of crystal diffraction in the classroom

Presented here is a flexible and low-cost setup for demonstrating X-ray, electron or neutron diffraction methods in the classroom. Using programmable spatial light modulators extracted from a commercial video projector, physical diffraction patterns are generated, in real time, of any two-dimensional structure which can be displayed on a computer screen. This concept enables hands-on experience beyond simplest-case scenarios of scattering phenomena, and for the students, the transfer to the regime of visible light greatly enhances intuitive understanding of diffraction in real and reciprocal space. The idea and working principle of the modified video projector are explained, technical advice is given for its choice and successful modification, and a Python-based open-source program code is provided. Program features include the design and interactive manipulation of two-dimensional crystal structures to allow a straightforward demonstration of concepts such as reciprocal space, structure factors, selection rules, symmetry and symmetry violation, as well as structural disorder. This approach has already proved helpful in teaching crystal diffraction to undergraduate students in materials science.

Effect of Scanning Depth of Field on the Measurement Noises of Developed Fringe Projection 3D Scanning System

In this paper, some tests was performed to evaluate the effect of scanning depth of field on the measurement error and the density of the point cloud obtained from the developed non-contact 3D scanner by measurement error of about ±0.05mm, which was taken from a single digital camera and a 3LCD video projector as a source projecting the structured light pattern. To perform this analysis, the scanning depth changes occurred in steps. However, due to the effect that the video projector focus has on the sharpness of the projected image pattern and consequently the measurement noise created, the tests were repeated again with the change in focus at every step. The experimental results suggest the need to define the optimum scanning depth (less than 60cm), to provide a stable and acceptable precision, and shows the great effect of scanning depth of field and sharpness of the projected pattern on the amount of measurement noise and density of the points cloud.

LED-Based 3-DMD Volumetric 3D Display

A solid-state volumetric true 3D display developed by Hefei University of Technology consists of two main components: a high-speed video projector and a stack of liquid crystal shutters. The shutters are based on polymer stabilized cholesteric texture material, presenting different states that can be switched by different voltage. The high-speed video projector includes LED-based light source and tree-chip digital micro-mirror devices modulating RGB lights. A sequence of slices of three-dimensional images are projected into the liquid crystal shutters locating at the proper depth, forming a true 3D image depending on the human vision persistence. The prototype is developed. The measurement results show that the screen brightness can reach 149 nit and no flickers can be perceived.