Developing an innovative
eye screening camera

Did you know that 500 million adults suffer from diabetes worldwide and that 1 in 3 people with diabetes develop the eye disease called diabetic retinopathy? With global diabetes expected to increase by 51% by 2045, this disease could affect anyone.

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Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that develops as a complication of diabetes, damaging the blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to vision loss or blindness if not treated early. Symptoms include vision disturbances and reduced night vision. Regular eye exams are important for early detection and treatment. The company Oivi is on a mission to make eye screening easy, fast, and affordable. The development of this camera for early diagnosis of diabetes was a complex and multi-phase process that extended from ideation to finished prototype and testing.

Needs, Analysis and Ideation

The collaboration between Eker Design and Oivi began by uncovering the users’ needs, market situation, and technical requirements, says Victor Rosenvinge, COO at Eker Design. For this complex camera, this included specifications regarding image resolution, tolerances in optomechanics, user-friendliness for medical personnel, and adaptation to the various facial shapes of patients. Eker Design, known for our creative approach combined with professional expertise and a focus on mechanics and DFMA, started with idea generation and sketching of various concepts. The sketches became progressively more detailed, and we built mockups to test size, shape, and angles. Then the product was developed and detailed in CAD, with all components in a complete assembly.

Concept Development

Prototypes were developed to test and validate the various concepts. Oivi developed the models for optomechanics and the driving electronics, while Eker Design developed prototypes for product design, mechanics, and physical user interface. The prototypes were verified through various internal tests of electronics, software, mechanics, and user interface. Furthermore, the product was tested and validated in preclinical testing by defined users in the market, where the camera underwent a series of rigorous tests to ensure all functional, safety, and regulatory standards. Feedback from verification and validation was subject to both optimizations and adjustments in the further development of the product.

Collaboration

Throughout the process, there has been close collaboration between Eker Design and Oivi, and among the teams across several countries such as Norway, Finland, and India. Engaged individuals from both companies have worked together to solve challenges, make decisions, and ensure that product development has progressed in line with the vision and goals. Regular communication, digital meetings, and physical workshops have been essential to ensure that all aspects of the project have been synchronized and well-taken care of, and that the product ultimately meets both requirements, user needs, and business goals.