Holovisions: Innovation in Optical Technology and Artificial Intelligence

Holovisions' Optical Structures for Augmented Reality (AR) Eyewear:

This video discloses a design for Augmented Realty (AR) eyeglasses with a movable array of micromirrors and a grid of transparent electroconductive pathways. Transmission of electrical energy through a selected subset of pathways in the grid causes a selected subset of micromirrors to reflect a virtual object toward a person's eye in a selected area of the person's field of view.

This video tracks and predicts the past, present, and future evolution of augmented reality (AR) eyewear. It spans from the "Pepper's Ghost" theater trick from back in the 1860's, to the static waveguide technology used in present day eyewear, to independently-movable arrays of reflective components which may be used in future eyewear.

The current state-of-the-art in augmented reality (AR) eyewear is static waveguides. The next generation of augmented reality eyewear after static waveguides may be dynamic arrays of individual movable reflective components (such as an array of pivoting micromirrors) which enable reflection of virtual objects from a side display into a person's eye in a selected area of the person's field of view, while also enabling an unobstructed and undimmed view of the real world through the rest of the person's field of view. Individual reflective components (e.g. micromirrors) can be pivoted by changes in an electromagnetic field or by microscale (e.g. MEMS) actuators. Holovisions' U.S. patent 12436394 discloses one way in which this next-generation AR technology can be implemented.

There is a tradeoff between smart eyewear designs which provides the most clear view of the real world versus smart eyewear designs which provides the most crisp view of virtual objects. Designs with pass-through lenses provide a better view of the real world. Designs which display the real world via cameras provide a better view of virtual objects. Holovisions has developed a bi-modal eyewear design which transitions between a clear see-through mode and an augmented reality mode.

Holovisions' Smart Bra with Optical Sensors for Detection of Abnormal Tissue:

Smart Bra with Optical Sensors as Potential Supplemental Screening Modality for Breast Cancer

Holovisions' smart bra uses optical sensors to detect abnormal breast tissue. This smart bra is not yet clinically validated or FDA approved, but the results of preliminary lab testing are encouraging, suggesting that the smart bra may be able to detect the presence and size of a tumor. This video discusses how the smart bra works, its potential advantages, preliminary test results, and next steps.

Although very early stage, Holovisions has conducted rough benchtop experiments on detection of an artificial tumor within an artificial breast by optical sensors. Mild compression was also done to reduce the width of the artificial breast to approximately 7 cm. The artificial breast was created by inserting a mixture of homogenated raw chicken breast and water into a latex balloon. Changes in the spectrum of light transmitted through the artificial breast were analyzed to see whether insertion of a 2 cm artificial tumor could be detected. The optical sensors were able to detect tumor based on changes in light transmission.

Parola Analytics published a report on how biophotonics is enabling non-invasive medical imaging, sensing, and treatment using light. This report included an overview of Holovisions' U.S. Patent Application 2025/0089818 describing a smart bra with optical sensors that shine light through breast tissue to identify early signs of cancer. This is a link to their report.

Researchers around the world in different universities as well as private companies are working toward developing smart bras for breast cancer detection utilizing different sensor modalities. These different sensor modalities include ultrasonic scanning, optical scanning, thermal pattern detection, radiowave scanning, and elasticity sensors. There are pros and cons with the different sensor modalities. Thermal pattern detection and elasticity measurement are probably easier to incorporate into a wearable device at this point, but optical and ultrasonic scanning may provide more comprehensive information concerning tissue composition in the long run.

Holovisions' work on developing a smart bra with optical sensors for detecting abnormal breast tissue includes a smart bra with light emitters on one side of a cup and light receivers on the other side of the cup. Changes in light transmitted through breast tissue along different vectors are analyzed spectroscopically to detect the type, location, and size of abnormal breast tissue. Although unlikely to replace traditional mammography in geographic areas with good access to large radiographic equipment, potential advantages of this smart bra include less exposure to ionizing radiation (which can enable safe frequent scanning), wider geographic access to breast screening (especially in areas without large radiographic equipment), and less discomfort than compression due to rigid parallel plates.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital are pioneering a diffuse optical tomography system which provides high-density tomographic optical scans of breast tissue. Although a smart bra with optical sensors would not be at this level of technological advancement any time soon, this work does bode well for the general approach of detection of abnormal breast tissue using optical scanning.