Apparatus and methods for inducing blink reflex

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for inducing blinking using a magnetic field. The apparatus comprises a headset and a magnetic material attachable to the eyelid or eyelash of the user. The headset comprises a frame with one or more attachments for attaching to the head of a user, and one or more electromagnets, wherein, when the frame is attached to the head of the user via the one or more attachments, the electromagnet is positionable in front of an eye of the user. A controller is configured to repeatedly activate the electromagnet in order to apply a force to the magnetic material to induce closing of the eyelid. In this way, blinking can be induced non-invasively, and without using audio visual stimuli.

Description

Apparatus and Methods for Inducing Blink ReflexTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to inducing a blink reflex. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for inducing a blink reflex magnetically.BACKGROUND

[0002] Dry eye is a serious condition which is prevalent world-wide, even in humid climates. Symptoms can vary widely ranging from irritation / burning to fatigue and strain. It is a large component of ‘computer vision syndrome’. With more and more of the global population performing their work on a computer screen and their leisure time in front of a phone or television, this is an increasingly pervasive condition. Beyond the discomfort, the burden on workplace productivity is taxing, especially on office workers. 59% of people with severe dry eye disease reported difficulty focusing on work because of their ocular discomfort.

[0003] In extreme cases, the dryness causes physical damage to the cornea and reduced vision. This is especially true for those with Parkinson’s as they begin to lose their innate blink reflex. Another group which is at high risk are those who have lost sensation to their corneas from past infections of inflammation.

[0004] There are various treatments available for dry eye such. Lubricating drops come in many formulations and some medicated drops act by reducing local inflammation. Several other treatments target the oil glands in the eyelids. Blocked eyelid glands reduce the tear film oils which protect against evaporative loss. These blocked glands also trigger further inflammation. There are light therapies available which aim to reduce the inflammatory blood vessels which develop secondary to dry eye.

[0005] There are no effective treatments available for one of the leading causes of dry eye in the workplace: reduced blink rate. An audible timer would have to ring 12-15 times per minute and either cause too much disruption itself or becomes ignored by the patient. There have been glasses and / or screen proposed which disrupt the visualization of the screen but again this also interrupts the ability for the patient to work. More invasive measures suggest electrodes to directly stimulate the orbicularis muscle and inciting a large contraction of the all the muscles around the eye.

[0006] US 10,198,068 discloses systems and methods for blink detection, tracking, and stimulation. In one implementation, a device can include a sensor configured to receive an input, the input corresponding to perceiving one or more blinks of an eye of a user. The input can be processed to determine a blink rate or an elapsed time interval since a blink of the user. Based on the blink rate or the elapsed time interval, a blink stimulation action directed to the user can be initiated.

[0007] US 2021 / 244602 discloses a device for inducing blinking of a user. The device includes a sensor, a controller and a stimulator. The sensor is for measuring an ambient humidity. The controller is connected with the sensor for determining a blinking frequency for the user according to the ambient humidity and generating a control signal based on the blinking frequency. The stimulator is for providing a stimulus to the user according to the control signal. The stimulus induces blinking of the user.SUMMARY

[0008] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for inducing a blink reflex, the apparatus comprising: a headset comprising: a frame comprising one or more attachments for attaching to the head of a user, and one or more electromagnets, wherein, when the frame is attached to the head of the user via the one or more attachments, the electromagnet is positionable (e.g., positioned) in front of an eye of the user; and a controller configured to repeatedly activate the electromagnet; and a magnetic material attachable to the eyelid or eyelash of the user, such that, in use, when the electromagnet is activated, a force is applied to the magnetic material to induce closing of the eyelid.

[0009] The force applied to the magnetic material may induce closing of the eyelid by initiating a blink response (e.g. reflex) in the user (e.g., by the force being detected by nerves in the eyelid). The force applied to the magnetic material may induce closing of the eyelid by exerting a downward force on the eyelid.

[0010] The frame may be in the shape of a eyeglasses frame. A said electromagnet may be positioned within a rim of the frame. When the frame is attached to the head of the user, the rim may form a perimeter around the eye through which the user can look / see.The rim may be formed from a solid material (e.g., plastic). The rim may or may not hold a lens.

[0011] The frame may comprise two rims connected by a bridge.

[0012] A said electromagnet may extend around more than 90% of the length of the circumference of a said rim. A said electromagnet may extend around more than 80% of the length of the circumference of a said rim. A said electromagnet may extend around less than 100% of the length of the circumference of a said rim.

[0013] The electromagnet may comprise two ends with a gap between the two ends, wherein the gap is positioned adjacent to the top of the said rim. The gap between the two ends may be greater than 5mm. The gap between the two ends may be less than 25mm. The gap between the two ends may be less than 50mm.

[0014] The frame may comprise lenses positioned within the rims. The frame may comprise tinted lenses. In the context of this disclosure, a lens may be considered to be a piece of transparent or partially transparent material. A lens may or may not have curved surfaces for concentrating or dispersing light.

[0015] The frame may comprise temples (e.g., two temples) for engaging with the ears of a user. Each temple may be connected to a respective rim (e.g., using a hinged connector).

[0016] The controller may be housed within the frame. The controller may be housed within the temples.

[0017] The electromagnet may comprise a coil of wire wound around a core.

[0018] The controller may be configured to activate the electromagnet periodically.

[0019] The controller may be configured to activate the electromagnet by applying an oscillating current to the electromagnet.

[0020] The frequency of oscillation may correspond to (e.g., be the same as) a mechanical resonant frequency of the lash.

[0021] The apparatus may comprise a blink sensor configured to detect when the user blinks.

[0022] The blink sensor may comprise an optical sensor configured to optically detect when the eye is closed and / or when a blink occurs.

[0023] The blink sensor may comprise an electromagnetic sensor configured to electromagnetically measure movement of the magnetic material.

[0024] The blink sensor may comprise a camera (part of or remote from the frame). The blink sensor may comprise an optical intensity sensor (e.g., part of the frame). The blink sensor may comprise the electromagnet (e.g., configured to measuring a parameter of the coil like inductance or impedance).

[0025] The controller may be configured to activate the electromagnet in response to the time since a last detected blink exceeding a threshold time value.

[0026] The magnetic material may comprise magnetic particulates suspended in an adhesive.

[0027] The apparatus may comprise a prosthetic lash comprising the magnetic material.

[0028] The magnetic material may comprise iron.

[0029] The apparatus may comprise a permanent magnet comprising the magnetic material.

[0030] The apparatus may be configured to activate the electromagnet for a predetermined period of time in each in each activation, and / or until a blink is detected.

[0031] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method of inducing a blink reflex, the method comprising: attaching a magnetic material to the eyelid or eyelash of the user; positioning an electromagnet in front of an eye of the user (e.g., using a headset for connecting to the user’s head, such as eyeglasses frame); and repeatedly activating the electromagnet, such that when the electromagnet is activated, a force is applied to the magnetic material to induce closing of the eyelid (e.g. by inducing a blink reflex in the user).

[0032] The headset may comprise a power source. The power source may comprise one or more of: a battery, a renewable power source, a solar cell. The power source may be remote, connected by cable to the headset.

[0033] The one or more attachments may comprise a nose bridge for gripping or engaging with the nose of a user. The one or more attachments may comprise one or more earpieces or temples for engaging with the gripping or engaging with an ear of a user. The one or more attachments may comprise a head band for passing around the back of the head of the user. The head band may be elastic.

[0034] The controller may comprise a processor and memory. The memory may store computer program code. The processor may comprise, for example, a central processingunit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit or ASIC or a multicore processor. The memory may comprise, for example, flash memory, a hard-drive, volatile memory. The computer program may be stored on a non-transitory medium. The computer program may be configured, when run on a processor, to implement methods and processes disclosed herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In the Detailed Description section below, one or more embodiments of the present technology are described in relation to the attached figures. These embodiments are intended to provide a better understanding of the invention, how the invention may be put into practice, and to demonstrate some of the advantages of the invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of the invention. Similar reference numerals indicate similar components.Figure 1a is a partially transparent perspective view of a headset according to one embodiment for inducing a blink reflex.Figure 1 b is a front view of the headset of figure 1 a when worn by a user.Figure 1 c is a close-up view of the headset of figure 1a.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIntroduction

[0036] The present technology is designed to induce blinking in a user (e.g., a patient or other wearer) without significant conscious effort at a rate sufficient to maintain a healthy corneal epithelium. Blink induction is non-contact, free of visual field or audio sensory interference.

[0037] The invention comprises at least two components:1. a headset, which may comprise an eyeglasses frame with embedded electromagnetic coil (“the coil”), control electronics, battery power source and auxiliary sensors.2. a magnetic material attached to the eyelash or eyelid, such as a ferromagnetic coated eyelash or ferromagnetic eyelash prosthetic on the patient (“the lash”).

[0038] Certain embodiments may also comprise a sensor, such as a video camera running software to detect blinks and communicate them to the eyeglass frame control electronics.

[0039] The control electronics drive an oscillating current through the coil. The produced magnetic field attracts the lash causing a small displacement of the lash towards the region of highest magnetic flux when the current in the coil current is increasing up to its peak and then relaxing back to resting position as the coil current decays to zero. The frequency of oscillation is chosen to match the mechanical resonant frequency of the lash. Resonant rise increases the lash displacement over multiple oscillations.

[0040] The lashes roots are enveloped in a profusion of intricate free nerve endings which provide sensitivity to extremely light touch. The displacement of the lash by the electromagnet thus triggers a natural bilateral blink reflex.

[0041] Various aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures. For the purposes of illustration, components depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on highlighting the various contributions of the components to the functionality of various aspects of the invention. A number of possible alternative features are introduced during the course of this description. It is to be understood that, according to the knowledge and judgment of persons skilled in the art, such alternative features may be substituted in various combinations to arrive at different embodiments of the present invention.Inducing a Blink Reflex

[0042] Figure 1a-c show a first embodiment of the apparatus for inducing a blink reflex.

[0043] As shown in figure 1a, the apparatus comprises a headset 101 , which in this embodiment, comprises a glasses frame encapsulating controller 102, electromagnet 103 and battery 104.

[0044] The battery 104 in this case is housed in one temple 106a of the frame, and the controller 102 is housed in the other temple 106b of the frame.

[0045] As shown in figure 1c, the electromagnet assembly consists of a high permeability core 111 around which at least one layer of conductive wire 112 is wound. An electromagnet is positioned within a rim 105b of the frame, and comprises a gap 113.

[0046] As shown in figure 1b, the electromagnet extends around most of the circumference of the rim.

[0047] The gap between the ends of the coil of conductive wire represents the terminal poles of the electromagnet. From these poles, a magnetic field is produced which can interact with the magnetic material connected to the eyelid or eyelash 121 of the user. It will be appreciated that the poles may switch as the current alternates between travelling in one direction to travelling in the opposite direction.

[0048] In this embodiment, the current applied to the electromagnet is pulsed DC, or rectified AC. This means that the same end of the electromagnet is the north pole, while the other end is the south pole, and that the electromagnet cycles on and off with a period / frequency corresponding to the natural vibration resonance of the lash.

[0049] In some embodiments, the distance between the terminal ends of the electromagnet may be commensurate with (e.g., between 0.5 and 2 times) the distance between the center of the gap and the eyelash. In this embodiment, the core 111 extends beyond the coil and the ends of the core are bent laterally with respect to the axis of the coil to help direct the magnetic field towards the eyelid or eyelash.

[0050] In this case, the controller 102 comprises a microcontroller, an oscillator, and a timer. The timer period can be preset by the patient, clinician, or be the result of feedback from auxiliary sensors.

[0051] In this embodiment, the timer counts down from the last time that the electromagnet was activated and / or from when the last blink was detected. Upon expiry of the timer, the controller activates the electromagnet by applying an oscillating current from the battery 104 through the electromagnet 103 for a predetermined duration.

[0052] The frequency of oscillation and duration may be predetermined, and, for example, can be programmed independently based on estimated generic lash parameters, the experimental result of a test performed by the clinician or can be calculated based on feedback from auxiliary sensors.Other Options

[0053] In the embodiment of figure 1a-c, the headset comprises a single electromagnet housed in one rim. It will be appreciated that both rims 105a, b could house respective electromagnets.

[0054] In the embodiment of figures 1a-c, the rims have a circular shape. In other embodiments, the rims may have a different shape (e.g., round, square, rectangle, oval, cat’s eye etc.).

[0055] In some embodiments, auxiliary sensors detect when a blink has occurred (e.g., naturally) and recalculate the next stimulus period. For example, the controller may reset the timer in response to detecting a blink. In this way, if the user is blinking naturally at a frequency exceeding the predetermined frequency, the electromagnet may not need to be activated.

[0056] In some embodiments the controller may apply a direct current to the electromagnet. This would result in one end of the electromagnet being a north pole, and the other end being a south pole while the direct current is being applied.

[0057] In the embodiment of figures 1a-c, the controller and power source are housed within the frame. In other embodiments, controllers and power source are located in a separate enclosure worn by the user and connected by cable to the frame.

[0058] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of the invention as understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. CLAIMS1 . An apparatus for inducing a blink reflex, the apparatus comprising: a headset comprising: a frame comprising one or more attachments for attaching to the head of a user, and one or more electromagnets, wherein, when the frame is attached to the head of the user via the one or more attachments, the electromagnet is positionable in front of an eye of the user; and a controller configured to repeatedly activate the electromagnet; and a magnetic material attachable to the eyelid or eyelash of the user, such that, in use, when the electromagnet is activated, a force is applied to the magnetic material to induce closing of the eyelid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a said electromagnet is positioned within a rim of the frame.

3. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the frame comprises two rims connected by a bridge.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2-3, wherein a said electromagnet extends around more than 90% of the length of the circumference of a said rim.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the electromagnet comprises two ends with a gap between the two ends, wherein the gap is positioned adjacent to the top of the said rim.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the frame comprises temples for engaging with the ears of a user.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the controller is housed within the temples.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the electromagnet comprises coil of wire wound around a core.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the controller is configured to activate the electromagnet in response to a predetermined activation time period elapsing since a last activation.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the controller is configured to activate the electromagnet by applying an oscillating current to the electromagnet.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a frequency of oscillation corresponds to the mechanical resonant frequency of the lash.

12. The apparatus according to any one or claims 1-11, wherein the apparatus comprises a blink sensor configured to detect when the user blinks.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the blink sensor comprises an optical sensor configured to optically detect when the eye is closed.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the blink sensor comprises an electromagnetic sensor configured to electromagnetically measure movement of the magnetic material.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 12-14, wherein the controller is configured to activate the electromagnet in response to in response to a predetermined blink time period elapsing since a last detected blink.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein the magnetic material comprises magnetic particulates suspended in an adhesive.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein the apparatus comprises a prosthetic lash comprising the magnetic material.

18. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-17, wherein the magnetic material comprises iron.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-18, wherein the apparatus comprises a permanent magnet comprising the magnetic material.

20. A method of inducing a blink reflex, the method comprising: attaching a magnetic material to the eyelid or eyelash of the user; positioning an electromagnet in front of an eye of the user; and repeatedly activating the electromagnet, such that when the electromagnet is activated, a force is applied to the magnetic material to induce closing of the eyelid.

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