Neuroprosthetic contact lens system for immediate intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of biomedical engineering technology, specifically relating to a neuroprosthetic corneal contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback. Existing intraocular pressure detection equipment is complex to operate, while the intraocular pressure sensor of the present application is easy to use. The intraocular pressure sensor of the present application is connected to a mobile app at the back end, enabling real-time continuous monitoring. Existing intraocular pressure sensors can only detect specific values ​​of intraocular pressure but lack biofeedback capabilities. The system of the present application can instantly detect and sense intraocular pressure and provide limb feedback.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of biomedical engineering, and in particular relates to a neuroprosthetic corneal contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback. Background Art

[0002] Eye diseases are caused by eye illness, fatigue, and strenuous physical activity, with abnormal intraocular pressure (IOP) being the primary cause. High IOP can compress the optic nerve, leading to vision loss or even blindness, while persistently low IOP can cause eye atrophy and choroidal detachment. Differences in bodily function make it difficult for people with less sensitive nerves to perceive abnormal IOP. Furthermore, the slow changes in IOP caused by some chronic eye diseases hinder timely detection and treatment.

[0003] Wearable smart contact lenses (SCLs) can provide non-invasive, continuous intraocular pressure monitoring by integrating various electronic sensors, microprocessors, communication, and display components, effectively and accurately diagnosing and treating eye diseases. However, these reported smart contact lenses lack biofeedback capabilities and are unable to mimic natural IOP stimulation and nerve-induced motor activity. Due to individual differences in pain perception and sympathetic nervous system responses, abnormal intraocular pressure provides limited information to patients or is often overlooked, resulting in insufficient timely and effective medical treatment.

[0004] The existing technology mainly has the following shortcomings:

[0005] Due to individual differences and weak neural oscillations between the eye and the brain, abnormal intraocular pressure provides limited information to patients or is often ignored. Existing wearable smart contact lenses can detect changes in intraocular pressure through integrated sensors, but they lack biofeedback capabilities. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a neuroprosthetic contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback.

[0007] A neuroprosthetic corneal contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback, the contact lens system comprising a corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor, a circuit system, a mobile terminal APP, and stimulation electrodes;

[0008] The contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is connected to a circuit system;

[0009] The circuit system connects the mobile terminal APP and the stimulation electrode;

[0010] The circuit system includes a power supply module, a data acquisition module and a pulse signal output module;

[0011] The power supply module in the circuit system supplies power to the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor and the entire circuit system;

[0012] The corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is worn on the eyeball and is used to measure the intraocular pressure signal and output the measured intraocular pressure signal to the data acquisition module of the circuit system;

[0013] The data acquisition module in the circuit system is used to perform baseline elimination on the intraocular pressure signal measured by the contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor, then perform differential amplification, and finally transmit it in the following two directions: 1. Output the intraocular pressure signal to the mobile app via Bluetooth; 2. Classify the intraocular pressure signal and transmit the classified intraocular pressure signal to the stimulation electrode via the pulse signal output module;

[0014] The mobile APP is used to display the intraocular pressure signal;

[0015] The stimulation electrode is connected to the cerebral cortex, so that the cerebral cortex responds to the change in intraocular pressure;

[0016] Preferably, the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is a resistive strain gauge intraocular pressure sensor, an LC resonant intraocular pressure sensor, or an optical intraocular pressure sensor;

[0017] Preferably, the pulse stimulation electrode is a metal electrode, a carbon material electrode or a conductive hydrogel electrode.

[0018] A contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor comprises an upper packaging layer, a conductive electrode and a lower packaging layer;

[0019] The conductive electrode is located between the upper packaging layer and the lower packaging layer, forming a cornea-like device with a curvature radius of 8.2-8.6 mm.

[0020] The conductive electrode is a ring-shaped tensile strain sensor with a radius of about 6 mm and a width of between 0.05 and 2 mm;

[0021] The conductive electrode is composed of MXene, graphene or metal powder;

[0022] The upper and lower packaging layers are composed of hydrogel.

[0023] A method for preparing a contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor, the method comprising the following steps:

[0024] A1: Filter a MXene film and dry it at room temperature for 24 hours;

[0025] A2: Use laser to cut out the shape of the conductive electrode;

[0026] A3: Place the conductive electrode in the contact lens mold and pour the encapsulation material, cover the mold with the encapsulation layer and squeeze out the excess encapsulation liquid;

[0027] A4: After heating and drying, the production of the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is completed.

[0028] A method for using a neuroprosthetic contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback comprises the following steps:

[0029] S1: Wear the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor into the eye, and the circuit system provides a 3.3V operating voltage for the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor;

[0030] S2: The contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor outputs the intraocular pressure signal to the data acquisition module;

[0031] S3: The data acquisition module processes the collected intraocular pressure signal, then classifies it, i.e. decodes different levels of intraocular pressure status, and outputs the classified intraocular pressure signal to the pulse signal output module;

[0032] S4: The pulse signal output module converts the received graded intraocular pressure signal into a pulsed current stimulation signal and then stimulates the sensory cortex through the pulse stimulation electrode, causing the sensory cortex to produce limb sensation of abnormal intraocular pressure;

[0033] S5: The control signal of limb sensation is processed by the cerebral cortex and then transmitted to the motor cortex, which then controls body movement and completes limb feedback;

[0034] The intraocular pressure signal is graded into abnormal intraocular pressure state and normal intraocular pressure state, the abnormal intraocular pressure state includes low intraocular pressure state and high intraocular pressure state, and each intraocular pressure state can be subdivided into grades;

[0035] Preferably, no pulse current stimulation signal is output under normal intraocular pressure conditions, a stimulation signal is output under abnormal intraocular pressure conditions, and the stimulation current is changed according to the intraocular pressure level.

[0036] Beneficial effects

[0037] Existing intraocular pressure detection equipment is expensive and complicated to operate, while the intraocular pressure sensor of this application is cheap and easy to use; the intraocular pressure sensor of this application is connected to a mobile APP at the back end, which can perform real-time continuous monitoring; various existing intraocular pressure sensors can only detect the specific value of intraocular pressure but lack biofeedback function, while the system of this application can instantly detect and sense intraocular pressure and provide limb feedback. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 is an operational block diagram of a neuroprosthetic contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A digital photograph of a contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor in an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 3 is the potential signal collected in the somatosensory cortex when physiological saline is injected into the rat eye in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 is a potential signal collected from the somatosensory cortex of a rat when abnormal intraocular pressure of the rat is simulated in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 It is the stimulation signal of the somatosensory cortex and the corresponding potential signal collected in the motor cortex when simulating abnormal intraocular pressure in rats in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 is a potential signal collected from the rat's leg when simulating abnormal intraocular pressure in the rat in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 7 This is a photo of a rat's leg twitching reaction and the real-time IOP display in the app when simulating abnormal intraocular pressure in a rat in an embodiment of the present invention (from left to right, the image shows that the low IOP range is 0-9 mmHg, the normal IOP range is 10-21 mmHg, and the high IOP ranges are 22-30, 31-40, and 41-50 mmHg, respectively). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in combination with specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, but this should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] Example

[0047] The present invention discloses a neuroprosthetic corneal contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback ( Figure 1 ), the system includes a corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor, a circuit system, a mobile terminal APP and a stimulation electrode; wherein:

[0048] The corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is connected to a circuit system; the circuit system is connected to a mobile terminal APP and a stimulation electrode;

[0049] The circuit system includes a power supply module, a data acquisition module and a pulse signal output module;

[0050] The power supply module in the circuit system provides 3.3V voltage to the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor and the entire circuit system;

[0051] The contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor ( Figure 2 ) is worn on the eyeball, has a curvature radius of 8.6 mm, is used to measure intraocular pressure signals, and outputs the measured intraocular pressure signals to the data acquisition module of the circuit system;

[0052] The data acquisition module in the circuit system is used to perform baseline elimination on the intraocular pressure signal measured by the contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor, then perform differential amplification, and finally transmit it in the following two directions: 1. Output the intraocular pressure signal to the mobile app via Bluetooth; 2. Classify the intraocular pressure signal and transmit the classified intraocular pressure signal to the stimulation electrode via the pulse signal output module;

[0053] The mobile APP includes functions such as displaying real-time data, early warning, map navigation, and seeking medical appointments;

[0054] The stimulation electrode is a MXene material electrode, which is connected to the cerebral cortex, so that the cerebral cortex responds to changes in intraocular pressure;

[0055] Preferably, the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is a resistive strain type intraocular pressure sensor, and the conductive electrode is made of Ti3C2T x The MXene composition is a ring electrode with a radius of 6 mm, a width of 0.5 mm, and a thickness of 100 μm, wrapped in upper and lower layers of silicone hydrogel;

[0056] Preferably, the conductive electrode is serpentine-shaped with a bending angle of 180°;

[0057] The present invention discloses a method for preparing a corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor, the method comprising the following steps:

[0058] A1: Pour 5 mL of 3 mg / mL Ti3C2T into the filter bottle. x The MXene solution was vacuum filtered for 12 h to obtain a smooth MXene film, which was then dried at room temperature for 24 h.

[0059] A2: Use laser to cut the shape of the conductive electrode;

[0060] A3: Place the conductive electrode in the center of the contact lens mold and pour the silicone hydrogel encapsulation material, cover the mold with the encapsulation layer and squeeze out the excess encapsulation liquid;

[0061] A4: After heating and drying at 60°C for 12 hours, the production of the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is completed.

[0062] A method for using a neuroprosthetic contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback comprises the following steps:

[0063] S1: The contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is worn on the eye. The power supply module in the circuit system converts the voltage into a 3.3V working voltage through a low-dropout linear regulator (LDO) to power the contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor.

[0064] S2: The contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor outputs the intraocular pressure signal to the data acquisition module;

[0065] S3: The data acquisition module first performs baseline elimination on the collected intraocular pressure signal, then performs differential amplification, and finally performs classification, i.e., decoding different levels of intraocular pressure status, and outputs the classified intraocular pressure signal to the pulse signal output module;

[0066] S4: The pulse signal output module converts the received graded intraocular pressure signal into a pulsed current stimulation signal and then stimulates the sensory cortex through the pulse stimulation electrode, causing the sensory cortex to produce limb sensation of abnormal intraocular pressure;

[0067] S5: The control signal of limb sensation is processed by the cerebral cortex and then transmitted to the motor cortex, which then controls body movement and completes limb feedback;

[0068] The intraocular pressure signal is graded into abnormal intraocular pressure state and normal intraocular pressure state, the abnormal intraocular pressure state includes low intraocular pressure state and high intraocular pressure state, and each intraocular pressure state can be subdivided into grades;

[0069] In the hypotony state, the intraocular pressure is 0-9 mmHg;

[0070] Normal intraocular pressure is 10-21 mmHg;

[0071] In the state of high intraocular pressure, the intraocular pressure is greater than 21 mmHg, and is divided into three levels: 22-30 mmHg, 31-40 mmHg and 41-50 mmHg.

[0072] Preferably, no pulsed current stimulation signal is output under normal intraocular pressure conditions, and a stimulation signal is output under abnormal intraocular pressure conditions, and the stimulation current is changed according to the intraocular pressure level;

[0073] Preferably, 0.1 mA current is output at 0-9 mmHg, no current is output at 10-21 mmHg, 0.12 mA current is output at 22-30 mmHg, 0.14 mA current is output at 31-40 mmHg, and 0.16 mA current is output at 41-50 mmHg;

[0074] Operational results of a neuroprosthetic contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback:

[0075] First, the neural impulses induced by intraocular pressure changes were studied in a rat model. Normal saline was injected into the rat eye to induce intraocular pressure increase, but no potential changes were detected in the somatosensory cortex ( Figure 3 ), indicating weak neural oscillations between the eyes and the brain.

[0076] When using a simulated eyeball to create intraocular pressure abnormalities and connecting it to a neuroprosthetic contact lens system, Figure 4Potential changes were recorded in the rat somatosensory cortex, indicating that our system can regulate neural oscillations between the eye and the brain, allowing the rat to sense changes in intraocular pressure.

[0077] At the same time, when the corneal contact lens sensor detected abnormal intraocular pressure, the potential changes corresponding to the stimulation signal were also captured in the motor cortex and gastrocnemius muscle of the rat, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 and Figure 6 , confirming the rat body's feedback to sensory signals.

[0078] In order to produce graded sensory and motor feedback, IOP levels were graded, i.e. low IOP levels were 0-9 mmHg, normal IOP levels were 10-21 mmHg, high IOP levels were greater than 21 mmHg, and were divided into three levels of 22-30 mmHg, 31-40 mmHg, and 41-50 mmHg. When a simulated eyeball was used to create different levels of IOP abnormalities, the rat's legs did not have a stress response under normal IOP, but when the intraocular pressure was lower than normal, the legs showed a slight flexion angle of about 22°. In contrast, when the eye was in a high IOP state, the leg flexion angle was greater, and increased with the increase in IOP value, reaching 44° at 22-30 mmHg, 62° at 31-40 mmHg, and 76° at 41-50 mmHg ( Figure 7 The signal intensities corresponding to different IOP levels obtained on the gastrocnemius muscle indicate that our neuroprosthetic contact lens system can provide real-time, graded sensory feedback.

[0079] In summary, the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A neuroprosthetic contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback, characterized by: The contact lens system includes a corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor, a circuit system, a mobile terminal APP and a stimulation electrode; The contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is connected to a circuit system; The circuit system connects the mobile terminal APP and the stimulation electrode; The circuit system includes a power supply module, a data acquisition module and a pulse signal output module; The power supply module in the circuit system supplies power to the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor, the data acquisition module, and the pulse signal output module; The corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is worn on the eyeball and is used to measure the intraocular pressure signal and output the measured intraocular pressure signal to the data acquisition module of the circuit system; The data acquisition module in the circuit system is used to perform baseline elimination on the intraocular pressure signal measured by the contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor, then perform differential amplification, and finally transmit it in the following two directions: first, output the intraocular pressure signal to the mobile app via Bluetooth; second, classify the intraocular pressure signal and transmit the classified intraocular pressure signal to the stimulation electrode via the pulse signal output module; The mobile APP is used to display the intraocular pressure signal; The stimulation electrode is connected to the cerebral cortex, so that the cerebral cortex responds to the change of intraocular pressure.

2. The neuroprosthetic contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback according to claim 1, characterized in that: The corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is a resistive strain type intraocular pressure sensor, an LC resonance type intraocular pressure sensor or an optical intraocular pressure sensor.

3. The neuroprosthetic contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stimulation electrode is a metal electrode, a carbon material electrode or a conductive hydrogel electrode.

4. The neuroprosthetic contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback according to claim 1, characterized in that: The corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor comprises an upper packaging layer, a conductive electrode and a lower packaging layer; The conductive electrode is located between the upper packaging layer and the lower packaging layer, forming a cornea-like device with a curvature radius of 8.2-8.6 mm. The conductive electrode is a ring-shaped tensile strain sensor with a radius of about 6 mm and a width of between 0.05 and 2 mm; The conductive electrode is composed of MXene, graphene or metal powder; The upper and lower packaging layers are composed of hydrogel.

5. The neuroprosthetic corneal contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method for preparing the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor comprises the following steps: A1: Filter a MXene film and dry it at room temperature for 24 hours; A2: Use laser to cut out the shape of the conductive electrode; A3: Place the conductive electrode in the contact lens mold and pour the encapsulation material, cover the mold with the encapsulation layer and squeeze out the excess encapsulation liquid; A4: After heating and drying, the production of the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor is completed.

6. A method for using a neuroprosthetic corneal contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback, characterized in that The following steps are involved: S1: Wear the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor into the eye, and the circuit system provides a 3.3V operating voltage for the corneal contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor; S2: The contact lens-shaped intraocular pressure sensor outputs the intraocular pressure signal to the data acquisition module; S3: The data acquisition module processes the collected intraocular pressure signal, then classifies it, i.e. decodes different levels of intraocular pressure status, and outputs the classified intraocular pressure signal to the pulse signal output module; S4: The pulse signal output module converts the received graded intraocular pressure signal into a pulsed current stimulation signal and then stimulates the sensory cortex through the pulse stimulation electrode, causing the sensory cortex to produce limb sensation of abnormal intraocular pressure; S5: The control signal of limb sensation is processed by the cerebral cortex and transmitted to the motor cortex, which then controls body movement and completes limb feedback.

7. The method for using the neuroprosthetic corneal contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback according to claim 6, characterized in that: The intraocular pressure signal is graded into abnormal intraocular pressure state and normal intraocular pressure state. The abnormal intraocular pressure state includes low intraocular pressure state and high intraocular pressure state. Each intraocular pressure state can be further subdivided into grades.

8. The method for using the neuroprosthetic corneal contact lens system for real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and feedback according to claim 7, characterized in that: No pulsed current stimulation signal is output under normal intraocular pressure conditions, but a stimulation signal is output under abnormal intraocular pressure conditions, and the stimulation current is changed according to the intraocular pressure level.

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