Capacitive Microstimulator for Dry Eye Neuromodulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for dry eye disease provide only mild and short-term relief, failing to effectively address the underlying disruption of the natural tear film and neural control loop, leading to persistent ocular surface damage and inflammation.

Innovation Solution

A microstimulator is placed within an anatomical structure, capacitively linked to an external electronic device to deliver a therapy signal that neuromodulates nerves, stimulating tear production and addressing the imbalance in tear production and drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current treatments (artificial tears, ointments, gels, warm compresses, etc.) are used to treat dry eye disease, then mild symptom relief is achieved, but the treatment effectiveness is limited and benefits are only short-term

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidduration of symptom relief

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/chemical treatments (artificial tears, ointments, warm compresses) with an electrical stimulation system. The microstimulator delivers electrical signals to the lacrimal gland via the nasolacrimal duct, triggering natural tear production through neuromodulation of the gland's neural control mechanisms, thereby substituting passive topical treatments with active physiological stimulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system activates the body's own tear production mechanism through electrical stimulation of the lacrimal gland. Instead of providing external tear substitutes that require frequent application, the microstimulator enables the patient's lacrimal gland to self-generate tears, creating a sustainable endogenous treatment that addresses the root cause rather than symptoms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If current treatments are applied frequently to maintain symptom relief, then short-term symptom improvement is achieved, but the underlying disruption of the neural control loop and tear film remains unaddressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocular surface damage and inflammationVSAvoidtreatment regimen complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex multi-modal treatment regimens (combining artificial tears, ointments, warm compresses, punctal plugs, and medication) with a single electrical stimulation device. The microstimulator delivered via the nasolacrimal duct provides comprehensive neuromodulation that simultaneously addresses tear production, gland function, and neural control loop disruption, simplifying the treatment approach while targeting multiple pathophysiological mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The microstimulator serves multiple therapeutic functions simultaneously: it stimulates lacrimal gland tear production, modulates neural control loop activity, reduces inflammation through neuromodulation, and addresses Meibomian gland dysfunction. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate treatments into a single device intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively induces tear production, alleviating dryness and inflammation, thereby improving ocular health and reducing symptoms of dry eye disease with sustained benefits.

Implementation Method 1

The microstimulator can be capacitively linked to an external electronic device to provide neuromodulation to a biological target site proximal to the anatomical structure. The electrically conductive insert can receive a power signal from an external electronic device and convert the power signal to deliver a therapy signal to the biological target site.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11291847B2Systems and methods for preventing, diagnosing, and/or treating one or more medical conditions via neuromodulation

Publication Date: 2022.04.05 THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO

AI summary

Described are systems and methods for preventing, diagnosing, and/or treating one or more medical conditions. The medical conditions can be ocular and/or neurological diseases, disorders, and/or conditions. The systems and methods can employ a microstimulator that is configured to be placed within an anatomical structure of a subject. The microstimulator can be capacitively linked to an external electronic device to provide neuromodulation to a biological target site proximal to the anatomical structure. The microstimulator can include a body and an electrically conductive insert arranged within the body to create a capacitively coupled link with the external electronic device. The electrically conductive insert can receive a power signal from an external electronic device and convert the power signal to deliver a therapy signal to the biological target site.