Cochlear Microcirculation Photodynamic Therapy via Light and Hydrogen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to effectively address hearing loss and tinnitus, which are linked to cochlear microcirculation issues and can lead to additional health problems such as dementia, particularly in noisy environments or due to aging.
Innovation Solution
The use of photodynamic energy, specifically through pharmaceutical and nutraceutical doses of energy (EDE) delivered via devices with LEDs or lasers, combined with gaseous hydrogen or oxyhydrogen, to maintain or restore cochlear microcirculation, reduce tinnitus, and slow down hearing degradation, while also incorporating sensors to adjust light and energy delivery based on real-time conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If photodynamic energy (EDE) is delivered via LEDs or lasers to maintain cochlear microcirculation, then circulation and nitric oxide levels increase, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses photodynamic energy (light) as an intermediary to stimulate endogenous nitric oxide production in the cochlear microcirculation. The light energy acts as a mediator that triggers biological responses without directly delivering drugs or chemicals, thereby maintaining circulation health while avoiding complex drug delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or chemical intervention (drug delivery, surgical procedures) with optical energy delivery. By using LEDs or lasers to deliver photodynamic energy, the system substitutes complex mechanical drug delivery mechanisms with a simpler optical system that stimulates natural physiological responses.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gaseous hydrogen or oxyhydrogen is added to the ear canal to reduce oxidative stress, then protective effects against hearing loss increase, but device complexity and safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gaseous hydrogen or oxyhydrogen into the ear canal to create a protective atmospheric environment that reduces oxidative stress. Hydrogen acts as an inert protective gas that scavenges free radicals and reduces oxidative damage to cochlear tissues without requiring complex chemical delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Gaseous hydrogen serves as an intermediary substance that mediates protection against oxidative stress. Instead of directly administering antioxidants or anti-inflammatory drugs, the system uses hydrogen gas as a mediator that naturally reduces oxidative damage through its chemical properties.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are incorporated to adjust light and energy delivery in real-time, then treatment precision and effectiveness improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect real-time conditions in the ear canal (such as temperature, pressure, or physiological parameters) and use this feedback to dynamically adjust the light and energy delivery. This closed-loop feedback system ensures optimal treatment precision while adapting to changing physiological conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of treatment parameters based on real-time sensor data. The system transitions from static, fixed-dose delivery to dynamic, adaptive delivery that responds to physiological changes, thereby improving treatment precision without requiring overly complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
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
This approach effectively increases circulation, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, and mitigates the impact of noise-induced hearing loss, potentially slowing down or reversing hearing degradation and its associated cognitive decline.
Implementation Method 1
pharmaceutical and nutraceutical doses of energy (EDE), an EDE dose may also be referred to as an aliquot of photodynamic light
Implementation Method 2
EDE delivered via devices with LEDs or lasers
Implementation Method 3
reduces oxidative stress and inflammation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are devices and systems wherein a controller is configured to respond to inputs to deliver light spectrum energy including directing at least one locally effective dose (EDE) or aliquot of energy into an ear canal one or more of increasing circulation in the cochlea vasculature and increasing nitric oxide in the local area adjacent to the cochlea and wherein vasodilation increases in the cochlear microvasculature. Effective doses of light energy are adjusted with a control module.