Contact Lens With Integrated Light Source and Electrode for Electroretinography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electroretinography requires expensive equipment, large spaces, and skilled personnel, with the need for subjects to maintain eye contact with external light sources, making the process time-consuming and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A contact lens integrated with a light source and electrode, featuring a scattering layer with embedded LED elements and nanoparticles, allowing for uniform light stimulation of the retina without the need for external equipment or direct eye alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an external light source and corneal electrode are used for electroretinography, then accurate measurement of electroretinogram can be achieved, but large examination space and expensive equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source and electrode into a single contact lens that can be worn on the eye. This integration eliminates the need for separate external light sources and electrodes, thereby reducing the examination space from a large clinical setup to a wearable device that fits on the cornea.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source and electrode are nested within the contact lens structure. The light-emitting element is positioned at the center of the lens, with the electrode integrated into the lens material or surface, creating a compact nested configuration that maintains measurement accuracy while minimizing space requirements.
2Measurement precision
If an external light source is used for electroretinography, then standardized light stimulation can be provided, but the subject must maintain eye contact with the light source and the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens performs the light stimulation function itself while being worn on the eye. The light source is positioned to automatically illuminate the retina through the cornea, eliminating the need for the subject to maintain specific eye contact positions or for external operators to manually position light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens is prepared in advance with the light source and electrode integrated into its structure. Once worn, the device is ready to immediately perform standardized light stimulation without requiring additional setup or alignment procedures during the examination.
3Measurement precision
If a large machine is used for electroretinography, then accurate measurement can be achieved, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (light emission, electrode contact, lens structure) into a single integrated contact lens device. This consolidation reduces the overall system complexity from a multi-component clinical apparatus to a wearable contact lens that can be easily inserted and removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light source, an electrode, and a corrective lens. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If external light source and electrode are separated, then accurate measurement can be achieved, but the subject must keep looking at the center of the light source during examination
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the light source and electrode into the same contact lens worn on the eye, the patent eliminates the spatial separation between these components. This integration removes the requirement for the subject to maintain specific visual alignment with external light sources, as the light is emitted directly from the contact lens surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the subject look at an external light source, the light source is inverted to be positioned on the eye itself. This reversal of the traditional setup eliminates the need for subject cooperation in maintaining eye contact with external equipment.
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 solution reduces examination time and space requirements, simplifies the process, and enables automatic testing with improved accuracy and reduced costs, as the light source and electrode are integrated into a wearable device.
Implementation Method 1
a scattering material that scatters light from the light source
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification relates to a contact lens having an integrated light source for electroretinography and a method for preparing same, the contact lens, having an integrated light source for electroretinography, comprising: a light source; a scattering material for scattering light from the light source; and an electrode for measuring changes in the electroretinogram due to the stimulation from the light source.