Contact Lens Light Source Modulation for Sensor Data Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current contact lens devices with sensors for analyte measurement, such as glucose, face challenges in efficiently communicating sensor readings and providing user feedback in a non-intrusive and power-efficient manner.
Innovation Solution
An eye-mountable device with a transparent material and embedded substrate, featuring a light source and circuitry that modulates light to convey information through the pupil, allowing for intermittent communication of sensor data and status through visible light patterns, powered by radiated energy or photovoltaic cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a light source is added to the contact lens device for communication, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light source serves multiple functions: it acts as both a communication channel for transmitting data to the user and as a display mechanism for providing visual feedback about sensor readings and device status. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple purposes through a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source operates intermittently rather than continuously, modulating light emission to encode communication data and providing visual feedback only when needed. This periodic operation reduces power consumption and allows the light source to be turned off during non-communication periods, mitigating the impact of added device complexity.
2Reliability
If continuous light emission is used for communication, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source emits light periodically rather than continuously, modulating emission to encode communication data. This periodic operation maintains communication reliability through intentional data transmission while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the light source to provide visual feedback to the user about sensor readings and device status. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable communication of critical information while the intermittent nature of the light emission keeps power consumption manageable.
3Ease of operation
If the light source is positioned to be viewable through the pupil, then user feedback effectiveness is improved, but interference with the eye's field of view occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is positioned to provide sufficient visual feedback for effective user communication without completely blocking the pupil. The partial emission of light through the concave surface allows feedback to reach the user's retina while minimizing obstruction of the natural field of view, achieving the necessary feedback effectiveness with reduced interference.
4Productivity
If the contact lens device includes electronic components for light modulation, then communication efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuitry for light modulation is integrated directly into the contact lens device substrate, merging the electronic control function with the optical component structure. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly, making the manufacturing process more manageable despite the added electronic capabilities.
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
Enables efficient and non-intrusive communication of analyte data and device status to the user, reducing power consumption and avoiding interference with the eye's field of view, while maintaining compatibility with eyelid motion.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed on the substrate. The light source can be configured to emit light that is viewable through the pupil when the concave surface is mounted on the corneal surface. The circuitry can be configured to modulate the light emitted by the light source to provide modulated light
Implementation Method 2
a transparent material having a concave surface and a convex surface. The concave surface can be configured to be removably mounted over a corneal surface overlaying a pupil
Data Source
AI summary
An eye-mountable device can include a transparent material and a substrate at least partially embedded in the transparent material. The transparent material can have a concave surface and a convex surface, with the concave surface configured to removably mount the eye-mountable device on a corneal surface overlaying a pupil. A light source can be disposed on the substrate and configured to emit light through the concave surface and towards the corneal surface such that the emitted light is viewable through the pupil. The light source can be controlled by circuitry disposed on the substrate. The circuitry can be configured to modulate the light emitted by the light source to provide modulated light.