Controller-Responder Architecture for Ophthalmic Drug Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Active drug dispensing ophthalmic devices face challenges in managing numerous electrical connections and reservoirs, leading to increased complexity and size limitations, which hinder the incorporation of a large number of drug reservoirs and complicate manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a controller-responder architecture with a composite working signal reduces the number of electrical connections required by using a control line bundle to transmit signals to multiple responders, each connected to multiple drug reservoirs, thereby simplifying the electrical connections and minimizing the controller size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the number of drug reservoirs is increased, then the therapy duration and robustness are improved, but the device size and electrical connection complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control architecture into a central controller and multiple responders, where each responder is associated with one or more drug reservoirs. This segmentation allows the controller to manage numerous reservoirs through a hierarchical structure rather than direct connections, reducing electrical connection complexity while enabling longer therapy duration through multiple reservoirs.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with universal control capability to manage multiple responders and drug reservoirs through a standardized interface. This multi-functionality allows the same controller architecture to scale from a small number to a large number of reservoirs without proportionally increasing connection complexity, thereby supporting extended therapy duration.
2Reliability
If the number of drug reservoirs is increased, then the therapy robustness is improved, but the controller size and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into controller, responders, and reservoir groups, the manufacturing process can be simplified. Each responder-reservoir unit can be pre-assembled and tested independently before integration with the controller, reducing overall manufacturing difficulty while maintaining therapy robustness through multiple reservoirs.
Solution Approach 2:
The responder units can be manufactured as identical or near-identical copies, each capable of interfacing with one or more reservoirs. This copying approach standardizes the manufacturing process, reduces complexity, and allows for scalable production while maintaining reliable therapy delivery through multiple reservoir configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of electrical connections is increased, then the number of controllable drug reservoirs is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Responders serve as intermediary components between the controller and multiple drug reservoirs. Each responder can manage one or more reservoirs locally, allowing the controller to control a large number of reservoirs without requiring proportional electrical connections. This intermediary architecture increases adaptability while minimizing the increase in device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a direct one-to-one controller-reservoir connection model to a hierarchical many-to-many model through responders. This dimensional change in the control architecture allows numerous reservoirs to be controlled through fewer electrical connections, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing device size.
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 allows for the incorporation of a greater number of drug reservoirs in active drug dispensing ophthalmic devices, enabling longer-term wearables and more continuous therapy, while also enhancing manufacturability and reducing the overall size of the device.
Implementation Method 1
configuring, by the controller, an electrodissolution signal to be sent to the responder in the high power state to trigger release of the volume of the drug stored in the selected drug reservoir; and sending, by the controller, the working signal and then the electrodissolution signal to the plurality of responders via the at least one control line bundle, wherein in response to receiving the working signal and the electrodissolution signal the responder in the high power state is configured to sends the electrodissolution signal to the electrode covering the selected drug reservoir to trigger electrodissolution of the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An active drug dispensing ophthalmic device can include a plurality of drug reservoirs, each covered by an electrode, and a controller-responder architecture. Electrodissolution of each electrode and the associated drug release can be governed by a controller via a responder. Employing a controller-responder architecture can reduce the number of connections and separate electrical signals required to actively dispense drugs from each of the plurality of drug reservoirs. The controller can be connected to a plurality of responders via a control line bundle and each of the plurality of responders can deliver signals to the electrode(s) covering a portion of a plurality of drug reservoirs. The controller-responder architecture can also employ a composite electrical communication signal to even further decrease the number of electrical connections required from a controller to each of the responders.