Corneal Contact Illumination Device for Retinal Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic illumination devices for surgical procedures are invasive, costly, and cause light artifacts due to reflection and scatter, while existing treatments for hypoxic ophthalmological conditions like diabetic retinopathy do not address the underlying cause of hypoxia driven by dark adaptation.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive ophthalmic illumination device with a polymeric, transparent body and a light source, such as a light-emitting diode, designed to conform to the corneal or scleral surface, providing controlled illumination and phototherapy to reduce rod cell metabolism and alleviate hypoxia, with features like adjustable focusing elements and wireless power, minimizing backscatter and external light interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If invasive light probes are inserted through surgical incision to illuminate the eye, then illumination is achieved, but invasiveness and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent corneal implant is introduced as an intermediary device that carries the light source directly to the corneal surface, serving as a mediator between external light sources and the interior eye structures. This eliminates the need for invasive probes while achieving effective illumination of the retina and interior physiology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion of invasive probes through surgical incisions with an optical approach using a transparent corneal implant that allows light to pass through the cornea. This substitutes a mechanical invasive system with a non-invasive optical system.
2Illumination intensity
If external light sources are used to illuminate the eye, then illumination is provided, but light artifacts from reflection and scatter occur
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent corneal implant acts as an intermediary that positions the light source at the corneal surface, allowing light to enter the eye through the cornea rather than from external sources. This eliminates reflection and scatter artifacts that occur with external illumination while providing clear visualization of interior eye structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is localized to the corneal surface through the implant, providing illumination specifically where needed at the entrance to the eye. This local positioning of the light source eliminates the harmful reflection and scatter effects that occur with external light sources while maintaining effective illumination.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If VEGF antagonists are administered to block angiogenesis, then new blood vessel growth is reduced, but the underlying hypoxia is not treated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using light therapy to prevent hypoxia before it triggers the angiogenic cascade. By illuminating the retina to reduce rod cell metabolism and prevent oxygen depletion, the underlying cause of VEGF expression is addressed before pathological angiogenesis occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of rod cell metabolism (which consumes oxygen and causes hypoxia) into a beneficial effect by using light to reduce this metabolism. The same rod cells that cause hypoxia through dark adaptation are targeted with light therapy to reduce their oxygen consumption, thereby treating the underlying hypoxia.
4Quantity of substance
If passive oxygen shunting devices are used to increase oxygen supply, then oxygen delivery is enhanced, but dark adaptation-driven hypoxia is not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of rod cell metabolism through light exposure, transforming the biological state of the photoreceptors. By exposing rod cells to light, their metabolic rate is reduced, which directly addresses the hypoxia caused by dark adaptation rather than merely increasing oxygen supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful oxygen consumption by rod cells into a beneficial effect by using light to reduce their metabolism. Instead of simply increasing oxygen supply, the treatment reduces the demand side of the oxygen equation by modulating rod cell activity through phototherapy.
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 clear visualization of the retina during surgical procedures without invasive probes and provides a phototherapeutic effect to mitigate hypoxia and reduce angiogenic cascade, addressing the limitations of existing treatments by offering a low-cost, non-invasive solution for ophthalmic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a light source; and an optical element for directing light through the first surface
Implementation Method 2
an optical element for directing light through the first surface such that, with the first surface in contact with a corneal surface
Implementation Method 3
stimulating the rod cells with low levels of light, it may be possible to reduce their metabolic demand for oxygen and thereby reduce or eliminate hypoxia
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic device for illuminating an interior region of a patient's eye includes a polymeric, at least partially transparent body having a first surface contoured to substantially conform to an ocular surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface; a light source; and an optical element for directing light through the first surface such that, with the first surface in contact with a corneal surface of the patient's eye, a portion of interior region of the patient's eye illuminated by the light source is visible through the first and second surfaces. In certain embodiments, the light source is sufficient to illuminate the retina so that an ophthalmic surgeon may view the eye during an evaluation or surgical procedure without the need for invasive probes, cameras, or other equipment.