Crescent-Shaped Tear Osmolarity Sensor Minimizing Reflex Tearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for in vivo measurement of tear osmolarity are imprecise and cause reflex tearing, leading to inaccurate readings due to disruption of the tear environment and large standard deviations in measurements.
Innovation Solution
A crescent-shaped measurement device with a sensor and wireless communication module is inserted into the inferior fornix of the eye, allowing for stable acclimation and minimization of disruption, enabling precise osmolarity measurements by transmitting impedance signals to a computing device for processing and displaying equilibrium values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing osmometer devices are used for tear osmolarity measurement, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to large standard deviation and inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from traditional osmometer devices and implements it within a contact lens, allowing the sensor to directly contact tear fluid at the measurement site, thereby eliminating the need for sample collection and external measurement devices that introduce variability
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens acts as an intermediary between the eye and external measurement systems, with embedded sensors that directly detect tear fluid properties through the lens material, providing stable and reproducible measurements without external interference
2Measurement precision
If traditional measurement devices are used, then tear osmolarity can be measured, but harmful factors increase due to reflex tearing caused by device disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement device is segmented into a contact lens portion that remains on the eye and a separate external processing unit, allowing the sensor to continuously monitor tear fluid without requiring repeated insertion or disruption of the eye environment
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens provides continuous measurement capability while remaining on the eye, eliminating the need for repeated device insertion and removal that trigger reflex tearing, thereby maintaining stable tear fluid conditions throughout the measurement period
3Measurement precision
If measurement devices are inserted into the eye, then tear fluid access is achieved, but device complexity increases due to need for stable acclimation and minimal disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a corrective lens, a comfortable ocular implant, and a measurement platform with embedded sensors, thereby achieving precise measurements without requiring a separate complex measurement device
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens material is designed to be homogeneous and biocompatible with the ocular environment, allowing the sensor to be integrated into the lens structure without creating foreign body sensations or disrupting tear fluid dynamics, thereby simplifying the overall device design
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
The solution provides accurate and stable tear osmolarity measurements by reducing foreign body sensations and reflex tearing, ensuring minimal disruption to the tear environment and improving diagnostic determinations for eye health.
Implementation Method 1
operating an impedance sensor of the measurement device to output an impedance signal indicative of impedance of tear fluid of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method for determination of tear osmolarity includes inserting a measurement device comprising a crescent-shaped body within an inferior fornix of a subject between an eyeball and an eyelid of the subject; contacting a sensor coupled to the crescent-shaped body with tear fluid of the subject; generating a measurement signal with the sensor indicative of a characteristic of the tear fluid; transmitting via a wireless communication module of the measurement device the measurement signal to a computing device; and processing with the computing device the measurement signal to generate a final measurement of the characteristic of the tear fluid in response to repeated stable measurements received from the measurement device.