Electroretinography Contact Lens Electrode for Stable Ocular Recording
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electroretinography devices are expensive, difficult to clean, uncomfortable, unstable on the eye, and produce inconsistent signals due to issues like trapping tears, inconsistent light stimulus delivery, and poor fit on the cornea, leading to discomfort and inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
The electroretinography devices are designed with an ocular member that includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, featuring recesses and grooves to remove tears, a conforming film for better fit, and a conductive element for stable signal detection, using biocompatible materials to minimize discomfort and improve measurement consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current reusable electroretinography devices are used, then signal recording capability is achieved, but device cost is high and cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable contact lens electrodes that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for expensive reusable devices and complex cleaning procedures. Each disposable device maintains full signal recording capability while being cost-effective and requiring no maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters and structural design of the electrode to enable single-use functionality. By optimizing the contact lens material composition and electrode configuration, the device achieves reliable signal recording while being suitable for disposable application, thereby reducing overall system cost and eliminating cleaning requirements.
2Ease of operation
If current disposable electroretinography devices are used, then device cost and comfort are improved, but signal stability and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flexible contact lens material as the substrate for the electrode, allowing the device to conform precisely to the corneal surface. This flexibility ensures stable contact and consistent signal acquisition while maintaining subject comfort and enabling disposable use.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens electrode is designed with a curved surface matching the corneal geometry, ensuring uniform contact pressure and stable positioning during the procedure. This curvature optimization maintains signal consistency while improving comfort compared to flat electrode designs.
3Area of stationary object
If the ocular member covers a large portion of the eye, then signal detection area is increased, but visual acuity is reduced due to trapped tears
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens electrode incorporates porous or micro-perforated structures that allow tear fluid to pass through while maintaining electrical contact. This design enables large-area signal detection without trapping tears, thereby preserving visual acuity during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts or removes the harmful effect of trapped tears by incorporating drainage channels or hydrophilic regions that actively channel tears away from the corneal surface, allowing the ocular member to maintain large contact area without compromising vision.
4Measurement precision
If a conforming film is used to improve fit on the cornea, then measurement consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens itself serves multiple functions: it acts as the conforming substrate, provides the electrical contact through integrated electrodes, and ensures proper positioning on the eye. This multi-functionality achieves measurement consistency without requiring additional complex components or adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the conforming film function with the electrode structure by integrating the electrical contacts directly into the contact lens material. This combination eliminates the need for separate adhesive layers or positioning mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement consistency.
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 devices provide improved comfort, stability, and consistent signal quality by effectively managing tears and light stimulus, ensuring accurate electrophysiological recordings.
Implementation Method 1
an electroretinography device configured to detect a biopotential signal from an eye of a subject or a portion of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for electrophysiological recording from the eye are disclosed herein. An electroretinography device can detect a biopotential signal from an eye of a subject and transmit the same to a processor. Embodiments of the present technology include one or more features directed to improving the use and operability of an electroretinography device. For example, the device can include features for (i) improving the quality of light stimulus delivered to the eye or (ii) providing a better fit around the eye or a contact lens worn on the eye. These features can account for anatomical differences between different subjects by either masking or accommodating such differences.