Eye Mask Light Delivery for Precise Ciliary Body Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glaucoma treatments, such as medications and surgical interventions, are expensive and have undesirable side effects, while existing laser-based systems are challenging to accurately target the ciliary body due to reliance on precise positioning and expensive optical systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of an eye mask or lens positioned atop the eye, combined with a broad area light source, delivers therapeutic light to target tissues like the ciliary body, reducing reliance on traditional laser consoles and optical waveguides, and allowing for less expensive, more consistent, and safer treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional laser-based systems are used to treat the ciliary body, then treatment can be delivered to target tissue, but precise positioning and complex optical systems are required, increasing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an eye mask as an intermediary component that simplifies the optical system. The mask includes a light-transmitting portion positioned to allow light passage to the ciliary body, eliminating the need for complex positioning mechanisms and optical waveguides required in conventional laser systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the positioning complexity from the optical system by using a fixed eye mask structure. The mask is positioned atop the eye with predetermined light-transmitting portions, removing the need for complex real-time positioning systems while maintaining targeting precision.
2Measurement precision
If conventional laser systems with precise positioning are used, then treatment accuracy is maintained, but manufacturing and treatment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable eye mask that can be manufactured at low cost using simple materials and processes. The mask includes a light-transmitting portion with specific optical properties that can be achieved through conventional manufacturing techniques, eliminating the need for expensive precision optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The eye mask serves as a low-cost intermediary that maintains treatment accuracy without requiring expensive laser consoles or complex optical systems. The mask's light-transmitting portion is designed to work with standard light sources, reducing overall system cost while preserving therapeutic effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If broad area light sources are used instead of traditional lasers, then manufacturing costs are reduced and complex optical systems are eliminated, but light delivery to target tissue must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a light-transmitting portion in the eye mask with specific optical characteristics. This portion allows light to pass through while blocking light in other areas, providing spatial selectivity that enables precise light delivery to the ciliary body region without requiring complex optical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The eye mask acts as an intermediary that shapes and directs broad area light to the target tissue. The light-transmitting portion is positioned and dimensioned to concentrate light delivery to the ciliary body, maintaining treatment precision while using simple, low-cost light sources.
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 system provides precise, reliable, and safer treatment for glaucoma with reduced manufacturing and treatment costs, eliminating the need for complex optical systems and precise alignment, and enabling use in remote settings.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that is configured to deliver therapeutic light toward the eye mask
Implementation Method 2
The eye mask includes at least one transparent opening that allows light to traverse through the eye mask
Data Source
AI summary
A light based system for treating an eye includes a mask that is configured for positioning on the eye and a light source that is configured to deliver therapeutic light. The mask has an inner surface that is positionable against the eye and an outer surface that is opposite the inner surface. The mask is optically opaque to prevent transmission of light through the mask and the mask includes at least one transparent opening that allows transmission of light through the mask to target tissue of the eye posterior the transparent opening. The light source is positioned relative to the mask so that the delivered therapeutic light irradiates at least a portion of the mask and the transparent opening. Therapeutic light traverses through the transparent opening to the target tissue positioned posterior the transparent opening.