Ex Vivo Eye Model With Programmable Blinking and Tear Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional in vitro models for ocular products fail to accurately replicate the biological and physiological conditions of the human eye, particularly lacking ocular glycocalyx, exhibiting improper tear spreading, and high variability in tear drainage and blinking conditions, leading to inconsistent and unreliable test results.
Innovation Solution
An ex vivo eye model system utilizing a porcine eye with programmable blinking mechanisms and precise tear flow control, integrated with clinical diagnostic equipment for detailed analysis, to simulate human ocular conditions and enhance testing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional in vitro models are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to inability to replicate biological conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porcine eye as a biological copy of the human eye, which shares similar anatomical and physiological characteristics. This copying approach allows the model to accurately replicate human ocular surface properties, tear film dynamics, and glycocalyx structure without requiring an actual human eye, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining ethical and practical feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an ocular glycocalyx layer as an intermediary component between the corneal epithelium and the tear film. This glycocalyx layer acts as a mediator that replicates the natural protective barrier found in human eyes, enabling more accurate simulation of tear spreading, drug delivery, and ocular surface interactions, thereby improving measurement precision.
2Reliability
If plastic eye models are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of biological properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a servo mechanism to dynamically control the blinking action of the upper and lower eyelids. This dynamic control allows for precise replication of natural blinking patterns, including blink rate, amplitude, and timing, which significantly improves the reliability and repeatability of ocular product testing by eliminating the high variability associated with static or manually operated models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback control system where the servo mechanism receives signals to adjust eyelid positioning based on desired blink patterns. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent and repeatable blinking actions across multiple tests, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
3Measurement precision
If simple tear delivery systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to improper tear spreading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or simple mechanical tear delivery systems with a servo-controlled system that uses feedback mechanisms to precisely control tear film distribution. This substitution allows for accurate simulation of natural tear spreading patterns across the ocular surface, significantly improving measurement precision in ocular product evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a servo mechanism to dynamically adjust parameters such as eyelid position, blink rate, and tear delivery timing. By precisely controlling these parameters, the system achieves accurate replication of natural ocular conditions, improving measurement precision while maintaining systematic control over the testing environment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to an ex vivo eye model system for screening ocular products with programmable blinking and tear flow control. In one example implementation, the ex vivo eye model system includes an eyeball core, an upper and lower eyelid frame, a servo, and a tear fluid delivery system. The eyeball core may be configured to hold a biological eye. The upper eyelid frame and the lower eyelid frame may be configured to replicate natural blinking actions and interact with the biological eye. The servo may be operatively connected to the upper eyelid frame and the lower eyelid frame. The servo may be configured to simulate controlled blinking actions by actuating the upper eyelid frame and the lower eyelid frame to move corresponding eyelid membranes of the biological eye. The tear fluid delivery system configured to deliver a fluid to an ocular surface of the biological eye.