Eyecup Electrode Headset for Stable Microcurrent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical stimulation therapy devices for treating age-related macular degeneration and other visual diseases face challenges such as human fatigue, inconsistent placement, and inadequate surface area for effective microcurrent delivery, leading to unstable and ineffective treatments.
Innovation Solution
A direct electrical stimulation delivery system featuring a headset with eyecup electrodes and a signal generator that generates a series of current pulses, providing a stable and consistent microcurrent treatment by using a headset with adjustable eyecup electrodes and a magnetic mount for secure placement, ensuring optimal conductivity and reduced pressure on the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a contact probe is held manually against the skin of the eye region, then microcurrent stimulation can be applied, but the treatment becomes unstable due to human fatigue and inconsistent placement
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be self-positioning on the patient's face, eliminating the need for manual holding. The headset structure with earpieces and headband automatically maintains contact probe placement against the skin, allowing the device to serve itself without requiring continuous practitioner intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical system of holding a contact probe is replaced with a mechanical headset structure that uses earpieces and a headband to automatically position and maintain contact probes against the skin, substituting human effort with a self-positioning mechanical system.
2Reliability
If an elastic strap is used to hold electrical contacts against the skin, then placement is maintained, but undue pressure causes discomfort and contacts dig into the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The single elastic strap system is segmented into multiple independent components: earpieces that rest on the ears and a headband that connects them. This segmentation distributes the holding function across multiple points, allowing contact maintenance without concentrating excessive pressure on any single area of the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the headset have different functional qualities: the earpieces provide anchoring points, the headband provides structural support, and the contact probes provide electrical stimulation. Each component is optimized for its specific function, with the contact probes having adjustable pressure independent of the structural components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an eyeglass frame design is used, then the device is wearable, but contact placement is inconsistent due to large degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The headset employs asymmetric positioning with earpieces that fit into the natural contours of the ears, creating a stable, non-symmetric anchor point structure. This asymmetric design, combined with the headband, restricts degrees of freedom and ensures consistent contact probe placement against the skin, unlike symmetric eyeglass frames that can shift and rotate.
4Device complexity
If point source electrical contacts are used, then the device structure is simple, but energy transfer to targeted tissue is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact is extended from a zero-dimensional point source into a one-dimensional linear array of multiple contact points. This dimensional change allows the contact probe to span a larger area of the skin and target multiple tissue locations simultaneously, significantly improving energy transfer efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
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 a stable and repeatable delivery of microcurrent therapy, improving treatment efficacy by maintaining consistent electrode placement and optimizing energy transfer, thereby enhancing visual acuity and macular sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
a headset that is connectable to the signal generator and configured to deliver the waveform to a skin surface within an eye region of a patient
Implementation Method 2
a headset with adjustable eyecup electrodes and a magnetic mount for secure placement
Data Source
AI summary
An electrotherapeutic system for treating a visual disease is disclosed. The system includes a signal generator configured to generate a treatment waveform comprising a series of current pulses. Preferably, the current pulses have a peak current amplitude of 200 microamps or less. The system also includes a headset applicator comprising a headband and a headset. The headset has a magnetic slot configured to be mounted to a magnetic mount of the headband. The headset includes left and right eyecup electrodes each of which has a contact surface that is positioned for contact with a skin surface within left and right eye regions, respectively. Preferably, the contact surface of each of the left and right eyecup electrodes comprises an upper contact pad and a lower contact pad that have a total area in the range of about 1.10 cm2 to about 1.80 cm2. The headset is connectable to the signal generator and configured to deliver the treatment waveform to one or both of the left and right electrodes.