Eyelid Vibration Device for Trabecular Meshwork Debris Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevated intraocular pressure, often resulting from debris accumulation in the trabecular meshwork, can lead to glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, and current treatments are invasive, costly, and come with significant side effects.

Innovation Solution

A non-invasive method and device that mechanically vibrates the trabecular meshwork through contact with the closed eyelid, using sonic and subsonic frequencies to clear debris and maintain proper fluid outflow, thereby reducing intraocular pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If current treatments for elevated intraocular pressure are used, then intraocular pressure can be reduced, but the treatments are invasive, costly, and come with significant side effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraocular pressureVSAvoidinvasiveness, cost, and side effects of treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration at sonic and subsonic frequencies to the trabecular meshwork through the closed eyelid. This vibration clears debris from the meshwork structure, improving fluid outflow and reducing intraocular pressure without requiring invasive procedures, expensive medications, or carrying significant side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Stress or pressure

If debris accumulates in the trabecular meshwork, then fluid outflow is restricted and intraocular pressure elevates, but invasive procedures are required to clear the debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraocular pressureVSAvoidinvasiveness of debris removal procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device delivers mechanical vibrations through the closed eyelid to the trabecular meshwork, causing debris to detach and clear from the meshwork structure. This non-invasive approach eliminates the need for surgical interventions while effectively reducing intraocular pressure caused by debris accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Stress or pressure

If medications are used to treat glaucoma, then intraocular pressure can be controlled, but significant side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraocular pressureVSAvoidside effects of medication

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical medication with a mechanical vibration system. The mechanical vibrations physically clear debris from the trabecular meshwork, improving fluid outflow and controlling intraocular pressure without introducing any pharmacological side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If surgical interventions are performed to clear trabecular meshwork debris, then fluid outflow improves, but the procedures are invasive and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid outflow rateVSAvoidinvasiveness and cost of surgical procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses mechanical vibrations transmitted through the closed eyelid to clear debris from the trabecular meshwork, thereby improving fluid outflow rate. This non-invasive approach eliminates the complexity, cost, and risks associated with surgical interventions while achieving the same functional improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 method effectively clears debris from the trabecular meshwork, promoting healthy intraocular pressure levels without the need for invasive procedures or medications, thus providing a preventative and alternative treatment for glaucoma.

Implementation Method 1

A non-invasive method and device that mechanically vibrates the trabecular meshwork through contact with the closed eyelid, using sonic and subsonic frequencies to clear debris

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20250041152A1Wellness Device for Eyes

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 LARSON MICHAEL CHARLES

AI summary

A method and device for mechanically stimulating the trabecular meshwork of an eye is disclosed. The device acts non-invasively to vibrate a closed eyelid on areas which are in close proximity to the trabecular meshwork, which is located in tissues below the closed eyelid. The vibration at the surface of the eyelid induces mechanical vibratory waves which conduct through the tissues of and around they eye, causing the movement and deformation of the trabecular meshwork. This action results in clearing the trabecular meshwork of substances, such as debris, which may accumulate in the open-cell pores of, and on the structural surfaces of, the trabecular meshwork. If not cleared, such substances debris can increase the resistance to the healthy outflow of fluid from the eye which elevates the intraocular pressure and can lead to serious health problems, especially glaucoma.