Flexible LED Lens for Eye Tracking Photobiomodulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for eye disorders like macular edema, such as laser surgery and virectomy, have long recovery times and may not improve vision effectively, while existing photobiomodulation therapy devices are ineffective due to inability to compensate for eye movement during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A device with a printed circuit board and flexible lens that includes an array of light delivery devices, capable of directing light into the eye regardless of its position, providing a uniform dose of light for photobiomodulation therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser surgery is used to treat macular edema, then blood vessels in the retina can be sealed, but the patient experiences long recovery time (3-6 months) and may not achieve vision improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical laser surgery system with a photobiomodulation therapy system using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that deliver specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to the retina. This substitution eliminates the need for invasive laser procedures and their associated long recovery periods, providing a non-invasive alternative that achieves treatment effectiveness without the 3-6 month recovery time penalty.
2Ease of operation
If photobiomodulation therapy devices are used to treat eye disorders, then treatment can be non-invasive, but the devices are ineffective due to inability to compensate for eye movement during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a dynamic tracking system that actively follows and compensates for eye movements during photobiomodulation therapy. The device includes sensors and actuators that detect eye position changes in real-time and adjust the light delivery accordingly, ensuring the therapeutic light remains focused on the intended retinal areas despite patient movement. This dynamic compensation maintains treatment effectiveness while preserving the non-invasive nature of the therapy.
3Reliability
If invasive treatments like virectomy are used for retinal damage, then blood vessels can be treated, but the treatments are invasive and risk failing to treat macular edema and creating further vision problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical surgical procedures (virectomy, laser surgery) with a non-invasive photobiomodulation therapy using LED-based light delivery. This substitution eliminates surgical risks, injection complications, and other harmful side effects associated with invasive treatments, while maintaining treatment effectiveness through direct light delivery to the retinal tissue that stimulates cellular repair and reduces edema without causing additional damage.
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
Enables effective and safe treatment of eye disorders with reduced recovery time and improved vision outcomes, as the device ensures consistent light delivery even with eye movement, offering a low-cost alternative to invasive treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The device can also include a lens that includes a plurality of ridges that provide a heat sink for the array of light delivery devices
Implementation Method 2
The light delivery devices can be powered to generate light
Data Source
AI summary
Disorders of the eye can be treated by photobiomodulation therapy according to a device designed to direct light into a patient's eye, no matter the configuration of the eye. The device, including a printed circuit board that includes an array of light delivery devices and a heat sink lens, can be placed proximal to the patient's eye. The light delivery devices can be powered to generate light. The light can be directed into the patient's eye regardless of a position of the patient's eye.