Heated Goggle Device with Water Lattice for Dry Eye Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dry eye treatment methods using moist heat, such as warm compresses, lack control over temperature and fail to provide consistent, effective heat, risking scalding or ineffectiveness, and do not allow for simultaneous use of the eyes, which is crucial for direct oil gland contact and blinking-induced massage.
Innovation Solution
An electrically heated goggle device with water lattices inside the eyecups that vaporize water into therapeutic steam, providing controlled moist heat and allowing users to keep their eyes open during treatment, facilitating direct gland contact and continuous massage through blinking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If warm compresses are applied to treat dry eye, then moist heat is delivered to the eyelids, but temperature control is poor leading to risk of scalding or insufficient heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical compresses with an electrically heated goggle system that uses electrical heating elements to generate and control heat, substituting uncontrolled mechanical application with controlled electrical thermal generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of water from liquid to vapor through controlled heating, creating steam that condenses on the lenses to provide consistent moist heat at controlled temperatures, transforming the delivery mechanism from direct liquid compress to phase-change-mediated thermal transfer
2Reliability
If eyes are closed during compress treatment, then heat can be applied to eyelids, but direct contact with oil gland openings is blocked reducing treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces steam as an intermediary medium that can penetrate and contact the oil gland openings directly when eyes are open, eliminating the need to close eyes while still delivering therapeutic heat to the target area through the vapor phase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water to steam and subsequent condensation to deliver heat that can contact the eye area directly without requiring closed eyes, allowing the vapor phase to reach gland openings while providing thermal therapy
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional warm compresses are used, then heat is applied to melt thickened oils, but heat is not sustained consistently requiring repeated applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides continuous heat generation through electrical heating elements that can maintain therapeutic temperatures throughout the treatment period, eliminating the need for repeated applications and ensuring sustained melting and clearance of thickened oils
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-fills the goggle reservoir with water before treatment, preparing the steam generation system in advance so that continuous vapor production can occur throughout the entire treatment duration without interruption or additional setup
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 heated goggles offer a safe, consistent, and effective delivery of moist heat, effectively alleviating dry eye symptoms by maintaining therapeutic steam and enabling users to perform tasks like reading or watching TV during treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element in thermal communication with the water lattice through the eyecup
Implementation Method 2
where water is then transformed into therapeutic steam
Implementation Method 3
where water is then transformed into therapeutic steam
Data Source
AI summary
The heated goggle device is an easy to use at home dry eye treatment device that uses moist heat to alleviate symptoms caused by MGD and Blepharitis. The goggles include an elastic strap, which is used to affix a pair of heated eyecups over each eye. Electric heaters are attached to the outside of each eyecup, while the inside consists of a raised lattice designed to retain liquid using surface tension. Heat transferred to the inside of the eyecup vaporizes liquid to create a moist warm environment, which is effective in relieving symptoms of dry eye. The user can see through the device during treatment to perform stationary activities such as reading/watching television. Having the eyes open allows the moist heat to directly contact the opening of the oil glands and the action of blinking during a moist heat treatment performs a continuous massaging effect.