Illuminated Contact Lens Dock for Hands-Free Scleral Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact lens insertion is challenging due to factors like the blink reflex, narrow interpalpebral aperture, difficulty with fine motor control, and the rigid nature of specialty lenses, leading to issues such as air bubble formation and spillage of saline solution, especially for scleral and hybrid lenses.
Innovation Solution
A universal dock-based assistive device with a lens holder that stabilizes the lens, allows hands-free operation, incorporates an adjustable height, and features an LED light source to aid alignment, reducing spillage and air bubble formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a handheld lens holder is used during contact lens insertion, then the user can hold the lens, but the user cannot effectively control the eyelids with both hands due to the blink reflex and narrow interpalpebral aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third-party device (the contact lens insertion device with base and arm) that acts as an intermediary to hold and stabilize the lens holder. This allows the user to transfer the task of holding the lens from their hand to the device, freeing both hands for eyelid control during insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-stabilizing through its base and arm structure that maintains the lens holder in a fixed position. The device serves itself by providing automatic stabilization without requiring continuous manual adjustment, enabling hands-free operation during the critical insertion moment.
2Reliability
If the lens holder is handheld during insertion, then the user can manipulate the lens, but saline solution spills due to tilting and air bubbles form between the lens and eye
Solution Approach 1:
The base and arm structure serve as intermediaries that provide a stable, non-tilting platform for the lens holder. This intermediary structure eliminates the tilting problem inherent in handheld operation, ensuring the lens remains level and preventing saline solution spillage and air bubble formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides beforehand stabilization by fixing the lens holder in position before insertion begins. This pre-stabilization prevents tilting and spillage during the entire insertion process, cushioning against the harmful effects of solution loss and air bubble entrapment.
3Loss of substance
If the device provides hands-free lens stabilization, then saline solution spillage is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a base for support, an arm for positioning, and a lens holder dock for securing the lens. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design relatively simple and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The base and arm structure serve multiple functions: they provide stabilization, enable hands-free operation, prevent tilting, and facilitate proper lens positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive solution to the spillage problem.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the lens holder is stabilized at a fixed position, then the lens remains level and spillage is prevented, but the user cannot adjust to different heights for comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The arm of the device is designed to be adjustable in length and position, transforming the system from a fixed structure to a dynamic one. This allows the lens holder to be positioned at different heights and angles while maintaining stability, accommodating users with different comfort preferences and anatomical variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows change in the positional parameters (height, angle, distance) of the lens holder through adjustable arm mechanisms. This parameter adjustability maintains the levelness and stability of the lens while adapting to different user needs and comfort requirements.
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 device facilitates easier and more precise contact lens application by stabilizing the lens, reducing saline solution spillage, and enhancing alignment, particularly beneficial for users with visual impairments.
Implementation Method 1
features an LED light source to aid alignment
Implementation Method 2
The light source may include the use of a glow-in-the-dark material, containing for example zinc sulfide, strontium aluminate or another material that behaves phosphorescently
Data Source
AI summary
A contact lens application aid including a lens holder dock having an elongated supporting member having a base end and a coupling end. The coupling end is structured and dimensioned to receive a lens holder. The lens holder dock includes a transparent material or a translucent material and is configured to illuminate the coupling end. A supporting base is configured to rest on a flat surface and receive, at a central portion of the supporting base, the base end of the lens holder dock via a friction fit. The supporting base extends outwardly from the central region such that a diameter of the supporting base is greater than a diameter of the lens holder dock.