Microcurrent Eyecup Headset for Pain-Free Ocular Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for age-related macular degeneration, such as electrical stimulation using extraocular electrodes, are often painful and inefficient, and do not adequately address the needs of users with varying cranial and facial topographies.
Innovation Solution
A microcurrent headset unit with adjustable, electrically conductive eyecups that contact the eyelids to transmit therapeutic microcurrents, eliminating the need for direct eye or head surface electrodes, and featuring a compact design with an onboard power source and user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extraocular electrodes are placed directly against the scleral surfaces or on the orbicularis oculi region, then electrical stimulation can be transmitted to treat AMD, but the treatment becomes painful and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the eyelid as an intermediary medium between the electrode and the eye. Instead of placing electrodes directly on the sclera or orbicularis oculi, the conductive eyecups contact the eyelid skin, which serves as a mediator to transmit microcurrent through the eyelid tissue to the underlying ocular structures, thereby avoiding direct stimulation of sensitive areas while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact method of placing electrodes directly on scleral surfaces with a non-invasive electrical field transmission method. The microcurrent is transmitted through the eyelid tissue via conductive eyecups, substituting the need for direct mechanical electrode contact with a distributed electrical field approach that reduces pain and improves comfort
2Reliability
If electrodes are placed on the orbicularis oculi region or cranium, then electrical stimulation can be transmitted, but the device becomes bulky and requires external power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power source, control electronics, and conductive eyecups into a single integrated handheld device. The rechargeable battery pack is combined with the control circuitry and eyecup assembly, eliminating the need for separate external power sources and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective microcurrent transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the conductive eyecups are integrated within the handheld device housing, which itself contains the power source and control electronics. The eyecups are positioned within the device body rather than being separate external components, creating a compact nested arrangement that reduces device bulk while maintaining functionality
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-size eyecups are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the device cannot accommodate users of varying cranial girth and facial topographies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable mechanisms that allow the eyecups to be repositioned along the longitudinal axis of the device. The eyecups can be moved forward or backward on the device body, enabling dynamic adaptation to different facial shapes and sizes. This adjustability is achieved through mechanical sliding or repositioning mechanisms that maintain ease of manufacture while providing versatility for different users
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
Provides effective and pain-free microcurrent therapy for treating ocular diseases like AMD, accommodating diverse facial shapes and eliminating the need for bulky external power sources.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of electrically conductive eyecups that are structurally engineered to contact the palpebra cutanea of the user's upper and lower eyelid flaps to transmit therethrough a therapeutic microcurrent
Data Source
AI summary
Presented are electrical microcurrent systems for treating ocular diseases, methods for making/using such microcurrent systems, and wearable microcurrent devices for treatment of macular degeneration. A microcurrent system for treating an ocular disease includes a mounting support, e.g., that mounts inside a housing shell of a microcurrent headset unit. Mounted onto the mounting support, e.g., inside the housing shell, are a power source that stores and dispenses electrical power, and a system controller that electrically connects to and controls the electrical output of the power source. A pair of electrically conductive eyecups is attached to the mounting support and electrically connected to the power source to receive therefrom an electrical microcurrent. Each eyecup may be a single-piece structure that includes a pair of terminal rails projecting from respective sides of a longitudinal end of an elongated pedestal. The terminal rails are shaped and sized to contact an eyelid of a user.