Wearable Ocular Pressure, Heat, and Light Therapy for Glaucoma Risk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies have not effectively addressed the risk of glaucoma development in high-risk individuals, particularly through inadequate management of intraocular pressure and ocular tissue biomechanics, vascular circulation, and tissue cell metabolism.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a pressure control module, heat pad module, and radiation module, which applies controlled pressure, warmth, and specific wavelengths of light to enhance ocular tissue compliance, vascular circulation, and metabolic rates to reduce intraocular pressure and inhibit glaucoma progression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If regular eye exams and traditional treatments are used for high-risk individuals, then glaucoma can be detected and treated after diagnosis, but there is no authorized preventive measure to reduce risk before diagnosis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglaucoma prevention effectivenessVSAvoidtime delay until diagnosis and treatment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing preventive measures before glaucoma diagnosis. The system uses wearable devices to continuously monitor eye health parameters and deliver therapeutic stimuli (heat, pressure, light) to prevent glaucoma development in high-risk individuals, eliminating the need to wait for diagnosis before intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through continuous monitoring of eye health parameters using wearable sensors. The system real-time tracks intraocular pressure, tissue compliance, and other biomarkers, adjusting therapeutic interventions based on measured responses to optimize prevention effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Strength

If intraocular pressure is reduced to prevent glaucoma, then optic nerve damage can be prevented, but the biomechanical properties of ocular tissues must be optimized which is complex and individual

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptic nerve resistance to damageVSAvoidbiomechanical treatment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modifying physical parameters of ocular tissues through controlled thermal, mechanical, and photic stimuli. The wearable device delivers adjustable heat temperatures, pressure magnitudes, and light intensities to optimize tissue compliance and biomechanical strength individually for each patient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics through adaptive, real-time adjustment of therapeutic parameters based on individual patient responses. The system continuously monitors tissue compliance and intraocular pressure, dynamically adjusting heat, pressure, and light parameters to optimize biomechanical support for each unique patient profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If ocular tissues are warmed to increase compliance, then tissue can better deform under loading, but excessive heat can cause thermal damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue complianceVSAvoidthermal damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through continuous temperature monitoring using wearable sensors that detect thermal responses in real-time. The system adjusts heat delivery parameters based on measured tissue temperature, ensuring sufficient warming to increase compliance while preventing excessive heat that could cause thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling thermal parameters within safe ranges. The system delivers controlled heat temperatures that are sufficient to improve tissue compliance but remain below thresholds that would cause thermal damage, adjusting parameters based on individual patient responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If stretching forces are applied to the cornea to improve biomechanical properties, then tissue resilience can be enhanced, but excessive stretching can cause structural damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorneal resilienceVSAvoidstructural damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through real-time monitoring of corneal response to stretching forces using wearable sensors that detect changes in tissue deformation and pressure. The system adjusts stretching magnitude based on measured corneal responses, enhancing resilience while preventing excessive stretching that could cause structural damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling stretching force parameters within safe ranges. The system delivers controlled mechanical stimuli that improve corneal resilience while remaining below thresholds that would cause structural damage, adjusting parameters based on individual patient tissue properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively lowers intraocular pressure, enhances vascular circulation, and increases metabolic rates, thereby reducing the risk of glaucoma by improving ocular tissue compliance and health.

Implementation Method 1

warming the tissues of the eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

irradiating the tissue of the drainage system, the optic nerve, and the peripapillary sclera in the eye with infra-red radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfra-red radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

irradiating the tissue of the drainage system, the optic nerve, and the peripapillary sclera in the eye with visible light radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVisible light: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4342525B1A device for improving the conditions of an eye
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 THE HONG KONG UNIV OF SCI & TECH
  • EP4342525B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4342525B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4342525B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The subject invention pertains to systems and methods to improve the condition of an eye and to either treat or lower the risk of diseases such as glaucoma. Systems and methods are provided for increasing compliance, improving circulation and fluid flow, or promoting tissue cell metabolism by warm compress, and/or irradiation at single or multiple wavelengths (e.g., between 780 to 950 nm or between 550 to 700 nm), and/or application of static and/or dynamic pressure to the eye. Embodiments provide a wearable head set with pressure controlled goggles, controlled irradiation sources, and temperature-controlled heat sources or pads exposed to or in contact with the eye or surrounding region to warm up the tissues of the eye and promote the vasodilation of the blood vessels at the eye as well as circulation within the blood system connected to the Schlemm's canal or other regions in or around the eye.