Ophthalmic Stimulator Pupil Constriction via Iris Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for improving near vision in presbyopia, such as small aperture corneal inlays and pharmacological pupil constriction, come with risks like inflammation, permanent tissue damage, and undesirable side effects, while existing laser treatments offer permanent pupil constriction without trialability and control over pupil shape.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic stimulator system that uses an irradiation control system to deliver patterned irradiation to the iris, temporarily constricting the pupil by heating the iris dilator muscle without causing permanent damage, allowing for reversible and controlled vision improvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If small aperture corneal inlays are implanted surgically, then near vision is improved, but the risk of inflammation, infection, or displacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical implant system with a non-contact laser irradiation system. Instead of physically inserting corneal inlays that carry infection and displacement risks, the invention uses laser energy to temporarily constrict the pupil through thermal effects on the iris dilator muscle, eliminating all risks associated with surgical implants while maintaining the vision improvement benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser irradiation as an intermediary mechanism between the treatment goal and the eye tissue. Rather than directly implanting foreign objects into the eye, the laser energy serves as a non-invasive intermediary that temporarily affects the iris muscle function, achieving pupil constriction without physical contact or surgical intervention
2Duration of action of moving object
If pharmacological agents like pilocarpine are used, then pupil constriction is achieved, but frequent instillation is required and side effects like headaches occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical pharmacological system with a physical laser irradiation system. Instead of requiring repeated chemical drops that need frequent administration, the laser treatment uses controlled thermal energy to achieve a single, long-lasting pupil constriction effect, eliminating the need for frequent instillation and avoiding chemical side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of treatment delivery from chemical concentration over time (pharmaceutical) to controlled thermal energy input (laser). By adjusting laser parameters such as power, duration, and irradiation pattern, the treatment achieves sustained pupil constriction without the recurring administration schedule required by medications
3Duration of action of stationary object
If laser cauterization is performed on the iris, then permanent pupil constriction is achieved, but the patient loses iris function permanently and the pupil shape cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic or pulsed laser irradiation instead of continuous cauterization. By delivering controlled pulses of laser energy, the treatment achieves temporary pupil constriction through reversible thermal effects on the iris dilator muscle, allowing the tissue to recover and avoid permanent damage while maintaining the desired constriction effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the laser treatment parameter from high-energy cauterization (permanent damage) to low-energy thermal irradiation (temporary effect). By precisely controlling laser power density, exposure duration, and irradiation patterns, the treatment achieves reversible pupil constriction without the permanent tissue destruction and loss of iris function associated with cauterization
4Reliability
If permanent aperture implants are inserted, then vision improvement is achieved, but surgical procedures are required and the implants may displace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex surgical implant system with a simple non-contact laser irradiation system. Instead of requiring surgical procedures to insert and secure permanent implants, the invention uses laser energy to temporarily constrict the pupil, eliminating all surgical complexity while maintaining vision improvement through a straightforward, non-invasive procedure
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 system provides temporary but long-lasting vision improvement without surgical implants, tissue damage, or side effects, offering a safe and reversible method for pupil constriction that can be repeated as needed.
Implementation Method 1
temporarily constricting the pupil by heating the iris dilator muscle
Data Source
AI summary
A method for temporarily constricting a pupil of an eye by an ophthalmic stimulator comprises generating an irradiation control signal by an irradiation control system, generating an irradiation by an irradiation source, coupled to the irradiation control system, receiving the irradiation and delivering a patterned irradiation to an iris of the eye with an irradiation delivery system, and controlling at least one of the irradiation source and the irradiation delivery system by the irradiation control signal of the irradiation control system so that the patterned irradiation is causing a temporary constriction of the pupil of the eye, without causing a permanent constriction of the pupil.