Transcutaneous Optic Nerve Stimulation for Non-Invasive Visual Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing visual information to visually impaired individuals are invasive, cumbersome, and limit mobility, while conventional visual and auditory displays are ineffective in noisy environments for both impaired and non-impaired users.
Innovation Solution
A portable device that converts data into electrical impulses to stimulate the optic nerve through the skin, allowing users to perceive light patterns, using a system comprising a data processing device, signal converter, and contact interface to deliver transcutaneous stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive techniques such as surgery are used to stimulate the optic nerve, then visual information can be provided to visually impaired individuals, but the procedure becomes traumatic and limits applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the skin as an intermediary medium to deliver electrical impulses to the optic nerve. Instead of directly invading the body through surgery, the system applies electrical signals through skin contact, which then transmits the signals naturally to the nervous system. This intermediary approach eliminates surgical trauma while maintaining the ability to deliver visual information effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/surgical intervention with an electrical field-based approach. By using electrical impulses delivered through the skin, the system substitutes the need for physical invasion and surgical implantation, thereby eliminating the harmful mechanical trauma associated with invasive techniques.
2Loss of information
If visual displays are used to deliver information, then data can be presented clearly, but the displays are of little value to visually impaired users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal information delivery system that works for both visually impaired and visually capable users. By stimulating the optic nerve directly through electrical impulses, the system provides a common physiological pathway for information delivery that bypasses the need for visual processing, making it universally applicable regardless of visual status.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of converting information into visual forms that must then be interpreted by the visual system, the patent inverts the approach by directly stimulating the optic nerve with electrical impulses that mimic natural visual signals. This reversal eliminates the dependency on visual display mechanisms and directly engages the visual processing pathway.
3Adaptability or versatility
If auditory displays are used to deliver information, then information can be delivered to hearing-impaired users through alternative channels, but audible displays are of little value to hearing-impaired users and compete with other stimuli for all users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal information delivery system that works for both hearing-impaired and hearing-capable users. By stimulating the optic nerve directly, the system provides a common physiological pathway that bypasses both visual and auditory processing dependencies, making it universally effective regardless of sensory impairments or environmental noise levels.
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
Enables perception of light patterns by visually impaired users and enhances information delivery in cluttered environments, improving usability and mobility with non-invasive, portable technology.
Implementation Method 1
performing control functions to cause generation of electrical outputs that, when applied to the skin of a user, stimulate an optic nerve of the user so as to cause the user to perceive the light signals
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and techniques for providing data to a user in the form of perceived light signals caused by transcutaneous stimulation of the user's optic nerve. User output data, suitably representing data collected, generated, or processed by a data processing device, is used to generate user output data. The user output data is converted to representations corresponding to light signals, and control functions are performed to cause generation of electrical impulses which, when applied to the skin of a user, stimulate the optic nerve of the user so as to cause the user to perceive the light signals.