Orbital Pressure Goggles for Non-Invasive Flow and Drainage Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring and modifying orbital and intraorbital pressure, blood flow, and lymphatic drainage are invasive and lack non-invasive diagnostic tools for conditions affecting blood flow impairment, abnormal translaminar pressure across the optic nerve, and poor aqueous humor drainage.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using goggles with pressure transducers and volume control mechanisms to measure and modify orbital pressure and volume, synchronizing with cardiac cycles to improve blood flow, venous drainage, and aqueous humor drainage without invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive techniques (needle manometer) are used to measure orbital pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the invasive mechanical needle-manometer system with a non-invasive pneumatic system using goggles that apply controlled pressure to the orbital region. Pressure transducers embedded in the goggle structure measure orbital pressure through the soft tissue interface, eliminating the need for needle insertion while maintaining measurement capability through pressure transmission through the goggle lens and tissue interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The goggle structure acts as an intermediary medium between the measurement system and the orbital contents. Instead of direct needle contact with orbital tissues, the system uses the goggle lens and surrounding soft tissues as a mediator to transmit and measure pressure, providing a non-invasive pathway for obtaining accurate orbital pressure data.
2Ease of operation
If non-invasive methods are used to measure orbital pressure, then patient comfort and ease of operation are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic pressure transmission through the goggle structure and soft tissues to replace direct mechanical contact. The pressure transducers measure the transmitted pressure waves from orbital contents through the tissue-goggle interface, achieving accurate non-invasive measurement by substituting direct contact with pressure field transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the periodic pulsations of orbital contents (blood flow, CSF pressure waves) as natural signal sources. By detecting these rhythmic pressure variations through the goggle interface, the system can characterize orbital pressure dynamics without requiring static pressure measurement, thereby improving signal detection accuracy through periodic signal analysis.
3Reliability
If invasive procedures are used to modify orbital pressure and volume, then therapeutic effect is improved, but patient comfort and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive surgical or procedural methods for modifying orbital pressure with a non-invasive pneumatic system. The goggle structure delivers controlled pressure and vacuum cycles to the orbital region, modifying orbital pressure and volume through external application while eliminating the need for needle insertion, surgical intervention, or other invasive procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The therapeutic system applies periodic cycles of positive pressure and vacuum to the orbital region. These rhythmic pressure variations enhance lymphatic drainage, promote venous return, and facilitate aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular meshwork. The periodic nature of the treatment allows tissue adaptation and reduces the risk of barotrauma while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
4Productivity
If synchronized pressure modulation with cardiac cycle is implemented, then blood flow enhancement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the patient's cardiac cycle and breathing patterns, using this physiological information as feedback to timing the pressure modulation cycles. The control system adjusts the phase and frequency of pressure application to synchronize with the patient's natural cardiac rhythm, maximizing blood flow enhancement while adapting to individual physiological variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements periodic pressure modulation that can be synchronized with the cardiac cycle. By applying pressure waves at frequencies and phases that match or complement the cardiac rhythm, the system enhances arterial inflow and venous outflow from the orbital region. The periodic action creates resonance effects that amplify natural blood flow patterns without requiring continuous high-level intervention.
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
Non-invasively measures and modifies orbital pressure and volume to enhance blood flow, venous drainage, and aqueous humor drainage, providing diagnostic and therapeutic benefits for conditions like glaucoma and intracranial hypertension.
Implementation Method 1
there are provided one or more pressure transducer means for detecting pressure or volume changes in the external cavity system in response to changes in the volume or pressure of the orbit
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum pump means for creating and maintaining a negative pressure in the external cavity system
Implementation Method 3
a speaker means for dynamically changing the volume of the external cavity system to modulate the pressure in the orbit
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method of use for measuring and modifying orbital content volume, pressure, blood flow, venous drainage, lymphatic drainage, and pulsatility of a subject's eye socket(s) (orbits) are provided. The device includes goggles including at least one chamber in front of the orbit that serves to expand the functional orbital volume to include the orbital contents and the space inside the chamber, at least one pressure measuring sensor, means for controlling the pressure inside the chamber such as a release valve, pump and/or vacuum device in fluid communication with the chamber, a processing and control mechanism, means of communication, and a power supply. The control mechanism can be operatively coupled to the pump, vacuum, release valve device and can maintain a predetermined pressure or pressure modulation in response to the measured pressure in the chamber when the device is worn by a subject.