Passive Resonant Sensor in Multilayer Contact Lens for Intraocular Pressure
Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular pressure monitoring systems face challenges with complex and costly manufacturing processes, discomfort due to energy sources, and poor comfort and vision impairment from sensor integration issues in multilayered contact lenses, leading to suboptimal sensitivity and placement on the eye surface.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered contact lens design with a passive sensing means, where a resonant circuit is integrated only in one contact lens element, utilizing parasitic capacitances between conductive elements and high relative permittivity layers like the eye tissue and tear film, avoiding integration in the soft layer to prevent ripples and misalignment, and using a compressible dielectric material in the intermediate space for improved deformation detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated in soft contact lenses, then physiological parameter detection is enabled, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor integration from the soft contact lens by placing the passive sensor only in the rigid contact lens element. This separation eliminates the need to integrate sensors into the soft lens material, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to detect intraocular pressure through the multilayered structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens system is segmented into distinct functional layers: a rigid contact lens element containing the passive sensor, and a soft contact lens element for comfort. This segmentation allows each layer to be manufactured independently with appropriate characteristics, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated in soft contact lenses, then physiological parameter detection is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the sensor integration from the soft contact lens and placing it only in the rigid contact lens element, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process. The soft lens can be manufactured using standard techniques without complex sensor integration, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If multilayered contact lens with sensor integration is used, then physiological parameter detection is enabled, but comfort and vision are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contact lens into a rigid element with sensor and a soft element for comfort. The soft contact lens element can be made from hydrophilic materials that provide comfort and proper oxygen permeability, while the rigid element with the passive sensor provides structural support and sensing capability. This segmentation allows both comfort and detection functions to coexist.
4Measurement precision
If sensor is integrated in multilayered contact lens, then physiological parameter detection is enabled, but placement sensitivity on eye surface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By taking out the sensor integration from the soft contact lens and placing it only in the rigid contact lens element, the patent eliminates the problem of sensor misalignment and deformation that occurs when sensors are integrated into soft lenses. The rigid structure provides stable sensor placement, improving manufacturing precision and lens placement sensitivity on the eye surface.
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
This design enhances comfort, maintains unimpaired vision, and improves the responsiveness and placement of the contact lens on the eye surface, providing sensitive detection of intraocular pressure variations without the need for complex manufacturing steps or energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing parasitic capacitances between conductive elements and high relative permittivity layers like the eye tissue and tear film
Implementation Method 2
high relative permittivity layers like the eye tissue and tear film
Implementation Method 3
a passive sensor is known from EP 2 412 305 A1, disclosing a portable physiological parameter monitoring system comprising a resonant LC circuit incorporated in a soft contact lens, wherein the resonant LC circuit responds to an external magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
the resonant LC circuit responds to an external magnetic field generated by a complementary portable device
Implementation Method 5
using a compressible dielectric material in the intermediate space for improved deformation detection
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a physiological parameter monitoring device (100) comprising a first contact lens element (102) having an inner surface (103) and an outer surface (104) opposite the inner surface (103), a second contact lens element (110) having an inner surface (111) and an outer surface (112) opposite the inner surface (111), wherein the first contact lens element (102) and the second contact lens element (110) are attached to one another at a peripheral attachment area (109), thereby enclosing an intermediate space (105), and further comprising a passive sensing means (101) forming a resonant circuit for detecting variations of said physiological parameter, wherein the passive sensing means (101) is provided only in or on the first contact lens element (102).