Peltier Heat Pump for Retinal Prosthesis Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prosthetic retinal devices face limitations in resolution and safety due to heat buildup, which can damage ocular tissue and induce immune responses, especially given the constraints of intra-ocular temperature and power supply.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer device utilizing the Peltier effect to dissipate heat away from the retina, with a temperature sense circuit that activates heat transfer when a predetermined temperature is exceeded, directing heat towards the vitreous humor and pupil end of the eye, where it can be more easily expelled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If power usage is increased to improve visual stimulation resolution, then the quality of visual perception is improved, but heat buildup increases causing tissue damage and immune responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the main prosthetic retinal device by adding a separate thermoelectric cooler (TEC) system. This cooler actively removes heat generated by the device, allowing higher power usage for improved visual resolution without causing thermal damage to surrounding ocular tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal management system consisting of a thermoelectric cooler, heat sink, and thermal interface materials. This intermediary system acts as a mediator between the heat-generating prosthetic device and the sensitive ocular tissue, preventing direct thermal contact while maintaining the beneficial electrical stimulation function.
2Power
If power supply is increased to enhance electrical signal resolution, then visual perception quality is improved, but intra-ocular temperature increases causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary thermal management by pre-cooling the prosthetic retinal device using a thermoelectric cooler before electrical stimulation begins. Temperature sensors continuously monitor device temperature, and the cooling system activates in advance to prevent temperature rise, allowing higher power electrical signals to be applied safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates temperature feedback control through temperature sensors that continuously monitor the device temperature and provide feedback to the control circuitry. When temperature approaches unsafe levels, the system automatically adjusts power delivery or activates cooling, enabling safe operation at higher power levels for improved visual resolution.
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 solution allows for increased power usage without substantial heat increase near the retina, reducing the risk of tissue damage and immune responses, enabling higher resolution visual stimulation without adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
A heat transfer device utilizing the Peltier effect to dissipate heat away from the retina
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling heat dissipated from a prosthetic retinal device is described. A heat transfer device employs the Peltier heat transfer effect to cool the surface of the retinal device that faces the retina by dissipating/transferring collected heat away from the retina and towards the iris or front of the eye. According to one embodiment, a heat pump is formed in a second substrate on the retinal device. The heat pump is controlled by a temperature sense device that activates the heat pump, when a first predetermined temperature limit is exceeded. The temperature sense device deactivates the heat pump, when a temperature of the retinal device drops below a second predetermined temperature. According to another embodiment, a supply current of the retinal device may pass through the heat pump and a direction of heat transfer by the heat pump can be reversed, when the first predetermined temperature is exceeded.