Remotely Controllable Lens Device with Biocompatible Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocular disease treatments, such as drug-eluting contact lenses and intraocular lenses, face limitations in controllability and functionality, particularly in providing real-time, non-invasive monitoring and smart drug delivery, due to the complexity and impracticality of embedded sensors.
Innovation Solution
A remotely controllable lens device with a biocompatible circuit coupled to a lens material, capable of receiving energy signals to perform functions like drug release, electromagnetic radiation detection, and optical refractive property control, using auto-powered or external power sources, and enabling wireless data and power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are embedded in contact lenses to enable controllable drug delivery and real-time monitoring, then treatment efficacy and monitoring capability are improved, but device complexity and practicality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the contact lens itself and places it in a separate wearable device (smartphone, tablet, or dedicated wearable computer). The contact lens contains only the drug delivery mechanism and basic components, while the complex sensing, processing, and control functions are performed by the external device. This separation resolves the contradiction by maintaining treatment efficacy through integrated drug delivery while eliminating sensor complexity from the lens structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computing device (smartphone, tablet, or wearable computer) that acts as a mediator between the contact lens and the user/environment. This intermediary handles all complex sensing, data processing, and control operations, allowing the contact lens to remain simple while achieving sophisticated treatment and monitoring capabilities through wireless communication and external processing.
2Reliability
If a multi-focusing intraocular lens is implanted to correct distance vision and enable active dioptric power change, then visual acuity is improved, but device complexity and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic intraocular lens system where the lens focal length and dioptric power can be actively changed in real-time based on user needs and environmental conditions. The lens includes adjustable components (such as liquid crystal elements or movable lens segments) that allow dynamic focusing between distance and near vision, resolving the contradiction by providing multi-focusing capability while using controllable mechanisms rather than complex multi-element static designs.
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 real-time, non-invasive biomedical monitoring, smart drug delivery, and human-machine interface applications, enhancing treatment efficacy and patient experience through controlled drug release and adjustable optical properties without impeding vision.
Implementation Method 1
The circuit can be configured to be powered based on an energy signal from a power source to perform a function
Implementation Method 2
control of an optical refractive property (e.g., a focal length of the lens, an optical transmission of the lens, and/or an attenuation of the lens)
Implementation Method 3
generation of electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 4
detection of electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a remotely controllable lens device. The lens device can include a lens material and a circuit physically coupled to the lens material. The circuit can be configured to be powered based on an energy signal from a power source to perform a function (e.g., release of drug, generation of electromagnetic radiation, detection of electromagnetic radiation, and/or control of an optical refractive property). For example, the power source can be an external power source and/or an auto-powered source. The external power source can be, for example, a power source that utilizes synchronized magnetic flux phase coupling (e.g., WiTricity). The auto-powered source can be provided on-site (e.g., on-chip) using a harvesting system (e.g., solar-cell, photo-cell, piezoelectric, etc.)