Self-Adhering Visual Stimulator for Periocular Light Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for visual evoked potential testing in uncooperative or anesthetized patients are unreliable, unhygienic, and pose risks due to reusable goggles that require cleaning, can damage eyes, and provide inadequate light stimulation, making it difficult to monitor optic nerve health during surgeries.

Innovation Solution

A disposable visual stimulator with a self-adhesive, soft frame conforming to the periocular region and high-intensity light emitting diodes, connected to a triggering device for controlled light stimulation, ensuring reliable and safe data acquisition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If reusable goggles with embedded light emitting diodes are used for visual stimulation, then the device can be used multiple times, but it requires cleaning between patients and poses hygiene risks

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereusabilityVSAvoidhygiene risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable stimulator unit that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization between patients. This resolves the hygiene contradiction by sacrificing reusability to ensure patient safety and eliminate cross-contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stability of the object's composition

If tightly fitting goggles are used to secure the device, then the device remains in place, but it poses a risk of damaging the eyes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoideye damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible, padded frame structure that conforms to the patient's facial contours without applying excessive pressure. The soft padding material distributes the securing force evenly, preventing eye damage while maintaining device stability during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable nature of the stimulator allows for optimized sealing and fitting designs that would not be feasible with reusable devices. Each unit can be designed with maximum comfort and safety features for a single use, eliminating the need to consider cleaning and sterilization constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If light emitting diodes are used for visual stimulation, then the device is portable and can be positioned close to the eyes, but the light intensity is too weak to produce adequate stimulus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidlight stimulus intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the light output parameters by using high-intensity LED arrays that can deliver sufficient luminous flux to the patient's eyes. The LEDs are positioned within the flexible frame to maximize light delivery while maintaining portability and close proximity to the eyes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Illumination intensity

If a traditional strobe light is used for visual stimulation, then adequate light intensity is provided, but it is too distracting to operating room staff and difficult to aim

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight stimulus intensityVSAvoidoperating room distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary device (the flexible frame with embedded LEDs) that is secured to the patient's face, eliminating the need for external strobe lighting. This intermediary system delivers adequate light intensity directly to the eyes without creating distractions for operating room staff, as the stimulation occurs through the patient's own facial structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The device provides consistent and effective visual stimulation, improving data reliability, ocular safety, and reducing the risk of eye damage, while eliminating the need for cleaning and minimizing distractions in the operating room.

Implementation Method 1

The body second side has an adhesive layer for securing the body to the periocular region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

A light emitting source disposed within each of the pair of lobes to selectively illuminate the periocular region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS8777405B2Self-adhering visual stimulator

Publication Date: 2014.07.15 ANSCHEL DAVID JOSEPH

AI summary

A device for the stimulation of the visual system includes a body having a pair of spaced lobes configured to conform to the periocular region. The body has a first side and an opposed second side. The body second side has an adhesive layer for securing the body to the periocular region. A light emitting source disposed within each of the pair of lobes to selectively illuminate the periocular region.