Serpentine Intraocular Pressure Sensor With Passive Wireless Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intraocular pressure sensors are large, heavy, require complex and expensive surgery, interfere with vision, or suffer from signal drift due to packaging imperfections, making them unsuitable for long-term wearable measurements.
Innovation Solution
A deformable and optionally stretchable intraocular pressure sensor with a serpentine-shaped metallic inductor and minimal electronic components, which is temporarily worn and does not require surgical implantation, using electromagnetic transmissions for wireless communication and pressure measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If active devices with integrated circuits and batteries are used, then data storage and processing capability is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source and data processing functions from the intraocular sensor itself, leaving only a passive sensing element implanted in the eye. The active electronics (battery, processor, transmitter) are relocated to an external reader device, thereby eliminating the weight penalty while maintaining full data storage and processing capability through the external device.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional passive sensors are used, then device size is reduced, but surgical complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical anchoring system with a non-invasive magnetic attachment system. The passive sensor uses magnetic attraction to adhere to the external reader, eliminating the need for complex surgical procedures to anchor the device to the iris or sclera, thereby dramatically reducing surgical complexity and cost while maintaining miniaturized device size.
3Measurement precision
If variable capacitors are used for pressure sensing, then pressure measurement capability is achieved, but signal drift occurs due to packaging imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from capacitance to inductance. The variable capacitor design is replaced with a deformable metallic inductor whose inductance varies with intraocular pressure. Inductors are less sensitive to packaging imperfections and leakage issues that plague capacitive designs, thereby maintaining pressure measurement capability while significantly improving signal stability and reducing drift over time.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If external reading mechanisms of large size are used, then signal reading capability is improved, but vision obstruction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the reading mechanism from the optical dimension (in front of the eye) to the magnetic dimension (near the ear or on glasses). The external reader uses magnetic coupling to communicate with the intraocular sensor, allowing the reader to be positioned in alternative spatial dimensions that do not interfere with the visual axis, thereby maintaining full signal reading capability while eliminating vision obstruction.
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 sensor provides non-invasive, lightweight, and cost-effective intraocular pressure monitoring without obstructing vision, with minimal signal drift and easy removal, offering a flexible and reliable solution for long-term use.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor utilizes electromagnetic transmissions to communicate pressure measurements wirelessly
Data Source
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AI summary
A pressure sensor system is provided. In another aspect, a wireless intraocular pressure sensor includes a deformable or stretchable inductor. A further aspect of an intraocular pressure sensing system includes a deformable inductor sized to contact an eye. Another aspect provides an organ pressure sending system including a passive inductor with a wavy, serpentine or undulating shape.