Smart Contact Lens Modulating Light and Drug Delivery for Myopia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for myopia, such as atropine eye drops, often cause photophobia due to excessive light entry, leading to discomfort and low compliance, especially in adolescents, as continuous use of sunglasses or darkened areas is impractical.
Innovation Solution
A smart ophthalmic device that modulates light transmission using an electronically-mediated medium in response to electrical signals, synchronizing with therapeutic agent delivery to prevent or slow myopia progression while reducing photophobia symptoms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If atropine eye drops are used to slow myopia progression, then myopia progression is slowed, but photophobia and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines atropine delivery system with light-modulating capability in a single contact lens device. The contact lens integrates both the therapeutic agent delivery function and the light filtration function, allowing simultaneous achievement of myopia control and photophobia relief without requiring separate treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens dynamically changes its light transmission parameters in response to environmental light conditions and pupil dilation state. The light-modulating layer adjusts its optical properties based on real-time parameters such as ambient light intensity and pupil size, optimizing both myopia control efficacy and photophobia management.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sunglasses or tinted glasses are worn continuously to reduce photophobia, then photophobia symptoms are reduced, but practicality and compliance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens autonomously regulates light transmission without requiring user intervention. It automatically detects environmental light conditions and pupil dilation state, then adjusts its light-modulating properties accordingly, eliminating the need for users to manually put on or take off sunglasses.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens transitions from a static light-filtering solution (fixed-tint sunglasses) to a dynamic system that continuously adapts its optical properties. The light-modulating layer responds in real-time to changing conditions, providing adaptive photophobia management that improves practicality and compliance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If light transmission is reduced to prevent photophobia, then photophobia is alleviated, but vision quality and comfort may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens applies differential light modulation across different regions and conditions. The light-modulating layer provides enhanced filtration in specific zones where photophobia is most problematic while maintaining adequate light transmission in other areas, preserving vision quality and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor pupil dilation state and environmental light conditions. Based on this feedback, the light-modulating layer dynamically adjusts its properties to provide photophobia relief only when and where needed, maintaining normal vision quality and comfort during other conditions.
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 smart ophthalmic device effectively delivers therapeutic agents like atropine and adjusts light transmission to alleviate photophobia, enhancing treatment compliance and efficacy by reducing discomfort and eliminating the need for constant sunglasses or dark environments.
Implementation Method 1
the electronically-mediated medium is activated to reduce the amount of light transmitted through a portion of the ophthalmic device by filtering the light
Implementation Method 2
A first electrical signal is delivered to the metal electrode covering a certain drug reservoir of the at least one encapsulated drug reservoir so the metal electrode undergoes electrodissolution to release the therapeutic agent
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic device can be positioned on a surface of an eye and can modulate an amount of light that can be transmitted therethrough in response to environmental factors and/or release of a therapeutic agent into the eye. The ophthalmic device can include an electronically-mediated medium that can modulate an amount of light transmitted in response to a first electrical signal generated by a signal generator. The ophthalmic device also can include at least one drug reservoir that can release a therapeutic agent to the eye in response to a second electrical signal generated by the signal generator. The signal generator can be encapsulated within the ophthalmic device and in communication with a controller that defines parameters of the electrical signals generated by the signal generator.