Passive Split-Ring Resonator Contact Lens for IOP Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact lens-based intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring systems are invasive, require active components that consume significant power, and have complex fabrication processes, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A contact lens embedded sensor system utilizing a passive biocompatible split-ring resonator (SRR) sensor, which measures IOP changes by detecting shifts in the resonant frequency caused by corneal curvature changes, without the need for electrical connections or active components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active strain gauges and electrical components are used in contact lens-based IOP monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases and heat generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active electrical sensing components with a passive optical sensing mechanism. The contact lens incorporates optical elements that detect corneal curvature changes through light reflection and refraction patterns, eliminating the need for strain gauges, batteries, and electronic signal processing, thus achieving zero power consumption while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system where light serves as the mediator between the corneal curvature changes and the measurement readout. External optical devices or imaging systems capture the light patterns reflected from or transmitted through the contact lens, which encode the IOP information without requiring active sensors within the lens itself
2Duration of action of moving object
If active sensors and wireless transmission components are integrated into contact lens, then continuous monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens is designed to serve multiple functions: it maintains its primary role as a vision-correcting optical device while simultaneously acting as a passive sensor platform. The same optical structures that enable vision correction also detect corneal curvature changes, eliminating the need for separate active sensing components and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the existing optical properties and structures of conventional contact lenses as templates for the sensing function. By leveraging the well-established materials, manufacturing processes, and optical characteristics of standard contact lenses, the system achieves continuous monitoring capability without requiring complex new component integration or fabrication techniques
3Loss of information
If electrical components and antennas are embedded in contact lens, then data transmission capability is improved, but biocompatibility and visual acuity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission. Light-carrying optical fibers or direct optical path modifications within the contact lens transmit measurement information to external devices without requiring electrical antennas or wireless communication components, thereby maintaining biocompatibility and visual acuity
Solution Approach 2:
Light serves as an intermediary carrier for data transmission instead of electrical signals. The optical system transcodes the IOP measurement information into light intensity, wavelength, or pattern variations that can be detected externally, eliminating the need for electrical components that could interfere with vision or biocompatibility
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 system provides continuous, non-invasive monitoring of IOP, maintaining the patient's visual acuity while reducing power consumption and fabrication complexity, thus enhancing the management of ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
Implementation Method 1
measures IOP changes by detecting shifts in the resonant frequency caused by corneal curvature changes
Data Source
AI summary
A contact lens embedded sensor comprises resonator rings, characterized in that said resonator rings result from arrangements of broadside-coupled split-ring resonator, edge-coupled split-ring resonator, non-bianisotropic split-ring resonator and spiral resonator based structures with the use of dielectric, biocompatible substrate layers. The system also includes an antenna coupled with the sensor, and an electrical readout circuitry collecting and processing measurements in the change of resonant character caused by intraocular pressure (IOP) perturbing the geometry of the human eyeball said contact lens is worn thereon.