Therapeutic Spectacles with Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional treatments for meibomian gland dysfunction, which causes dry eye disease, are often ineffective and may pose safety risks, especially for patients who spend extensive time using video screens, leading to increased tear film evaporation and inflammation.
Innovation Solution
Therapeutic spectacles devices with a stimulus mechanism and contact pads that deliver neuromodulation to the nasofrontal region via the trigeminal cranial nerve, promoting tear production and blinking, designed for safe use at home or in office settings, incorporating a rechargeable power source, sensors for monitoring tear film conditions, and wireless data transmission for external control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional treatments such as warm wash cloths and gentle massage are used, then the treatment is simple and safe for home use, but the effectiveness is insufficient for many patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical massage with electrical stimulation through contact pads that deliver controlled electrical signals to the trigeminal nerve, enhancing the therapeutic effect while maintaining safety. This substitution allows for more reliable treatment effectiveness compared to manual massage alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of contact pads, electrical leads, and a control unit that mediates between the user and the therapeutic effect. This intermediary enables precise delivery of electrical stimulation to specific nerve regions, improving treatment reliability while keeping the system simple for home use.
2Reliability
If clinical treatments such as corticosteroid therapy and antibiotics are used, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but safety risks increase and professional monitoring is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes pharmacological treatments with physical electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve. This replacement eliminates the safety risks associated with corticosteroids and antibiotics while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through non-invasive electrical contact pads that can be used under professional guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables patients to perform self-service treatment at home using the electrical stimulation device, eliminating the need for continuous professional monitoring required by clinical treatments. The device can be used independently while maintaining safety through controlled electrical delivery and user education.
3Productivity
If video screen usage is increased, then productivity is improved, but tear film evaporation increases and dry eye symptoms worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect tear film status and blink rate, allowing the electrical stimulation system to adjust its output in real-time. This feedback loop enables the system to counteract the harmful effects of reduced blinking during video screen use while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic electrical stimulation pulses that synchronize with natural blinking rhythms to promote tear film production and distribution. This periodic action helps counteract the increased evaporation caused by reduced blinking during extended video screen usage, allowing patients to maintain productivity without worsening dry eye symptoms.
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 therapeutic spectacles effectively induce tear production and blinking, providing relief for dry eye symptoms and rehabilitating the tear film, offering a safer and more accessible alternative to clinical treatments by integrating with everyday activities without obstructing vision.
Implementation Method 1
The stimulus mechanism and contact pad can be positioned such that, when the therapeutic spectacles device is fixed on spectacles worn by the patient, the stimulus is delivered through the nasal bridge of the patient to the external branch of the patient's trigeminal cranial nerve to stimulate neuromodulation of the external branch of the patient's trigeminal cranial nerve
Implementation Method 2
The stimulus mechanism can generate a vibration stimulus for stimulating the nasofrontal region
Implementation Method 3
The stimulus mechanism can generate an electromagnetic radiation stimulus for stimulating the targeted area
Data Source
AI summary
A therapeutic spectacles device for reliving symptoms of dry eye disease. The device includes a protective housing configured to house a stimulus mechanism and an internal power source; at least one contact pad attached to the protective housing; and an attachment mechanism arranged on the protective housing. The at least one contact pad is configured, to contact a targeted area within a region selected from patient's nasofrontal region, supraorbital region, suborbital region, temporal region, or any combination of the same. The attachment mechanism can be configured to fix the protective housing to the therapeutic spectacles device such that the at least one contact pad rests against the targeted, area, when the therapeutic spectacles device is fixed on spectacles worn by the patient. The stimulus mechanism can be configured to deliver a stimulus through the at least one contact pad to the targeted area.