Underlid Resistive Heating and Magnetic Stimulation for Home MGD
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective home-based treatments for meibomian gland disease (MGD), which is a significant contributor to dry eye disease, and existing clinical treatments are invasive and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system and apparatus that applies resistive heating and magnetic-based mechanical stimulation to the eyelid for self-administered MGD treatment, using an underlid device and a stimulator wand to heat and massage the meibomian glands safely and effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If in-clinic treatments like LipiFlow or ILP are used, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and treatment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical heating systems with electromagnetic induction heating. The handheld device uses an electromagnetic coil to induce currents in a ferromagnetic insert, which generates heat through hysteresis and resistive heating, eliminating the need for complex mechanical heating elements and temperature control systems found in clinical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables patients to perform MGD treatment at home using a handheld device that requires minimal training. The device automatically controls heating through electromagnetic induction and provides mechanical expression through simple hand movements, making the previously clinic-only procedure accessible for self-administration.
2Reliability
If in-clinic procedures are used, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring professional administration
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed for self-administration at home. Patients simply place the device on their eyelid and perform gentle circular motions, which activates electromagnetic heating and mechanical expression automatically. No professional training or clinic visit is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical systems requiring professional operation are replaced with electromagnetic induction and simple user-guided mechanical motions. The electromagnetic coil automatically generates heat when activated, and the user simply needs to move the device in circular motions for mechanical expression.
3Ease of operation
If traditional warm compresses and massage are used, then ease of operation is improved, but treatment effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional thermal conduction heating is replaced with electromagnetic induction heating. The electromagnetic coil generates an alternating magnetic field that induces currents in the ferromagnetic insert, producing heat directly within the tissue through hysteresis and resistive heating, which is more effective at penetrating and heating the meibomian glands.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic heating rapidly raises the temperature of the meibomian glands to melt the congealed meibum, transitioning it from a solidified state to a liquid state that can be expressed. This controlled thermal phase change is more effective than gradual warming from external compresses.
4Reliability
If invasive procedures are used, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
Invasive mechanical procedures are replaced with non-invasive electromagnetic induction heating. The electromagnetic field penetrates the skin and eyelid tissue without physical intrusion, heating the meibomian glands internally without requiring incisions, injections, or aggressive mechanical manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
A ferromagnetic insert serves as an intermediary that converts electromagnetic energy into localized heat within the tissue. This insert is placed on the skin surface and acts as a mediator to deliver thermal energy deep into the meibomian glands without direct contact or intrusion into the gland structures.
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
Enables safe and effective at-home treatment of MGD by applying controlled heat and mechanical stimulation to the eyelid, expelling meibum from the glands without invasive procedures, providing a non-invasive and user-friendly solution.
Implementation Method 1
The stimulator wand generates radio frequency (RF) energy that is used to induce an electric current in the underlid device, which is used to excite resistive heating elements that generate heat for heating the meibomian glands
Implementation Method 2
The stimulator wand also generates an oscillating magnetic field that attracts ferromagnetic elements on the underlid device and induces oscillatory movement in the underlid device. The oscillatory movement of the underlid device applies a massaging motion to the meibomian glands
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus is configured to treat MGD by applying resistive heating and magnetic-based mechanical stimulation of the eyelid. The system includes an underlid device configured to be inserted on the surface of the eye under the eyelid, and a stimulator wand configured to be held by the user on or adjacent to the eyelid in the area of the underlid device. The stimulator wand generates radio frequency (RF) energy that is used to induce an electric current in the underlid device, which is used to excite resistive heating elements that generate heat for heating the meibomian glands. The stimulator wand also generates an oscillating magnetic field that attracts ferromagnetic elements on the underlid device and induces oscillatory movement in the underlid device. The oscillatory movement of the underlid device applies a massaging motion to the meibomian glands while, at the same time, heating the glands via the heating elements.