Head-worn Vision Therapy Apparatus with Negative Pressure Skin Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-worn apparatuses for delivering electrical stimulus to the eyes are inadequate in effectively treating eye diseases such as macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy, as they lack efficient energy delivery mechanisms and tissue contact optimization.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface apparatus with a first eyepiece fitted over the eye, a strap with a return electrode, and a pulse generator that generates electrical outputs to test and deliver stimulation, ensuring adequate tissue contact and therapeutic efficacy, while also incorporating features like negative air pressure and electrochromatic properties for diagnostic imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional head-worn apparatuses are used for delivering electrical stimulus to the eyes, then the device structure is simple, but the energy delivery efficiency and tissue contact effectiveness are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into multiple functional components: an eyepiece assembly with electrodes for ocular stimulation, a separate pulse generator for electrical signal generation, and a headband for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A conductive gel or saline-soaked pad is introduced as an intermediary between the electrodes and the skin/eye tissue. This intermediary enhances electrical conductivity and ensures reliable tissue contact, directly addressing the reliability issue while adding only minimal structural complexity.
2Reliability
If the eyepiece is designed to fit tightly over the eye for better electrode contact, then tissue contact improves, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The eyepiece applies localized pressure only at the electrode contact points with the skin, rather than uniformly across the entire eye area. This allows sufficient contact pressure for reliable electrical stimulus delivery while maintaining comfort in non-contact regions, resolving the contradiction between contact reliability and patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The eyepiece incorporates flexible, conformable materials that can adapt to the patient's eye shape and movement. This flexibility ensures consistent electrode-to-tissue contact while accommodating natural eye movements and reducing discomfort, thereby improving both reliability and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If multiple electrodes are used for better stimulation coverage, then therapeutic efficacy improves, but device complexity and electrical isolation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse generator is extracted as a separate, external component rather than being integrated into the eyepiece. This allows multiple electrodes to be simplified as contact points connected to a single external control unit, reducing the complexity of electrical isolation requirements within the wearable portion while maintaining therapeutic efficacy through coordinated multi-electrode stimulation.
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 apparatus provides improved tissue contact and energy delivery, effectively arresting or reversing disease progression in eye conditions by ensuring precise electrical stimulation and diagnostic capabilities, enhancing treatment outcomes for patients with eye diseases.
Implementation Method 1
A first eyepiece adapted to fit over and around at least one eye of the patient; a strap to hold the first eyepiece on the head of the patient, the strap being coupled to a return electrode, wherein the return electrode is tethered to the strap for placement of the return electrode on the neck, chest, shoulder or back of the patient; wherein the first eyepiece comprises at least first and second electrodes electrically isolated from one another
Implementation Method 2
the first eyepiece includes a skin interface adapted to seal relative to the skin of the patient, further wherein the first eyepiece is adapted for delivering negative air pressure to a chamber defined by the skin of the patient and the skin interface, securing the first and second electrodes into electrical contact with the skin of the patient
Implementation Method 3
The first eyepiece may include an electrochromatic portion adapted to be transparent in a first state and opaque or semi-opaque in a second state
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for use in delivering stimulation to the head of a patient, including examples directed to delivering electrical or other stimulation to the eye of the patient. In some examples eyepieces or eyepatches are configured to deliver electrical or other stimulus to the eye of a patient by being worn on the face of the patient.