Wearable Ocular Phototherapy With Sleep-Phase Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ocular phototherapy treatments for diabetic retinopathy face challenges with patient compliance and inconsistent dosage delivery, leading to inefficiencies and adverse effects.
Innovation Solution
A wearable phototherapy eye device that varies light emission properties based on sleep phases and user-specific factors, using electrodes to measure ERG and EOG responses, and potentially incorporating wireless power transmission and shutters to control light transmissivity, ensuring targeted light delivery to the retina.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If light-emitting sleep masks are used to deliver phototherapy through the closed eyelid, then phototherapy can be provided non-invasively, but patient compliance is poor and treatment efficiency is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adjusts light emission properties (intensity, duration, wavelength) based on real-time detection of sleep phase, retinal oxygenation levels, and individual patient responses. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal therapeutic effect while maintaining patient comfort and compliance throughout treatment sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms including ERG/EOG response measurement, retinal oxygenation monitoring, and sleep phase detection. This feedback loop allows the device to automatically adjust treatment parameters to maintain consistent and effective dosage delivery, resolving the reliability issue.
2Device complexity
If fixed light emission dosage is used, then device operation is simple, but dosage varies significantly between patients and per patient over time
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes multiple light emission parameters (intensity, duration, wavelength, pulse pattern) based on detected patient-specific factors such as sleep phase, retinal oxygenation levels, and physiological responses. This multi-parameter adjustment ensures consistent and precise dosage delivery tailored to each patient's needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurements of patient-specific parameters (ERG/EOG responses, baseline retinal oxygenation, sleep characteristics) before initiating treatment. This preliminary characterization enables the device to pre-calculate optimal emission parameters for consistent and effective therapy from the first treatment session.
3Duration of action of moving object
If continuous light emission is used, then phototherapy coverage is maximized, but sleep disturbance and adverse effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs periodic or pulsed light emission patterns rather than continuous emission. Light is delivered in controlled intervals synchronized with sleep phases and retinal metabolic cycles, maximizing therapeutic benefit while minimizing disruption to natural sleep patterns and reducing adverse effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system preemptively adjusts light emission to counteract potential harmful effects by monitoring sleep phase and retinal oxygenation in real-time. When thresholds indicating potential sleep disturbance or adverse effects are approached, the device automatically reduces or pauses emission, preventing harm before it occurs.
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
Enhances compliance and efficiency of phototherapy by personalizing light emission to meet specific user needs, improving treatment outcomes for diabetic retinopathy.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed in or on the facial housing and configured to emit light towards or from the user eye side
Implementation Method 2
the use of light to modulate retinal metabolism and oxygenation, henceforth referred to as phototherapy
Implementation Method 3
a set of electrodes configured to measure an electroretinogram (ERG) response of the eye retina at different light emission levels
Implementation Method 4
a set of electrodes configured to measure an electrooculogram (EOG) response of the eye retina at different light emission levels
Implementation Method 5
incorporating wireless power transmission and shutters to control light transmissivity
Implementation Method 6
a receiving coil configured to induce electrical current based on a wireless power transmission from a transmission coil
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a wearable phototherapy eye device. In an example, phototherapy can be controlled by varying an emission property of light emitted from the wearable phototherapy eye device to a user eye. In particular, the wearable phototherapy eye device includes a light source oriented to emit the light towards the user eye. The wearable phototherapy eye device also includes controls, such as electrical, mechanical, and/or electro-mechanical controls, to vary the emission property of the light based on an emission target associated with a sleep phase.