Wireless Stimulus Coil for Chronic Intraocular Pressure Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for glaucoma, such as eye drops and surgeries, provide only acute relief and have limited success in chronically reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) with a risk of infection and side effects, while hard-wired electrical stimulation poses additional risks.
Innovation Solution
A wireless stimulation system using an improved stimulus coil and pulse generator to administer electromagnetic fields to the eye, reducing IOP by decreasing aqueous humor inflow and increasing outflow through a closed-loop control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard-wired electrodes with leads are used to stimulate the eye to reduce IOP, then electrical stimulation can be delivered to reduce intraocular pressure, but the risk of infection increases due to the physical drainage element extending outside the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the external leads and wiring from the stimulation system, leaving only the implantable electrode array within the eye. This eliminates the external connection pathway that would allow bacterial entry, thereby removing the infection risk while maintaining the electrical stimulation function for IOP reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless power and data transmission system as an intermediary between the external controller and the implantable electrode array. This intermediary enables communication and power transfer without physical penetration of the eye, maintaining sterility while allowing system control and monitoring
2Reliability
If eye drops are used to reduce IOP, then fluid flow can be regulated to lower intraocular pressure, but the relief is only acute and not effective for chronic glaucoma management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a chronic stimulation regime where the implantable electrode array delivers continuous or periodically interrupted electrical stimulation over extended periods. This continuous action on the ciliary body and aqueous humor outflow structures provides sustained IOP reduction, transforming the acute effect into a chronic therapeutic solution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a programmable stimulation system that can dynamically adjust parameters such as pulse frequency, amplitude, and duty cycle based on patient needs and response. This dynamic control allows optimization of therapeutic effect over time, adapting to changing conditions while maintaining chronic effectiveness
3Reliability
If surgical approaches are used to create drainage channels or openings in the eye, then aqueous humor outflow can be increased to reduce IOP, but the risk of infection increases due to the physical drainage element extending outside the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical drainage structures (stents, blebs, or shunts that physically extend outside the eye) with an electrical stimulation system. By using electrical fields to modulate aqueous humor production and outflow, the system achieves IOP reduction without creating external openings or pathways for bacterial entry
4Ease of operation
If a wireless power transfer assembly with multiple coils is used to stimulate the eye, then electromagnetic fields can be delivered to reduce IOP, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional coils into a single integrated wireless power transfer assembly. The multi-coil structure is configured to provide both power transfer and stimulation functions, with coils arranged to create the necessary electromagnetic field patterns. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture
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 effectively and safely reduces IOP by modulating fluid flow in the eye, offering chronic relief without infection risks and side effects, using a wireless and implantable solution.
Implementation Method 1
an improved stimulus coil for use with a wireless power transfer (WPT) system adapted to wirelessly administer energy to an eye
Implementation Method 2
The improved stimulus coil may also be implanted in the eye of a mammalian subject... stimulate at least one intraocular structure to reduce an elevated intraocular pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An improved stimulus coil for use in wireless stimulation of biological tissue (e.g., nerves, muscle tissue, etc.) and, in one exemplary implementation, to glaucoma therapy based on the wireless administration of energy to the eye of a mammalian subject (e.g., human, rodent, etc.) to reduce an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) involving the use of an improved stimulus coil. The improved stimulus coil may be implanted in the eye of a mammalian subject or positioned on the exterior of the eye, such as (by way of example) by being disposed within a contact lens worn by a mammalian subject.