DESC:TITLE: A WEARABLE DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRY EYES AND AMBLYOPIA
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure is generally related to wearable devices. Particularly, the present disclosure is related to a wearable device for the treatment of dry eyes and amblyopia.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Amblyopia is a condition that requires affected persons to occlude their normal working eye and force the other eye (lazy eye) to look at objects. By frequently occluding the normal eye and forcing the lazy eye, the visual signal from the eyes to be sent to the brain is adequately improved and, as a result, a significant improvement of the vision or restoration of normal vision is noticed in the lazy eye.
The existing solutions are patching of the normal eye using patch pads, atropine eye drops, contact lenses, and using LCD flicker glasses. But these solutions have vast challenges or issues that need to be addressed.
The challenges with the patch pad for children is that, the sticky glue makes a mark over the eyes and, in most cases, causes irritation and itching of the skin, making the product or the method of treatment uncomfortable.
Atropine drops have pharmacological side effects, while contact lenses are highly uncomfortable and uneasy to administer to amblyopic children.
LCD flicker glasses are highly expensive and require long duration of wear time, and such glasses can only perform flicker function without continuous occlusion process.
Dry eye is a disorder of tear film due to tear deficiency or excessive tear evaporation, which causes damage to the interpalpebral ocular surface. Persons with severe cases of dry eye are at risk of serious ocular health deficiencies, such as corneal ulceration, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and so on.
In today’s digital era, there is an increase in the exposure to digital devices, such as laptops, television, mobiles, etc. This ultimately directly or indirectly leads to dry eye.
Existing solutions available in the art for the treatment of dry eye are the production of artificial tears through eye drops, the use of immunosuppressive medications (for example, ciclosporin-based medications), the use of integrin antagonists, the application of steroid eye drops, the use of hydroxypropyl cellulose-based formulations, inducing the expression of meibomian gland, the use of thermal pulsation systems, and the intake of nutritional supplements.
However, each of the above mentioned solutions suffers from various drawbacks and shortcomings, some of which are detailed below.
Artificial tears produced through eye drops have high viscosity, which causes blurred vision for several minutes after application.
Persons undergoing ciclosporin-based medications typically experience burning eyes during the first few weeks of treatment.
Persons undergoing treatment involving integrin antagonists typically experience eye irritation, alternate taste sensation, and reduced visual acuity.
If used for an extended period of time, steroid eye drops increase the risk of developing high eye pressure or cataracts.
Persons undergoing treatment involving hydroxypropyl cellulose-based formulations typically experience transient blurred vision, eye discomfort or irritation, matting or stickiness of eyelashes, red eye, and sensitivity to light.
Significant amount of pressure is to be applied for stimulating the expression of meibomian gland, which could be uncomfortable and may lead to complications if improper pressure is applied.
Potential side effects from the use of thermal pulsation effects include corneal abrasion, eye pain, swollen eyelids, eyelid irritation and inflammation, chalazion, itching, and redness.
While consuming nutritional supplements, even mild dehydration could result in the worsening of the eye condition.
Last, but not least, most of the above referenced solutions require the supervision of a skilled medical practitioner.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for a device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes is disclosed. The wearable device comprises: a pair of films; an Internet of Things module; an Internet of Things control unit; a plurality of sensors; an at least a control unit; a computer module; and an at least a power source.
The pair of films is cut and configured as a spectacle frame or eye glass frame.
An Internet of Things control unit controls and monitors the operations of the Internet of Things module.
The plurality of sensors facilitates the sensing of the usage of the wearable device, said plurality of sensors including: an at least an accelerometer; an at least a proximity sensor; and an at least a light sensor.
The at least an accelerometer facilitates the real-time monitoring of how the wearable device is handled.
The at least one proximity sensor facilitates the real-time monitoring of whether the wearable device is worn by a patient or not.
The at least one light sensor facilitates the real-time monitoring of the amount of surrounding light.
The at least one control unit receives signals from the plurality of sensors and the at least one power source, and controls and monitors the operations of the wearable device.
The computer module is configured to integrate the plurality of sensors, the Internet of Things module, and the at least one control unit.
The at least one power source powers: the Internet of Things control unit; an electromagnetic oscillating linear actuator; the plurality of sensors; the at least one control unit; and the computer module.
Said wearable device is configured to: shift from transparent to opaque and vice versa; slowly raise the opacity level from 0% to 100% in a step-by-step manner; flicker consistently for a set duration of time; and make only specific regions of the wearable device become opaque or transparent.
The disclosed wearable device is drop-free, drug-free, easy to use, portable, cost-effective, and capable of being used by the user directly without the supervision of a skilled medical practitioner. Further, it may also be used in sports training for activities such as focusing on a target, spatial attention, brain-neural-motor connection, hand eye coordination, and fast skill learning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, in accordance with the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, in accordance with the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, in accordance with the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates the components inside a wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5a illustrates a normal state of a wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5b and Figure 5c illustrate a wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, with one side being opaque and the other side being transparent, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
Figure 6a illustrates the slow blurring of a wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6b illustrates the increase in opacity level of a wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6c illustrates an embodiment of a wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, with the device becoming fully opaque, in accordance with the present disclosure; and
Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of a wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, with a specific region becoming opaque, in accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Throughout this specification, the use of the words "comprise", “have”, “contain”, and “include”, and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", “having”, “contains”, “containing”, “includes”, and “including” may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited. The disclosed embodiments may be embodied in various other forms as well.
Throughout this specification, the disclosure of any range is to be construed as being inclusive of the lower limit of the range and the upper limit of the range.
Throughout this specification, the phrases “at least a”, “at least an”, and “at least one” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word plurality is to be construed as being inclusive of at least one.
Throughout this specification, the phrase ‘application on a computing device’ and its variations are to be construed as being inclusive of: application installable on a computing device, website hosted on a computing device, web application installed on a computing device, website accessible from a computing device, and web application accessible from a computing device.
Throughout this specification, the phrase ‘computing device’ and its variations are to be construed as being inclusive of: the Cloud, remote servers, desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, phablets, and smart watches.
A wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable device is an occlusion spectacle (or occlusion glasses).
As illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, an embodiment of the wearable device comprises a pair of films, which is cut and configured as a spectacle frame or eye glass frame.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of films is made of PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) or PNLC (Polymer Network Liquid Crystal).
The wearable device also comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) module; and an at least a power source. The wearable device may also comprise a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
As illustrated in Figure 4, a temple (i.e. side) of the wearable device comprises the at least one power source that is associated with a charging array, said at least one power source powering: an Internet of Things (IoT) control unit that controls and monitors the operations of the IoT module; a computer module; an electromagnetic oscillating linear actuator; a plurality of sensors; and an at least a control unit.
The at least one control unit receives signals from the plurality of sensors and the at least one power source, and controls and monitors the operations of the wearable device.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the computer module is configured to comprise a WARP, which is a small embedded computer system that integrates the plurality of sensors, the IoT module, and the at least one control unit of the wearable device. The WARP also helps to easily change or adapt or update the hardware configuration. The computer module, functions along with the IoT module, to instruct the wearable device, based on the inputs received through the IoT module.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one power source is an at least a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. The battery may be charged via the temples of the wearable device through USB Type C adapter and charging dock.
Alternately, or in addition, linear charging may also be possible, in which the wearable device rests in a covered case or box or housing, and the box or case or housing may be either plugged in for charging or may be wirelessly charged.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the IoT control unit is a microchip.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of sensors includes: an at least an accelerometer; an at least a proximity sensor; and an at least a light sensor.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of sensors further includes an at least a gyroscope.
The plurality of sensors facilitates the sensing of the usage of the wearable device (for example, is the patient wearing the wearable device or not? If the patient wears, what is the extent or the duration of wear?).
The at least one proximity sensor facilitates the real-time monitoring of whether the wearable device is worn by the patient or not. Data, such as worn or not and duration of wearing, is recorded and monitored with the at least one proximity sensor.
The at least one light sensor facilitates the real-time monitoring of the amount of surrounding light. This helps monitor the wearable device usage for patients with dry eyes in long term
The at least one accelerometer facilitates the real-time monitoring of how the wearable device is handled (for example, dropping to the ground; and handling with too much force). It is used for monitoring the device warranty and to send updates and instructions to the patients for careful and proper usage of the device.
The at least one gyroscope facilitates hard tactile and motion-based inputs.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one control unit is a microcontroller.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one control unit is a Single Board Computer.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one control unit is a System on Chip.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, all the components in the temple of the wearable device are protected by silicone gasket internally, and are connected internally using safe ‘Flex cables’ with strong resistors for protection.
The pair of films is associated with the at least one power source via an at least a copper bush bar, which is associated with a first end of the films, and, further associated with the at least one control unit (or at least one control unit-integrated PCB) and the IoT module.
The wearable device may be controlled and/or configured and/or operated through a plurality of operation buttons that is strategically disposed at various locations on the wearable device, or it may also be controlled and/or configured and/or operated remotely through an application on a computing device, via the IoT module.
The application on a computing device is configured for use by patients (with limited functions) and by doctors or medical practitioners (full functions). Though not every patient might require medical monitoring or assistance, it is good to have a data set such that medical practitioners can refer to, when needed.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the data from the at least one control unit is transmitted through the IoT control unit and/or the at least one control unit to: the IoT module, a server, and/or to the cloud. The data includes: usage of sensors; how long each sensor was used; duration of wearable device usage; power remaining; and/or duration and type of flicker mechanism used.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the data from the at least one control unit is transmitted through the IoT control unit and/or the at least one control unit to the IoT module and/or the application on a computing device. The data includes: usage of sensors; how long each sensor was used; duration of wearable device usage; power remaining; and/or duration and type of flicker mechanism used.
The transmission of the data through the IoT control unit and/or the at least one control unit may occur through any wired or wireless technology known in the art, including, but not limited to, wireless internet, mobile data, Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth 4.0, Near-Field Communication, or the like.
The wearable device is configured to be initially transparent (if PNLC film is used) or opaque (if PDLC film is used). When turned on and power is supplied through the at least one power source and the at least one control unit, it becomes opaque (if PNLC film is used) or transparent (if PDLC film is used). The intensity of the opacity is controllable and/or configurable in a step-by-step manner or through an on/off input.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable device is also configured to comprise a section to add refractive correction (lenses) into the spectacle frame at a front or rear side.
There are four different functionalities in the wearable device. Any function may be set or configured and/or controlled by a user of the wearable device or an operator of the application installable on a computing device.
Transparency and Opaqueness:
As illustrated in Figure 5a, Figure 5b, and Figure 5c, the wearable device is configured to shift from transparent to opaque and vice versa, depending on the duration of input set by the user of the wearable device or the operator of the application installable on a computing device.
Automated Opacity Shift:
As illustrated in Figure 6a, Figure 6b, and Figure 6c, while turning the opacity function on, instead of shifting to 100% opaque, this function allows the glasses to slowly raise the opacity level from 0% to 100% in a step-by-step manner.
Thus, the user does not notice any occlusion in either eye all of a sudden. The input of voltage to the films determines the opacity level.
Flicker:
This function enables the wearable device to flicker consistently for a set duration of time.
Spot Opacity:
As illustrated in Figure 7, only specific regions of the wearable device may be configured to become opaque or transparent (such as the central region of the film on the glass). By using this function, the central visual field of the patient gets occluded and becomes transparent on a consistent basis. This particular function also improves the binocular function of amblyopic patients.
The wearable device helps in the treatment of dry eye symptoms by increasing blink rate, increasing post task tear stability, and reducing ocular surface symptoms. The fixed partial or full occlusion rate and flicker rate for a given time frame, through the wearable device, induces the patients to blink periodically.
The flicker and occlusion serve as a stimulus (i.e. with regards to change in light and introduction of sudden peripheral stimuli) to activate eye blink reflex action. When the eye blinks (i.e. when eye lids show movement over the ocular surface), the tear stability is increased.
Consistent blink rate helps reduce dry eye symptoms. The treatment in a consistent manner will help patients to overcome dry eyes.
The configuration of the temple of the wearable device may be changed frequently for children. The colour of the PDLC/PNLC film, when it becomes opaque, could be of different variants like pale white, white, light blue, grey, yellow, green, brown, black, etc.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable device is coupled with polarized film sheets (thickness ranging from 6 mm to 1 mm). With the help of orientation-aligned polarized glasses, the wearable device acts as a privacy shield (i.e. only the users with the polarized glass can see the display activity, for others, it might look as a plain white or black screen).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable device comprises other electrochromic films, such as polymer stabilized liquid crystals (PSLC), nematic diacrylate monomers (NDM), bistable salt doped cholesteric liquid crystal texture light shutter film (BCT), dynamic scattering mode nematic liquid crystals (DSMNLC), electrochromic glass, and low molecular mass nematic liquid crystals.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable device is a micro projector or pico projector-embedded PDLC glass/spectacle for the purpose of ‘Digital - Prosthetic eyes.’
The disclosed wearable device is drop-free, drug-free, easy to use, portable, cost-effective, and capable of being used by the user directly without the supervision of a skilled medical practitioner. Further, it may also be used in sports training for activities such as focusing on a target, spatial attention, brain-neural-motor connection, hand eye coordination, and fast skill learning.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure may be made by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, additions, alterations and improvements should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure. ,CLAIMS:1. A wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes, comprising:
a pair of films, which is cut and configured as a spectacle frame or eye glass frame;
an Internet of Things module, with an Internet of Things control unit controlling and monitoring the operations of the Internet of Things module;
a plurality of sensors that facilitates the sensing of the usage and handling of the wearable device, said plurality of sensors including:
an at least an accelerometer that facilitates the real-time monitoring of how the wearable device is handled;
an at least a proximity sensor that facilitates the real-time monitoring of whether the wearable device is worn by a patient or not; and
an at least a light sensor that facilitates the real-time monitoring of the amount of surrounding light;
an at least a control unit that receives signals from the plurality of sensors and an at least a power source, and controls and monitors the operations of the wearable device;
a computer module that is configured to integrate the plurality of sensors, the Internet of Things module, and the at least one control unit; and
the at least one power source, said at least one power source powering: the Internet of Things control unit; an electromagnetic oscillating linear actuator; the plurality of sensors; the at least one control unit; and the computer module,
with said wearable device being configured to: shift from transparent to opaque and vice versa; slowly raise the opacity level from 0% to 100% in a step-by-step manner; flicker consistently for a set duration of time; and make only specific regions of the wearable device become opaque or transparent.
2. The wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of films is made of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal.
3. The wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of films is made of Polymer Network Liquid Crystal.
4. The wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IoT control unit is a microchip.
5. The wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one control unit is a microcontroller, a Single Board Computer, or a System on Chip.
6. The wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wearable device is controlled or configured or operated through a plurality of operation buttons that is disposed on the wearable device.
7. The wearable device for the treatment of amblyopia and dry eyes as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes an at least a gyroscope.