System and method to induce epigenetic changes to the cells and tissue of the eye and orbit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12403311-B2
Application number	US-202017766600-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 28, 2020
Priority date	Oct 28, 2019
Publication date	Sep 2, 2025
Grant date	Sep 2, 2025

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus for causing changes to cells or tissue within or adjacent to an eye. The system includes an external RF coil configured to transmit RF signals. The system also includes a wearable device configured to be removably disposed on the eye, the wearable device including a plurality of internal radiofrequency (RF) coils configured to receive the RF signals from the external RF coil and a plurality of stimulating electrodes configured to electromagnetically stimulate a portion of the eye or an area adjacent to the eye, causing changes to cells or tissue within or adjacent to the eye.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
an external radiofrequency (RF) coil configured to transmit RF signals toward an eye of a user, the external RF coil configured to be spaced apart from the eye of the user when transmitting the RF signals; and
a wearable device including:
a curved material configured to be removably disposed on the eye and having an aperture located at a center of the curved material to allow for corneal oxygenation,
a plurality of internal RF coils located on or within the curved material and configured to receive the RF signals from the external RF coil, and
a plurality of stimulating electrodes including a positive electrode and a negative electrode electrically connected to the plurality of internal RF coils, the positive electrode positioned on the curved material and configured to electromagnetically stimulate a retina of the eye, causing changes to cells or tissue of the eye or causing changes to cells or tissue adjacent to the eye.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stimulating electrodes further including a ground electrode, wherein the positive electrode is positioned on an inner surface of the curved material, and wherein the negative electrode and the ground electrode are positioned on an outer surface of the curved material or an area of the user's body near or surrounding the eye.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the curved material includes a plurality of grooves, and each internal RF coil of the plurality of internal RF coils is configured to be located in a respective groove of the plurality of grooves.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the internal RF coils are made of metals or other conductive materials.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the positive electrode produces a symmetric or asymmetric charge-balanced waveform that is used to stimulate the retina of the eye or an area adjacent to the eye.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the external RF coil is integrated into a mask or an eyeglass frame configured to be worn by the user.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stimulating electrodes are further configured to electromagnetically stimulate a lacrimal gland for treatment of dry eye.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stimulating electrodes are further configured to electromagnetically stimulate an optic nerve.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stimulating electrodes are further configured to electromagnetically stimulate a ciliary body.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the positive electrode is positioned on a lesser curvature of the curved material and the negative electrode is positioned on a greater curvature of the curved material.

11. A system for transcorneal electrical stimulation, comprising:
an external radiofrequency (RF) coil configured to transmit RF signals; and
a wearable device configured to be removably disposed on an eye of a user, the wearable device including:
a curved material configured to be removably placed on the eye, the curved material having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface configured to removably contact the eye, the curved material defining an aperture located at a center of the curved material to allow for corneal oxygenation,
a plurality of internal RF coils located within the curved material and configured to receive the RF signals from the external RF coil, and
a plurality of stimulating electrodes electrically connected to the plurality of internal RF coils, the plurality of stimulating electrodes including a ground electrode located on the outer surface of the curved material, a negative electrode located on the inner surface or the outer surface of the curved material, and a positive electrode located on the inner surface of the curved material and configured to electromagnetically stimulate a portion of the eye or an area adjacent to the eye, causing changes to cells or tissue of the eye or causing changes to cells or tissue adjacent to the eye.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of stimulating electrodes include one or more capacitors and one or more diodes.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein:
the curved material includes a plurality of grooves; and
each internal RF coil of the plurality of internal RF coils is configured to be located in a respective groove of the plurality of grooves.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the internal RF coils are made of metals or other conductive materials.

15. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a circuit configured to generate or produce a symmetric or asymmetric charge-balanced waveform used to stimulate the portion of the eye or the area adjacent to the eye.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the external RF coil is integrated into a mask or an eyeglass frame configured to be worn by the user.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the area adjacent to the eye is a lacrimal gland for treatment of dry eye.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the portion of the eye is a retina and/or an optic nerve.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the portion of the eye is a ciliary body.

20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of stimulating electrodes are powered by a triboelectric generator.

Assignees

• Univ Southern California

Inventors

• Humayun Mark S
• Lazzi Gianluca
• Salhia Bodour
• Machnoor Manjunath
• Paknahad Javad

Classifications

• C12Q2600/154

  Methylation markers · CPC title

• C12Q2600/106

  Pharmacogenomics, i.e. genetic variability in individual responses to drugs and drug metabolism · CPC title

• C12Q1/6883

  for diseases caused by alterations of genetic material · CPC title

• C12Q1/6874

  involving nucleic acid arrays, e.g. sequencing by hybridisation · CPC title

• A61N1/40

  Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling (microwave apparatus A61N5/00); {Applying radio-frequency signals} · CPC title