LU601887B1

LU601887B1 - Pulsed Steam Eye Fumigation Device for Alleviating Dry Eye Syndrome

Info

Publication number: LU601887B1
Application number: LU601887A
Authority: LU
Inventors: Jingying Wang; Yishuang Dai; Haixia Wu; Zekun Zhou
Original assignee: Chongqing Medical & Pharmaceutical College
Priority date: 2025-06-03
Filing date: 2025-06-03
Publication date: 2025-12-03

Abstract

An ocular pulsed steam eye-fumigation device for alleviating dry eye syndrome is disclosed. The device comprises a base, a housing containing, from bottom to top, a steam-generation chamber, a heating chamber, an air-conduction chamber, an injection chamber and a fumigation chamber; a nasal-eye mask mounted at the upper edge of the fumigation chamber; and a controller. A massage assembly including pulsed massage patches is mounted on the nasal-eye mask and electrically connected to the controller. During operation, high-temperature steam softens meibum and improves local circulation, while transdermal pulsed electrical stimulation of periocular acupoints provides simultaneous massage. The combined “thermal-electric-biological” multimodal therapy enhances efficacy, safety and patient compliance.

Description

Pulsed Steam Eye Fumigation Device for Alleviating Dry Eye Syndrome 0601887

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of ocular steam-fumigation devices, and ın particular to a pulsed steam eye-fumigation apparatus designed to alleviate dry eye syndrome.

Background Art

Dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) is a chronic ocular-surface disorder caused by insufficient tear secretion, reduced tear-film stability or excessive tear evaporation. Its aetiology is multifactorial, including poor visual habits, overuse of electronic devices, age-related or physiological degeneration of relevant glands, vitamin A deficiency and ocular surgery or trauma.

With the widespread adoption of electronic products, dry eye syndrome has transcended its traditional “middle-aged and elderly” demographic and now increasingly affects adolescents and office workers, exhibiting a trend towards younger and more ubiquitous incidence. Remote work and online education have further exacerbated ocular strain, rendering dry eye a global health concern.

There is therefore an urgent need for a convenient and effective means of mitigating this “ocular assassin” to meet the demands of sustained, high-frequency visual tasks.

Existing auxiliary therapies for dry eye primarily employ conventional steam eye masks or fumigation devices. For example, CN 118902842 A discloses a nano-steam eye-fumigation instrument for treating floaters or dry eye syndrome, which promotes meibomian-gland lipid secretion via constant-temperature heat compress to stabilise the tear film. However, such technologies suffer from significant limitations: they rely exclusively on steam thermotherapy without active modulation of periocular microcirculation or lacrimal-gland function; they adopt a passive treatment regimen without biofeedback, so therapeutic efficacy varies widely among users; and treatments such as steam fumigation, physical massage and pulsed electrical stimulation are typically used in isolation, making it difficult to achieve a multidimensional improvement of the ocular-surface metabolic environment.. LU601887

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a pulsed steam eye-fumigation device for alleviating dry eye syndrome. The device comprises a base, a housing, a nasal-eye mask and a controller. Inside the housing, from bottom to top in sequence, are arranged a steam-generation chamber, a heating chamber, an air-conduction chamber, an injection chamber and a fumigation chamber, the nasal-eye mask being positioned at the upper edge of the fumigation chamber. À massage assembly, electrically connected to the controller, is mounted on the nasal-eye mask and includes at least one pulsed massage patch.

High-temperature steam (e.g. 40-45 °C) generated in the steam-generation and heating chambers softens meibomian-gland secretions to unblock the glands and stabilise the tear-film lipid layer, while conveying therapeutic agents (such as artificial tears or anti-inflammatory compounds) directly to the conjunctiva to accelerate inflammation resolution. Simultaneously, the pulsed massage patches promote periocular blood-vessel dilation, enhance local oxygenation and metabolic-waste clearance, and relieve orbicularis oculi muscle spasms and elevated intraocular pressure. The combined “steam— massage-drug” therapy produces a synergistic effect that surpasses single-mode treatments in efficacy, safety and patient compliance.

In one embodiment, the injection chamber contains a fixed injection plate bearing injection holes and a sliding injection plate bearing corresponding ventilation holes. A PWM-controlled solenoid valve directs pressurised steam alternately into each side of a piston cylinder, driving the sliding plate in a pulsed fashion so that steam is intermittently expelled into the fumigation chamber. This pulsed steam delivery minimises thermal risk, induces a thermal-shock effect to stimulate mucin-secreting goblet cells, and drives medicament particles deep into conjunctival folds to enhance local drug concentration and therapeutic uptake.

In another embodiment, the massage assembly comprises a rigid support plate, massage beads movably mounted thereon, an underlying inflatable airbag chamber lined with an elastic membrane beneath each bead, and dedicated inflation and deflation conduits with solenoid-controlled valves.

Coordinated pulsing of the solenoid valve inflates both the piston cylinder and the airbags, causing LU601887 simultaneous steam pulses and edge-point massage of periocular and perinasal acupoints; reverse deflation retracts the plates and beads, achieving synchronous steam-massage stimulation for optimal multimodal synergy.

A soft silicone seal around the support plate conforms to the user’s facial contours, preventing steam leakage and improving comfort. Pulsed massage patches distributed on the silicone seal further augment electrical-pulse stimulation. Integrated temperature and pressure sensors in the fumigation chamber, all wired to the controller, provide real-time monitoring to avoid overheating or over-pressurisation. A detachable water tank and steam generator, with electrically actuated valves, permit rapid replacement of water or medicated solutions to reduce cross-infection and enable multi-indication use (e.g. allergic conjunctivitis, rhinitis). A heating element in the heating chamber, flanked by filter plates, refines the steam to an optimal dryness and particle size, reducing total steam consumption while maximising efficacy.

The controller interfaces with a display and control panel equipped with push-buttons to allow the user to select treatment modes and adjust intensity parameters.

By integrating steam thermotherapy, pulsed mechanical massage and transdermal electrical stimulation with adaptive control of temperature, humidity and pulse parameters, the invention achieves a “thermal—electric—biological” multimodal treatment that overcomes the limitations of existing single-mode devices, providing a safe, precise and efficient solution for the relief and treatment of dry eye syndrome with enhanced patient adherence.

Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the pulsed steam eye-fumigation device for alleviating dry eye syndrome according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of region A in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic external structural view of the pulsed steam eye-fumigation device according to

Embodiment 1 of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the nasal-eye mask of the pulsed steam eye-fumigation device according to

Embodiment 1 of the invention. LU601887

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, but it is not to be construed as limiting the invention thereto. Unless otherwise specified, the techniques and materials used in the following embodiments and examples are conventional to those skilled in the art, and all materials and reagents can be obtained from commercial sources.

List of References: Base (1); Housing (2); Nasal-eye mask (3); Display screen (41); Control button (42); Power switch (43); Water reservoir (51); Steam generator (52); Water outlet tube (53); Outlet valve (54); Heating element (61); Filter plate (62); Fixed injection plate (71); Injection hole (72):

Sliding injection plate (73); Ventilation hole (74); PWM solenoid valve (75); Inlet tube (76); Return tube (77); Piston cylinder (78); Support plate (81); Massage bead (82); Airbag chamber (83); Elastic membrane (84); Branch tube (85); Exhaust tube (86); Seal sheet (87); Pulsed massage patch (88):

Temperature sensor (91); Pressure sensor (92).

Embodiment 1:

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the pulsed steam eye-fumigation device for alleviating dry eye syndrome comprises a base (1), a housing (2), a nasal-eye mask (3) and a controller. Within the housing (2), from bottom to top in sequence, are provided a steam-generation chamber, a heating chamber, an air-conduction chamber, an injection chamber and a fumigation chamber. The nasal-eye mask (3) is located at the upper edge of the fumigation chamber, and a massage assembly is mounted on the nasal-eye mask (3).

A water reservoir (51) and a steam generator (52) are arranged in the steam-generation chamber.

A water outlet tube (53) connects the water reservoir (51) to the steam generator (52), and an outlet valve (54) is provided on the water outlet tube (53). The outlet valve (54) and the steam generator (52) are electrically connected to the controller. During operation, the water reservoir (51) supplies water to the steam generator (52) to form ambient-temperature steam. Preferably, the water reservoir (51) is detachably connected to the housing (2), for example by a magnetic attachment, to facilitate removal and refilling.

A heating element (61) is provided in the heating chamber, flanked by filter plates (62). The heating element (61) is electrically connected to the controller. The filter plates (62) refine the steam into fine, dry steam, which is then conveyed to the air-conduction chamber for temporary storage. 5

The injection chamber houses a fixed injection plate (71) with injection holes (72) and a sliding injection plate (73) bearing corresponding ventilation holes (74). A PWM-controlled solenoid valve (75) is mounted in the housing (2) and is electrically connected to the controller. The solenoid valve (75) is a five-port, three-way type, and is connected via an inlet tube (76) and a return tube (77) to a piston cylinder (78). One end of the piston cylinder (78) is fixedly attached to the sliding injection plate (73). By setting an appropriate duty cycle, the controller operates the solenoid valve (75) to alternately admit pressurised steam into either side of the piston cylinder (78), causing the sliding plate (73) to reciprocate and pulse the stored steam into the fumigation chamber. Pulsed steam delivery minimises thermal risk and induces a thermal-shock effect that stimulates goblet-cell mucin secretion and enhances drug penetration when medicated solutions are used.

The massage assembly includes a support plate (81), massage beads (82) movably mounted thereto, and underlying airbag chambers (83) for driving the beads. Each airbag chamber (83) is formed of a rigid material and has an elastic membrane (84) at the bead-contacting position. A branch tube (85) links each airbag chamber (83) to the inlet tube (76), and an exhaust tube (86) fitted with an electrically controlled exhaust valve connects to the side of each chamber (83). The support plate (81) is provided with through-holes of diameter slightly less than the beads (82), so that the beads are retained yet free to protrude. During a steam-pulse cycle, the PWM solenoid valve (75) inflates both the piston cylinder (78) and the airbags (83), causing the elastic membranes (84) to push the beads (82) against periocular and perinasal acupoints. On exhaust, the sliding plate (73) retracts to seal the fixed plate (71), the exhaust valves open, and the beads retract in synchrony, achieving simultaneous steam-massage stimulation.

A soft silicone seal sheet (87) is attached to the outside of the support plate (81), conforming to the user’s facial contours to prevent steam leakage. Multiple pulsed massage patches (88), in circular or arcuate shapes, are arranged on the silicone seal (87) at key acupoints (e.g. Taiyang, Yingxiang,

Cuanzhu, Sibai). The patches (88) are electrically connected to the controller for adjustment of pulse LU601887 frequency, current and pulse-width parameters.

À temperature sensor (91) and a pressure sensor (92), both wired to the controller, are provided in the fumigation chamber to monitor real-time conditions and prevent overheating or over-pressurisation.

In one implementation, the controller is a PLC unit electrically connected to a display screen (41), control buttons (42) on a control panel, a power supply and a power switch (43), enabling the user to select modes and treatment intensities. Power 1s supplied via a detachable external supply and plug-in power cord.

The water reservoir (51) may hold water or an herbal steam solution. In a preferred embodiment, an herbal composition for dry eye relief comprises Chrysanthemum 15 parts, Goji berry 15 parts,

Polygonatum 15 parts, Enchanter’s nightshade 15 parts, Mulberry leaf 20 parts and Cassia seed 20 parts (see Table 1 for pharmacological properties).

The above-described embodiments and examples illustrate the principles of the invention.

Various modifications and adaptations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Medicinal Nature & Meridian Indications Modern Pharmacological

Ingredient Flavor Tropism Action

Cold; sweet, Liver Dispels wind- Contains essential oils and

Chrysanthemum slightly bitter heat; calms the flavonoids; antioxidant and y liver; brightens anti-inflammatory; helps the eyes relieve dry-eye symptoms

Neutral; sweet Liver, Tonifies liver and Rich in B-carotene and .. Kidney kidney; benefits lutein; antioxidant;

Goji Berry . . ; essence; brightens increases tear secretion; eyes alleviates ocular dryness

Polygonatum | Neutral; sweet Spleen, Tonifies liver and | Contains polysaccharides, (Huangjing) Lung, Kidney | kidney; moistens saponins and flavonoids; lungs; nourishes | antioxidant; reduces retinal yin oxidative damage

Enchanter’s Slightly cold; Liver Clears heat and Stimulates lacrimal-gland

Nightshade sweet fire; nourishes secretion; antioxidant and

Flower liver; brightens anti-inflammatory; LU601887 (Mimenghua) eyes increases tear volume

Mulberry Leaf Cold; Lung, Liver | Disperses wind- Contains flavonoids; bitter-sweet heat; clears lungs; anti-inflammatory; moistens dryness alleviates dry-eye discomfort

Cassia Seed Cold; sweet, Liver, Large Clears liver; Contains anthraquinones (Juemingzi) bitter, salty Intestine brightens eyes; and flavonoids; moistens bowels anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; promotes tear secretion

Table 1: Pharmacological Properties of the Herbal Composition

The above ingredient ratios are relative proportions; actual quantities may be adjusted according to the patient’s condition (e.g. severity, area of lesion) and the capacity of the fumigation device. By way of reference only, the weight of each herb per batch is 50-150 g, with 2-3 L of water added; it is preferable that the decoction volume fill approximately two-thirds of the water reservoir (51).

The herbal composition is prepared as follows: mix the aforementioned herbs in the specified proportions, soak in cold water for 20 minutes, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. The resulting decoction yields a medicated steam solution ready for use in the fumigation device.

Introduce the prepared medicated steam solution into the water reservoir (51), install the reservoir in the pulsed steam eye-fumigation device, and energise the device to begin fumigation. Treatment is administered 1-2 times daily, with each session not exceeding 30 minutes. During fumigation, the patient should gently close the eyes and align the nasal-eye mask to the device to ensure optimal delivery of steam to the ocular and nasal regions.

The foregoing detailed embodiments are for illustrative purposes only. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. The specification and examples are therefore not to be construed as limiting the claimed invention.

Claims

Claims LU601887

1. À pulsed steam eye-fumigation device for alleviating dry eye syndrome, comprising: a base; a housing containing, from bottom to top in sequence, a steam-generation chamber, a heating chamber, an air-conduction chamber, an injection chamber and a fumigation chamber; a nasal-eye mask mounted at an upper edge of the fumigation chamber; and a controller; wherein the nasal-eye mask carries a massage assembly electrically connected to the controller, the massage assembly including at least one pulsed massage patch.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the injection chamber houses: a fixed injection plate provided with one or more injection holes; a sliding injection plate slidably mounted beneath the fixed injection plate and having ventilation hole(s) aligned with the injection hole(s); and a PWM-controlled solenoid valve electrically connected to the controller and coupled via an inlet tube and a return tube to a piston cylinder whose output end is fixed to the sliding injection plate, whereby the solenoid valve alternately pulses pressurised steam into opposite sides of the piston cylinder to reciprocate the sliding injection plate and intermittently expel steam into the fumigation chamber.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the massage assembly comprises: a support plate; one or more massage beads movably mounted on the support plate; an airbag chamber beneath each bead for driving movement thereof; an elastic membrane at each bead position; and a branch tube connecting each airbag chamber to the inlet tube and an exhaust tube with a controllable exhaust valve, whereby coordinated inflation and deflation of the airbag chambers in sync with the steam pulses produces simultaneous pulsed massage and steam delivery.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the support plate carries a silicone seal sheet around its periphery to conform to the user’s facial contours and prevent steam leakage.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the silicone seal sheet bears a plurality of electrically connected pulsed massage patches of circular or arcuate shape overlying periocular and perinasal acupoints.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor arranged in the fumigation chamber and electrically connected to the controller for real-time monitoring of steam conditions.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the steam-generation chamber houses a detachable water reservoir and a steam generator connected via a water-outlet tube equipped with an electrically actuated outlet valve, the reservoir and valve being electrically connected to the controller.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the water reservoir is detachably mounted to the housing.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating chamber contains a heating element flanked by filter plates, the heating element being electrically connected to the controller.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is electrically connected to a display screen, a control panel bearing a plurality of control buttons, a power supply and a power switch.