Device and method for pupil size modulation

Abstract

A device and method are presented for drug-free, non-invasive, modulation of a size of a patient's pupil. The invention utilizes application of an external electric and/or magnetic field of desired properties to the patient's iris to thereby effect stimulation or neutralization of synapses and thus temporarily inducing mydriasis or miosis effect.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A medical device for affecting a region of interest in a patient's body, wherein:
 the device is configured for drug-free, non-invasively inducing a desired temporal effect in the region of interest without actual contact to the region of interest,   the device consists of one or more units configured for operating externally to the patient's body, said one or more units comprising an external source of an electric and/or magnetic field which is configured and operable to produce the electric and/or magnetic field of desired intensity and direction having a required field profile in a field region at a certain distance from the external field source, such that temporal application of said field to the region of interest causes temporary neutralization or stimulation of neuron electrical signals at the synapse in the region of interest, thereby inducing a desired temporal effect of stimulating or paralyzing muscles within said region of interest by stimulating or neutralizing their related synapses connections.   
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39 , comprising a control unit connected to the external field source and configured and operable for adjusting the field profile at a predetermined distance from the external field source. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 39 , comprising an external sensor for locating in the vicinity of the field region, the sensor being configured for measuring intensity of the actual electric and/or magnetic field, as produced by the external field source, in the vicinity of the sensor and generating data indicative thereof; and a control unit configured to be responsive to the data indicative of the measured field intensity, to process and analyze said data and upon detecting that adjustment of the field intensity is required generate a control signal for operating the external field source. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein said external field source is configured and operable for providing the field profile for inducing the effect of temporary modulating a size of the region of interest with substantially no side effects. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein the external electric and/or magnetic field source comprises an annular shaped element presenting an electrode or an electro-magnet unit of the electric and/or magnetic field source. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein said external field source is configured and operable for providing the field profile for affecting a patient's iris for temporary modulating a pupil size thus inducing mydriasis or miosis effect. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the external field source comprises an ocular element configured to be brought close to the patient's eye and having an electrically insulated surface by which it faces the patient's eye. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein the external electric field source comprises an electrode arrangement, and a voltage supply unit. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein the electrode arrangement comprises a first electrode not contacting the patient's body, a direct electric contact to the patient's body serving as a grounding electrode. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein the electrode arrangement is formed by first and second electrodes located in a spaced-apart relationship defining the electric field region between them, and a voltage supply unit operable to provide a certain potential difference between the electrodes. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein said external field source is configured and operable for providing the field profile for affecting a patient's iris for temporary modulating a pupil size thus inducing mydriasis or miosis effect, the electrode arrangement comprising a first ocular electrode configured to be brought close to the patient's eye and having an electrically insulated surface by which it is brought to the patient's eye. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the electrode arrangement comprises a second grounding electrode configured to be attached either to a patient's head or to a seat headrest or to a patient's hand. 
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the electrode arrangement comprises a complementary grounding electrode configured for connecting it directly to a patient's body. 
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the electrode arrangement comprises a complementary grounding electrode configured to be isolated or non-isolated. 
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the electrode arrangement comprises an ocular electrode having an annular shape to enable inspection of the eye via a hole of the ocular electrode. 
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein said annular-shaped electrode is configured for mounting a lens in said hole. 
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 54 , wherein said lens is configured for being used for retina examination. 
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the electrode arrangement comprises first and second electrodes, each including one or more electrode elements of respective polarity. 
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 49 , comprising a hand held or stationary housing containing the voltage supply unit and the control unit, the first electrode being located outside said housing and being connected to the voltage supply unit by an electrically insulated connector. 
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 57 , comprising a display located at the outer surface of the housing to be exposed to user. 
     
     
         59 . A hand-held device for use in dilation/contraction of a patient's pupil, the device comprising: a hand-held housing containing a voltage supply unit operable to supply voltage to an electrode located outside said housing and connected to the voltage supply unit via a connector extending from the housing to said electrode, the electrode having a substantially annular shape so as to enable, when brought close to a patient's eye, visual observation of the eye via an opening defined by the annular-shaped electrode. 
     
     
         60 . A method for drug-free, non-invasive, modulation of a size of a patient's pupil, by applying an external electric and/or magnetic field of desired properties to the patient's iris without actual contact to the patient's eye, to thereby effect stimulation or neutralization of synapses and thus temporary inducing mydriasis or miosis effect. 
     
     
         61 . A method for drug free, non-invasively, affecting a region of interest in a patient's body without actual contact to the region of interest, the method comprising applying to said region of interest an external electric and/or magnetic field of desired intensity and direction defining a desired field profile, and controlling the application of the field, to thereby cause temporary neutralization or stimulation of neuron electrical signals at synapse in the region of interest, thereby inducing a desired temporal effect of stimulating or paralyzing muscles within said region of interest by stimulating or neutralizing their related synapses connections.