Thermoelectric Cooling Devices for Ophthalmology

Abstract

Local hypothermia of the eye can be beneficial for reducing the negative effects of ischemia and inflammation on ocular tissues. We designed and manufactured experimental samples of thermoelectric medical devices for controlled artificial cooling of the eye in three ways: by contact directly through the cornea of an open eye, by contact through the eyelids of a closed eye, by contactless cooling of the open eye. The device for contact ocular cooling includes a thermoelectric Peltier module, which can measure and maintain a specified temperature with an accuracy of ± 0.2 °C in real-time. The device for contactless ocular cooling can maintain a specified temperature with a resolution of ± 1 °C. Experimental studies of the devices showed their simplicity and reliability in operation.