Lia Eyecare nightleaf™
Dry eye disease affects millions of people worldwide and can have a real impact on daily comfort and quality of life. Lia Eyecare set out to develop a therapeutic device capable of delivering controlled temperature directly to the eye area in a wearable, easy-to-use format.
We were brought in to lead the electronics, firmware, and thermal engineering of the device, working closely with the wider design team to help turn the concept into a clinically validated product now progressing through trials. Alongside the hardware, we also supported the development of a companion app to provide a simple, intuitive way for users to control and monitor the device.
The Challenge
Delivering temperature therapy close to sensitive tissue is not straightforward. The system needed to maintain precise and stable temperatures while remaining lightweight, comfortable, and safe to use.
Early versions of the device were bulkier than ideal. Improving wearability without compromising thermal performance became a key focus. At the same time, the experience had to remain comfortable and intuitive . That meant designing reliable hardware control, robust firmware, and a companion app that made interaction simple rather than technical or overwhelming.
Our Approach
We began with detailed thermal simulations to properly understand how heat moved through the system. By modelling the thermoelectric modules and temperature-sensing plates, we were able to identify thermal bottlenecks that would cause hotspots on the device. This allowed redesigns to be created with a reduced form factor while keeping temperatures at a safe level.
We then developed the custom electronics and embedded firmware to manage real-time temperature regulation through closed-loop control. Accuracy and safety were built into the system from the ground up.
In parallel, we supported the design of a user-friendly companion app that allowed users to manage sessions and interact with the device in a clear and intuitive way. The focus was on simplicity, reliability, and ensuring that the digital experience matched the physical product.
Multiple prototype iterations were built and tested to ensure that simulated thermal performance aligned with real-world results and that the full system behaved reliably under repeated use. Careful battery selection allowed the power source to remain integrated within the device housing, improving comfort and avoiding unnecessary weight on the headstrap.
Thermoelectric modules for temperature control
Integrated temperature sensing plates
Custom electronics design
Embedded firmware with closed-loop control
Thermal simulation and iterative prototyping
Companion mobile application with device connectivity
Outcome
The final device delivers precise and repeatable temperature control in a significantly lighter and more wearable form. Thermal optimisation of the design played a major role in improving user safety and extending the battery life of the design.
For us, this project highlights how close collaboration and system-level thinking can turn a promising concept into a validated device ready for real-world evaluation.
IMME Design came on board when nightleaf®, was still a university research concept, and they have grown with us every step of the way. They delivered our early prototypes and provided the electronic design, firmware, and app development that transformed a promising idea into a tangible eyecare technology. Their thermal analysis work was particularly important to validating the core mechanism of our technology — controlled thermal modulation of the eyelid — and they are now supporting us through design for manufacture as we prepare for our first production run. For an innovative eye care technology company like ours, partnering with a team capable of managing the entire technical stack, from hardware through software, while understanding the realities of bringing a novel device to market has been hugely valuable.
Sinéad Buckley
Co-Founder & COO, Lia Eyecare
