Adjustable Microneedle Depth Control for Ocular Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocular injection devices lack the ability to adjust needle length accurately and efficiently, making it difficult to deliver medications to the posterior region of the eye, which is necessary for treating conditions like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, these devices often require complex visualization systems or sensors for precise needle placement, which can be cumbersome and require professional training.
Innovation Solution
The development of a medical injector apparatus with a housing, an adjustment member, and a puncture member that allows for infinitely variable needle length adjustment. The apparatus includes a pressure chamber that, when pressurized, causes the puncture member to extend to a desired depth within the ocular tissue, ensuring precise delivery of medications to specific layers of the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed-length needles are used for ocular injection, then the device structure is simple, but the needle cannot be adjusted to the desired depth for different eye layers
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly incorporates a movable needle member that can dynamically adjust its length relative to the hub. The needle member is positioned within a needle channel and can extend or retract to achieve different insertion depths, allowing the same device to adapt to various ocular layers (conjunctiva, sclera, choroid, retina) without requiring multiple fixed-length needles or complex external adjustment mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If complex visualization systems or sensors are used to control needle placement, then the needle placement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates and professional training is required
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a depth indication feature that provides self-service feedback to the user about needle insertion depth. This allows the operator to visually or tactilely determine when the needle tip has reached the desired depth without requiring complex external visualization systems, sensors, or specialized training. The depth indication enables the user to self-regulate the insertion depth based on real-time feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth indication feature may utilize visual indicators such as color changes, colored bands, or illuminated markers on the needle assembly that change or become visible when the needle reaches specific depth thresholds. This provides intuitive, immediate feedback to the user about needle placement status without requiring complex electronic displays or sensors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the needle is made longer to reach the posterior region, then the delivery capability to the back of the eye is improved, but the risk of traversing beyond the target and damaging the retina increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a single long needle, the device employs a movable needle member that can dynamically adjust its effective length. The needle member can be extended to reach the posterior region when needed, then retracted to a safer length during insertion or when approaching the target depth, thereby delivering medication to the posterior eye while minimizing the risk of retinal damage from excessive needle length.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth indication feature provides real-time feedback to the operator about the needle's insertion depth, allowing them to stop insertion at the optimal depth before reaching the retina. This feedback mechanism enables precise control over needle penetration depth, ensuring medication delivery to the posterior region while preventing over-penetration that could cause retinal damage.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the needle is made shorter to reduce retinal damage risk, then the safety is improved, but the ability to deliver medication to the posterior region deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly allows the needle member to dynamically adjust its length during the procedure. During insertion, the needle can be kept shorter for safety, then extended to the required length once the tip is positioned in the correct location, enabling both safe insertion and effective delivery to the posterior region without compromising either objective.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables precise and efficient delivery of medications to the posterior region of the eye, overcoming the limitations of current devices by allowing for adjustable needle length and simplified operation, which can improve treatment outcomes for ocular diseases.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus includes a pressure chamber that, when pressurized, causes the puncture member to extend to a desired depth within the ocular tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a housing, an adjustment member, and a microneedle. The housing can be coupled to a medicament container, and includes a hub surface that can contact a target surface. The adjustment member is within the housing and separates an inner volume of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is fluidically coupled with the medicament container. The adjustment member, which is coupled to the microneedle, can transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. A proximal end portion of the microneedle is fluidically coupled to the first chamber such that a substance can be conveyed from the medicament container through the microneedle. A distal tip of the microneedle extends from the hub surface by a first distance when the adjustment member is in the first configuration, and by a second distance when the adjustment member is in the second configuration.