Arcuate Eye Stent Delivery for Schlemm's Canal Patency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glaucoma, caused by the blockage or collapse of Schlemm's canal, leads to elevated intraocular pressure and irreversible vision loss, with existing treatments being inadequate in maintaining patency and effective aqueous humor outflow.
Innovation Solution
Devices and systems featuring self-expanding eye stents (SES) and reversible eye tension rings (ETR) are designed to maintain or restore patency of Schlemm's canal by radially expanding to follow an arc greater than 140 degrees, enhancing aqueous humor outflow and reducing intraocular pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatments are used for glaucoma, then existing treatments are applied, but they are inadequate in maintaining patency and effective aqueous humor outflow
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into multiple compression zones along its length, with each zone capable of independent radial expansion. This segmentation allows different portions of the stent to expand at different times and to different degrees, enabling effective dilation of the Schlemm's canal while maintaining controlled deployment mechanics
Solution Approach 2:
The stent transitions from a compressed low-profile state during delivery to an expanded functional state after implantation. The dynamic expansion capability allows the stent to adapt to the anatomical geometry of the Schlemm's canal and maintain patency through active radial force exertion on the canal walls
2Ease of operation
If a stent is delivered in a compressed state, then the device can be inserted into the channel, but the device must then expand radially to maintain patency
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is pre-compressed into a low-profile configuration that fits within the delivery catheter before insertion. This preliminary compression action enables minimally invasive delivery through small incisions while preserving the stent's ability to expand to full diameter after deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The stent expansion occurs in a controlled sequence through multiple compression zones that expand at different stages. This periodic expansion allows the stent to gradually exert radial force on the Schlemm's canal walls, reducing mechanical stress while achieving full patency maintenance
3Area of stationary object
If the stent follows a large arc of the channel circumference, then coverage of the Schlemm's canal is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is designed with a curved or arcuate geometry that conforms to the circumferential shape of the Schlemm's canal. This curved configuration allows the stent to follow a large arc (e.g., 180 degrees or more) of the canal circumference, maximizing coverage area while maintaining a relatively simple continuous structural form without complex joints or segments
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
The SES and ETR devices effectively dilate the Schlemm's canal, improving aqueous humor outflow and lowering intraocular pressure, addressing the challenges of glaucoma treatment by maintaining patency and enhancing fluid drainage.
Implementation Method 1
a single elongated element configured for radial expansion when inserted into a channel of the Schlemm's canal
Implementation Method 2
The single elongated element can comprise an atraumatic exterior surface configured to reduce friction when encased in viscoelastic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A device for maintaining patency of a channel of an uveolymphatic region or a Schlemm's canal in a patient's eye may include a single elongated element configured for radial expansion of the channel of the uveolymphatic region or the Schlemm's canal when inserted into the channel, wherein the single elongated element is configured to follow an arc of a circumference of the channel, wherein the arc subtends an angle comprising a degree of arc greater than approximately 75 degrees.