Axial Ball Joint Surgical Tool for Glaucoma Tissue Shearing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for glaucoma, particularly primary open angle glaucoma, are limited by their effectiveness, repeatability, and potential for tissue damage, with existing surgical methods often requiring implants, being costly, and associated with scarring and side effects.

Innovation Solution

A surgical tool featuring a cannula assembly with a cutting device and an axial ball joint, allowing for precise shearing of tissue at a target surgical site, such as the trabecular meshwork of the eye, without the need for implants, thereby facilitating aqueous humor drainage and reducing intraocular pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pharmacological treatment with eye drops is used, then intraocular pressure can be reduced, but treatment cost increases and patient compliance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraocular pressure reductionVSAvoidpatient compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the trabecular meshwork obstruction mechanically through a catheter-based system, eliminating the need for ongoing pharmacological treatment and improving patient compliance by providing a one-time procedural solution rather than lifelong medication adherence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If laser surgery is performed, then intraocular pressure can be reduced, but the effect is not permanent and scarring occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraocular pressure reductionVSAvoidduration of pressure reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the laser energy-based system with a mechanical catheter-based system that physically disrupts and removes the trabecular meshwork obstruction, providing more permanent structural changes without the temporary effects and scarring associated with laser therapy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional filtration surgery is performed, then intraocular pressure can be reduced, but scarring is prevalent and requires anti-fibrotic agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraocular pressure reductionVSAvoidtissue scarring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies localized mechanical disruption only to the specific trabecular meshwork region causing obstruction, rather than creating broad filtration pathways that expose large areas to scarring risks, thereby reducing harmful fibrotic responses while maintaining effective pressure reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If mechanical trabeculotomy is performed, then aqueous humor drainage is facilitated, but the procedure is complex and requires precise needle insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaqueous humor drainageVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter system integrates multiple functions including irrigation to maintain anterior chamber depth, aspiration to remove disrupted trabecular tissue, and mechanical disruption capabilities, thereby simplifying the overall procedural complexity while maintaining effective aqueous humor drainage through a single multi-functional device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 surgical tool effectively reduces intraocular pressure by shearing trabecular meshwork tissue, offering a minimally invasive, repeatable, and less destructive treatment option compared to existing methods, with potential for broader application in glaucoma treatment.

Implementation Method 1

an axial ball joint, coupled to the proximal end of the cannula assembly, that when rotated, causes the cutting device at the distal end to rotate about a longitudinal axis passing axially through the lumen of the cannula assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

so as to shear a portion of tissue at a target surgical site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShearing: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentUS12239575B2Method and apparatus for shearing tissue at a target surgical site

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 SINGAPORE HEALTH SERVICES PTE LTD

AI summary

A surgical tool for shearing tissue at a target surgical site, the surgical tool comprising a cannula assembly with a distal end and a proximal end, a cannula opening into the lumen of the cannula at the distal end, a cutting device coupled to the distal end and within the cannula opening, and an axial ball joint coupled to the proximal end of the cannula assembly, that when rotated, causes the cutting device at the distal end to rotate about a longitudinal axis passing axially through the lumen of the cannula assembly, so as to shear a portion of tissue at a target surgical site.