Balloon Retinal Electrode for Conformal Contact and Stable Fixation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retinal stimulation devices face challenges in achieving stable contact with the retina due to variations in eyeball size and curvature, leading to detachment and increased procedural time and costs, and they are difficult to implant without damaging biological tissues.
Innovation Solution
A balloon-type retinal stimulation device with an expandable and contractible insertion portion that matches the retina's shape, featuring a stimulation unit and a fixing portion to stabilize contact, and a method involving substrate preparation and layer formation to ensure precise electrical stimulation and signal measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional electrode substrate is used, then the device structure is simple, but the electrode cannot come into close contact with the retina due to thickness and curvature mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode substrate is designed to be expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state, transforming its shape to match the curvature of the retina. This dynamic transformation allows the electrode to adapt to different eye sizes and shapes, achieving close contact with the retina without requiring complex custom-shaped substrates for each patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the electrode substrate (shape, size, curvature) are changed through expansion after implantation. The substrate transitions from a flat or curved compressed state to an expanded state that conformally contacts the retinal surface, optimizing the contact area and stimulation precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the electrode is made thinner to match retina curvature, then contact precision improves, but the electrode becomes easily detached during patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode substrate transitions from a flexible compressed state during implantation to a rigid expanded state after deployment. This dynamic stiffness change provides both ease of insertion and stable fixation, preventing detachment during patient movement while maintaining close contact with the retina.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode substrate integrates multiple functions: it serves as both the structural support and the stimulation interface. The expanded substrate's rigidity provides mechanical stability and resistance to detachment, while its conformal shape ensures continuous contact with the curved retinal surface during patient movement.
3Reliability
If additional fixation devices are used to prevent electrode detachment, then fixation stability improves, but medical procedure time and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode substrate performs self-fixation through its expansion mechanism. After being inserted in a compressed state through a small incision, the substrate expands autonomously to conform to the retinal surface, creating its own mechanical interlock and fixation without requiring additional fixation devices or extended surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the stimulation interface, adapts to different eye geometries, and performs self-fixation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixation components, reducing both procedural time and device complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a small incision is used for implantation, then tissue damage is minimized, but the electrode cannot be properly inserted and positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode substrate is inserted in a compressed state through a small incision, minimizing tissue damage. After insertion, the substrate expands to its functional size within the eyeball, achieving proper positioning and contact area without requiring a large incision. This dynamic size transformation resolves the contradiction between small incision and proper insertion.
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 device ensures stable electrical stimulation and signal measurement while minimizing incision area, preventing bacterial penetration, and allowing for long-term implantation without tissue damage, adjusting intraocular pressure, and reducing procedural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The insertion portion is provided to be expandable and contractible as a fluid is injected into and discharged from an inside of the injection portion
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon type retinal stimulation device includes: a substrate unit having an insertion portion provided to be inserted into an eyeball; and a stimulation unit that is provided at one or both of one and the other surfaces of the substrate unit. The insertion portion is provided to be expandable and contractible as a fluid is injected into and discharged from an inside of the injection portion. When the insertion portion expands, one surface of the insertion portion is deformed to match a shape of the retina such that the stimulation unit is brought into close contact with the retina on which an image is formed, and the other surface of the insertion portion comes into close contact with an inner surface of the eyeball that is not a region of retina on which an image is formed, to support the insertion portion that is in contact with the region of retina on which an image is formed.