Beta Radiation for Glaucoma Drainage Bleb Maintenance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current glaucoma treatments, such as Minimally Invasive Micro Sclerostomy (MIMS) and Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), face limitations due to postoperative scarring that impede drainage, with antimetabolites like mitomycin C showing high failure rates and beta radiation being discouraged due to perceived ineffectiveness and cataract risks.

Innovation Solution

Combining Minimally Invasive Micro Sclerostomy (MIMS) with the application of beta radiation to prevent scar formation and maintain functioning drainage blebs, using radioisotopes like Strontium-90 and Phosphorus-32 to deliver a therapeutic dose of beta radiation to the tissues surrounding the drainage channel, thereby reducing fibrogenesis and inflammation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If drainage surgery is performed to lower intraocular pressure, then glaucoma treatment effectiveness is improved, but postoperative scarring develops that impedes drainage and causes bleb failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage functionVSAvoidscar tissue formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Beta radiation is applied during or immediately after MIMS procedure to proactively inhibit fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition before scar tissue can form and compromise the drainage bleb. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful scarring process rather than treating it after it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of radiation (which can damage tissue) into a beneficial anti-scarring effect by using controlled beta radiation at specific doses (50-500 cGy) that inhibit fibrosis without causing significant tissue damage or cataracts when properly dosed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If antimetabolites like mitomycin C are used to prevent scarring, then short-term bleb survival is improved, but long-term failure rate remains high at 50% by three years

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebleb survival timeVSAvoidlong-term drainage function

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical antimetabolites (mitomycin C, 5-FU) with physical beta radiation therapy to achieve anti-fibrotic effects. This substitution avoids the limitations of chemical agents including high long-term failure rates, while maintaining the goal of preventing scar tissue formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the treatment parameter from chemical concentration (antimetabolites) to physical radiation dose (beta radiation in cGy range). This parameter change allows for more controlled and predictable anti-scarring effects with a clearer dose-response relationship and fewer side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If beta radiation is used to treat drainage blebs, then scar formation is reduced, but cataract risk is perceived to increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefibrogenesis inhibitionVSAvoidcataract formation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beta radiation locally and selectively to the drainage bleb tissue with precise dosing (50-500 cGy), ensuring the radiation affects only the target area where fibrosis occurs while minimizing exposure to the lens and other sensitive structures. This localized application maintains therapeutic benefit while reducing systemic and off-target effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a moderate, partial dose of beta radiation (50-500 cGy) that is sufficient to inhibit fibrosis but below the threshold that would cause significant cataract formation. This partial action achieves the therapeutic goal without excessive radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 method effectively maintains functioning drainage blebs and channels by inhibiting scar formation and inflammation, improving the longevity and effectiveness of glaucoma treatment by reducing the risk of bleb failure.

Implementation Method 1

applying a therapeutic dose of beta radiation from a radioisotope that emits beta radiation to a target area of the eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeta radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

radioisotopes like Strontium-90 and Phosphorus-32 to deliver a therapeutic dose of beta radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadioactive decay: Radioactive Decay

Data Source

PatentUS11666780B2Methods, systems, and compositions for maintaining functioning drainage blebs associated with minimally invasive micro sclerostomy

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 QSA GLOBAL INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and compositions for maintaining functioning drainage blebs to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) of an eye being treated for glaucoma. The methods, systems, and compositions feature the combination of a minimally invasive micro sclerostomy (MIMS) procedure and the application of beta radiation to a target area. The beta radiation can function to inhibit or reduce the inflammation and/or fibrogenesis that typically occurs after a MIMS procedure and leads to hole and/or bleb failure. By reducing inflammation and/or fibrogenesis, the MIMS holes and/or blebs can remain functioning appropriately.