Bi-Modal Intraocular Shunt Inserter for Shunt Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular shunt inserters do not allow clinicians to easily reposition the shunt relative to the bevel of the needle, necessitating different surgical techniques or patient-specific adjustments, which increases operator effort, preparation time, and potential trauma to the patient.
Innovation Solution
An intraocular shunt inserter with a component driver that elongates or foreshortens to change the longitudinal position of the plunger or needle, allowing for precise repositioning of the shunt relative to the bevel of the needle for ab externo or ab interno procedures, facilitated by a removable key and cam mechanisms for easy configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length component driver is used in the inserter, then the device structure is simple, but the shunt cannot be repositioned relative to the bevel of the needle for different surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The component driver is designed with variable length capability through a telescoping mechanism that allows it to extend and retract. This dynamic adjustment enables the shunt to be repositioned relative to the needle bevel for different surgical approaches (ab externo or ab interno) while maintaining a relatively compact structure when retracted, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Productivity
If the shunt position is fixed relative to the needle bevel, then the inserter design is simplified, but operator effort and preparation time increase for different surgical techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The component driver is pre-configured with multiple fixed length positions corresponding to different surgical procedures (ab externo and ab interno approaches). Before surgery, the driver can be adjusted to the appropriate length for the planned procedure, allowing the clinician to quickly switch between techniques without manual repositioning during surgery, thereby reducing operator effort and preparation time while improving surgical efficiency.
3Loss of time
If manual repositioning of the shunt is required, then the device structure remains simple, but surgery time and potential trauma to the patient increase
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping component driver provides quick-adjustment capability that eliminates time-consuming manual repositioning during surgery. The mechanism allows for rapid length changes between pre-set positions, significantly reducing surgery time and minimizing patient trauma by avoiding repeated surgical adjustments, while the overall device complexity remains manageable through the use of a straightforward telescoping design.
Data Source
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AI summary
An intraocular shunt inserter for treating glaucoma comprises a needle, a plunger assembly, and a component driver. The needle defines a lumen and a proximal end portion of the needle. The plunger assembly comprises a plunger at least partially disposed within the lumen of the needle, wherein the plunger is configured to advance a shunt through the lumen of the needle upon release. The component driver comprises an actuation member, wherein the component driver elongates from a first length to a second length upon movement of the actuation member for changing a longitudinal relative position of a distal end portion of the plunger, when coupled to a proximal end portion of the plunger, or a distal end portion of the needle, when coupled to a proximal end portion of the needle.