Collagen Cross-Linking Catheter for Glaucoma Bleb Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical procedures for treating glaucoma often result in suboptimal bleb size, configuration, and density due to variability in surgical techniques and patient healing factors, leading to inconsistent outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A collagen cross-linking system comprising a catheter with a flexible shaft and a conforming member, coupled with a fluid source for photosensitizing fluid and a light source for photo-activation, is used to promote targeted collagen cross-linking in eye tissues, along with an implantable aqueous humor wicking device utilizing biocompatible absorbent woven material for enhanced aqueous humor transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical techniques are used for glaucoma filtering surgery, then the procedure can be performed with conventional methods, but the bleb size, configuration, and density are suboptimal due to variability in surgical techniques and patient healing factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a conforming member (mold) with the desired bleb geometry before implantation. This mold is inserted into the surgical site and maintains the target shape during healing, ensuring consistent bleb configuration regardless of surgical technique variability or patient healing factors. The pre-formed mold eliminates the need to rely on unpredictable post-surgical healing to achieve the desired shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by using collagen cross-linking to fundamentally alter the biomechanical properties of the tissue surrounding the bleb. By changing the tissue's structural parameters through cross-linking (increasing strength, reducing compliance), the bleb maintains its intended size and configuration more reliably, reducing variability in outcomes.
2Strength
If collagen cross-linking is performed to strengthen tissue and reduce fibrosis, then tissue biomechanics improve and bleb stability increases, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex requiring additional equipment and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated system: the catheter delivers both the photosensitizing fluid and receives the photo-activating light to enable in situ collagen cross-linking. The conforming member serves dual purposes as both a structural mold for bleb shaping and a delivery vehicle for the cross-linking agents. This integration reduces the number of separate devices and steps required compared to performing cross-linking and bleb formation as separate procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical tissue strengthening methods (such as repeated suturing or prolonged external bracing) with a chemical-biological approach using collagen cross-linking. This substitution achieves tissue strengthening through molecular-level changes rather than mechanical constraints, reducing the need for complex mechanical support structures during healing.
3Reliability
If an implantable aqueous humor wicking device is used to transmit aqueous humor, then intraocular pressure is reduced and surgical outcomes improve, but the device requires additional components and implantation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The conforming member is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as a structural mold for bleb formation, a delivery catheter for collagen cross-linking agents, and potentially as part of the aqueous humor drainage system. By making the conforming member universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate devices for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable aqueous humor transmission and pressure control.
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 system achieves controlled, targeted collagen cross-linking to improve tissue biomechanics, reduce fibrosis, and stabilize bleb formation, thereby enhancing surgical outcomes by promoting optimal wound healing and reducing postoperative intraocular pressure.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the target tissue with photo-activating light that passes through the membrane of the conforming member
Implementation Method 2
the biocompatible absorbent woven material of the wicking portion is configured to cause the aqueous humor to flow from the anterior chamber to the wicking portion due to a capillary action produced by the absorbent woven material
Data Source
AI summary
A collagen cross-linking system for treating a tissue of a patient, the system including: a catheter having a flexible shaft and a conforming member, the flexible shaft having distal and proximal ends, a shaft body extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the shaft body defining a lumen, the conforming member being fixed to the catheter shaft near the distal end, the conforming member comprising a membrane defining a cavity in fluid communication with the lumen; a fluid source coupled to the proximal end of the catheter, the flexible shaft of the catheter being configured so that a flow of photosensitizing fluid provided by the fluid source flows through the membrane of the conforming member; and a light source coupled to the proximal end of the catheter, the catheter being configured so that photo-activating light generated by the light source passes through the membrane of the conforming member.