Corneal Inking Device for Non-Invasive Pinhole Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for corneal inlays, such as the Kamra® pinhole corneal inlay, are invasive and may not suit all patients due to risks and side effects like reduced distance vision and glare, with no non-invasive method to predict the likelihood of success.
Innovation Solution
Applying surgical ink to the corneal surface to simulate the effect of a pinhole corneal inlay, using devices like an inking device probe, well device, or hand-held applicator, to create an annular pattern with a central aperture, allowing for temporary or permanent visualization of the effect without actual implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a corneal inlay is implanted to treat presbyopia, then near vision is improved, but the procedure is invasive and carries surgical risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surgical ink to the corneal surface to create a temporary pinhole aperture pattern that copies the optical effect of a permanent corneal inlay implant. This allows patients to experience the visual benefits of the inlay without undergoing surgery, effectively creating a non-invasive test version of the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink application serves as a preliminary test before actual surgery. By temporarily marking the cornea with ink to simulate the pinhole effect, patients can evaluate whether the procedure would benefit them before committing to the invasive surgical implantation, thereby preventing unnecessary surgical risks.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a corneal inlay is implanted to improve near vision, then depth of field increases, but distance vision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ink simulation reproduces the optical geometry of the pinhole inlay (annular pattern with central aperture) to demonstrate how depth of field and distance vision would be affected. Patients can experience the trade-offs temporarily to determine if the distance vision reduction is acceptable before permanent implantation.
3Ease of operation
If surgical ink is applied to simulate pinhole effect, then non-invasive testing is enabled, but the ink pattern must be precisely positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The ink applicator device is designed to work with standard corneal topography instruments, allowing the same equipment to perform both diagnostic mapping and therapeutic marking. This integration simplifies the positioning process by utilizing existing precise alignment systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for marking corneal tissue is disclosed. The device includes an ink reservoir portion and an ink resist portion. The ink reservoir portion is annular in shape and the ink resist portion occupies a central area within the annular shape. The ink reservoir portion and the ink resist portion are sized and structured to interface with the central cornea and to apply ink to the corneal tissue. The method includes applying ink to the cornea in an annular pattern.