Corneal Microshunt for Glaucoma Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for glaucoma, particularly in humans and veterinary medicine, face challenges such as high costs, inefficacy, and complications, especially in managing acute angle-closure glaucoma in animals, due to anatomical differences and the need for invasive surgeries that are expensive and often ineffective in the long term.
Innovation Solution
A microshunt device is implanted in the cornea to divert aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the surface of the cornea, bypassing the trabecular meshwork, with a flow-restricting member to control intraocular pressure and prevent migration, allowing for controlled fluid flow and potential adjustment of leakage rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical procedures are used to treat glaucoma, then intraocular pressure can be controlled, but the procedures are invasive, expensive, and have poor long-term effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the treatment approach by using a minimally invasive corneal implantation method instead of traditional extensive surgery. The microshunt device with controllable flow restriction allows adjustment of drainage parameters to achieve effective pressure control with less invasive procedures, improving long-term effectiveness while reducing procedural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The corneal implant acts as an intermediary device that creates a new drainage pathway through the cornea, bypassing the blocked traditional drainage angle. This intermediate solution provides an alternative route for aqueous humor drainage, achieving pressure control without the need for complex traditional surgery
2Productivity
If traditional glaucoma surgery is performed, then fluid drainage can be improved, but the cost and procedural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drainage function by creating a separate, dedicated microshunt pathway through the cornea, independent of the traditional drainage angle structures. This segmented approach improves fluid drainage efficiency by providing a direct route while simplifying the overall procedure compared to manipulating complex traditional drainage structures
3Reliability
If medications are used to control glaucoma, then intraocular pressure can be reduced, but side effects occur and long-term control is frequently ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of medications with a mechanical drainage enhancement system. The corneal implant provides a physical pathway for improved aqueous humor drainage, eliminating medication side effects while achieving reliable long-term pressure control through mechanical fluid dynamics
4Reliability
If multiple surgeries are required to control glaucoma, then pressure control may be achieved, but the treatment becomes more expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flow-restricting member in advance within the implant device to pre-regulate drainage flow. This preliminary configuration ensures effective pressure control from the first implantation, eliminating the need for multiple corrective surgeries and reducing overall treatment time and cost
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 microshunt device provides a less invasive, cost-effective, and more effective means of controlling intraocular pressure, potentially reducing the risk of complications and enabling outpatient procedures, thereby improving the prognosis for glaucoma management in both humans and animals.
Implementation Method 1
The microshunt device effects the flow of aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye to the anterior surface of the cornea, bypassing the trabecular meshwork
Implementation Method 2
a flow-restricting member to control intraocular pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems are presented for inserting an implant in the cornea of the eye, where the implant is a microshunt; a microshunt delivery device for delivering the microshunt into the cornea may comprise the microshunt, an actuator, and a suction stabilizer; a vacuum device may be inserted in the stabilizer such that the cornea may be sucked onto a concave bottom side of the stabilizer; the microshunt may then be inserted into a hole in the suction stabilizer with the actuator; the actuator may be turned to screw the microshunt into a hole in the cornea; and the actuator may be removed from the suction stabilizer, breaking the vacuum seal and leaving the microshunt inserted in the cornea.