Corneal Implant Storage Delivery Device Hydration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for correcting refractive errors associated with eye disorders like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia through corneal reshaping are limited in precision and effectiveness, particularly in maintaining the shape and hydration of corneal tissue during implant preparation and delivery.
Innovation Solution
The use of a storage/delivery device with a well and seal configuration to maintain hydration and shape of corneal tissue, combined with optical measurement systems like OCT, SHG, or THG microscopy for precise measurement and reshaping of lenticules from donor cornea, accounting for swelling and deswelling phenomena.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If corneal tissue is stored and delivered using conventional methods, then the tissue may be easily handled and delivered, but the tissue loses its shape and hydration
Solution Approach 1:
The storage/delivery device employs a nested structure where an inner container holding the corneal tissue is placed within an outer container. The inner container is positioned within a well formed by the outer container, creating a chamber that maintains tissue hydration and shape. This nested configuration allows the tissue to be stored in a controlled environment while facilitating safe delivery and implantation procedures.
2Measurement precision
If optical measurement systems are used to measure corneal tissue, then measurement precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage/delivery device is designed with multi-functionality to accommodate various optical measurement systems. The device structure allows integration of different measurement modalities including optical coherence tomography (OCT), second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy, and third-harmonic generation (THG) microscopy. This universal design enables precise measurement of corneal tissue properties while maintaining a unified storage and delivery platform.
3Reliability
If corneal tissue is kept hydrated during storage, then tissue integrity is maintained, but the storage system requires fluid management complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The storage/delivery device uses a fluid medium as an intermediary substance to maintain corneal tissue hydration and integrity. The fluid medium fills the chamber formed by the outer and inner containers, providing a controlled environment that preserves tissue properties. This intermediary fluid allows the tissue to remain hydrated during storage and transport while simplifying the overall system design compared to more complex active hydration management systems.
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
This approach allows for accurate reshaping of corneal implants to correct refractive errors, ensuring precise refractive power changes and smooth integration with the eye structure, while maintaining the integrity and shape of the corneal tissue during delivery and implantation.
Implementation Method 1
the OCT system is positioned to direct incident light to the corneal tissue in the well and to receive optical scattering from the corneal tissue in response to the incident light
Implementation Method 2
the SHG or THG microscopy system including: a light source positioned to direct incident light to the corneal tissue; and a detector positioned to receive a respective 2nd or 3rd harmonic light respectively from the corneal tissue in response to the incident light
Implementation Method 3
the SHG or THG microscopy system including: a light source positioned to direct incident light to the corneal tissue; and a detector positioned to receive a respective 2nd or 3rd harmonic light respectively from the corneal tissue in response to the incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A storage/delivery device includes a first wall defining a well configured to receive a corneal tissue. The storage/delivery device includes a second wall configured to be positioned over the first wall and to seal the well. The second wall includes a recess configured to extend into the well to define a chamber between the first wall and the second wall. The chamber is configured to hold the corneal tissue when the second wall seals the well. A system may include the storage/delivery device above and a measurement system configured to measure the corneal tissue disposed in the well. In one example embodiment, the measurement system is an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. In another example embodiment, the measurement system is a second-harmonic generation (SHG) or third-harmonic generation (THG) microscopy system.