Curved Ocular Implants for Schlemm's Canal Drainage Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Glaucoma, caused by high intraocular pressure, leads to irreversible blindness due to impaired drainage of aqueous humor, and existing treatments fail to effectively support the natural drainage mechanisms of the eye.

Innovation Solution

An ocular implant designed to extend from the anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal, supporting the tissue of Schlemm's canal to facilitate the flow of aqueous humor, featuring a curved longitudinal axis with specific frame and spine configurations to ensure proper alignment and minimize twisting during insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an ocular implant is inserted into Schlemm's canal to support aqueous humor drainage, then intraocular pressure is reduced and drainage is improved, but the risk of twisting and misalignment during insertion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaqueous humor drainage effectivenessVSAvoidinsertion alignment control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is designed with a curved longitudinal axis that matches the natural curvature of Schlemm's canal. This curved configuration allows the implant to follow the anatomical path of the canal during insertion, reducing twisting and misalignment while ensuring proper positioning for effective aqueous humor drainage support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The implant features asymmetric frame and spine configurations where the spines are positioned at different heights relative to the curved axis. This asymmetric design creates a preferred orientation that guides correct insertion alignment and prevents rotational misplacement within Schlemm's canal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If existing glaucoma treatments are used, then some drainage support is provided, but they fail to effectively support the natural drainage mechanisms of the eye

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage mechanism supportVSAvoidcompatibility with natural drainage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is designed to work with the eye's natural drainage mechanisms rather than replacing them. By positioning the implant within Schlemm's canal to support the canal walls and maintain patency, the device allows the natural aqueous humor flow path to remain functional while providing structural support where drainage is impaired

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The implant serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support to Schlemm's canal, maintains canal patency, facilitates aqueous humor flow, and reduces intraocular pressure. This multi-functional design makes it adaptable to the complex requirements of glaucoma treatment while supporting natural drainage mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250275870A1Ocular implants for delivery into an anterior chamber of the eye

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 ALCON INC

AI summary

An ocular implant adapted to be disposed within Schlemm's canal of a human eye with a body extending along a curved longitudinal central axis in a curvature plane, a first strut on one side of the implant and a second strut on an opposite side of the implant, the circumferential extent of the first strut with respect to the plane of curvature being greater than the circumferential extent of the second strut with respect to the plane of curvature. The invention also includes methods of using the implant.