Illuminated DMEK Graft Holder for Descemet's Membrane Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for preparing donor tissue for Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) face challenges such as high tissue loss, difficulty in visualizing the graft during manual stripping, and maintaining sterility, leading to a significant risk of damaging the delicate corneal endothelium and potential infection.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated device with a corneal graft holder and adjustable ring light is used to illuminate the donor cornea, facilitating the preparation of the graft by highlighting the edges of Descemet's membrane and maintaining sterility through a reusable illumination base and disposable pre-sterilized graft holder with an integral sterile drape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual dissection is used to prepare DMEK grafts, then the surgeon can control the stripping process, but the risk of tearing or damaging the graft increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device - a holder with a support structure that holds the donor cornea in place during preparation. This support structure acts as a mediator between the surgeon's manual dissection and the fragile graft, providing stability and reducing the risk of tearing while maintaining surgical control.
2Loss of time
If pre-stripped donor tissue is used, then the preparation time is reduced, but the availability is not uniform worldwide and access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service preparation by providing surgeons with a holder device that facilitates independent manual dissection. The holder makes the preparation process more accessible to surgeons without requiring specialized pre-stripped tissue supplies, allowing them to prepare grafts independently in various surgical settings worldwide.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the graft is held in place during preparation, then visualization is improved, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a holder structure with a support surface that can be covered by sterile drapes or films. This flexible covering system allows the graft to be held and visualized while maintaining sterility, preventing contamination during the preparation process.
4Reliability
If the corneal endothelium is handled carefully, then the integrity is preserved, but the preparation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the preparation process into distinct phases: positioning the donor cornea in the holder, performing the initial peripheral break, and then proceeding with the stripping process. This segmentation allows careful handling of the endothelium at each stage while maintaining a systematic approach that reduces overall complexity.
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 illuminated device reduces tissue loss during graft preparation by enhancing visualization and maintaining sterility, thereby improving the safety and success rate of DMEK procedures, especially for less experienced surgeons and in settings with limited access to pre-stripped donor tissue.
Implementation Method 1
adjustable ring light is used to illuminate the donor cornea
Data Source
AI summary
A device that facilitates preparation of corneal grafts, including an illuminated base; and a corneal graft holder that can be selectively coupled to the illuminated base to illuminate a portion of donor cornea to facilitate preparation of the corneal graft.