DSAEK Corneal Implant Insertion Assembly with Sliding Platform

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The insertion of a donor posterior lenticule into the anterior chamber during Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) procedures often results in significant endothelial cell damage due to mechanical folding and handling techniques, leading to high primary graft failure rates and endothelial cell loss.

Innovation Solution

A novel assembly comprising a curved housing member and a sliding platform with a profiled face to guide the lenticule insertion, utilizing a glide concept that minimizes contact between the donor and endothelial surfaces, combined with an AC maintainer for constant fluid flow, and a disposable, transparent chamber for visualization and stability, allowing for controlled insertion with reduced endothelial damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the donor lenticule is inserted through folding and gripping with forceps, then the incision size can be kept small, but significant endothelial cell damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincision sizeVSAvoidendothelial cell damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (the curved housing member with platform assembly) that mediates between the incision and the donor lenticule. This assembly allows the lenticule to be inserted in a controlled manner without direct forceps gripping, eliminating mechanical folding and compression damage to endothelial cells while maintaining small incision size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion device is segmented into a curved housing member and a separate platform that can slide within it. This segmentation allows the lenticule to be held and positioned separately from the insertion mechanism, enabling gentle placement without forceps compression while maintaining the benefits of small incision insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If conventional folding technique is used for donor insertion, then insertion is simpler, but primary graft failure rate increases to 6-45%

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion simplicityVSAvoidprimary graft failure rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The platform assembly acts as an intermediary that simplifies the insertion process while protecting the graft. The lenticule is loaded onto the platform outside the eye, then the entire assembly is inserted through the incision, allowing simple one-piece insertion without intraocular folding or forceps manipulation, thereby reducing graft failure risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The donor lenticule is prepared and loaded onto the platform assembly before insertion into the eye. This preliminary preparation allows the lenticule to be positioned correctly and protected before entering the anterior chamber, eliminating the need for complex intraocular manipulation and reducing the risk of graft failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the donor lenticule is manipulated intraocularly without OVD, then the procedure is simpler, but endothelial cell loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure complexityVSAvoidendothelial cell loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved housing member with platform serves as an intermediary delivery system that eliminates the need for OVD. The lenticule is delivered in a pre-positioned, protected state within the assembly, allowing direct placement in the anterior chamber without requiring OVD for protection or manipulation, thereby simplifying the procedure while reducing cell loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If thicker donor lenticules are used, then graft stability is improved, but anterior chamber shallowing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraft stabilityVSAvoidanterior chamber volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The curved housing member is designed with a specific radius of curvature that matches the natural curvature of the cornea and anterior chamber. This curvature allows thicker donor lenticules to be inserted and positioned without causing anterior chamber shallowing, as the curved platform distributes the lenticule evenly and maintains optimal chamber depth while ensuring graft stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2224881B1Ophthalmic surgical device for endothelial keratoplasty for descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) surgery

Publication Date: 2014.04.23 TAN KS

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

There is disclosed an assembly for inserting a corneal implant. The assembly comprises adeformation chamber (1) for storing said implant in a pre-determined deformed shape. Thechamber comprisesa housing member and a platform (4) in sliding engagement with said housing member. The platform hasan insertion end for inserting into a corneal incision, with the housing member arranged to slide relative to said platform so as to at least partially enter said incision. Further provided is biasing means (101) for biasing the implant from the housing whilstin the deformed shape.