Elastic Membrane Glaucoma Drainage for Stable Intraocular Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glaucoma drainage devices face issues with inconsistent intraocular pressure regulation, leading to complications such as hypotony and fibrosis, and often require complex mechanisms that increase the risk of malfunction and implantation challenges.
Innovation Solution
An implantable device with an elastic membrane that self-regulates fluid flow based on pressure differentials, using a biocompatible housing shell and local constriction to maintain consistent intraocular pressure by adjusting fluidic resistance, reducing the risk of hypotony and fibrosis-related complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive drainage device with fixed hydrodynamic resistance is used, then the device structure is simple, but the intraocular pressure regulation is inconsistent leading to hypotony or over-drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed hydrodynamic resistance with a dynamic regulation mechanism. The elastic membrane responds to pressure differentials between the anterior chamber and the drainage site, automatically adjusting the flow resistance to maintain consistent intraocular pressure. This dynamic adaptation prevents both hypotony and over-drainage complications while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by utilizing the elastic properties of the membrane to vary the flow resistance based on pressure conditions. The elastic membrane's deformation under different pressure differentials changes the effective flow area and resistance dynamically, allowing the device to adapt to varying intraocular pressure conditions without requiring complex mechanical components.
2Reliability
If a membrane valve is used to regulate flow, then the intraocular pressure control is improved, but the device complexity increases and risk of malfunction rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing a flow regulation mechanism that operates autonomously based on pressure differentials. The elastic membrane automatically adjusts the flow resistance in response to pressure changes between the anterior chamber and drainage site, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms, motors, or complex mechanical components that could malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical valve systems with a passive elastic membrane-based regulation mechanism. Instead of using motorized valves, pneumatic actuators, or complex mechanical linkages, the invention utilizes the inherent elastic properties of the membrane to provide flow regulation, significantly reducing device complexity and potential failure points.
3Stress or pressure
If the drainage resistance is reduced to lower IOP, then the IOP reduction is effective, but over-drainage and hypotony occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a passive feedback mechanism where the elastic membrane's deformation is directly proportional to the pressure differential between the anterior chamber and the drainage site. When intraocular pressure drops too low, the reduced pressure differential causes the membrane to close the flow path, preventing over-drainage. When pressure rises, the increased differential opens the path to restore flow, maintaining stable pressure control.
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 device effectively maintains stable intraocular pressure by dynamically adjusting fluid flow, minimizing complications and simplifying implantation, while reducing the risk of clogging and mechanical failure.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic membrane is constructed to deform to change the volume of a sealed cavity responsive to pressure fluctuations between the first and second ends, thereby varying the fluidic resistance of the flow of fluid through the fluidic channel
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A device (100) is provided for treating diseases that produce elevated intraocular pressures, such as glaucoma, wherein the device (100) includes a housing shell (101) defining a cavity (107) between a first end (102) and a second end (104) of the housing shell (101), and an elastic membrane (110) disposed within the cavity (107) to divide the cavity (107) into a fluidic channel (106) that permits a flow of fluid from the first end (102) to the second (104) end and a sealed cavity (112). The elastic membrane (110) deforms to change the volume of the sealed cavity (107) responsive to pressure fluctuations between the first and second ends (102, 104), thereby varying the fluidic resistance of the flow of fluid through the fluidic channel (106).