Electrocapillary Microfluidic Pump for Glaucoma Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glaucoma treatments face challenges in effectively managing intraocular pressure due to obstruction or increased resistance in drainage sites, leading to potential harm from elevated pressure in the eye.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic pump system is implanted near the eye, featuring a microfluidic actuator with chambers, channels, and membranes that utilize an electric potential to control fluid flow and overcome resistance by deflecting membranes and valves to ensure continuous drainage of aqueous humor, even when pressure exceeds normal levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drainage site is used to drain aqueous humor from the eye, then intraocular pressure is reduced, but the drainage site may become obstructed or pressurized causing cessation of draining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive mechanical drainage systems with an electrocapillary pump system that uses electrical actuation to drive fluid flow. The electrocapillary pump uses voltage-controlled membrane deformation to create pressure gradients, replacing the passive trabecular meshwork drainage pathway with an active electromechanical pumping system that can overcome obstructions and maintain continuous flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the drainage system through electrocapillary pumping. The pump can adjust its operation in real-time by applying different voltages to the membranes, allowing it to adapt to varying drainage conditions, overcome obstructions, and maintain reliable flow even when the drainage site becomes pressurized or obstructed.
2Reliability
If the trabecular meshwork provides resistance to aqueous humor outflow, then intraocular pressure increases, but this resistance cannot be actively controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical resistance of the trabecular meshwork with an active electrocapillary pump system. The pump uses electrical actuation to create controlled pressure gradients, replacing the uncontrolled passive resistance with an actively regulated electromechanical system that can dynamically adjust to maintain optimal intraocular pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the drainage system by using voltage-controlled membrane deformation to create variable pressure gradients. By adjusting the applied voltage, the system can dynamically change the pumping pressure to overcome varying resistance and maintain reliable aqueous humor drainage, providing active pressure regulation capability.
3Reliability
If a microfluidic pump system is implanted to actively drain aqueous humor, then drainage control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the electrocapillary pump is integrated within the glaucoma drainage device. The pump chambers and membranes are embedded within the existing drainage architecture, with the microfluidic channels nested within the device body. This nested arrangement allows the complex pump functionality to be incorporated without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or surgical implantation 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 microfluidic pump system provides enhanced control and maintenance of intraocular pressure, ensuring effective drainage and reducing the risk of elevated pressure, thereby improving treatment outcomes for glaucoma patients.
Implementation Method 1
The slug is displaceable by applying an electric potential to an electrolytic fluid in the first and second chambers and the channel
Implementation Method 2
A first membrane portion separates the first reservoir and the first chamber, and a second membrane portion separates the second reservoir and the second chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic pump for implantation proximate an eye of a patient is disclosed herein. The microfluidic pump includes a first substrate with a microfluidic actuator that includes a first chamber and a second chamber coupled by a channel, an electrode in each of the chambers, and a slug positioned within the channel. The slug is displaceable by an electric potential. The microfluidic actuator of the microfluidic pump includes a reservoir aligned with the chamber, a membrane portion separating the reservoir and the chamber, and a second reservoir aligned with the second chamber. A second membrane portion separates the second reservoir and the second chamber. Each of the reservoirs has an inlet and an outlet; each of the inlets has a valve that prevents backflow. A second substrate of the microfluidic pump includes a flow path coupling the outlet of the first reservoir to the inlet of the second reservoir.