Expandable Ocular Implant Sheath for Glaucoma Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocular implants for treating glaucoma face challenges in accurate placement, as they either fail to communicate effectively with the anterior chamber or cause damage to ocular tissues due to improper positioning, leading to inadequate intraocular pressure regulation.
Innovation Solution
An expandable sheath system that can be securely adapted to ocular implants, allowing them to transition from a compact configuration for easy implantation to an expanded configuration within the eye, facilitating fluid flow and tissue separation without requiring large incisions, thus optimizing intraocular pressure reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the implant is placed too distally into the eye, then the implant can be positioned in the supraciliary space, but no portion of the implant remains in the anterior chamber which inhibits aqueous outflow
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates an expandable feature that transitions from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration. This dynamic transformation allows the implant to be delivered in a compact form and then expand to achieve proper positioning with sufficient length in the anterior chamber for effective aqueous outflow
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable feature is nested within the implant structure, allowing the implant to be delivered in a compressed state within a delivery system and then expand to its functional configuration after implantation, ensuring proper positioning without requiring large incisions
2Measurement precision
If the implant is placed too proximally in the supraciliary space, then a significant portion of the implant remains in the anterior chamber, but damage to the corneal endothelium may result from implants that protrude upwards and touch the cornea
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable feature transitions from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration, allowing precise control over the implant's final position and dimensions. This ensures the implant achieves sufficient length in the anterior chamber while preventing excessive protrusion that could damage the corneal endothelium
Solution Approach 2:
The implant's physical parameters (length, diameter) are dynamically changed through the expansion mechanism, transitioning from a compact delivered state to an expanded functional state with optimized dimensions that prevent tissue damage while ensuring effective aqueous outflow
3Measurement precision
If the implant is placed too proximally, then a significant portion of the implant remains in the anterior chamber, but the implant may touch the iris resulting in increased amounts of pigment dispersion which can increase outflow resistance and intraocular pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable feature allows the implant to be delivered in a compressed state and then expand to achieve optimal positioning that ensures sufficient anterior chamber presence for aqueous outflow while preventing contact with the iris that could cause pigment dispersion and increased outflow resistance
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are devices and methods related to implants for treating one or more physiological conditions of the eye. Some embodiments disclosed herein include an expandable ocular implant for implanting in an eye. The expandable implant can include an implant having an elongate tubular body and an expandable sheath securely adapted to a part of the implant. Some embodiments of the expandable sheath can have at least one expandable feature that can assist the expandable sheath in forming a compact and an expanded configuration.