Filter Device for Embolic Protection During Ophthalmic Artery Stenting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy often focus on symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause, which is often related to compromised blood flow and oxygen delivery to the eye, particularly in the vascular structures like the internal carotid and ophthalmic arteries.

Innovation Solution

The use of stents and catheter delivery systems to restore or increase blood flow by removing blockages in the vascular structures, specifically in the ostium between the internal carotid and ophthalmic arteries, to improve oxygen delivery to the eye, employing methods like stent placement and atherectomy to ensure patency and reduce the risk of thrombotic events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current treatments (injections, laser treatment) are used to treat eye diseases, then symptoms are treated, but the underlying cause (compromised blood flow and oxygen delivery) is not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidcomplexity of treatment approach

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device is deployed before stent placement to prevent embolic events during the procedure. This preliminary protective action addresses the underlying cause (compromised blood flow) while performing the necessary treatment, rather than just treating symptoms after the fact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If stent placement is performed in the ostium between ICA and OA, then blood flow is restored, but risk of thrombotic events and stroke during the procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow restorationVSAvoidthrombotic events and stroke risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device is deployed in advance to counteract the harmful effect of potential emboli before they can cause damage. By having the protective mechanism in place before stent manipulation, the procedure can restore blood flow while minimizing the risk of thrombotic events and stroke.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The filter acts as a protective cushion against embolic material that may be dislodged during stent placement. This beforehand protection allows the beneficial blood flow restoration to proceed while buffering against the harmful thrombotic risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the vasculature anatomy with tortuous blood flow pathway is considered, then accurate device delivery to the eye is challenging, but necessary for effective treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoiddevice delivery difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device is nested within the catheter delivery system, allowing it to be guided through the tortuous vasculature by the catheter. Once at the target location, the filter is deployed from the catheter, maintaining the benefits of the delivery system while achieving the protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11278389B2Methods and devices for treating an eye using a filter

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 J D FRANCO & CO LLC

AI summary

A method for treating at least one of an ophthalmic artery or an ostium between the ophthalmic artery and an internal carotid artery of a subject may include delivering a microcatheter to a location within vasculature of the subject. The method may further include delivering a filter to a location within at least one of the ophthalmic artery or the ostium and transitioning the filter between a first delivery configuration and a second deployed configuration. Further, the method may include deploying a stent to a location within the internal carotid artery.