Deformable Glaucoma Implant via Anterior Chamber Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for draining aqueous humor from the eye to relieve glaucoma often result in abnormal intraocular pressure buildup and complications due to incisions in vascular tissues, which lead to healing and blockage of fluid egress, and contact with the corneal endothelium, causing vision loss.

Innovation Solution

A deformable implantable device and method for inserting it into the sclera without incising the conjunctiva or tenon's tissue, using a pocketmaker device to create a chamber and insert the device through a small corneal incision, allowing the device to expand and fill the chamber without contacting the endothelium, and using biocompatible materials that return to their original shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a drainage device is implanted in the sclera to relieve intraocular pressure, then fluid egress is improved, but vascular tissue heals and blocks the device over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid egressVSAvoiddevice blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the drainage device from the vascularized scleral tissue and places it in the avascular anterior chamber. By removing the device from contact with healing vascular tissue, the blockage problem is eliminated while maintaining fluid egress function through the trabecular meshwork.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses the trabecular meshwork as an intermediary structure for fluid drainage. Instead of creating a direct scleral fistula that heals over, the device facilitates flow through the natural trabecular meshwork pathway, which remains patent and functional.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the device is placed in the trabecular meshwork area, then fluid drainage is improved, but the corneal endothelium is damaged causing vision loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid drainageVSAvoidcorneal endothelium damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by placing the device in a specific location (anterior chamber away from endothelium) where the corneal endothelium is not disturbed. The device maintains its drainage function while being positioned in a region that does not compromise endothelial cell integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The device is extracted from direct contact with the corneal endothelium and positioned in the anterior chamber. This separation eliminates the harmful mechanical contact and associated endothelial cell death while preserving the drainage function through trabecular meshwork flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a large incision is made in the conjunctiva and sclera to implant the device, then device insertion is facilitated, but healing responses block fluid egress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice insertionVSAvoidfluid egress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional surgical approach by working from the anterior chamber outward rather than from the conjunctiva inward. The device is inserted through a small corneal incision from the anterior chamber side, avoiding large conjunctival incisions and the associated healing blockage problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical approach is segmented into separate steps: creating a small corneal incision, inserting the device into the anterior chamber, and allowing the incision to heal. This segmentation avoids the need for a single large incision that would trigger extensive healing responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively reduces intraocular pressure by allowing normal fluid migration from the anterior chamber, preventing excessive fluid loss and collapse, while avoiding healing responses that block the device, thus maintaining vision and preventing corneal decompensation.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11395764B1Eye implant devices and method and device for implanting such devices for treatment of glaucoma

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 OMEGAD LLC

AI summary

The present invention provides for a deformable, insertable device for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion composed of a biocompatible porous material with pores throughout to permit drainage of fluid from the anterior chamber to the scleral tissue without collapse of the anterior chamber. The invention also includes a method for inserting the device into the eye and for using ultrasound intraoperatively to determine the position of surgical tools and devices within the sclera. The invention also includes a device excising sclera in an eye to create a chamber for insertion of the insertable device into the eye.