Integrated IOP Sensor and Drainage Device for Glaucoma
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glaucoma management devices face challenges with separate intraocular pressure sensors and drainage devices requiring multiple surgical procedures, being rigid and non-conformal to individual eye anatomy, leading to fibrotic reactions and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An integrated intraocular pressure sensor and glaucoma drainage device using a highly flexible, porous biocompatible material that combines the sensor and antenna elements, allowing for a single surgical procedure and conformability to the eye's anatomy, with a porous structure for fluid drainage and pressure measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate intraocular pressure sensors and drainage devices are used, then pressure monitoring and drainage functions are provided, but multiple surgical procedures are required and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure sensor element, antenna element, and drainage element into a single integrated intraocular device. The sensor and antenna are positioned within the drainage element structure, allowing both pressure monitoring and fluid drainage functions to be performed by one device implanted in a single surgical procedure, eliminating the need for separate implantation procedures
2Reliability
If rigid drainage plates are used, then drainage function is provided, but fibrotic reactions occur and effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage element is constructed from highly flexible, porous biocompatible material that can conform to the individual anatomy of the eye. This flexibility prevents the fibrotic reactions and chronic microtrauma problems associated with rigid plates, while maintaining the drainage function through the porous structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the drainage plate from rigid to highly flexible. This material property change eliminates the harmful fibrotic reactions while preserving the drainage capability through the porous structure of the flexible material
3Reliability
If large rigid drainage plates are used, then drainage capacity is provided, but trauma during insertion and use occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible drainage element can be inserted with minimal trauma and conforms to the eye's anatomy without causing chronic microtrauma. The flexibility allows the device to adapt to the curved surface of the eye, eliminating the trauma problems associated with large rigid plates
4Reliability
If non-conformal drainage devices are used, then drainage function is provided, but mismatches cause chronic microtrauma problems
Solution Approach 1:
The highly flexible drainage element can be custom-formed to match the specific curvature and anatomy of each patient's eye. This conformability eliminates mismatches between the device and eye geometry, preventing chronic microtrauma problems while maintaining effective drainage function
Solution Approach 2:
The device can be customized to have different local properties to match the specific anatomy of each patient's eye, including varying curvature and size. This localized customization ensures optimal fit and prevents microtrauma while maintaining drainage effectiveness
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 integrated device enables continuous, accurate intraocular pressure monitoring and drainage with reduced fibrotic reactions and trauma, improving patient outcomes by minimizing surgical interventions and enhancing device compatibility with individual eye anatomy.
Implementation Method 1
The drainage element comprises a highly flexible, porous biocompatible material... with a porous structure for fluid drainage
Implementation Method 2
enables continuous, accurate intraocular pressure monitoring and drainage with reduced fibrotic reactions
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a device for glaucoma treatment and monitoring that comprises a combination of an intraocular pressure (IOP) sensor and a glaucoma drainage device. The device comprises an IOP sensor and an inductive antenna mounted within a porous biocompatible material that forms the drainage path. The IOP sensor is mounted in a footplate portion of the device and is mountable in the anterior chamber of an eye. The footplate portion is connected to a body portion that houses the spiral antenna by a neck portion which retains the footplate portion in a suitable position within the anterior chamber. Due to its size, the footplate portion housing the IOP sensor can readily be inserted into the anterior chamber with the body portion housing the spiral antenna located outside of the anterior chamber in a sub-scleral space to disperse the aqueous humour.