Glaucoma Shunt With Color-Change Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glaucoma surgery devices for reducing intraocular pressure are difficult to handle and implant safely, with risks of misplacement and instability, and are costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A glaucoma shunt device with a flat head and open-sided relief channel is designed for insertion through the sclera into the posterior chamber, establishing a flow connection between the posterior chamber and the outside, promoting drainage between the conjunctiva and sclera, and is made from biocompatible materials to ensure secure fit and efficient drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing glaucoma shunt devices are used, then drainage function is provided, but the devices are difficult to handle and implant safely during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a color-changing indicator that transitions from red to green to provide visual feedback during implantation. The red color indicates the device is in the loading cone, while the green color confirms proper placement in the eye, eliminating the need for complex positioning mechanisms and enabling intuitive implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
A loading cone serves as an intermediary tool that guides the device through the sclera into the eye. The loading cone simplifies the implantation process by providing a controlled delivery mechanism, allowing the device to be safely inserted without requiring complex surgical maneuvers.
2Reliability
If existing glaucoma shunt devices are used, then drainage function is provided, but the risk of misplacement and wandering occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device features a curved back surface that conforms to the contour of the eye, providing stable positioning and preventing migration. This curved geometry naturally adapts to the spherical shape of the eyeball, ensuring the device remains in place without requiring additional anchoring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device has an asymmetric design with a flat front surface for drainage and a curved back surface for positioning. This asymmetric geometry provides both stable implantation and effective drainage function, eliminating the need for complex fixation mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing glaucoma shunt devices are used, then drainage function is provided, but manufacturing costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a single integrated component combining the drainage channel, positioning features, and color-changing indicator. This monolithic structure simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for assembling multiple parts, reducing production complexity and costs while maintaining reliable drainage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a cost-effective color-changing material that provides reliable positioning feedback without requiring expensive precision mechanisms. The simple color-indicating system achieves reliable implantation at low cost, making the overall device more affordable while maintaining performance.
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 device allows for simple and safe implantation, reduces the risk of misplacement, and provides a secure fit, while being cost-effective and effective in lowering intraocular pressure by draining fluid from the posterior chamber, thus addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a relief channel which is open on both sides and extends through the head area and the probe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for use in glaucoma surgery intended for implantation in the eye. The device comprises a flat head region (8), a probe (6) which adjoins the head region (8), and a relief channel (7) which extends through the head region (8) and the probe (6) and is open at both sides. The design and dimensions of the head region (8) and of the probe (6) are such that the probe (6) can be inserted by its free end through the sclera (4) into the posterior chamber (10) of the eye in order to reduce an excessive intraocular pressure when the conjunctiva (3) is open, and such that, in the inserted position, the lower side of the head region (8) comes into abutment with the sclera (4), and the upper side of the head region (8) can be covered by closing the conjunctiva (3) such that drainage can be performed from the posterior chamber (10) into a gap (11) between the conjunctiva (3) and the sclera (4).