Adjustable Glaucoma Shunt Flow Control With Nonlinear Port Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glaucoma treatments require invasive procedures for adjusting fluid flow through shunts, which can be costly, time-consuming, and risky, and may lead to complications like hypotony.
Innovation Solution
Implantable shunts with non-linearly arranged flow control elements that can be adjusted post-implantation using energy sources, allowing for selective regulation of fluid flow without additional surgeries, utilizing shape memory materials for actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional glaucoma shunts are used with invasive adjustment procedures, then fluid flow can be controlled, but the procedures are costly, time-consuming, and risky with potential complications like hypotony
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive adjustment procedures with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Flow control elements are actuated remotely using magnetic fields generated by an external device, eliminating the need for surgical procedures to adjust fluid flow through the shunt. This substitution of mechanical adjustment with magnetic actuation directly resolves the contradiction by improving safety while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the external control device and the flow control elements. The magnetic field serves as a non-invasive mediator that can actuate the flow control elements through the shunt wall without direct mechanical contact or surgical intervention, thereby improving safety while enabling easy adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow control elements are arranged linearly, then each element can be controlled individually, but the shunt length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear arrangement of flow control elements to a planar or two-dimensional arrangement. Multiple flow control elements are positioned at different locations around the shunt circumference rather than in a straight line, allowing individual control of each element while minimizing the overall shunt length required to accommodate all elements.
3Ease of operation
If flow control elements are positioned far from the collection region, then there is more space for actuation, but the distance from drainage region increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions flow control elements in a planar arrangement around the collection region rather than in a linear sequence. This two-dimensional positioning allows sufficient space for magnetic actuation of each element while keeping all elements close to the collection region, thereby providing both adequate actuation space and minimal distance from the drainage region.
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
Enables non-invasive, remote adjustment of fluid flow to manage intraocular pressure, reducing the risk of complications and improving treatment efficacy by accommodating individual patient needs.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing shape memory materials for actuation
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology is directed to adjustable shunts for treating glaucoma. In particular, some embodiments provide shunts having a plurality of individually actuatable flow control elements that can control the flow of fluid through associated ports and/or flow lumens. For example, each individually actuatable flow control element can be actuated to modify a flow of a corresponding port and/or flow lumen. The individually actuatable flow control elements may be actuated along a given actuation axis. A flow control assembly may include a plurality of flow control elements arranged about a collection region. Accordingly, the shunts described herein can be manipulated into a variety of configurations that provide different drainage rates based on a degree to which the ports and/or flow lumens are blocked or unblocked, therefore providing a titratable glaucoma therapy for draining aqueous from the anterior chamber of the eye.