Glaucoma Shunt Micro-Passage Occlusion for Tamponade Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shunt devices are unsuitable for use during vitreoretinal surgery with tamponading agents, leading to potential damage from high ocular pressures and inadequate regulation of aqueous fluid flow, which can induce or worsen glaucoma.
Innovation Solution
A shunt with a tubular body and occlusion means to prevent tamponading agents from entering the extra-ocular space, while regulating fluid flow through mechanisms like flap valves, flexible tube valves, foraminous bodies, or removable plugs to manage intraocular pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shunt device is used to drain aqueous fluid during vitreoretinal surgery with tamponading agents, then glaucoma treatment is achieved, but tamponading agents may pass through the shunt into the extra-ocular space causing harm
Solution Approach 1:
A mesh filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the shunt lumen and the extra-ocular space. The mesh filter allows aqueous fluid to pass through while blocking tamponading agents (gas or oil) from entering the extra-ocular space, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling drainage and preventing contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt incorporates a porous mesh filter structure that selectively permits fluid passage while blocking larger tamponading agents. The porous material allows aqueous humor to drain effectively while the mesh geometry prevents gas bubbles or oil from penetrating into the subarachnoid space
2Reliability
If aqueous fluid drainage is increased to treat glaucoma, then intraocular pressure is reduced, but over-drainage may cause complications
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt incorporates a movable occlusion member (such as a valve or plug) that can dynamically adjust the drainage aperture size. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to respond to pressure differentials and prevent over-drainage by automatically reducing flow when the eye's aqueous production decreases, thus maintaining stable intraocular pressure control
3Ease of operation
If the shunt is inserted through the posterior wall of the ocular globe, then drainage pathway is established, but damage to retinal nerve fibers and optic nerve head blood supply may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt tip is designed with a tapered, non-cutting surface profile that concentrates the insertion force at a localized point while distributing mechanical stress away from neural and vascular structures. This local quality modification allows the shunt to penetrate the posterior wall effectively while minimizing damage to surrounding retinal nerve fibers and optic nerve head blood vessels
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt incorporates a cushioning mechanism or protective coating at the tip that prevents direct mechanical damage to neural and vascular structures during insertion. This beforehand protective measure allows the shunt to establish its drainage pathway while cushioning against potential trauma to sensitive tissues
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
Effectively drains excess aqueous fluid to the orbital subarachnoid space, preventing damage to retinal nerve fibers and optic nerve head, and maintaining optimal intraocular pressure during and after vitreoretinal surgery.
Implementation Method 1
occlusion means for at least partially occluding the lumen so as to prevent the tamponading agent from entering the extra-ocular space
Implementation Method 2
Regulate the flow rate of aqueous fluid from the ocular chambers into the subarachnoid space so as to prevent over or under drainage of aqueous fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A shunt 200 for treating glaucoma in a patient during and/or after vitreoretinal surgery involving the use of a tamponading agent comprising a gas or oil bubble 50. The shunt includes a tubular body 12 having a proximal end 14 which is implantable in the vitreous cavity C of a patient and a distal end which is implantable in the subarachnoid space of the patient. The tubular body defines a lumen 18 extending between the distal and proximal ends. The shunt includes an occlusion body 32 defining a number of micro-passages 34 inflow communication with the lumen 18. The micro-passages are configured in terms of their size and number to provide sufficient surface tension and viscosity resistance in order to prevent the tamponading agent from passing through the micro-passages into the lumen, yet allow sufficient aqueous fluid from the vitreous cavity to travel along the micro-passages into the lumen 18 in order to regulate intraocular pressure.