Glaucoma Shunt Occlusion for Tamponade-Safe Aqueous Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shunts for treating glaucoma during and after vitreoretinal surgery are unsuitable for use with tamponading agents, leading to potential optic nerve damage due to 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, featuring various mechanisms such as valve members, foraminous bodies, or removable plugs to regulate aqueous fluid flow and maintain intraocular pressure within a safe range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a shunt is implanted to drain aqueous fluid from the ocular chamber into the subarachnoid space, then intraocular pressure is reduced and glaucoma is treated, but tamponading agents may pass through the shunt into the extra-ocular space causing harm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglaucoma treatment effectivenessVSAvoidtamponading agent contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shunt incorporates a valve member with selective permeability that allows aqueous fluid to pass through while blocking tamponading agents. The valve is positioned at a specific location in the shunt structure where it selectively permits flow based on fluid properties, creating different permeability characteristics for different fluids at the same location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A valve member acts as an intermediary element within the shunt structure. This valve selectively mediates the flow between aqueous fluid and tamponading agents, allowing the former to pass while preventing the latter from entering the extra-ocular space, thus protecting against harmful contamination while maintaining therapeutic function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the shunt allows free drainage of aqueous fluid, then intraocular pressure is effectively reduced, but over-drainage or under-drainage occurs due to inability to regulate flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraocular pressure controlVSAvoidflow rate regulation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve member is designed to automatically regulate flow rate based on pressure differential and fluid properties without requiring external control mechanisms. The system self-adjusts the opening degree and flow characteristics according to physiological conditions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical or electronic regulation devices while maintaining reliable pressure control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

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 occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage pathway establishmentVSAvoidnerve fiber and blood supply damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shunt insertion pathway is divided into multiple segments with distinct anatomical landmarks. The device is designed to navigate through these segments while avoiding critical structures such as retinal nerve fibers and optic nerve head blood supply. The segmented approach allows precise control over the insertion trajectory and termination point, minimizing damage to sensitive tissues while establishing effective drainage.

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 shunt effectively drains excess aqueous fluid from the ocular chambers into the orbital subarachnoid space, reducing intraocular pressure and preventing damage to retinal nerve fibers and optic nerve head blood supply, thereby treating glaucoma.

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical blockage:

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS20260076829A1Shunt And Method For Treating Glaucoma

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 LIQUID MEDICAL PTY LTD

AI summary

A method for treating glaucoma includes providing a shunt for treating glaucoma in a patient during and/or after vitreoretinal surgery involving use of a surgical tamponading agent. The shunt includes a tubular body having a proximal end which is implantable in an ocular chamber of the patient and a distal end which is implantable in an extra-ocular space of the patient. The tubular body defines a lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends. The shunt also includes occlusion means for at least partially occluding the lumen to prevent the tamponading agent from entering the extra-ocular space. The method further includes making at least one incision in a pars plana region of a sclera of the patient, and advancing the shunt through the ocular globe to leave the proximal end of the shunt in the ocular chamber and the distal end of the shunt in the extra-ocular space.