Adjustable Glaucoma Shunt Flow Control for Titratable Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for glaucoma, such as surgical shunts, often require invasive procedures for adjusting outflow resistance, which can be time-consuming, expensive, and risk complications like hypotony, as they do not allow for post-implantation adjustments without additional surgeries.
Innovation Solution
The development of adjustable intraocular shunts with individually actuatable flow control elements and a flow control assembly that can be non-invasively adjusted using energy sources, such as lasers, to modify flow resistance and drainage rates, allowing for titratable glaucoma therapy without further invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surgical shunts are used for glaucoma treatment, then fluid drainage is achieved, but invasive procedures are required for adjusting outflow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt incorporates adjustable flow control elements that can be modified after implantation to change outflow resistance dynamically. The device transitions from a fixed configuration to an adjustable one, allowing clinicians to titrate drainage rates without returning to the operating room.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms (which would require surgical access) with a system that uses energy sources like lasers to actuate flow control elements. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical manipulation during follow-up visits.
2Productivity
If traditional shunts are used, then fluid drainage is provided, but repeated surgeries are needed for adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt is pre-configured with multiple flow control elements and actuation mechanisms during manufacturing, enabling all future adjustments to be made non-invasively. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for surgical re-intervention and reduces the time loss associated with repeated operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If surgical adjustments are performed, then outflow resistance can be modified, but complications like hypotony may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows for incremental adjustments to outflow resistance with the ability to monitor results and make further modifications if needed. This feedback loop enables clinicians to titrate the drainage rate carefully, avoiding excessive flow that could cause hypotony while achieving adequate pressure reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt provides a range of adjustment options beyond what is initially needed, allowing clinicians to start with conservative settings and increase drainage gradually. This partial action approach reduces the risk of overtreatment and hypotony while maintaining the versatility to address varying clinical needs.
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 precise regulation of intraocular pressure by allowing clinicians to adjust the shunt post-implantation, reducing the need for repeated surgeries and minimizing complications like hypotony, thereby providing a more effective and convenient treatment for glaucoma.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of non-linearly arranged flow control elements may be actuatable using energy sources, such as lasers
Data Source
AI summary
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.