Intraocular Injection Device with Stabilizing Support Element

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Intravitreal injections for treating eye disorders often result in complications due to incorrect needle placement or angle, leading to traumas such as intraocular hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and cataracts, as they require experienced ophthalmologists and involve repeated procedures with variable conditions.

Innovation Solution

A device with a support element and directing means for stabilizing and orienting the eye, featuring an annular support surface, handle, and a bore for precise needle insertion, along with mechanisms to keep the eye open and minimize conjunctiva exposure, ensuring reproducible and safe administration of medication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intravitreal injections are performed by experienced ophthalmologists using visual assessment, then the treatment can be administered, but the risk of complications such as intraocular hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and cataracts increases due to incorrect needle placement or angle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment safetyVSAvoidneedle placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support element with directing means as an intermediary tool between the ophthalmologist's skill and the needle insertion process. This device provides mechanical guidance through bores and edges that constrain needle placement to correct positions and angles, eliminating reliance on visual assessment and reducing complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical skill-based approach (visual assessment and hand coordination) with a mechanical guidance system. The support element with its bores, edges, and directing means creates a mechanical constraint system that automatically ensures correct needle placement, substituting human skill variability with mechanical precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If repeated intravitreal injections are performed without standardized positioning, then multiple treatments can be administered, but the variability in insertion conditions leads to unnecessary trauma to the eye

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment frequencyVSAvoideye trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the support element on the eye before needle insertion. The support element with its pre-formed bores and directing means establishes the correct insertion path in advance, ensuring that each repeated injection follows the same safe trajectory and minimizing cumulative trauma from variable placements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent standardizes critical parameters (insertion position, angle, depth) through the mechanical structure of the support element. The bore diameter, edge positioning, and directing means geometry fix these parameters, transforming variable manual insertion into a standardized process that can be repeated without increasing trauma risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the support element contacts the eye over a large area, then stable placement is achieved, but irritation to the patient's eye increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoideye irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is segmented into distinct functional zones: a minimal contact area for eye placement, separate directing means for needle guidance, and distinct bores for insertion. This segmentation allows the device to achieve stability through precise geometric positioning rather than large-area contact, minimizing irritation while maintaining placement stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9144516B2Device for intraocular administration of a substance, for example a medication, into a human or animal eye by means of a hypodermic needle

Publication Date: 2015.09.29 SHARPSIGHT

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for intraocular administration of a substance, for example a medication, into a human or animal eye by means of a hypodermic needle. Until recently, intravitreal or intraocular injections, by which a substance, and more in particular a medication, is injected into a human or animal eye by means of a hypodermic needle, were only used in exceptional cases. Especially in the treatment of endophtalmitis, an infrequently occurring intraocular inflammation of the eye, antibiotics are often administered intravitreally. The object of the invention is to provide a tool which makes it possible, using one instrument, to keep the eye stationary and at the same time facilitate giving the injection, which will be carried out under identical, reproducible circumstances at all times in that case. According to the invention, the device is characterized in that it comprises a support element to be placed on the eye as well as directing means for orienting the hypodermic needle relative to the eye. Thus it is possible to carry out such eye treatments in an identical, reproducible manner, thereby preventing all kinds of traumas to the eye—resulting from undesirable incorrect insertion of the hypodermic needle—and the associated inconvenience to the patient.