Rotational Intraocular Shunt Flow Control for Non-Invasive Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glaucoma treatments, including surgical approaches, often require invasive procedures to adjust fluid flow through shunts, which can be costly, time-consuming, and risky, and may lead to complications such as hypotony.

Innovation Solution

Intraocular shunting systems with flow control assemblies that utilize shape memory actuation elements to rotate and adjust fluid resistance through apertures, allowing for non-invasive, remote control of fluid flow post-implantation, using energy sources like lasers to maintain desired orientations without additional power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If surgical approaches are used to adjust fluid flow through shunts, then fluid flow control is achieved, but the procedure becomes invasive, costly, and risky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment of fluid flowVSAvoidinvasiveness and risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical adjustment with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Shape memory alloy elements are actuated remotely through magnetic fields applied from external devices, eliminating the need for surgical intervention to adjust fluid flow through the shunt.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The shunt system incorporates self-adjusting capabilities through shape memory alloy elements that can change their configuration in response to magnetic field stimulation. This allows the device to self-regulate fluid flow without requiring external surgical intervention or additional power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If additional power sources are added to control fluid flow, then remote control capability is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shape memory alloy elements serve as both the actuator and the control mechanism. They require no external power source, battery, or electronic control circuitry within the implant itself. The material's inherent phase transformation properties enable it to respond to magnetic field stimulation and adjust fluid flow autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes traditional powered actuation mechanisms (motors, pistons, electronic controls) with a passive shape memory alloy system that responds to external magnetic fields. This eliminates the need for power transmission components and complex control systems within the implant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If shape memory actuation elements are used to rotate control elements, then non-invasive adjustment is achieved, but the mechanism requires external energy sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-invasive adjustmentVSAvoidexternal energy requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical or electrical actuation with magnetic field-based actuation of shape memory alloy elements. The magnetic field serves as the external energy source, enabling non-invasive rotation of control elements and adjustment of fluid flow without requiring surgical intervention or internal power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 fluid flow to manage intraocular pressure without additional surgeries, extending device longevity and reducing complications.

Implementation Method 1

at least one shape memory actuation element that, when actuated, pivots or otherwise rotates the control element relative to the drainage element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

using energy sources like lasers to maintain desired orientations without additional power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS20250387265A1Shunting systems with rotation-based flow control assemblies, and associated systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 SHIFAMED HLDG LLC

AI summary

The present technology relates to intraocular shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes intraocular shunting systems that include a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within an anterior chamber of the eye outside of an optical field of view of the patient and an outflow portion configured for placement at a different location of the eye. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a rotational control element operably coupled to the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include an actuation structure coupled to the rotational control element and configured to selectively change an orientation of the rotational control element. An amount of fluid through the inflow portion and/or the outflow portion can vary based on the selected orientation of the rotational control element.