Intraocular Stent Retention and Flow Path Design for Glaucoma Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular stents face challenges with insertion and stability issues, as well as clotting and debris clogging, leading to disrupted aqueous humor flow and increased intraocular pressure, often requiring invasive surgical incisions for insertion.
Innovation Solution
Intraocular stents with a self-piercing harpoon and retention members that engage the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, providing stable retention and non-perpendicular fluid flow paths, reducing the need for separate incisions and minimizing clotting and debris buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a self-piercing harpoon structure is used for insertion, then surgical invasiveness is reduced and insertion ease is improved, but device complexity increases due to the specialized piercing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is equipped with a self-piercing harpoon that automatically penetrates the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm wall without requiring a separate surgical incision or cutting device. The harpoon structure enables the device to perform its own insertion function, reducing surgical invasiveness while the integrated design manages the added complexity.
2Reliability
If retention members are added to engage trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, then stent stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention members are integrated with the stent structure itself, combining the anchoring function with the main body of the device. This merging approach provides stable engagement with the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm while avoiding the need for separate retention components, thus managing device complexity.
3Reliability
If non-perpendicular fluid flow paths are designed, then clotting and debris buildup is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow path angle is changed from a perpendicular (90-degree) configuration to a non-perpendicular angle. This parameter modification reduces clotting and debris buildup by improving fluid dynamics, while the specific angle chosen balances the benefit against manufacturing precision requirements.
4Productivity
If the stent is designed to extend between anterior chamber and canal of Schlemm, then aqueous humor drainage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple engagement points
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs aqueous humor drainage, self-piercing insertion, and stable retention through integrated features. The single structure accomplishes multiple functions (drainage conduit, piercing harpoon, retention members), reducing the need for separate components and managing overall device complexity while maximizing drainage efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Intraocular stents are provided. An intraocular stent (20) includes a piercing end (40) for penetration into portions of the eye without requiring a surgical incision by a separate cutting device. A first retention member (50) stabilizes the intraocular stent (20) against the anterior wall of the canal of Schlemm. A second retention member (60) stabilizes the intraocular stent within the trabecular meshwork. A fluid inlet end (73) is configured to be disposed within the anterior chamber. In use, aqueous humor fluid flows into the fluid inlet end (72) through a central lumen (70) and/or drainage tubes (80) and out into the canal of Schlemm. Stack configurations of intraocular stents and insertion devices are also provided.