Magnetic Retinal Patch for Detachment Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for retinal detachment, such as scleral buckle surgery and pneumatic retinopexy, often result in complications like myopic shift, impractical positioning requirements, and difficulties with ferrofluid removal, which can lead to pain and MRI complications due to dispersed magnetic particles.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic retinal treatment apparatus featuring a removable elastomeric patch with ferromagnetic particles and a permanent rare-earth magnet is used to secure the patch against the retina, allowing for controlled reattachment and easy removal without adhesives, minimizing side effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pneumatic retinopexy is used to treat retinal detachment, then the retina can be reattached, but the patient must maintain head in a designated position which is impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretinal reattachmentVSAvoidpatient positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical gravity-dependent system of pneumatic retinopexy with a magnetic field-based system. A ferromagnetic patch is applied to the retina and held in place by a magnetic field generated by a device placed against the outer surface of the eye, eliminating the need for patient positioning and allowing the retina to be secured regardless of orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If ferrofluid is injected into the eye to treat retinal detachment, then the retina can be pulled against the underlying support tissue, but the magnetic particles disperse and cause pain and MRI complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretinal reattachmentVSAvoidpain and MRI complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a disposable ferromagnetic patch that is inserted into the eye to treat the detachment and then removed after treatment. This eliminates the problem of dispersed magnetic particles causing long-term complications because the entire patch containing all ferromagnetic material is removed from the eye after the retina has reattached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the ferromagnetic particles from the fluid state and incorporates them into a solid patch structure. This containment within the patch prevents the particles from dispersing throughout the eye or drifting under the retina, eliminating the harmful effects of scattered magnetic particles while maintaining the therapeutic benefit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If scleral buckle surgery is performed to treat retinal detachment, then the retina can be reattached, but myopic shift and other complications occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretinal reattachmentVSAvoidmyopic shift and complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a localized ferromagnetic patch directly to the site of retinal detachment rather than applying a global mechanical constraint like a scleral buckle. This localized approach provides targeted support only where needed, avoiding the widespread structural changes to the eye that cause myopic shift and other complications associated with scleral buckle surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 apparatus effectively reattaches the retina to the underlying support tissue with reduced side effects and facilitates easy removal of ferromagnetic particles, preventing complications like pain and MRI issues.

Implementation Method 1

a permanent rare-earth magnet is secured to the exterior surface of the eye substantially adjacent to the removable elastomeric patch to maintain the elastomeric patch against the retina

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a removable elastomeric patch formed of a biocompatible material containing ferromagnetic particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10258504B1Method of replacing a detached retina

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 BREAZEALE RICHARD

AI summary

A method of repairing a detached retina includes removing sub-retinal fluid from a location within the eye between the retinal tissue and an underlying support tissue, inserting a biocompatible elastomeric patch having encapsulated ferromagnetic particles into an interior of the eye through an incision of a sclera of the eye, positioning a magnetic source adjacent to an exterior surface of the eye such that the magnetic source is aligned with the detached retinal tissue, and drawing the removable elastomeric patch toward the detached portion of the retina with the magnetic source such that the detached retinal tissue is substantially maintained against underlying support tissue along an inner eye wall by magnetic attraction between the encapsulated magnetic particles of the removable elastomeric patch and the magnetic source.