Ocular Drainage Device with Resistive Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glaucoma treatments, such as trabeculectomies and glaucoma drainage device implantation, are invasive and carry high complication rates due to issues like scarring, bleb formation, and potential for infection, with implanted drainage devices prone to clogging and displacement, necessitating a more effective and safer method for reducing intraocular pressure.
Innovation Solution
An implantable ocular drainage device with a tubular body extending from the anterior chamber to the external ocular surface, featuring a resistive component and secure tabs to stabilize the device, which controls aqueous humor flow and prevents bacterial migration, reducing the risk of complications and clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If standard glaucoma surgeries (trabeculectomies) are performed to reduce intraocular pressure, then intraocular pressure is reduced, but complication rates increase to 20-60% due to scarring and bleb formation
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage device is segmented into multiple components: an inlet portion positioned in the anterior chamber, a body portion extending through the sclera, and an outlet portion in the subconjunctival space. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while reducing overall complications - the inlet captures aqueous humor, the body provides a controlled pathway, and the outlet drains to a safe location away from the cornea
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary drainage pathway through the sclera and into the subconjunctival space, mediating between the anterior chamber and the external environment. This intermediary route bypasses the problematic subconjunctival bleb formation associated with trabeculectomies while still achieving pressure reduction
2Object-generated harmful factors
If external shunts are used to avoid bleb formation, then scarring is reduced, but the outlet may be displaced by tissue motion or extruded by wound healing
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet portion of the device is nested within the subconjunctival space rather than lying on the corneal surface. This nested positioning protects the outlet from displacement by tissue motion and extrusion by wound healing processes, while still avoiding the scarring associated with traditional bleb formation
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a two-dimensional surface-level placement (corneal shunts) to a three-dimensional subconjunctival positioning. By moving the outlet into the depth of the subconjunctival space and securing it with tabs, the device achieves greater stability while avoiding surface-level complications
3Stress or pressure
If drainage devices are implanted to reduce intraocular pressure, then pressure control is improved, but devices are prone to clogging from proteins in aqueous humor
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a filter component with specific local qualities - a porous structure with controlled pore size that allows aqueous humor to pass while blocking proteins and other substances. This localized filtering quality at the inlet portion prevents clogging while maintaining pressure control functionality
4Stability of the object's composition
If subconjunctival shunts are secured to sclera by suturing, then device stability is improved, but the outlet remains mobile on conjunctival surface causing tissue injury
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet portion and securing tabs are merged into a single integrated component. The tabs extend from the outlet housing and are positioned to be secured to the sclera, combining the drainage function with the securing function in one element. This eliminates the need for separate suturing that leaves the outlet mobile
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for draining aqueous humor from an eye for reducing intraocular pressure. The draining apparatus comprises a tube defining a passage for fluid flow between an inlet end and an outlet end. An outlet assembly contacts the conjunctival layer externally of the eyeball. The outlet assembly comprises a housing in fluid communication with the outlet end of the tube and having an aperture for allowing egress of aqueous humor onto the external ocular surface. A resistive component is disposed in the housing for providing resistance to a flow of aqueous humor. A pair of tabs project outwardly and are adapted to be disposed subconjunctivally for securing the draining apparatus relative to the eyeball.