Intraocular Drainage Implant with Multi-Port Flow and Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reduced drainage of aqueous humour from the anterior chamber of the eye leads to increased intraocular pressure (IOP), which can cause damage to the optic nerve, particularly in glaucoma patients.
Innovation Solution
An intraocular drainage device with a tube and body structure featuring central and transverse inlet and outlet ports, designed for enhanced fluid flow management, is implanted to facilitate increased drainage of aqueous humour.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional drainage pathways are used, then the device structure is simple, but aqueous humour drainage is insufficient leading to increased intraocular pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage device is segmented into multiple functional components: a tube element with central inlet port, a body element with multiple outlet ports (first, second, and third outlet ports at different locations), and a valve element. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific drainage functions, increasing overall drainage efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from conventional single-pathway drainage to multi-dimensional drainage by providing outlet ports at different spatial locations and orientations. The first outlet port provides primary drainage, the second outlet port provides alternative drainage, and the third outlet port provides additional drainage pathways, creating a three-dimensional drainage network that significantly increases drainage capacity.
2Reliability
If multiple drainage pathways are provided, then intraocular pressure control is improved, but the risk of hypotony increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element incorporates a valve body with a valve opening that can dynamically regulate fluid flow based on pressure differentials. This feedback mechanism allows the valve to automatically adjust drainage rates, preventing excessive drainage that would cause hypotony while ensuring sufficient drainage to control intraocular pressure, thus balancing reliability with safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes changes in pressure parameters to control drainage. The valve opening responds to pressure differentials between the anterior chamber and surrounding tissues, automatically adjusting the drainage rate. This parameter-based control ensures that drainage is sufficient to lower intraocular pressure but not excessive enough to cause hypotony, as the system self-regulates based on real-time pressure conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Intraocular drainage devices and methods of making intraocular drainage devices are disclosed. A disclosed intraocular drainage device includes a tube having a distal end and a body disposed proximal to the tube. A central inlet port is disposed on the distal end of the tube and extends lengthwise internally through the tube. A central outlet port is disposed on the proximal end of the body and extends lengthwise internally through the body. Multiple transverse inlet and outlet ports are coupled to the central inlet and outlet ports, respectively. The central and transverse inlet ports are configured to receive influent fluid from an anterior chamber of an eye and the central and transverse outlet ports are configured to output the influent fluid external to the anterior chamber of the eye. Intraocular drainage and core assemblies and methods of making intraocular drainage devices are also disclosed.