Ocular Electroporation Device for Intraocular Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for ocular disorders like glaucoma often result in unwanted side effects, inefficiencies, and complications due to inadequate control over intraocular pressure and drug delivery, with traditional methods failing to effectively target the trabecular meshwork and ciliary body.

Innovation Solution

A device that applies an electrical field and delivers therapeutic agents to the ocular target tissues, using a system with adjustable electrodes and a control module to manage the electrical field and agent delivery, specifically focusing on the trabecular meshwork and ciliary body, to regulate intraocular pressure and enhance gene delivery through electroporation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional eye drops and medication are used to treat ocular disorders, then treatment coverage is provided, but unwanted side effects and discomfort occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidside effects and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the ocular treatment by separating the application of electrical field and therapeutic agent delivery into distinct functional components (electrodes and injection system), allowing precise targeting of specific ocular tissues while avoiding systemic side effects associated with traditional eye drops and medications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses an electrical field as an intermediary mechanism to enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents directly to target tissues, replacing the need for systemic medication absorption and reducing unwanted side effects while improving treatment efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If surgery is performed to treat ocular disorders, then disease progression may be arrested, but complications and risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease controlVSAvoidcomplications and risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device provides dynamic control over intraocular pressure through adjustable electrical field parameters and controlled therapeutic agent delivery, enabling precise modulation of treatment intensity to arrest disease progression while avoiding the fixed, high-risk nature of surgical interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates feedback mechanisms through pressure transducers and control modules that monitor intraocular pressure and adjust electrical field application and therapeutic agent delivery in real-time, reducing complications by maintaining safe pressure levels throughout treatment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If traditional surgery is used to treat ocular disorders, then some disease progression is arrested, but efficient control of eye disease is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease progression arrestVSAvoidcontrol flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables dynamic and flexible control of eye disease through adjustable electrical field parameters (voltage, pulse duration, frequency) and controllable therapeutic agent delivery rates, allowing adaptation to different disease stages and patient responses, unlike fixed surgical outcomes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes parameter changes in electrical field intensity and duration, along with therapeutic agent concentration and delivery rate, to efficiently control eye disease progression with fine-grained adjustment capabilities that provide superior versatility compared to traditional surgical methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Quantity of substance

If therapeutic agents are delivered without precise control, then treatment is provided, but intraocular pressure control is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic agent deliveryVSAvoidintraocular pressure control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs feedback control through pressure transducers that continuously monitor intraocular pressure and adjust therapeutic agent delivery rates accordingly, ensuring precise pressure control while maintaining adequate therapeutic agent quantity delivery to target tissues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces inadequate mechanical delivery systems with an electrically-controlled delivery mechanism that uses electrical fields to precisely regulate both the quantity of therapeutic agent delivered and the resulting intraocular pressure with high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3367982B1Devices for treatment of ocular disorders through delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids

Publication Date: 2022.12.28 DOHENY EYE INST

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AI summary

Several embodiments disclosed herein relate to the delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids to an ocular tissue in order to provide a therapeutic effect to reduce symptoms of or otherwise alleviate an ocular disorder. In particular embodiments, plasmid DNA is delivered to the cells of the trabecular meshwork in order to ameliorate increasing intraocular pressure. Devices and systems to accomplish this delivery are also disclosed.