Ex Vivo Ocular Pressure Gradient Modeling Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glaucoma models primarily focus on intraocular pressure (IOP) and lack effective methods to dynamically modulate intracranial pressure (ICP), which is crucial for studying translaminar pressure gradients and their impact on retinal ganglion cells, especially in conditions like glaucoma, spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome, and traumatic brain injury.
Innovation Solution
The development of devices and systems that allow for ex vivo modeling of human posterior eye cups, enabling independent and dynamic simulation of IOP and ICP, allowing for the study of translaminar pressure gradients without invasive procedures, such as lumbar punctures, and can be used to model conditions like glaucoma and spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If invasive procedures (lumbar puncture, cannulation) are used to model translaminar pressure gradients, then ICP modulation capability is improved, but procedure invasiveness and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ex vivo human posterior eye cups as a simplified copy of the in vivo human eye system. This allows researchers to study translaminar pressure gradients without performing invasive procedures on living patients. The eye cup model replicates the essential anatomy (optic nerve head, lamina cribrosa) while eliminating the need for lumbar punctures or intracranial access.
Solution Approach 2:
The model separates the intraocular pressure chamber from the intracranial pressure chamber, allowing independent control of each pressure source. This segmentation enables dynamic modulation of the translaminar pressure gradient without requiring simultaneous access to both IOP and ICP systems in a living subject.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic modulation of ICP and IOP is implemented, then study of translaminar pressure gradients is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pressure modulation through independent control systems for IOP and ICP chambers. Pressure can be changed in real-time during experiments, allowing study of transient translaminar pressure gradients and their effects on optic nerve head structures. This dynamic capability goes beyond static pressure modeling approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The model uses fluid pressure systems (pneumatics/hydraulics) to control IOP and ICP independently. Fluid reservoirs connected to each chamber allow precise pressure regulation through hydrostatic principles, enabling dynamic modulation without complex mechanical actuators.
3Reliability
If ex vivo human eye cup modeling is used, then relevance to human pathology is improved, but availability of human tissue increases difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ex vivo human posterior eye cups as a simplified copy of the in vivo human eye system. This allows researchers to study translaminar pressure gradients without performing invasive procedures on living patients. The eye cup model replicates the essential anatomy (optic nerve head, lamina cribrosa) while eliminating the need for lumbar punctures or intracranial access.
4Duration of action of moving object
If extended culture periods (7+ days) are used for therapeutic testing, then drug evaluation capability is improved, but tissue viability maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous perfusion of culture medium through the eye cup model, ensuring sustained delivery of nutrients and removal of waste products throughout the extended culture period. This continuous support system maintains tissue viability for 7 days or longer, enabling chronic therapeutic testing that mimics long-term drug effects in vivo.
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
Enables painless and non-invasive ex vivo modeling of translaminar pressure gradients, allowing for extended study periods and potential therapeutic development for neurodegenerative diseases affecting the eye, including glaucoma and spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome, by simulating both static and dynamic pressure changes.
Implementation Method 1
a first source of fluid pressure in fluid communication with the at least one fluid port of the base; and a second source of fluid pressure in fluid communication with the at least one fluid port of the lid
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for modeling ocular translaminar pressure gradients ex vivo. A first fluid pressure level can be applied to a first side of a wall of donor eye cup (e.g., a posterior human eye cup) to simulate intracranial pressure (ICP), for example around the optical nerve head (ONH), and a second fluid pressure level can be applied to a second side of the wall of the donor eye cup to simulate intraocular pressure (IOP). These devices, systems, and methods are unique in that they allow ex vivo modeling of dynamic changes in translaminar pressure gradients.