Ophthalmic Implant Insertion Apparatus With Alignment Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for implanting therapeutic devices in the eye are less than ideal due to difficulties in placement, refill port accessibility, and alignment, particularly because the eye moves, making precise placement and removal challenging.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for inserting and removing implantable therapeutic devices, featuring a handle and distal placement portion with engagement structures to securely hold and align the device, allowing for oblique needle penetration and injection of therapeutic fluid into a reservoir chamber, enabling easier placement and refill without the need for pre-filled devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the implantable device is made small to decrease interference with vision, then the device size is reduced, but the refill port becomes difficult to fill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insertion apparatus as an intermediary tool that facilitates filling the refill port of small implantable devices. The apparatus includes a needle that can penetrate the refill port and deliver therapeutic fluid, solving the accessibility problem without increasing device size. The apparatus acts as a mediator between the operator and the difficult-to-access refill port.
2Manufacturing precision
If the eye moves during implantation, then the procedure becomes more challenging, but precise placement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion apparatus is designed to pre-align and pre-position the implantable device before actual implantation. The apparatus includes alignment features and a structured insertion path that guide the device to the precise target location in the eye, compensating for eye movement during the procedure. This preliminary alignment ensures accurate placement despite the moving target.
3Ease of operation
If therapeutic fluid is injected through the needle at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis, then the needle can penetrate the implantable device barrier, but alignment precision is required
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion apparatus serves as an intermediary that provides the oblique angle capability while maintaining alignment precision. The apparatus includes a guide structure that defines the oblique angle path, allowing the needle to penetrate the barrier effectively while the apparatus itself ensures precise angular alignment. This separates the penetration function from the alignment function.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is an apparatus to insert an implantable therapeutic device into a patient. The apparatus includes a proximal handle and a distal placement portion coupled to the proximal handle and configured to hold the implantable therapeutic device. The distal placement portion includes a first side having a first engagement structure at a distal end of the first side, the first engagement structure configured to surround at least a first portion of a proximal end region of the implantable therapeutic device. The distal placement portion includes a second, opposite side having a second engagement structure at a distal end of the second side, the second engagement structure configured to surround at least a second, opposite portion of the proximal end region of the implantable therapeutic device.