Plasma-Treated Ocular Implant for Glaucoma Fluid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocular implants for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) face challenges with accurate placement, tissue response, and fluid flow, often requiring large incisions and leading to tissue damage or impaired fluid flow due to incorrect placement or excessive tissue growth.
Innovation Solution
The development of an ocular implant with an elongate tubular body, fenestrations, and surface features, including plasma-treated surfaces, to promote proper positioning, fluid flow, and controlled tissue response, minimizing the need for large incisions and preventing tissue proliferation that impedes fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a larger diameter implant is used to create greater separation between sclera and choroid, then fluid flow promotion is improved, but incision size and tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant utilizes material property changes through plasma treatment to modify surface characteristics. The plasma-treated surface creates hydrophilic regions that promote fluid flow and create separation between ocular tissues without requiring a larger implant diameter, thus avoiding the need for larger incisions and reducing tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using a larger implant diameter to create tissue separation with a chemical/surface-based approach. The plasma-treated surface properties induce fluid flow and tissue separation through surface energy modifications rather than mechanical displacement, allowing effective treatment with a smaller implant.
2Ease of operation
If the implant remains in the anterior chamber, then placement accuracy is simplified, but corneal endothelium damage and pigment dispersion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma treatment is applied to the implant surface before implantation to pre-establish hydrophilic regions that will actively promote fluid flow and create separation between ocular tissues. This preliminary surface modification ensures that once implanted, the device immediately begins promoting proper fluid dynamics and tissue separation, reducing the risk of migration and corneal damage.
3Reliability
If connective tissue grows around the implant, then implant anchoring is improved, but fluid flow through and around the implant is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma treatment creates localized hydrophilic regions at specific locations on the implant surface. These localized hydrophilic zones are strategically positioned to promote fluid flow through and around the implant while allowing controlled tissue growth in other areas for anchoring. The spatial variation in surface properties enables simultaneous achievement of both anchoring and fluid flow promotion.
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma treatment creates a microscopically porous or textured surface structure that allows fluid to pass through while providing anchoring points for tissue growth. The surface morphology changes induced by plasma treatment create a structure that facilitates both tissue integration and maintained fluid permeability.
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
The implant effectively reduces IOP by creating separation between ocular tissues, enhancing fluid flow from the anterior chamber to suprachoroidal or supraciliary spaces while minimizing tissue growth and incision size, thus improving surgical outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.
Implementation Method 1
Some embodiments of the ocular implant disclosed herein include one or more or of a variety of surface features or characteristics along the length of the implant. For example, the surface features can assist the ocular implant in at least one of maintaining proper positioning within the eye and promoting fluid flow at least through the implant.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are devices and methods for treatment of eye disease such as glaucoma. Implants are described herein that create a flow field, such as between the anterior chamber and either the supraciliary space or suprachoroidal space. In addition, the implant can be treated with one or more treatments, including plasma treatments, for creating a variety of surface features and characteristics. Some of the surface features and characteristics can assist in controlling tissue responses to the implanted implant, including promoting or preventing tissue proliferation.