Posterior Segment Glaucoma Drainage Device with Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current glaucoma drainage devices face complications such as bleb failure, fibrosis, conjunctival leakage, infections, and trauma to ocular tissues during implantation, which can lead to increased failure rates and adverse events due to manipulation of ocular tissues and potential occlusion of the device inlet.
Innovation Solution
A glaucoma drainage device with a tube having a lumen extending from an inlet to an outlet end, implanted through the pars plana tissue from the vitreous chamber to a drainage site, utilizing a control element to regulate fluid flow, and positioned using a cannula during a pars plana vitrectomy to minimize tissue manipulation and trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drainage devices are implanted through traditional routes with extensive tissue manipulation, then fluid drainage function is achieved, but tissue trauma and complication rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional implantation approach by accessing the eye through the posterior pars plana region rather than the anterior chamber. This reverse approach allows the drainage device to be positioned in the vitreous cavity and connected to the anterior chamber through a controlled posterior route, significantly reducing manipulation of anterior ocular tissues and associated trauma
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a biocompatible adhesive or sealant as an intermediary substance to secure the drainage device to the pars plana tissue and create a hermetic seal. This intermediary ensures stable device positioning and prevents fluid leakage without requiring extensive tissue manipulation or suturing that could cause trauma
2Productivity
If drainage devices are implanted with extensive tissue manipulation, then fluid drainage is achieved, but failure rates increase due to fibrosis and bleb complications
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the implantation route to access the eye posteriorly through pars plana, the patent avoids creating subconjunctival blebs and associated fibrosis complications. The drainage device channels fluid directly from the vitreous cavity through the pars plana to an external collection reservoir, eliminating the bleb formation process that leads to fibrosis and device failure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the drainage function from the traditional anterior chamber bleb-based system and relocates it to the posterior segment. The drainage device collects fluid in the vitreous cavity and transports it through a posterior route to an external reservoir, removing the problematic bleb structure that causes fibrosis and reduces device longevity
3Productivity
If traditional drainage devices are implanted, then fluid drainage function is provided, but device inlet occlusion occurs due to tissue manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the drainage device inlet in the posterior vitreous cavity away from anterior chamber structures that could cause occlusion. Fluid enters the device through the posterior route and travels anteriorly through the pars plana to the external reservoir, keeping the inlet opening clear of trabecular meshwork debris and inflammatory tissue that typically occlude traditional devices
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a method of implanting a glaucoma drainage device in an eye having a vitreous chamber and a drainage site. The glaucoma drainage device comprises a tube including a lumen extending from an inlet end to an outlet end, and includes a control element that regulates the amount of fluid flow through the glaucoma drainage device. The method comprises implanting the glaucoma drainage device into pars plana tissue from the vitreous chamber, such that the device extends between the vitreous chamber and the drainage site.