Posterior Segment Drainage System for Glaucoma IOP Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glaucoma treatment methods, such as implanting drainage devices, often risk cataract formation and infection by entering the anterior chamber of the eye, and fail to effectively regulate intraocular pressure (IOP) due to reliance on anterior chamber pressure references.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a posterior segment pressure reference to regulate IOP by implanting a drainage system with a flow control mechanism, including a drainage tube and pressure sensors, to direct fluid drainage from the posterior segment to a drainage site, avoiding the anterior chamber and reducing the risk of complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a drainage device is implanted into the anterior chamber to treat glaucoma, then intraocular pressure can be reduced, but the risk of cataract formation and infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the drainage function from the anterior chamber and relocates it to the posterior segment. The drainage device is implanted in the posterior segment where it can access aqueous humor through the vitreous cavity without penetrating the anterior chamber, thereby eliminating the harmful effects while maintaining the pressure reduction function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces the vitreous humor as an intermediary medium. The drainage device in the posterior segment drains aqueous humor through the vitreous cavity, using the vitreous humor as a safe pathway that avoids direct contact with and potential contamination of the anterior chamber, thus preventing cataract and infection
2Quantity of substance
If a drainage device is implanted in the anterior chamber, then fluid drainage can be achieved, but the device complexity and surgical risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of approaching the drainage problem from the anterior chamber (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by placing the drainage device in the posterior segment. This reverse approach simplifies the surgical procedure and device design while achieving the same drainage function through an alternative anatomical pathway
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 solution effectively regulates IOP by throttling fluid drainage based on posterior segment pressure, reducing the risk of cataract formation and infection, and providing an alternative mechanism for lowering IOP without entering the anterior chamber.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor coupled to the inlet tube portion, the pressure sensor configured to measure posterior segment pressure
Implementation Method 2
The flow system is in fluid communication with the drainage tube, and is configured to control intraocular pressure by throttling flow rates of the fluid through the drainage tube
Data Source
AI summary
A method of implanting a treatment device into an eye of a patient comprises inserting a drainage device including a flow system, an inlet tube, and an outlet tube into a subconjunctival space. The inlet tube includes a proximal end coupled to the flow system in the subconjunctival space. The method includes passing a distal end of the inlet tube through a pars plana into a posterior segment of the eye.