Retinal Injection Conduit Positioning via Reference Landmarks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The variability in eye size and tissue layer thickness makes it challenging to standardize tools and methods for precise retinal injection, as existing methods struggle to accurately locate specific tissue interfaces in the eye without surgical imaging.

Innovation Solution

A method and system involving a medical injector with a hollow conduit that is positioned using reference locations such as the suprachoroidal space, with confirmation through pressure differential, light emissivity gradient, or acoustic measurements, allowing for precise injection between the retinal layer and vitreous space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional injection methods are used without surgical imaging, then the procedure complexity is reduced, but the precision of locating specific tissue interfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure complexityVSAvoidprecision of locating tissue interfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reference location (such as the suprachoroidal space) as an intermediary landmark that can be identified through non-surgical methods. This reference point serves as a mediator between the external injection approach and the internal retinal target, enabling precise localization without requiring surgical imaging equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces surgical imaging systems (complex mechanical/optical systems) with simpler detection methods such as pressure sensing or light emissivity measurement. By substituting the imaging-based localization mechanism with these simpler sensors, the system achieves comparable precision while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the distal end portion is extended further into the eye to reach the injection region, then the injection precision is improved, but the risk of tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection precisionVSAvoidrisk of tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary confirmation of the reference location using pressure sensing or light emissivity detection before extending the conduit to the injection region. This preliminary action ensures that the subsequent extension is both necessary and safe, as the starting point has been verified to be in the correct anatomical location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms through pressure sensors or light emissivity detectors that continuously monitor the position of the conduit. When the distal end reaches the predetermined extension distance from the confirmed reference location, the system can verify proper positioning and stop extension, preventing over-penetration and tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If multiple confirmation methods are used to verify positioning, then the reliability of injection is improved, but the time required for the procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of injection positioningVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines pressure sensing and light emissivity detection into a single integrated confirmation step. Rather than performing these measurements sequentially as separate steps, the system merges them into a unified positioning verification process, maintaining high reliability while minimizing additional procedure time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 accurate and efficient retinal injection by using non-surgical, minimally invasive procedures, reducing patient discomfort and costs by utilizing reference locations to guide the injector to the correct injection site.

Implementation Method 1

confirming positioning of the distal end portion of the hollow conduit in the reference location can include sensing a pressure differential within the reference location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

confirming positioning of the distal end portion of the hollow conduit in the reference location can include measuring a light emissivity gradient between a sclera of the eye and a retinal pigment epithelium or choroid of the eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emissivity gradient: Light

Data Source

PatentUS20230363941A1Apparatus and methods of retinal injection

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 CLEARSIDE BIOMEDICAL INC

AI summary

Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods of retinal injection. In some aspects, a method includes inserting a distal end portion of a hollow conduit of a medical injector into an eye of a patient until the distal end portion reaches a reference location, the medical injector having a housing from which the hollow conduit distally extends and confirming disposal of the distal end portion of the hollow conduit in the reference location. After the confirming, the method further includes extending the distal end portion of the hollow conduit distally relative to the housing and from the reference location such that the distal end portion enters an injection region of the eye. With the distal end portion of the hollow conduit disposed in the injection region of the eye, medicament is conveyed into the injection region via the hollow conduit.