Schlemm's Canal Scaffold for Aqueous Outflow and Mechanosensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The trabecular meshwork in the mammalian eye, particularly in glaucoma, exhibits increased collagen content leading to stiffness and non-uniform resistance to aqueous humor flow, resulting in elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), and removal of this meshwork disrupts essential mechanosensing and mechanotransducing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An arcuate scaffold is inserted within the conventional aqueous humor outflow pathway to support anatomic structures and restore mechanosensing, facilitating aqueous humor flow through the trabecular meshwork to collector channels, potentially incorporating secondary implants for diagnostic or therapeutic functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the trabecular meshwork is removed to reduce resistance to aqueous flow, then intraocular pressure is reduced, but mechanosensing and mechanotransducing mechanisms are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
A scaffold device is introduced as an intermediary structure within Schlemm's canal to maintain the mechanosensing function of the trabecular meshwork while facilitating aqueous humor outflow. The scaffold provides a structural framework that allows cells to attach and maintain their mechanosensing capabilities without requiring removal of the native trabecular meshwork tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The scaffold employs a porous structure that allows aqueous humor to flow through while providing surface area for cell attachment and maintaining mechanosensing function. The porous architecture enables fluid passage while preserving the biological functionality of the surrounding tissues.
2Strength
If collagen content in the extracellular matrix is increased to provide structural support, then mechanical strength is improved, but permeability to aqueous humor decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold provides localized structural support within Schlemm's canal while maintaining open channels for aqueous humor flow. The structure offers mechanical strength where needed (scleral spur attachment, canal walls) while preserving permeability in the flow pathways through its open architectural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The scaffold combines structural materials with biocompatible surfaces that support cellular attachment and function. The composite structure integrates mechanical support elements with porous flow channels, creating a system that simultaneously provides strength and maintains permeability for aqueous humor outflow.
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous humor outflow device includes an arcuate scaffold that fits within a conventional aqueous humor outflow pathway of a mammalian eye to receive aqueous humor from a trabecular meshwork of the mammalian eye and allow flow of the aqueous humor through the arcuate scaffold to one or more collector channels that originate in a posterior wall of a Schlemm's canal. The arcuate scaffold includes a first arcuate rail, and a second arcuate rail spaced apart from, and substantially parallel to, the first arcuate rail. The first and second arcuate rails each have an anterior edge that is adjacent to the trabecular meshwork when inserted in the Schlemm's canal, and a posterior edge that is adjacent to the posterior wall of the Schlemm's canal. Structural components coupled to the first arcuate rail and the second arcuate rail maintain the respective anterior and posterior edges of the first and second arcuate rails spaced apart from, and substantially parallel to, each other.