Scleral Flap Tube Insertion for Stable Glaucoma Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glaucoma implant surgeries face issues such as wound dehiscence, blockage of aqueous humor drainage, and complications from direct contact between the implant tube and the sclera and Tenon's capsule, leading to high failure rates and complications like fibrosis and inflammation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical method involving the formation of a scleral flap to insert the implant under the flap, avoiding direct contact with the sclera and Tenon's capsule, and securing the intraluminal stent through the conjunctiva to prevent blockage and fibrosis, while maintaining stable aqueous humor drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the implant tube is inserted into the eyeball through the sclera without forming a scleral flap, then the surgery is simpler and faster, but direct contact between the proximal end of the implant and the sclera and Tenon's capsule causes wound dehiscence and fibrosis
Solution Approach 1:
The scleral flap acts as an intermediary barrier between the implant tube and the sclera/Tenor's capsule. By positioning the flap between these structures, it prevents direct contact and the subsequent wound dehiscence and fibrosis, while still allowing the implant to be securely inserted into the eyeball.
Solution Approach 2:
The sclera is segmented into a flap portion and a remaining portion. This segmentation allows the flap to be elevated and positioned as a protective barrier over the implant tube, separating the implant from the scleral tissue to prevent direct contact and complications.
2Ease of operation
If the proximal end of the implant is exposed to the outside of the sclera, then the implant can be easily accessed, but direct contact with the sclera and Tenon's capsule leads to blockage of aqueous humor drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The scleral flap serves as a protective intermediary that covers the proximal end of the implant tube. This prevents direct contact between the implant and the sclera/Tenor's capsule, thereby avoiding fibrosis and blockage of the aqueous humor drainage pathway while still allowing surgical access to the implant when needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If suturing is performed to secure the implant, then the implant is fixed in place, but the sutures may block or narrow the route of aqueous humor drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The scleral flap acts as an intermediary protective layer that secures the implant without requiring direct suturing through the drainage pathway. The flap can be attached to the sclera or Tenor's capsule, providing stable fixation while maintaining an open, unobstructed route for aqueous humor drainage through the implant.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical method for insertion of an implant for eye diseases may include: cutting a portion of a sclera of an eyeball to form a scleral flap to be lifted up from the eyeball; inserting an end of a tube including a hole for aqueous humor drainage from an anterior chamber of the eyeball into the eyeball through an area beneath the scleral flap; and covering the tube exposed to outside of the eyeball with the scleral flap. Herein, an opposite end of the tube is not inserted into the eyeball. Further, covering with the scleral flap comprises the step of placing the scleral flap on the tube without suturing of the scleral flap that leads to blockage or narrowing of a route of the aqueous humor drainage through the tube exposed to the outside of the eyeball.