Segmented Cannula for Minimizing Eye Tissue Damage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for injecting glaucoma implants into the eye cause significant damage to the eye surface tissue due to their large size and design, which can lead to complications such as infections and double vision.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a cannula with a segmented design, including a first segment with an open end, a second segment with a length of at least 1 mm, and a third segment with an opening for the implant. This design allows for minimized eye tissue damage by restricting the damage range to the cross-sectional thickness of the cannula and the implant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the implant is injected with the implant itself inserted into a cannula of the injection apparatus, then the implant can be delivered into the eye, but the eye surface tissue is damaged as much as the outer diameter of the injection apparatus which is larger than the outer diameter of the implant
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is partially inserted into the cannula of the injection apparatus, with only a portion of the implant housed within the cannula while the remainder extends outward. This nested configuration allows the implant to be delivered through a smaller effective diameter, reducing eye surface tissue damage while maintaining delivery capability.
2Reliability
If the injection apparatus is designed to surround the implant, then the implant can be securely injected, but the damage range of the eye surface tissue increases, resulting in higher risks of infections
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula provides partial housing for the implant, creating a secure nested relationship that ensures reliable injection while minimizing the overall diameter of the injection apparatus that contacts the eye surface, thereby reducing infection risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is designed with specific local characteristics - having an opening that allows partial implant exposure - to provide secure injection functionality only where needed, while minimizing the overall apparatus size and contact area with the eye surface to reduce infection risk in other areas.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the implant has a protruding structure (for example, a wing or an arm) in the lateral direction, then the implant can be stabilized, but the injection apparatus needs to have the inner diameter that is large enough to cover the whole, resulting in the increased cross area of the injection region
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding structures of the implant extend partially outward from the cannula opening, allowing these stabilizing features to be accessible for anchoring while the main body of the implant remains housed within the cannula. This maintains implant stability without requiring the cannula to accommodate the full lateral extent of the protruding structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for injecting an implant for eye disease to regulate the intraocular pressure includes a cannula having an internal space. The cannula includes a first segment including one end; a second segment connected to the first segment; and a third segment connected to the second segment, and including an opening for the implant on a side. The opening for the implant is spaced a predetermined distance apart from one end of the cannula to provide a structure for allowing the insertion of only part of the implant and easy separation of the cannula and the implant in the eye.