Subconjunctival Insertion Tool With Pocket Expansion Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for glaucoma, such as medications, surgeries, and implants, are inadequate in effectively lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) and maintaining normal eye pressure over the long term, leading to potential vision loss or blindness.

Innovation Solution

A treatment device with a plate structure coated on both sides, featuring a series of fluid channels, is inserted into a subconjunctival pocket through a minimally invasive incision and unfurled to create a fluid pathway, utilizing a scissoring mechanism or expandable mechanism to widen the pocket and facilitate drainage of aqueous humor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the treatment device is made wider (3-10 mm) to provide adequate drainage of aqueous humor, then the drainage effectiveness is improved, but the incision size required for insertion increases, leading to more scarring and post-operative patient discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage effectivenessVSAvoidscarring and post-operative discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment device is folded or furled around an insertion device during insertion, allowing the wider device to be accommodated within a smaller incision. The device is then unfolded or unfurled within the subconjunctival pocket after insertion, enabling adequate drainage while minimizing the incision size required for insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment device transitions from a folded/furled state during insertion to an unfolded/furled state after insertion. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt its configuration based on the insertion phase versus the functional phase, enabling wide drainage surface area while minimizing insertion trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a larger incision is made to accommodate the treatment device width, then the device can be inserted, but the incision causes more tissue damage and scarring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice insertionVSAvoidtissue damage and scarring

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment device is nested around the insertion device during the insertion process, allowing the wider device to be delivered through a smaller incision. The insertion device acts as a carrier that accommodates the folded device configuration, enabling minimally invasive placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion process is divided into distinct phases: insertion phase where the device is folded/furled for minimal tissue disruption, and deployment phase where the device is unfolded to its full functional size. This segmentation of the insertion process allows optimization of both incision size and drainage effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12622811B2Insertion tool for an eye disease treatment device

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 AVISI TECH INC

AI summary

Described herein are insertion tools for inserting a treatment device into a pocket formed between conjunctival tissue and scleral tissue for treating high intraocular pressure and glaucoma. An insertion tool (800) includes a scissoring mechanism or an expandable mechanism that is configured to expand a pocket formed between conjunctival tissue and scleral tissue. The scissoring mechanism or the expandable mechanism is also configured to unfurl a treatment device within the pocket.