Tangential Cannula Guide for Suprachoroidal Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating macular degeneration lack effective, highly localized approaches to deliver therapeutic agents directly to the subretinal layer near the macula, due to the difficulty in accessing this area within the eye.
Innovation Solution
A cannula guide system, including a flexible cannula with a needle, is used to access the suprachoroidal space, allowing for the precise delivery of therapeutic agents by inserting between the sclera and choroid layers, minimizing trauma and enabling visualization for accurate placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional surgical methods are used to access the macula, then the macula can be reached, but the approach is not highly localized and causes significant trauma to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The guide apparatus enables highly localized delivery of therapeutic agents directly to the subretinal space adjacent to the macula. The device includes a guide element that can be positioned at specific locations between the sclera and choroid, allowing the needle to access the target area with precision while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This local quality approach contrasts with conventional methods that cause broader tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide apparatus acts as an intermediary tool between the surgical entry point and the target macular area. The guide element serves as a mediator that establishes a controlled pathway through the suprachoroidal space, enabling the needle to reach the subretinal space with minimal tissue disruption. This intermediary structure facilitates precise navigation while reducing direct trauma to the retina and surrounding layers.
2Ease of operation
If a needle is inserted directly to reach the subretinal space, then therapeutic agents can be delivered, but visualization is difficult and placement accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element serves as a visualization intermediary, providing a visible reference structure that assists in accurately positioning the needle. The guide element can be visualized during the surgical procedure, allowing the operator to track the pathway and ensure accurate placement of the needle in the subretinal space. This intermediary visualization capability directly improves placement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element is positioned and visualized before needle insertion to establish the optimal pathway. This preliminary action allows the surgeon to plan the needle trajectory in advance, ensuring accurate placement of the therapeutic agent delivery site. The guide element serves as a pre-positioned reference that simplifies the subsequent needle insertion and maintains placement precision.
3Reliability
If the macula is accessed through traditional approaches, then treatment can be administered, but the access path causes damage to the delicate retinal layers
Solution Approach 1:
The guide apparatus acts as a protective intermediary that shields the delicate retinal layers from direct surgical trauma. By establishing a controlled suprachoroidal pathway through the guide element, the needle can access the subretinal space without requiring direct penetration through the retinal layers. This intermediary approach maintains reliable therapeutic delivery while preventing retinal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of approaching the macula from the retinal side (which causes retinal damage), the invention inverts the approach by accessing the subretinal space from the suprachoroidal side. The needle is inserted through the sclera and choroid to deliver therapy directly to the subretinal space, bypassing the need to penetrate the delicate retinal layers. This inverted approach maintains therapeutic reliability while eliminating retinal trauma.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a body and a pair of rigid legs extending from the body. The body includes an engagement feature configured to engage a deployment instrument. The legs are parallel with each other. Each leg has a sharp tip. The legs both extend along a plane. The body defines a guide opening. The guide opening is oriented transversely relative to the plane associated with the legs. The guide opening is sized to receive a cannula having a generally flat profile. The guide opening is configured to guide the cannula through a sclerotomy at a substantially tangential orientation.