Valved Trocar Cannula for Acute Glaucoma Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for reducing intraocular pressure in acute glaucoma, such as minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries, often require immediate surgical intervention and do not adequately lower pressure for patients with advanced glaucoma, leading to prolonged pain and risk of vision loss due to the need for definitive surgical procedures that may be delayed.

Innovation Solution

A valved trocar cannula system is used to temporarily reduce intraocular pressure by inserting a valved cannula assembly through a micro-incision in the eye, allowing continuous flow of aqueous humor to reduce pressure from high levels to a moderate range (10-25 mmHg), thereby alleviating pain and preventing vision loss until surgical treatment can be performed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries are performed, then the number of potential complications is reduced, but the intraocular pressure reduction is insufficient for advanced glaucoma patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of potential complicationsVSAvoidintraocular pressure reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

A valved cannula assembly is introduced as an intermediary device between the eye and external environment. The valve acts as a controlled mediator that allows aqueous humor to flow out while preventing contaminants from entering, achieving both pressure reduction and complication prevention simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the pressure parameter by creating a controlled pressure gradient through the valve. The valve opens when intraocular pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure, allowing automatic pressure equalization and reduction to safe levels without requiring complex surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If definitive surgical procedures are delayed, then surgical risks are reduced, but the patient experiences prolonged pain and risk of vision loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical riskVSAvoidtime until surgical treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The valved cannula is inserted as a preliminary temporary measure before definitive surgery. This preliminary action reduces intraocular pressure and alleviates pain in the interim period, allowing the patient to wait for surgery without suffering from high pressure symptoms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The valved cannula assembly is designed as a temporary, short-term device that remains in place only until definitive surgery can be performed. It is a simple, low-cost solution that serves its purpose during the waiting period and is then removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stress or pressure

If a valved cannula assembly is inserted to reduce intraocular pressure, then pressure is effectively lowered, but there is a risk of hypotony and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraocular pressure loweringVSAvoidrisk of hypotony and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve design converts the potential harm of uncontrolled fluid loss into a benefit by allowing controlled outflow. The valve only opens when pressure is high, preventing hypotony by closing when pressure normalizes, and prevents contamination by blocking reverse flow of contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve provides automatic feedback control of intraocular pressure. When pressure rises above atmospheric pressure, the valve opens to release fluid; when pressure equalizes or drops, the valve closes automatically, creating a self-regulating system that prevents both hypertension and hypotony.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The valved trocar cannula system effectively lowers high intraocular pressure to a moderate level, reducing pain and preventing vision loss, allowing for immediate relief in an office setting until definitive surgery can be conducted, while minimizing the risk of hypotony and contamination.

Implementation Method 1

The valve is configured to allow aqueous humor to flow from the anterior chamber to the exterior surface of the eye in response to a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20240350316A1Acute glaucoma device

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 ALCON INC

AI summary

Embodiments disclosed herein provide devices, systems, and methods for reducing intraocular pressure. For example, the disclosed devices, systems, and methods are useful for reducing intraocular pressure resulting from conditions, such as acute glaucoma, on a short-term basis until a definitive surgical procedure is performed. More particularly, valved trocar cannula systems for reducing intraocular pressure resulting from conditions, such as acute glaucoma, pending surgical intervention in an operating room are disclosed. In practice, a trocar assembly is used to place a valved cannula assembly in a patient's eye, such as in the anterior chamber or pars plana, to reduce high intraocular pressure. The valved cannula is then left in the patient's eye for a period of time to continuously allow aqueous humor or liquid vitreous humor to flow therethrough, until the patient may be surgically treated in an operating room.