Abstract
Glaucoma refers to a category of eye conditions that involve damage to the optic nerve and is characterized by high intraocular pressure (IOP). This optic nerve damage causes pain and discomfort; in chronic cases, it can lead to long term vision loss and sometimes blindness. After failure of preliminary treatment such as drops and medication, late-stage glaucoma patients often undergo surgical intervention in which a drainage shunt is implanted to lower IOP. The shunt tube implantation surgery remains variable in both procedures and outcomes as there does not exist a one-size-fits-all-method or tool for implant and procedure customization.
There is currently a lack of predictability of outflow characteristics of tube shunt fenestrations due to the lack of a method to standardize the creation of fenestrations, leaving the number and size of fenestrations up to the surgeon. Additionally, the ligation of the base of the tube can be difficult and time consuming, which can lengthen surgical time.
Towards improving non-valved tube shunt procedures, this study describes a novel device to standardize the creation of fenestrations in tube shunts at the bedside. The device will standardize the size and placement of the fenestrations by acting as a guide to place a blade or needle. In this way the guide will allow for predetermined fenestrations to be placed at standard depths. Additionally, a preliminary mathematical model has been created to predict outflow characteristics of the novel device as a function of fenestration number. Validated mathematical models hold clinical value in predicting outflow characteristics and tailoring patient care.
