Capstone Week #1 - Brinkley Brooks

 Research: 

Article 1: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5322839/#b25-opth-11-357

  • 10% reduction of risk of glaucoma for every 1 mmHg decrease in IOP until threshold is met
  • IOP can be lowered through medical management, lasers, and surgeries such as Ahmed valve
  • Excessive capsule fibrosis is an issue with the Ahmed valve and a very common side effect
  • Silicone seems to create less of a hypertensive phase than polypropylene because it is less inflammatory
  • How an Ahmed Valve works: thin silicone membranes that open and close due to the IOP variations. Valve opens to decrease IOP and closes to increase IOP. 





            - Threshold is 8-12 mmHg  



Article 2: https://www.eyephysiciansoflongbeach.com/services/glaucoma-long-beach/ahmed-valve/

  • IOP increases due to aqueous humor build up 
  • Drainage happens through the shunt to the bleb 
  • 60-80% success rate for the Ahmed valve surgery
  • Some complications include inflammation, redness, initial elevated IOP until bleb is fully functional, clogging of shunt, etc. 



  • Surgery does not improve vision, but prevents it from getting worse
  • How to insert Ahmed Valve: 
    • Cut on sclera 
    • Valve goes into pocket 
    • Use drops post op.
    • Operation takes 1-1.5 hours 
    • Outpatient surgery 

  • Stents are used for glaucoma and child NLD obstructions 
  • Imaging machines help diagnose glaucoma early on 
  • Eye drops are the first round of defense for treatment 

  • Fibrosis remains the major impediment to lowering IOP 
  • Trabeculectomy prevails as the most effective strategy for getting a constant IOP reduction
  • Increased mechanical load, or distinct growth factors can increase scaring and fibrosis 


(1)  sutures

(2) blood vessel-derived cells, cytokines and growth factors

(3) aqueous humor-derived growth factors

(4) shear force stimulation by interstitial fluid flow

(5) signaling molecules released from ECM storage sites

(6) myofibroblast transdifferentiation leading to matrix deposition and tissue compaction


Video #1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFt8yomVB7A


- This video showed an Ahmed Valve surgery

- First, the valve needs to be primed with solution to remove air, so the eye does not have to use pressure to get it out.

- The superior temporal quadrant is the 1st choice for placement of the device

- The sclera is cut and a deep pocket is formed

- Valve is pushed into pocket

- The valve is sutured into place

- A needle hole is made for the tube to go inside

- Tube is inserted into hole and sutured into place

- Cover tube with donor tissue


Video #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ohS8nTioI


- Trabecular by pass stent surgery provides a more direct way for the fluid to leave the eye.

- The optic nerve is damaged when fluid does not drain properly, causing vision loss.

- A cornea incision is made, so the stent can be inserted.


Client Meeting Notes: 

- Helpful Resource: SOLX company 

- Purpose/Goal of Project: Make an improved device similar to an Ahmed Valve. Make the device with variable resistance, 3 levels. High for post op, medium for a little while after surgery, and low for long term. 

- Complications Ahmed Valve Faces: After every year post surgery, 10% of valves fail. The main issue that patients have is fibrosis. A device that is able to have variable resistance could be able to decrease or diminish fibrosis. 

- The extra medical device in the project description only has to be made if the valve that is created needs something to help doctors insert it. 

- The volume measurement device only needs to be used in a lab setting, not an eye that is still in a human eye. 












Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Week 11 Alex

Week 9 - Brinkley