Automated Testing System for Implants to Regulate Intraocular Pressure

Abstract

The implantation of drainage devices in glaucoma is usually performed after previous unsuccessful treatments and is the patient's last chance to save his vision. The article describes the device that allows automating the process of a preoperative check-up of implants of different types used for intraocular fluid withdrawal in case of glaucoma. This device will help increase the success of the operation and help preserve the vision of the patients with glaucoma due to the pre-test of the implants for serviceability and intraocular fluid withdrawal parameters.Methodology. To realize the goal, the authors developed a functional scheme of the automated system for measuring and controlling the parameters of the intraocular pressure regulation implants based on the microsystem technology elements.The results. Depending on the implant's material and hardness, there are three possible cases in which the implant opens earlier, and there is a risk of hypotension to the patient's eye. Later, there is a risk of hypertension, and the implant works in the normal pressure zone. The authors provide testing graphs of three implants of varying levels of hardness and a graph of the reproducibility of the characteristics of the non-faulty implant. Scientific innovation. The method of testing implant parameters by way of hardware overpressure creation with the possibility of automated control parameters of preoperative testing the implants is proposedPractical significance. The developed automated system for preoperative testing of implants, which provides: simplification of the scheme with the simultaneous possibility of automating the process of preoperative testing of implants of different types; allow getting an increase of sensitivity, measurement accuracy, and objectivity of implant parameters determination; determination of their suitability for use in the medical-surgical practice by the parameters of fluid withdrawal, exactly opening pressure, closing pressure and reproducibility of the characteristics during the repeated operation, which will contribute to the efficiency of the performed operations; reducing the time of implant check, which is limited by 2-3 minutes, and the possibility to save information about the parameters both in electronic (computer) and paper forms.