About Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye's optic nerve that impacts the lives of about 80 million people globally. Damage to the optic nerve takes place when fluid pressure builds up in the front of the eye (the anterior chamber). Excess fluid, called the aqueous humor, increases the eye's intraocular pressure which in turn damages the optic nerve. This damage leads to partial yet gradual loss of the visual field, usually starting from the periphery but eventually leading to the loss of central vision and blindness.
Current treatment modalities aim to control intraocular pressure by either reducing the aqueous humor production or increasing its drainage/absorption. These include drops, laser surgery, MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Shunts), incisional surgery and glaucoma drainage devices. All these treatment options lose their effectiveness within a limited timeframe.
CorNeat eShunt Advantages
Everlasting
The CorNeat eShunt's outlet is placed in the intraconal space, a space with minimal fibrotic potential
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Scarring is the major cause of failure of any surgical approach to glaucoma and until the arrival of the CorNeat eShunt no attempt was made to drain the excess fluid to this deep orbital space
Physiological Approach
Engineered to imitate the human physiologic, drainage pathways
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Reacts to the changes in intraocular pressure and drains only the amount needed
Ease of Implantation
Implantation procedure can be completed in under 15 minutes
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Does not require additional, processed, tissue
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Will probably not require an introducer or a dedicated tool
Bio-Integrating
Covered with a synthetic, non-degradable, ECM-like material that stimulates cellular growth - integrating the tube into the subconjunctival space
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Eliminates the need for using a tissue patch
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Shortens the procedure and secures the device to the eye wall permanently
CorNeat eShunt
The CorNeat eShunt is determined to revolutionize the treatment of glaucoma. It is designed to regulate the intraocular pressure and addresses the shortcomings of existing solutions. Using advanced materials, the CorNeat eShunt inlet, which is placed in the anterior chamber angle, mimics the trabecular meshwork’s function in terms of flow resistance. The CorNeat eShunt outlet is uniquely positioned in the intraconal space, an area that does not scar and clog and can absorb the drained aqueous humor. The CorNeat eShunt tube, which is covered by a synthetic ECM layer, seamlessly integrates with the ocular tissue as it traverses the subconjunctival space, significantly shortening the surgical procedure.
In vivo tests: a 6-week preclinical study (integration, IOP regulation, drainage concept) was completed with promising results:
Implantation procedure takes approx. 10 minutes
25% reduction in IOP
Histopathological proof of device integration with minimal
inflammatory response
Device materials are biocompatible: biocompatibility tests
overlap with the CorNeat KPro
Features
Inlet (regulating pressure)
Provides deterministic IOP: the inlet mimics the trabecular meshwork's adaptive pressure regulation mechanism so that as the intraocular pressure increases the outflow through the inlet increases and keeps the actual pressure constant
Outlet (location)
Prolonged patency: the CorNeat eShunt's outlet is uniquely positioned deep within the orbit where there is mostly fat and minimal fibrotic ability
Tube (ocular Integration)
The CorNeat eShunt's shaft biologically integrates with neighboring tissue by leveraging porous, biocompatible and non-degradable polymers in a configuration that mimics the Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM)
Tube (ocular integration)
Inlet (regulating pressure)
Outlet (location)
Regulatory Path
The CorNeat eShunt has successfully passed initial bench tests and animal trials demonstrating seamless integration and the ability to reduce and regulate intraocular pressure. The R&D and preclinical phases are expected to take 12-15 months.
CorNeat eShunt device marketing is pending regulatory approvals.