Method and apparatus for manufacturing intraocular lens

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing an intraocular lens (5), comprising: providing a container (1) transparent to electromagnetic radiation (3); providing a liquid (2) that can be solidified by means of electromagnetic radiation (3) in the container (1); generating and / or providing a data set (4) consisting of images of an intraocular lens (5) with at least one cavity (6), wherein the images contain projections of the intraocular lens (5) with the at least one cavity (6) from different directions; chromatographically printing the curable liquid (2) by means of electromagnetic radiation (3) on the basis of the generated and / or provided data set (4) in order to form the intraocular lens (5) with the at least one cavity (6); and deactivating the curing capacity of the curable liquid (2) in the at least one cavity (6). The invention further relates to a device (10) for producing an intraocular lens (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing an artificial lens. Background Technology

[0002] Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are typically manufactured by turning. This involves first preparing the IOL material through polymerization. Then, a blank is cut from this material. For hydrophilic IOLs, the blank is often held in place on a lathe using wax, while for hydrophobic IOLs, the blank is frozen at approximately -20°C. A computer-controlled robotic arm equipped with diamond cutting tools then cuts the IOL from the rotating blank on the lathe. However, this is a complex and costly method. Furthermore, a drawback is that the diamond cutting tools used during turning can leave grooves on the IOL surface, which can affect the optical quality of the IOL.

[0003] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing an intraocular lens by tomographic printing is also known from DE 10 2020 108 375 B3. This method includes the following steps: providing a container transparent to electromagnetic radiation, in which a liquid curable by electromagnetic radiation is disposed; irradiating the liquid with a set of images formed by electromagnetic radiation, each image representing an intraocular lens, wherein each image in the set is incident on the liquid at a different angle of incidence relative to a reference plane extending through the liquid, thereby causing the liquid to solidify and the solidified liquid to form an intraocular lens, wherein an actuator, a solar module, and / or a sensor are disposed in the liquid, and the intraocular lens is formed around the actuator, solar module, and / or sensor.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known to fill the cavities in an intraocular lens with liquid. This allows for alteration and adjustment of the optical properties of the intraocular lens. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to improve a method and apparatus for manufacturing artificial lenses.

[0006] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and an apparatus having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are derived from the dependent claims.

[0007] A fundamental concept of this invention is to fill cavities in an intraocular lens with a liquid used in chromatographic printing, and then deactivate the curing ability of the liquid after chromatographic printing is completed. Thus, the liquid remaining in the cavity cannot be further cured by electromagnetic radiation. This, in particular, prevents further undesirable polymerization, thereby keeping the liquid in a liquid state. Especially during this process, the active groups of the monomers (e.g., acrylates) are converted into inert groups. The underlying concept is that, by employing chromatographic printing technology, an intraocular lens can be printed in a (mechanically) stabilizing solution provided by a curable liquid. When at least one cavity is created in the intraocular lens during chromatographic printing, after the printing process is completed, the curable liquid will remain in the cavity because no activation of the curable liquid for polymerization occurs there, and because the liquid is surrounded by the walls of the cavity, it cannot escape from the cavity. To prevent undesirable curing or further polymerization from occurring subsequently, the curable liquid remaining in the cavity (at least one) is deactivated and kept in a liquid state.

[0008] In particular, a method for manufacturing an intraocular lens is provided, comprising: providing a container transparent to electromagnetic radiation; providing a liquid capable of curing by means of electromagnetic radiation in the container; generating and / or providing a dataset consisting of images of an intraocular lens having at least one cavity, wherein the images include projections of the intraocular lens having at least one cavity from different directions; performing tomographic printing on the curable liquid by means of electromagnetic radiation based on the generated and / or provided dataset to form an intraocular lens having at least one cavity; and deactivating the curing ability of the curable liquid in the at least one cavity.

[0009] Furthermore, an apparatus for manufacturing an intraocular lens is provided, the apparatus comprising: a container transparent to electromagnetic radiation; a data processing device configured to generate and / or provide a dataset consisting of images of an intraocular lens with at least one cavity, wherein the images include projections of the intraocular lens with at least one cavity from different directions; a tomographic printing apparatus configured to perform tomographic printing on a curable liquid provided in the container by means of electromagnetic radiation based on the generated and / or provided dataset to form an intraocular lens with at least one cavity; and at least one deactivating device configured to deactivate the curing ability of the curable liquid in the at least one cavity, or to prepare for and / or assist in deactivation.

[0010] One advantage of this method and device is that the cavity in the intraocular lens no longer needs to be filled separately with liquid. This avoids the leakage problems that always exist during subsequent filling processes, because there is no longer a need to open the cavity and then re-close it.

[0011] Electromagnetic radiation is particularly within the optical wavelength range, especially within the visible and / or UV wavelength range. The curable liquid can particularly possess the properties described in DE 10 2020 108 375 B3. In particular, tomographic printing is performed essentially as described in DE 10 2020 108 375 B3. To generate and / or provide a dataset image, it can be calculated, for example, from a three-dimensional dataset (e.g., CAD data) containing the shape of the intraocular lens. This involves, in particular, a process reversed from that used in tomographic imaging. Tomographic imaging, for example, is applied to computed tomography. Tomographic imaging can, for example, utilize Radon transform. Tomographic printing particularly utilizes the reverse process described above so that, by means of the calculated image, the curable liquid locally cures according to the light distribution pattern contained in the dataset image.

[0012] Curable liquids particularly include solutions containing dissolved monomers and photoinitiators, which can trigger monomer polymerization in a radiation-dependent manner. Furthermore, curable liquids may also contain other components, such as fillers, photoexciteable dyes or nanoparticles, and / or medically active substances. It is particularly noteworthy that the curable liquid has a strength of at least 100 mPa. The predetermined minimum viscosity of s (cps). This minimum viscosity specifically ensures that the intraocular lens remains in the same position during chromatographic printing. Alternatively or additionally, support devices may be provided to hold the intraocular lens in place during chromatographic printing.

[0013] Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), or 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate (EOEMA) can be used as raw materials for curable liquids.

[0014] It can be proposed that the intraocular lens is an adjustable intraocular lens. Furthermore, the intraocular lens may also have actuators, a solar module, and / or sensors, arranged in a curable liquid, allowing the intraocular lens to be printed around these objects. Additionally, the intraocular lens may include an optic and at least one haptic.

[0015] It can be suggested that the artificial lens prepared according to this method is subsequently subjected to post-processing, such as by turning, mechanical polishing, laser polishing and / or laser cutting.

[0016] In one embodiment, deactivation includes impregnating and / or extracting the printed intraocular lens with a predetermined extractant or extractant gas and / or therein. Here, the terms "extractant" and "extractant gas" are used only for conceptual distinction and specifically refer to liquids or gases used within the scope of deactivation. Deactivation is achieved and / or facilitated by removing (extracting) at least one component from a curable liquid remaining in the at least one cavity using the aforementioned liquid or gas. For this purpose, after chromatography printing, the remaining curable liquid is removed from the container, and the predetermined extractant or extractant gas is introduced into the container. The extractant or extractant gas promotes or at least assists in the deactivation of the curable liquid.

[0017] In one embodiment, the curable liquid comprises a monomer insoluble relative to a predetermined extract and a photoinitiator soluble relative to the predetermined extract, wherein the photoinitiator present in the at least one cavity is removed from the at least one cavity by impregnation and / or extraction. This removes the photoinitiator from the at least one cavity, thus preventing further activation of the polymerization reaction in the at least one cavity. For example, the curable liquid may comprise hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and a photoinitiator (e.g., 1% by weight of the HEMA monomer) for chromatographic printing. Here, the photoinitiator is selected to be well soluble in the extract, while the monomer is selected to be insoluble in the extract. After chromatographic printing, the printed intraocular lens is then placed in the predetermined extract, or the predetermined extract is introduced into a container containing the printed intraocular lens. The printed intraocular lens is then held in the predetermined extract for a predetermined time. Within this time frame, the soluble photoinitiator dissolves in a predetermined extractant, which enters the at least one cavity through a (permeable) wall (e.g., Poly-HEMA) and washes the dissolved photoinitiator out of the at least one cavity. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the amount of photoinitiator remaining in the liquid in the at least one cavity approaches zero, thus preventing further activation of curing or polymerization.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, the curable liquid comprises monomers soluble relative to a predetermined extractant, wherein monomers present in the at least one cavity are removed from the at least one cavity by impregnation and / or extraction. In principle, this process is similar to the foregoing embodiments.

[0019] In particular, one embodiment proposes that the intended extractant is water.

[0020] In one embodiment, the curable liquid comprises a macromonomer having a large molar mass (especially >1000 g / mol). Thus, the photoinitiator can be removed from the at least one cavity by impregnation and / or extraction, while the macromonomer remains in the cavity. When water is used as the extraction liquid, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) macromonomer can be used as a water-insoluble monomer.

[0021] In one embodiment, it is proposed that, within the deactivation range, the printed intraocular lens with the at least one cavity be exposed to a chain-splitting agent. Specifically, it is proposed that the chain-splitting agent diffuses through the polymer outer wall of the at least one cavity into the liquid present within the at least one cavity, thereby preventing further activation of the curable liquid. Examples of chain-splitting agents include chemicals containing halogens or halogen radicals (e.g., bromine). These substances can be attached to terminal acrylates (e.g., Br2) or even initiate intramolecular cyclization reactions, both of which deactivate the monomer.

[0022] In one embodiment, it is particularly proposed that the chain-severing agent is or includes at least one of the following: oxygen or hydrogen. Oxygen and hydrogen are capable of inhibiting free radical chain polymerization.

[0023] One embodiment proposes irradiating the printed intraocular lens exposed to the chain-severing agent with electromagnetic radiation having a predetermined wavelength or a predetermined wavelength range within the deactivation range. This allows for the activation of monomers remaining in the at least one cavity. In this case, the residual monomers are more likely to react with the present chain-severing agent, resulting only in oligomers with small molar masses that are not cross-linked and thus remain liquid. The following example illustrates this basic process flow: for example, the curable liquid contains HEMA and a photoinitiator having a maximum absorption value at a wavelength of about 400 nm. The absorption range of HEMA extends to wavelengths of about 250 nm and below. In a first step, a light source with a wavelength in the 400 nm range is used to polymerize the HEMA in the curable liquid via chromatographic printing. After chromatographic printing is complete, the at least one cavity of the intraocular lens filled with HEMA is exposed to an environment containing the chain-severing agent (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen, or water). Gases can enter the monomer-filled structure without hindrance. For liquids, this depends on the chemical structure of the at least one cavity wall. The intraocular lens with the at least one cavity is then irradiated with UV light at a wavelength of about 250 nm or less. This triggers the activation of residual HEMA monomers with acrylate groups. As previously mentioned, these monomers react with the chain-severing agent with a high probability and only generate HEMA oligomers with small molar masses. These oligomers are not cross-linked and therefore remain in a liquid state.

[0024] In one embodiment, the curable liquid includes a crosslinking agent having two or more acrylate or methacrylate (terminal) groups for polymerization and covalently bonded organic molecular chains therebetween. The molecular chains have at least one photolytically cleavable group, which cleaves upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation in the UV wavelength range, causing the molecular chains to break. A photoinitiator capable of activation at wavelengths greater than the UV wavelength range is used in the curable liquid. During chromatographic printing, the photoinitiator in the curable liquid is activated at wavelengths greater than the UV wavelength range, preventing the molecular chains from breaking due to chromatographic printing. To cleave the photolytically cleavable group, the printed intraocular lens with the at least one cavity is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation in the UV wavelength range within a deactivation range. Possible crosslinking agents include, for example, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate, and 1,4-phenylene diacrylate. However, the method is not limited to these examples, and other crosslinking agents can be used in principle. As a photolytically degradable group, benzoylmethyl can be used, for example, as an aromatic substituent with a phenyl group attached to the acyl group. Among other properties, benzoylmethyl is known to undergo photodeprotection upon irradiation in the UV wavelength range, which causes the molecular chains between the terminal groups of the crosslinking agent to break. To prevent this breakage during chromatographic printing, the photoinitiator must be selected to be activated at longer wavelengths, particularly above the UV wavelength range, i.e., especially in the visible light wavelength range.

[0025] In one embodiment, deactivation includes thermal activation. In particular, in this embodiment, it is proposed to use a monomer that is photochemically cured and thermally deactivated within the scope of the disclosed method.

[0026] Other features of the device design are derived from the description of the method design. Here, the advantages of the device are correspondingly the same as those mentioned in the method design. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an implementation of the method; Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating an implementation of the method is shown; Figure 3 Schematic diagrams illustrating further embodiments of the method; and Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the device is provided. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an implementation of the method is shown. In method step 100, a container that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation is provided. Here, the container is particularly selected to be transparent at least to the electromagnetic radiation used in the method, especially to electromagnetic radiation in the visible and UV wavelength ranges.

[0029] In method step 101, a liquid capable of curing by means of electromagnetic radiation is provided in a container. This particularly relates to a liquid comprising a monomer and a photoinitiator, wherein the monomer is capable of polymerization by activating the photoinitiator. For example, the curable liquid is filled into the container.

[0030] In method step 102, a dataset comprising images of an intraocular lens with at least one cavity is generated and / or provided, wherein these images contain projections of the intraocular lens with at least one cavity from different directions. Here, these images are generated, in particular, based on three-dimensional data (e.g., a CAD model of the intraocular lens with at least one cavity) by calculating the projections of electromagnetic radiation from different directions through the three-dimensional intraocular lens with at least one cavity, these projections describing the light absorption of the material of the intraocular lens with at least one cavity. This involves a process reversed from that used in tomography, for example, computed tomography. Tomography can, for example, utilize the Radon transform and its inverse transform.

[0031] In method step 103, based on the generated and / or provided dataset, a curable liquid is tornically printed using electromagnetic radiation to form an intraocular lens with the at least one cavity. Here, the curable liquid is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation from different directions, based on images from the generated and / or provided dataset, for example as described in DE10 2020 108 375 B3. In other words, images are projected into the curable liquid from corresponding directions using electromagnetic radiation. As a result, the curable liquid polymerizes and solidifies at the desired locations, thereby forming the intraocular lens with the at least one cavity.

[0032] In method step 104, the curing ability of the curable liquid in the at least one cavity is deactivated. Thus, the curable liquid in the at least one cavity can no longer undergo further curing. Specifically, the monomers present in the liquid remain in a liquid state and can no longer polymerize.

[0033] In method step 104, deactivation may include impregnating and / or extracting the printed intraocular lens with a predetermined extraction liquid or a predetermined extraction gas and / or therein. Specifically, the monomers and / or photoinitiators used may be deactivated by impregnation in solution (e.g., by a Diels-Alder reaction of the diene and (meth)acrylate) or by applying a suitable gas (e.g., hydrogen / oxygen to deactivate the acrylate functional groups / achieve instantaneous chain termination). For example, a hydrophobic extraction liquid (e.g., hexane) may be used for extraction. This removes the photoinitiator, unpolymerized monomers, and incompletely polymerized low-molecular-weight oligomers from the polymer, effectively terminating further polymerization.

[0034] An improvement could be proposed whereby the curable liquid comprises a monomer insoluble relative to a predetermined extract and a photoinitiator soluble relative to the predetermined extract, wherein the photoinitiator present in the at least one cavity is removed from the at least one cavity by impregnation and / or extraction. For example, a water-soluble photoinitiator (e.g., potassium persulfate or 4,4'-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) (ACVA)) can be used, which can be removed from the cavity containing unreacted residual monomer. The monomer (e.g., octadecyl methacrylate) is insoluble in water and therefore remains in the cavity. In this way, curing of the monomer remaining in the cavity can be particularly prevented.

[0035] Alternatively, it can be proposed, in an improved manner, that the curable liquid comprises a monomer soluble relative to a predetermined extractant, wherein the monomer present in the at least one cavity is removed from the cavity by impregnation and / or extraction. For example, it can be proposed that both the photoinitiator (e.g., ACVA) and the monomer (e.g., hydroxymethyl methacrylate) used are water-soluble. Both the photoinitiator and the monomer are removed from the cavity by means of an extractant (water in this example), and the cavity is then filled with the extractant (water in this example). In principle, other solvents besides water can also be used, wherein the photoinitiator and monomer are subsequently selected accordingly.

[0036] It is particularly noteworthy that the intended extraction solution is water. In the first alternative, the monomer is therefore insoluble in water, while the photoinitiator is water-soluble. In the second alternative, the monomer is water-soluble.

[0037] It can be proposed that the curable liquid includes macromonomers with large molar masses (especially >1000 g / mol). Macromonomers can be, for example, PMMA. In particular, macromonomers can be combined with secondary monomers. Various possible combinations exist in this regard.

[0038] Table 1 below lists examples of macromonomers and secondary monomers; these examples are representative and not limiting. For example, a PMMA prepolymer can be combined with one or more of the secondary monomers listed in the table. Different prepolymers can also be mixed. For example, PMMA prepolymers of different lengths, or prepolymers composed of PMMA can be mixed with prepolymers of secondary monomers. Furthermore, the mixing ratio can be varied in any proportion to obtain the desired properties of the final copolymer.

[0039] Table 1: Formulation examples of PMMA macromonomers and different copolymer candidates. Here, each macromonomer (prepolymer) can be linked with any secondary monomer. The ratio is also not fixed.

[0040] In method step 104, it may be proposed that, within the deactivation range, the printed intraocular lens with the at least one cavity be exposed to a chain-breaking agent.

[0041] In particular, it can be suggested that the chain-breaking agent is or includes at least one of the following: oxygen, hydrogen, or water.

[0042] Another approach is to use chemicals containing halogens or halogen radicals (such as bromine) as chain-breaking agents. These substances can then be attached to the terminal acrylate (e.g., Br2) or even initiate intramolecular cyclization reactions, both of which deactivate the monomer, thus preventing further curing or polymerization.

[0043] In step 104 of the method, it may also be proposed that, within the deactivation range, the printed intraocular lens exposed to the chain-severing agent be irradiated with electromagnetic radiation having a predetermined wavelength or a predetermined wavelength range. This activates the monomers contained in the curable liquid, wherein the monomers react with the chain-severing agent (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen, or water) and in this case only oligomers with small molar masses are produced. These oligomers are not cross-linked and therefore remain in a liquid state. Here, the predetermined wavelength or predetermined wavelength range is particularly in the UV range, i.e., particularly in wavelengths of 250 nm and below.

[0044] It may be proposed that the curable liquid includes a crosslinking agent having two or more acrylate or methacrylate (terminal) groups for polymerization and covalently bonded organic molecular chains therebetween, the molecular chains having at least one photolytic group that is cleaved upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation in the UV wavelength range, causing the molecular chains to break. A photoinitiator capable of being activated at wavelengths greater than the UV wavelength range is used in the curable liquid. During the chromatographic printing process in step 103, the photoinitiator in the curable liquid is activated at wavelengths greater than the UV wavelength range, thereby preventing the molecular chains from breaking due to chromatographic printing. In order to cleave the photolytic group, in step 104, the printed intraocular lens with the at least one cavity is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation in the UV wavelength range within a deactivation range.

[0045] In method step 104, it can be proposed that deactivation includes thermal activation.

[0046] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating an implementation of the method is shown. Its basic flow is consistent with that of the previously combined... Figure 1 The described process is the same.

[0047] In method step 200, a liquid 2 capable of curing by means of electromagnetic radiation is provided in a container 1 that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The curable liquid 2 includes a crosslinking agent having two or more acrylate or methacrylate (terminal) groups for polymerization and covalently bonded organic molecular chains therebetween, the molecular chains having at least one photolytically cleavable group. The photolytically cleavable group breaks down upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation in the UV wavelength range, causing the molecular chains to break. Furthermore, a photoinitiator is used in the curable liquid 2, which is activated at wavelengths greater than the UV wavelength range.

[0048] In method step 201, based on the generated and / or provided dataset 4, the curable liquid 2 is tornically printed using electromagnetic radiation 3 to form an intraocular lens 5 with at least one cavity 6. Dataset 4 includes images of the intraocular lens 5 with the at least one cavity 6, wherein these images contain projections of the intraocular lens 5 with the at least one cavity 6 from different directions. For example, dataset 4 can be calculated based on a CAD model of the intraocular lens 5 with the at least one cavity 6 by calculating projections through the CAD model from different directions, reflecting the attenuation of electromagnetic radiation depending on location and material. This basic processing flow is described, for example, in DE 10 2020 108 375 B3.

[0049] In the tomographic printing process of method step 201, it is proposed that the photoinitiator in the curable liquid 2 be in a wavelength range greater than UV wavelength λ. UV The molecules are activated at wavelengths λ, thus preventing the covalently bonded organic molecular chains from breaking during chromatography printing.

[0050] In method step 202, after the chromatography printing is completed, the curable liquid 2 is removed from the container 1. The printed intraocular lens 5 remains in the container 1, wherein the at least one cavity 6 is closed by the outer shell of the intraocular lens 5 and still contains the curable liquid 2.

[0051] In method step 203, in order to cleave the photolytically cleavable group, within the deactivation range, a UV wavelength range λ is used. UV Electromagnetic radiation 3 irradiates the printed intraocular lens 5 containing the at least one cavity 6. This causes the molecular chains between the terminal groups of the crosslinking agent to break. As a result, the liquid remaining in the at least one cavity 6 can be deactivated, thereby enabling the intraocular lens 5 containing the deactivated liquid 8 to be provided in method step 204. Thereafter, the curing of the deactivated liquid 8 can no longer be initiated by means of electromagnetic radiation 3, thus the liquid state is maintained.

[0052] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating another implementation of the method is shown. Its basic flow is consistent with that of the previously combined... Figure 1 The described process is the same.

[0053] In method step 300, a liquid 2 capable of curing by means of electromagnetic radiation is provided in a container 1 that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation. It is proposed that the curable liquid 2 comprises monomers insoluble relative to a predetermined extract, such as macromonomers having a large molar mass (e.g., PMMA macromonomers), and a photoinitiator soluble relative to the predetermined extract. For example, the proportion of the photoinitiator in the curable liquid 2 is 1% of the monomer weight. Examples are given in Table 2 below.

[0054] Table 2: Examples of photoinitiators and possible extractants. Each photoinitiator can be extracted using any of the extractants listed above.

[0055] In method step 301, based on the generated and / or provided dataset 4, a curable liquid 2 is subjected to chromatographic printing using electromagnetic radiation 3 to form an artificial lens 5 with at least one cavity 6. Here, the dataset 4 can be used in conjunction with previously designed... Figure 2 The methods described in the illustrated embodiments are the same as those used to generate and / or provide the product.

[0056] In method step 302, the curable liquid 2 is removed from container 1. The printed intraocular lens 5 remains in container 1, wherein the at least one cavity 6 is closed by the outer shell of the intraocular lens 5 and still contains the curable liquid 2.

[0057] In method step 303, a predetermined extractant 9 is introduced into container 1. The printed intraocular lens 5 with the at least one cavity 6 is then impregnated with the predetermined extractant 9. The photoinitiator present in the at least one cavity 6 is removed by impregnation (and / or extraction). This deactivates the liquid remaining in the at least one cavity 6, thus enabling the provision of an intraocular lens 5 with deactivated liquid 8 in method step 304. Thereafter, the curing of the deactivated liquid 8 can no longer be initiated by electromagnetic radiation 3, and therefore the liquid state is maintained.

[0058] When the intended extractant 9 is, for example, water, a monomer that is insoluble in water and a water-soluble photoinitiator are used.

[0059] In an alternative embodiment, the curable liquid 2 comprises monomers soluble relative to a predetermined extractant 9, wherein monomers present in the at least one cavity 6 are removed from the cavity 6 by immersion (and / or extraction). In the foregoing example, when the predetermined extractant 9 is water, a water-soluble monomer is used. For example, hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomer can be used. HEMA monomer is water-soluble, and the polymerized HEMA of the shell of the intraocular lens 5 is water-permeable, thus the HEMA monomer can be removed from the at least one cavity 6 by immersion (and / or extraction).

[0060] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an apparatus 10 for manufacturing an intraocular lens 5 is shown. The apparatus 10 includes: a container 1 transparent to electromagnetic radiation 3; and a data processing device 11 configured to generate and / or provide a dataset 4 consisting of images of an intraocular lens 5 with at least one cavity 6, wherein these images contain projections of the intraocular lens 5 with the at least one cavity 6 from different directions.

[0061] The apparatus 10 also includes a tomographic printing device 12 configured to perform tomographic printing on a curable liquid 2 provided in a container 1 by means of electromagnetic radiation 3, based on a generated and / or provided dataset 4, to form an artificial lens 5 with the at least one cavity 6. The tomographic printing device 12 particularly includes an irradiation device 13 that projects images through the transparent container 1 onto the curable liquid 2 by means of electromagnetic radiation 3, thereby achieving curing depending on the position. The printing device 12 also includes, for example, a turntable 14 by means of which the irradiation direction can be changed, thereby allowing the curable liquid 2 to be irradiated from different directions (e.g., the angle of incidence relative to the axis of rotation of the turntable 14 is between 0° and 360°). Multiple irradiation devices 13 may also be provided, which simultaneously emit electromagnetic radiation 3 onto the curable liquid 2 from different directions based on corresponding images in the dataset 4.

[0062] The apparatus 10 also includes at least one deactivating device 15 configured to deactivate the curing ability of the curable liquid 2 in the at least one cavity 6, or to prepare for and / or assist in deactivation. For example, it may be proposed to provide a liquid reservoir as the deactivating device 15, the liquid reservoir being configured to introduce a predetermined extract 9 into the container 1 and then remove it from the container again (in... Figure 4 (Shown only schematically in the image), thereby achieving deactivation (with or without additional electromagnetic irradiation).

[0063] List of reference numerals 1. Transparent container 2. Curable liquids 3 Electromagnetic radiation 4 Datasets 5. Intraocular lens 6. Cavity 8. Deactivated fluid 9. Extract 10 devices 11 Data processing equipment 12-layer chromatography printing equipment 13 Irradiation equipment 14 Turntable 15 Deactivated components 100-104 Method and Steps 200-204 Method and Steps 300-304 Method and Steps λ wavelength (>λ) UV ) λ UV Wavelength (UV range).

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an artificial lens (5), the method comprising: Provide a container (1) that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation (3); A liquid (2) capable of solidification by means of electromagnetic radiation (3) is provided in the container (1); Generate and / or provide a dataset (4) consisting of images of an intraocular lens (5) with at least one cavity (6), wherein the images contain projections of the intraocular lens (5) with the at least one cavity (6) from different directions; Based on the generated and / or provided dataset (4), the curable liquid (2) is subjected to tomographic printing by means of electromagnetic radiation (3) to form the artificial lens (5) with the at least one cavity (6); and Deactivate the curing ability of the curable liquid (2) in the at least one cavity (6).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deactivation includes impregnating and / or extracting the printed intraocular lens (5) with a predetermined extractant (9) or a predetermined extractant gas and / or therein.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The curable liquid (2) comprises a monomer that is insoluble relative to the predetermined extract (9) and a photoinitiator that is soluble relative to the predetermined extract (9), wherein the photoinitiator present in the at least one cavity (6) is removed from the at least one cavity (6) by the impregnation and / or extraction.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The curable liquid (2) comprises monomers soluble relative to the predetermined extract (9), wherein the monomers present in the at least one cavity (6) are removed from the at least one cavity (6) by the impregnation and / or extraction.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The predetermined extract (9) is water.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The curable liquid (2) comprises macromolecular monomers with large molar masses.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Within the deactivation range, the printed intraocular lens (5) with the at least one cavity (6) is exposed to the chain-breaking agent.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, Within the deactivation range, the printed intraocular lens (5) exposed to the chain-breaking agent is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation (3) having a predetermined wavelength or a predetermined wavelength range.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The curable liquid (2) includes a crosslinking agent having two or more acrylate or methacrylate (terminal) groups for polymerization and covalently bonded organic molecular chains therebetween, the molecular chains having at least one photolytic group that is cleaved and causes the molecular chains to break when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation in the UV wavelength range, wherein a photoinitiator capable of being activated at wavelengths greater than the UV wavelength range is used in the curable liquid (2), wherein the photoinitiator in the curable liquid (2) is activated at wavelengths greater than the UV wavelength range during the chromatographic printing process, thereby preventing the molecular chains from breaking due to the chromatographic printing, wherein, in order to cleave the photolytic group, the printed intraocular lens (5) with the at least one cavity (6) is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation (3) in the UV wavelength range within the deactivation range.

10. An apparatus (10) for manufacturing an artificial lens (5), comprising: A container (2) that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation (3); A data processing device (11) configured to generate and / or provide a dataset (4) consisting of images of an intraocular lens (5) with at least one cavity (6), wherein the images contain projections of the intraocular lens (5) with the at least one cavity (6) from different directions. A chromatographic printing apparatus (12) configured to perform chromatographic printing on a curable liquid (2) provided in the container (1) by means of electromagnetic radiation (3) based on a generated and / or provided dataset (4) to form the artificial lens (5) with the at least one cavity (6). as well as At least one deactivating device (15) is configured to deactivate the curing ability of the curable liquid (2) in the at least one cavity (6), or to prepare and / or assist in the deactivation.

Images