Acrylic IOL Materials Reducing Tackiness via Siloxane Macromers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable acrylic materials for intraocular lenses (IOLs) are often tacky, making them difficult to handle and process, and they have longer unfolding times, which can lead to potential damage during small-incision cataract surgery.
Innovation Solution
The development of soft, foldable acrylic materials with at least 75% by weight of an aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer and a dimethylacryloxypropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane macromer additive to reduce tackiness, along with a cross-linking monomer and optional UV and blue-light absorbing compounds, creating a material suitable for IOLs and other ophthalmic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If foldable acrylic materials are used for IOLs, then the refractive index is higher and unfolding is more controllable, but the materials become tacky and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the acrylic material by incorporating specific hydrophilic monomers (at least 5% by weight) and cross-linking agents in controlled amounts. This changes the material's physical properties to reduce surface tackiness while preserving the high refractive index and controlled unfolding characteristics necessary for IOL implantation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite acrylic material system combining multiple monomers (aryl acrylic, hydrophilic monomer), cross-linking agents, and optional additives. This composite approach allows optimization of multiple properties simultaneously: the aryl acrylic provides high refractive index, the hydrophilic monomer reduces tackiness, and the cross-linking agent controls unfolding behavior
2Adaptability or versatility
If the material is made softer and more foldable, then it can be inserted through small incisions, but the unfolding time increases and handling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the glass transition temperature and molecular weight parameters of the polymer chains through selective monomer composition and cross-linking density. This optimization allows the material to remain soft and foldable for insertion while controlling the unfolding kinetics to occur within an acceptable time frame
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a material with dynamic mechanical properties that respond to environmental conditions (temperature, moisture). The material maintains a soft, foldable state during insertion but transitions to a more stable, less tacky state after implantation, reducing unfolding time and improving handling
3Ease of operation
If the material contains more hydrophilic components to reduce tackiness, then handling improves, but the refractive index decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the concentration parameter of hydrophilic monomers, maintaining them at least 5% but limiting the total hydrophilic component to less than 15% by weight. This parameter optimization reduces surface tackiness for improved handling while preserving sufficient refractive index for effective lens function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local hydrophilic zones within the polymer matrix through strategic placement of hydrophilic monomer units. These localized hydrophilic regions reduce surface tackiness without significantly affecting the bulk optical properties and refractive index of the material
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic materials. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain one or more aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers as principal device-forming monomers and a tack-reducing macromer additive. In addition to their use as intraocular lens materials, the present materials are also suitable for use in other ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, corneal inlays or rings; otological ventilation tubes and nasal implants.