Acrylic Intraocular Lens Materials Reducing Tackiness
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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 comprising at least 75% by weight of an aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer, with a macromer additive such as dimethylacryloxypropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane to reduce tackiness, and optional UV and blue-light absorbing compounds for improved handling and folding characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If foldable acrylic materials are used for IOLs, then refractive index is improved (higher than silicone), but tackiness increases making handling difficult
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 crosslinking agents (at least 2% by weight) to change the material's surface properties and reduce tackiness while maintaining high refractive index
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite acrylic material system combining hydrophobic monomers (for high refractive index), hydrophilic monomers (for reduced tackiness), and crosslinking agents (for structural stability), achieving multiple desired properties simultaneously
2Ease of operation
If acrylic materials are made softer for foldability, then ease of folding is improved, but unfolding time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the glass transition temperature parameter by selecting specific monomer combinations and ratios, achieving a balance between softness for folding and rapid unfolding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a material with dynamic mechanical properties that allow it to be soft and flexible during folding operations but quickly regain structural integrity upon unfolding, enabled by the crosslinked polymer network
3Ease of operation
If hydrophilic components are added to reduce tackiness, then handling is improved, but refractive index decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the concentration parameter of hydrophilic monomers (at least 5% but not exceeding 50% by weight) to achieve the minimum tackiness reduction while maintaining refractive index above 1.40
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality differentiation in the material by using crosslinking agents to create a three-dimensional network that provides structural integrity and maintains optical properties while hydrophilic segments provide surface properties for reduced tackiness
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic materials. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain an aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer as the single principal device-forming monomer 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.