Adaptive Ocular Implant for Corneal Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for corneal edema, such as bullous keratopathy, fail to maintain corneal dehydration and clarity due to disruptions in endothelial function, leading to significant vision loss and pain, and existing implants do not effectively adapt to the changing curvature of the cornea during healing.
Innovation Solution
An ocular implant made of a biologically compatible, annealed material like Ci26, which can change its radius of curvature to match the healing cornea, providing a hydrophilic surface for adherence without sutures, and acting as a water barrier to maintain corneal dehydration and clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing implants are used to treat corneal edema, then some degree of dehydration is achieved, but the implants fail to maintain corneal clarity and dehydration due to inability to adapt to changing corneal curvature during healing
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is designed with dynamic adaptability to change its radius of curvature from a first radius at initial attachment to a second radius at post-initial attachment, allowing it to follow the cornea's changing curvature during the healing process and maintain effective dehydration throughout recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The implant utilizes changes in physical parameters, specifically radius of curvature, to adapt to the healing cornea. The material properties enable the implant to transition between different curvature states while maintaining its water barrier function and adherence to the corneal surface
2Reliability
If traditional surgical treatments are used for bullous keratopathy, then vision loss and pain are addressed temporarily, but corneal transparency is not maintained due to endothelial function disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The implant serves as a self-sustaining water barrier that actively maintains corneal dehydration without requiring external intervention. By replacing the failed endothelial pump function, the implant enables the cornea to maintain transparency and clarity over the long term, improving both vision quality and duration of effect
3Ease of manufacture
If the implant uses a fixed radius of curvature, then manufacturing is simplified, but the implant cannot remain effectively attached to the cornea throughout the healing process as curvature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is designed with dynamic curvature adaptation capability, transitioning from a first radius of curvature at initial attachment to a second radius at post-initial attachment. This dynamic property allows the implant to maintain stable attachment throughout healing while remaining manufacturable through controlled material properties and annealing processes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The implant effectively maintains corneal dehydration and clarity by adapting to the changing curvature of the cornea, ensuring long-term adherence and functionality without the need for sutures, thus improving vision and reducing pain.
Implementation Method 1
an ocular implant constructed of a transparent, biologically compatible annealed material
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophilic outer surface configured for continuous attachment to a posterior surface of a cornea
Implementation Method 3
acting as a water barrier to maintain corneal dehydration and clarity
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~4C
Figure 5A~6
AI summary
An ocular implant is constructed of a clear, transparent, biologically compatible material and includes a hydrophilic outer surface configured for continuous attachment to a posterior surface of a cornea. The ocular implant has a first radius of curvature at initial attachment to the posterior surface of the cornea and a second radius of curvature at post-initial attachment to the posterior surface of the cornea. The first radius of curvature is different than the second radius of curvature. The ocular implant remains attached to the posterior surface of the cornea at both the first and second radii of curvature.