Amniotic Membrane Collagen Patch for Ocular Healing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for ocular surface disorders, such as amniotic membrane transplantation and topical amniotic membrane extract, face challenges including high surgical costs, patient discomfort, and suboptimal therapeutic outcomes due to rapid membrane dissolution and the need for mechanical rings.
Innovation Solution
A self-retaining, non-surgically applied amniotic membrane/collagen patch that mimics the therapeutic benefits of amniotic membrane, providing extended ocular surface protection and healing without the need for surgical intervention or mechanical rings, utilizing cross-linked amniotic membrane extract embedded in a collagen carrier shaped like a contact lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If amniotic membrane transplantation is performed surgically, then therapeutic benefits are achieved, but surgical trauma and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces surgical mechanical intervention with a non-surgical application method. The amniotic membrane extract is delivered through a contact lens-shaped device that can be applied topically to the eye surface, eliminating the need for surgical incisions, sutures, and complex surgical procedures while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the active therapeutic components from the amniotic membrane and delivers them in extract form rather than using the intact membrane. This extraction allows the therapeutic agents to be delivered in a controlled manner through a contact lens device, avoiding the need for surgical transplantation of the entire membrane structure.
2Reliability
If amniotic membrane is used as a patch graft, then healing is promoted, but the membrane dissolves rapidly requiring multiple sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by embedding amniotic membrane extract within a contact lens matrix material. This composite formulation allows the extract to be delivered over an extended period, with the lens material providing structural integrity and controlled release capabilities, thereby extending the duration of action beyond what pure amniotic membrane can achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the amniotic membrane delivery system by formulating it as a cross-linked extract within a contact lens matrix. This parameter change transforms the rapid-dissolving membrane into a sustained-release formulation that maintains therapeutic presence on the ocular surface for extended periods.
3Reliability
If a mechanical ring structure is used to retain amniotic membrane, then the patch is held in position, but patient discomfort and intolerance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mechanical ring structure entirely from the delivery system. Instead of using a rigid or semi-rigid ring to hold the membrane in place, the invention delivers the amniotic membrane extract directly through a flexible contact lens that conforms to the eye surface, eliminating the obtrusive ring structure that causes patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible contact lens-shaped membrane that can conform to the curvature of the eye surface. This flexible thin film structure provides retention and positioning without requiring a rigid mechanical ring, thereby improving patient comfort and tolerance while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
4Reliability
If amniotic membrane extract is used topically, then healing qualities are shared, but the physical characteristics of a bandage patch are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material that combines amniotic membrane extract with a contact lens matrix structure. This composite formulation preserves the therapeutic healing qualities of the extract while restoring the physical characteristics of a bandage patch through the structural support provided by the lens material.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens matrix acts as an intermediary carrier that delivers the amniotic membrane extract to the ocular surface. This intermediary structure provides the physical characteristics of a patch graft while releasing the therapeutic extract, thereby bridging the gap between topical extract application and intact membrane transplantation.
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 amniotic membrane/collagen patch effectively reduces inflammation, promotes epithelialization, and suppresses neovascularization, offering prolonged therapeutic benefits while being comfortable and easy to apply, with controlled absorption rates and sterilization methods ensuring safety and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The amniotic membrane extract is preferably cross-linked to a collagen material to form an amniotic membrane/collagen patch
Implementation Method 2
The patch is manufactured as a dissolvable material to allow the naturally occurring enzymes in the tear film to dissolve the patch over a period of time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the producing a complex containing human or mammal's amniotic membrane/placental extract with or without collagen. Compositions containing the complexes and therapeutic methods using the complexes are provided. In addition, the invention relates to a method of controlling the absorption rates of amniotic membrane/extract and/or placental extract by combining any one of them with collagen having a desired degradation rate.