Choline Undecanoate Ionic Liquid for Ocular Fungal Prophylaxis

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Solution Overview

Problem

After eye surgery, particularly keratoprosthesis implantation, patients are highly susceptible to ocular fungal infections, and there is a lack of affordable and tolerable antifungal agents for long-term prevention.

Innovation Solution

The use of an ionic liquid composition comprising choline and undecanoic acid, which demonstrates superior antifungal activity, is virtually non-toxic, and cost-effective for daily use, formulated for various administration routes including ocular administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If daily prophylactic antibiotics are used to prevent bacterial infections, then bacterial infection prevention is improved, but no effective antifungal protection is provided and long-term use is not affordable or tolerable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection preventionVSAvoidaffordability and tolerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using ionic liquids with specific cation-anion combinations (e.g., choline with various anions) to achieve broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity including antifungal effects, while maintaining low toxicity and cost-effectiveness for long-term use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite ionic liquid formulations combining different cations and anions to achieve synergistic antimicrobial and antifungal effects, improving reliability of infection prevention while maintaining affordability and tolerability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If current clinical standard antifungal agents are used, then some antifungal protection is provided, but they lack superior efficacy and are not suitable for long-term daily use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantifungal protectionVSAvoidefficacy and suitability for long-term use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes concentration parameters of ionic liquids (e.g., 0.1% to 1% w/v ranges) to achieve superior antifungal efficacy suitable for long-term daily prophylactic use, outperforming current clinical standards while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20230310350A1Antifungal prophylaxis for cornea

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE

AI summary

The technology described herein is directed to ionic liquids for using the treatment or prevention of fungal infections.