Laser-Sculpted Corneal Allograft Implants for Refractive Reshaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vision correction methods using implants to reshape the cornea face challenges such as biocompatibility issues, hydration mismatches, and gas/nutrient exchange problems with synthetic materials, which are not effectively addressed by prior technologies.
Innovation Solution
Employing implants made from natural donor corneal tissue, specifically formed to match the patient's corneal characteristics, using a cutting apparatus with a laser and controller to create a refractive profile that reshapes the cornea, and optionally forming holes in the Bowman's membrane to facilitate keratocyte and glycosaminoglycan migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If synthetic materials are used for corneal implants, then structural stability is improved, but biocompatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from synthetic to natural corneal tissue, transforming the implant into biocompatible allograft tissue that maintains structural stability while eliminating rejection issues. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by selecting natural tissue with appropriate mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite processing approaches combining natural corneal tissue with controlled hydration states and cross-linking treatments to achieve both biocompatibility and structural stability. The composite nature of processed allograft tissue provides both biological compatibility and mechanical integrity.
2Manufacturing precision
If synthetic materials are used for corneal implants, then manufacturing precision is improved, but hydration matching deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the hydration parameter of natural corneal tissue through controlled processing to match the physiological hydration state of the recipient cornea. This parameter adjustment enables natural tissue to achieve hydration matching comparable to synthetic materials while maintaining biocompatibility.
3Strength
If dense corneal tissue structure is used for implants, then structural strength is improved, but gas and nutrient exchange deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural porous and layered structure of corneal stromal tissue, which inherently provides channels for gas and nutrient diffusion while maintaining structural strength. The natural architecture of allograft corneal tissue offers permeability that synthetic materials cannot replicate.
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 natural tissue implants demonstrate improved biocompatibility, hydration matching, and effective gas/nutrient exchange, providing precise refractive corrections while promoting epithelial growth and minimizing biomechanical instability.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source that emits a laser and one or more optical elements that direct the laser from the laser source
Implementation Method 2
employ implants to reshape the cornea in order to correct vision... a laser source that emits a laser... to cut the lenticule... to sculpt the lenticule according to the sculpting plan
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A system for forming a corneal implant includes a cutting apparatus, which includes a laser source that emits a laser and optical elements that direct the laser. The system includes a controller implemented with at least one processor and at least one data storage device. The controller generates a sculpting plan for modifying a first shape of a lenticule formed from corneal tissue and achieving a second shape for the lenticule to produce a corneal implant with a refractive profile to reshape a recipient eye. The sculpting plan is determined from measurements relating to the lenticule having the first shape and information relating to a refractive profile for a corneal implant. The controller controls the cutting apparatus to direct, via the one or more optical elements, the laser from the laser source to sculpt the lenticule according to the sculpting plan to produce the corneal implant with the refractive profile.