Photoactivated Corneal Cross-Linking Compounds for Stable Reshaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for corneal disorders such as keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia face challenges in maintaining the stability of corneal reshaping due to collagen fibril changes post-treatment, leading to complications like corneal thinning and steepening.
Innovation Solution
Chemical entities that generate cross-linking in the cornea in response to electromagnetic irradiation, administered without prior removal of corneal epithelial cells, using compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and electromagnetic radiation to stabilize and strengthen the corneal structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If cross-linking agent is applied to strengthen and stabilize corneal structure, then corneal stability is improved, but treatment duration and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cross-linking agent by using a photosensitizing agent that requires electromagnetic irradiation activation. This parameter change enables faster and more controlled cross-linking, reducing treatment duration while maintaining corneal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or chemical cross-linking methods with a photo-activated cross-linking system. The photosensitizing agent is activated by electromagnetic irradiation (blue light), substituting prolonged chemical reactions with a faster photchemical process that achieves cross-linking more quickly.
2Manufacturing precision
If corneal reshaping treatment is applied to correct abnormal shaping, then vision quality is improved, but corneal structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cross-linking treatment to the cornea before the reshaping effect can cause instability. By pre-strengthening the corneal collagen fibrils through photo-activated cross-linking, the cornea becomes more resistant to subsequent structural changes during and after reshaping treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite effect by combining the photosensitizing agent with the corneal tissue. The agent penetrates the cornea and forms cross-linked complexes with collagen fibrils, creating a strengthened composite structure that maintains reshaping precision while preventing structural deterioration.
3Productivity
If photosensitizing agent is activated by electromagnetic irradiation to generate free radicals, then cross-linking efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a photosensitizing agent as an intermediary substance that absorbs electromagnetic irradiation and converts it to chemical energy in the form of free radicals. This intermediary enables efficient energy transfer from the light source to the corneal collagen, achieving high cross-linking efficiency without direct high-energy irradiation of the tissue.
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
Stabilizes and strengthens the corneal structure, improving patient comfort and maintaining reshaping effects by enhancing collagen fibril cross-linking with reduced treatment duration.
Implementation Method 1
the cross-linking agent is activated by a light source (e.g., ultraviolet (UV) light) to cause the cross-linking agent to absorb enough energy to cause the release of free oxygen radicals (e.g., singlet oxygen) and/or other radicals within the cornea
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure features chemical entities (e.g., a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or hydrate and/or prodrug of the compound) that that generates cross-linking in the cornea in response to exposure to an electromagnetic irradiation. This disclosure also features compositions containing the same as well as other methods of using and making the same. The chemical entities are useful, e.g., for treating a subject (e.g., a human) having a disease, disorder, or condition in which in which abnormal shaping of the cornea (e.g., thinning of the cornea, e.g., bilateral thinning of the cornea, e.g., bilateral thinning of the central, paracentral, or peripheral cornea; or steepening (e.g., bulging) of the cornea) contributes to the pathology and/or symptoms and/or progression of the disease, disorder, or condition. Non-limiting examples of such diseases, disorders, or conditions include: (i) corneal ectatic disorders; (ii) vision conditions; and (iii) diseases, disorders, or conditions that are sequela or comorbid with any of the foregoing or any disclosed herein. More particular non-limiting examples of such diseases, disorders, or conditions include keratoconus, keratoglobus, pellucid marginal degeneration, corneal ectasia (e.g., post-operative ectasia, e.g., post-LASIK ectasia), Terrien's marginal degeneration, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, irregular astigmatism, and presbyopia.