Corneal Implant Adhesive Layer Formation for Durable Tissue Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corneal implants face challenges in adhering to corneal tissue without sutures or mechanical fasteners, requiring adhesive materials that are compatible with the ocular environment and maintain adhesion over time without degrading ocular quality.
Innovation Solution
Surface treatments such as laser, chemical, thermal, plasma, and flame treatments are used to create a thin adhesive layer on corneal implants or corneal tissue, enhancing adhesion strength beyond the rest of the implant or tissue, utilizing mechanisms like electrostatic, specific, or chemical bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive materials are used to bond the implant to corneal tissue, then adhesion strength is improved, but compatibility with the ocular environment and long-term adhesion without degradation become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface treatment (laser, chemical, thermal, plasma, corona, or flame treatment) to create a localized adhesive layer on specific portions of the implant surface or corneal tissue. This localized treatment provides high adhesion strength at the bonding interface while the rest of the implant and tissue maintain their original biocompatible properties, resolving the contradiction between strong adhesion and ocular environment compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical or chemical parameters of the implant surface or corneal tissue through surface treatment to create an adhesive layer. This parameter change (in surface energy, roughness, or chemical composition) enables strong adhesion without requiring external adhesive materials that would compromise long-term reliability in the ocular environment.
2Strength
If surface treatment is applied to create an adhesive layer, then adhesion strength is improved, but treatment complexity and process time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adhesion function from complex adhesive materials and concentrates it into a simplified surface treatment process. By applying laser, chemical, thermal, plasma, corona, or flame treatment directly to the implant or tissue surface, the complex multi-component adhesive systems are replaced with a single-step surface modification that achieves equivalent or superior adhesion with reduced complexity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If an adhesive layer is formed on the implant or corneal tissue, then bonding durability is improved, but manufacturing precision and surface uniformity become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface treatment as a preliminary action during implant manufacturing or tissue preparation, before implantation. This preliminary surface modification creates a durable adhesive layer that maintains surface uniformity and manufacturing precision, as the treatment is applied under controlled conditions rather than attempting to achieve uniformity after implantation.
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
These treatments enable strong, long-lasting adhesion between the implant and corneal tissue without external adhesives, ensuring effective bonding for corneal implantation procedures like DSEK or DMEK surgeries, improving the implant's water barrier function.
Implementation Method 1
The invention prepares the surface of the implant and/or the corneal tissue with a laser treatment, chemical treatment, thermal treatment, plasma treatment, corona treatment, flame treatment, or other treatments to create a thin adhesive layer
Implementation Method 2
The invention prepares the surface of the implant and/or the corneal tissue with a laser treatment, chemical treatment, thermal treatment, plasma treatment, corona treatment, flame treatment, or other treatments to create a thin adhesive layer
Implementation Method 3
The invention prepares the surface of the implant and/or the corneal tissue with a laser treatment, chemical treatment, thermal treatment, plasma treatment, corona treatment, flame treatment, or other treatments to create a thin adhesive layer
Implementation Method 4
The invention prepares the surface of the implant and/or the corneal tissue with a laser treatment, chemical treatment, thermal treatment, plasma treatment, corona treatment, flame treatment, or other treatments to create a thin adhesive layer
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described of improving adhesion of an ocular implant to corneal tissue by forming an implant adhesive layer on the ocular implant, the implant adhesive layer having greater adhesive strength than a rest of the implant or by forming a corneal adhesive layer on a posterior surface of a posterior portion of the corneal tissue, the corneal adhesive layer having greater adhesive strength than a rest of the corneal tissue.