Corneal Drug Delivery Mask for Spatial Cross-Linking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refractive surgical procedures for correcting optical aberrations in the cornea, such as riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking, lack control over the distribution and concentration of the cross-linking agent, leading to unpredictable changes in corneal biomechanics and focusing power.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for administering a cross-linking agent to the cornea with controlled and variable distribution, using a mask to define penetration areas and a light source for photo-activation, allowing precise correction of optical aberrations by varying the concentration and spatial distribution of the agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking is used to stabilize corneal biomechanical strength, then the biomechanical strength of the cornea is improved, but the control over the distribution and concentration of the cross-linking agent is lost, leading to unpredictable changes in corneal biomechanics and focusing power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a mask with selectively permeable regions that allow the cross-linking agent to penetrate only in specific areas of the cornea. The mask has regions with different permeability characteristics, enabling precise spatial control over where the agent is delivered and concentrated, thereby achieving predictable localized changes in corneal biomechanics while maintaining overall strength improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The mask is segmented into multiple regions with distinct permeability properties, allowing independent control of agent delivery to different corneal zones. This segmentation enables precise manipulation of the concentration distribution pattern, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient agent delivery for strength improvement and maintaining control over its spatial distribution
2Object-affected harmful factors
If current riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking techniques are used, then the procedure is minimally invasive, but the change in focusing power cannot be predicted or controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is designed and positioned before the cross-linking agent is applied, pre-defining the pattern of agent penetration and concentration. This preliminary action allows the treatment plan to be precisely configured to achieve the desired focusing power change, making the outcome predictable while maintaining the minimally invasive nature of the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust the cross-linking treatment in real-time, ensuring that the predicted focusing power change is achieved. By measuring the actual effects during treatment and comparing them to the predicted outcomes, the system can make adjustments to maintain precision while keeping the procedure minimally invasive
3Ease of operation
If the cross-linking agent is administered uniformly across the cornea, then the procedure is simple, but the ability to achieve personalized corneal reshaping is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is designed with dynamically adjustable properties, allowing the permeability pattern to be modified based on the specific corneal conditions and treatment goals. This enables the system to adapt to personalized reshaping requirements while maintaining ease of operation through a unified device platform that can be configured for different treatment scenarios
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
Enables personalized and precise reshaping of the cornea to correct refractive disorders by controlling the corneal biomechanics, achieving a predetermined change in focusing power without invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for photo-activation
Implementation Method 2
riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking has been increasingly used for stabilizing the biomechanical strength of the cornea
Data Source
AI summary
A device for delivering a drug into a cornea is provided. The device includes a body having an internal cavity and a first aperture communicating with the internal cavity, wherein the first aperture is conformed to hermetically adhere to a periphery of a surface of the cornea; a second aperture to introduce the drug in the internal cavity, the device further includes a mask, supported by the body in correspondence of the first aperture, wherein, in operative condition, the first aperture adheres to a portion of the surface of the cornea, and the mask includes a plurality of through openings of opportunely variable size to achieve a corresponding variable spatial concentration of the drug across the cornea.