Curcuminoid-Modified Acrylate IOLs for UV Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polymeric compositions for ophthalmic devices face issues such as biocompatibility, leachable contaminants, degradation under physiological conditions, incompatible refractive index, internal reflections, tackiness, glistening, vacuoles, and high manufacturing costs, particularly due to the limitations of synthetic UV-blocking additives and chromophores.
Innovation Solution
A hydrophobic co-polymeric composition is developed, incorporating at least 50% acrylate monomers and a curcuminoid compound as a natural UV-blocker, which provides improved optical, chemical, and mechanical attributes, including high refractive index, low tackiness, and resistance to UV degradation, while maintaining transparency and mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If synthetic UV-blocking additives and chromophores are used in polymeric compositions, then UV protection is provided, but biocompatibility issues and leachable contaminants occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating curcuminoid compounds (natural UV blockers) instead of synthetic additives. This substitution maintains UV protection functionality while improving biocompatibility and eliminating leachable contaminants associated with synthetic chromophores.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymeric composition combining acrylate monomers with curcuminoid compounds. This composite material integrates the UV-blocking properties of curcuminoids with the mechanical and optical properties of the polymer matrix, achieving both protection and biocompatibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If polymeric compositions are used for ocular devices, then manufacturing is simplified, but internal reflections and glistening occur due to refractive index issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the refractive index parameter of the polymeric composition by carefully selecting and proportioning acrylate monomers. This parameter adjustment reduces internal reflections and glistening while maintaining ease of manufacturing through standard polymerization processes.
3Strength
If conventional polymeric materials are used, then mechanical strength is achieved, but tackiness and vacuole formation occur under physiological conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite composition of multiple acrylate monomers with specific properties. This composite approach balances mechanical strength requirements while minimizing tackiness and preventing vacuole formation through optimized material composition and crosslinking density.
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 composition achieves enhanced biocompatibility, reduced leachable contaminants, improved optical clarity, and prolonged stability against UV radiation, addressing the limitations of existing materials with effective UV-blocking and mechanical properties.
Implementation Method 1
a curcuminoid compound as a natural UV-blocker, which provides improved optical, chemical, and mechanical attributes, including high refractive index, low tackiness, and resistance to UV degradation
Implementation Method 2
the cornea and the lens focus the light rays from an object being viewed onto the retina, and as such can reflect, refract and diffract
Implementation Method 3
comprising a polymeric backbone composed of a plurality of backbone units covalently linked to one another, the backbone units being derived from a pre-polymerization mixture of monomers
Data Source
AI summary
Polymeric and co-polymeric compositions useful for preparing ophthalmic and ocular devices, such as implantable intraocular lenses (IOL) and contact lenses, and processes of forming the compositions and devices are provided. The disclosed polymeric or co-polymeric composition may include a curcuminoid compound as a UV-blocker, and is derived from a pre-polymerization mixture of monomers which comprises at least 50 weight percents acrylate monomers and exhibiting visible light transparency and ultraviolet light opacity. The disclosed co-polymeric composition may alternatively, or in addition, be derived from a pre-polymerization mixture of defined monomers.