Gamma-Polyglutamic Acid Ophthalmic Irrigation for Corneal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocular irrigating solutions, such as Balanced Salt Solution (BSS) and BSS PLUS, are inadequate in protecting corneal endothelial cells during intraocular surgeries like phacoemulsification, leading to potential complications and irreversible damage due to mechanical trauma, heat production, and osmotic irregularities.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) into ocular irrigating solutions to increase viscosity and adjust osmolarity, thereby reducing tissue injury and stress during eye surgeries by providing a protective barrier for intraocular tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Balanced Salt Solution (BSS) is used for intraocular irrigation, then the solution provides basic electrolyte balance, but it fails to adequately protect corneal endothelial cells from mechanical trauma and osmotic stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the irrigating solution by incorporating γ-polyglutamic acid at specific concentrations (0.01-1.0%). This biopolymer changes the solution's physical properties, specifically increasing viscosity to 0.5-5.0 cP and adjusting osmolarity to 280-320 mOsm, thereby enhancing protective capabilities against mechanical trauma and osmotic stress while maintaining biocompatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite irrigating solution by combining conventional balanced salt components (electrolytes, buffers) with γ-polyglutamic acid, a natural biopolymer. This composite formulation synergistically provides both basic electrolyte balance and enhanced tissue protection through the viscoelastic properties of γ-PGA, addressing limitations of conventional single-component solutions
2Reliability
If the irrigating solution has low viscosity for easy flow, then the solution is easy to administer, but it cannot provide adequate protective barrier for intraocular tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter of the irrigating solution by controlling γ-polyglutamic acid concentration, achieving a balanced viscosity range of 0.5-5.0 cP. This parameter adjustment provides sufficient protective barrier properties through increased viscous damping of mechanical trauma while maintaining adequate flow characteristics for surgical irrigation, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of administration
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 use of γ-PGA in ocular irrigating solutions effectively reduces tissue injury and osmotic stress, maintaining corneal integrity and promoting rapid recovery by enhancing the solution's viscosity and osmolarity to within the range of 290-320 mOsm, thus minimizing complications during surgeries like phacoemulsification.
Implementation Method 1
γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) and/or salt thereof in an amount effective to increase the viscosity of the solution
Implementation Method 2
an appropriate irrigating solution should preserve the viability of corneal endothelial cells during cataract surgery, provide an energy source (i.e., glucose), maintain appropriate tonicity and electrolyte concentration
Data Source
AI summary
Ophthalmic irrigating solutions are disclosed. The ophthalmic irrigating solution comprises: a) γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) and/or salt thereof in an amount effective to increase the viscosity of the irrigating solution, and b) an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous vehicle for the γ-PGA and/or salt thereof. Also disclosed is a method of irrigating ocular tissues of a patient, in which the method comprises introducing to the ocular tissues of the patient an ophthalmic irrigating solution comprising γ-PGA) and/or salt thereof in an amount sufficient to irrigate the ocular tissues of the patient.