Glass Micro-Rod Array for Corneal Erosion Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for recurrent corneal erosions, such as anterior stromal puncture, induce scarring that disrupts collagen fiber alignment and reduces corneal transparency, leading to visually significant scars and refractive issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using an array of glass micro-rods with sharp features that penetrate the Bowman's layer to create micro-scale punctures, enhancing epithelial cell attachment and inducing new basement membrane formation without causing significant scarring, utilizing an array of glass micro-rods with sharp features that penetrate the epithelial and Bowman's layers to enhance attachment and fibrous adhesions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anterior stromal puncture is used to treat recurrent corneal erosions, then epithelial cell attachment is enhanced, but corneal transparency is reduced due to scarring
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the treatment into two distinct components: an array of micro-needles that penetrate only the epithelium and Bowman's layer to enhance attachment, and a separate basement membrane matrix that is applied to the surface. This segmentation allows the puncture function to be isolated from the scarring function, enabling attachment enhancement without stromal scarring.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-needles are designed with specific dimensions (length, diameter, spacing) to create localized punctures only in the epithelium and Bowman's layer, leaving the deeper stroma untouched. This local quality control ensures that attachment enhancement occurs at the surface level while preserving the transparency of the deeper corneal layers.
2Reliability
If conventional puncture methods are used to create fibrous adhesions, then epithelial attachment is improved, but collagen fiber alignment is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The basement membrane matrix is applied to the corneal surface before the micro-needle puncture array is removed. This preliminary action provides a scaffold for epithelial cells to attach to, and when combined with the subsequent punctures, guides the formation of new collagen fibers along the micro-needle tracks rather than causing random disruption of existing collagen alignment.
3Reliability
If deep punctures are made into the stroma to enhance attachment, then epithelial adhesion is strengthened, but refractive issues are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-needles are designed with a specific length parameter that limits penetration depth to only the epithelium and Bowman's layer, preventing entry into the stroma. This parameter control ensures that attachment enhancement is achieved through controlled superficial punctures without the refractive complications associated with deeper stromal penetration.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device and method for treating recurrent corneal erosion. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of contacting an epithelium layer of a cornea with an array of glass micro-rods including a plurality of sharp features having a length that penetrates a Bowman's layer of the eye, wherein the plurality of sharp features of the array of glass micro-rods produces a plurality of punctures in the Bowman's layer of the eye that are of micro-scale or less. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method and device for drug delivery. In one embodiment, the device includes an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods, wherein the sharp feature includes a treated surface for delivering a chemical compound to the eye.