Hydrogel Surrogate Eye Model for Repeatable Blast Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current eye models for medical research and training are burdened by biological variability, decomposition issues, regulatory challenges, and limited supply, making them unsuitable for consistent and reliable testing of ocular trauma and protective eyewear efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A surrogate human eye model is developed using a gelatin core and silicone-based outer shell, coated with alginate hydrogel, which can be hybridized with molecules like collagen to enhance strength and resilience, allowing for standardized, mass-produced models that mimic the anatomy and biomechanics of the human eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If post-mortem human or animal eyes are used for training and testing, then anatomical accuracy is improved, but biological variability and decomposition issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates synthetic copies of human eyes using hydrogel materials that replicate the anatomical structure and biomechanical properties of real eyes. These synthetic eye models copy the essential features (cornea, lens, vitreous humor, retina) without using actual biological tissue, thereby eliminating biological variability while maintaining anatomical accuracy for training and research purposes
2Duration of action of stationary object
If refrigeration is used to preserve eye models, then shelf life is extended, but handling complexity and regulatory burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable synthetic eye models made from inexpensive hydrogel materials that can be mass-produced and used without requiring preservation. These single-use models eliminate the need for refrigeration and complex handling procedures associated with biological eyes, while maintaining consistent performance throughout their usable lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the eye models by using synthetic hydrogel materials instead of biological tissue. This parameter change transforms the models from perishable biological objects requiring refrigeration to stable synthetic objects with extended shelf life and simplified handling, while preserving the necessary anatomical and biomechanical properties
3Quantity of substance
If mass production of eye models is implemented, then supply availability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the eye model into distinct modular components (cornea, iris, lens, vitreous humor, retina) that can be manufactured separately using standardized hydrogel materials and assembly procedures. This segmentation enables mass production through parallel manufacturing processes while maintaining consistent anatomical accuracy across all units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent standardizes the material parameters (composition, viscosity, elasticity) and dimensional parameters (size, shape, curvature) of the synthetic eye models to enable consistent mass production. By defining specific parameter ranges for the hydrogel materials and manufacturing processes, the patent simplifies production while ensuring supply availability and quality consistency
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 surrogate model reduces variability, lowers costs, and minimizes regulatory oversight, providing a reliable tool for testing ocular trauma and eyewear efficacy, while enabling repeatable and accurate simulations of blast and impact tests.
Implementation Method 1
using predominantly hydrogel-based materials to replicate the tissue material properties of the living eye
Implementation Method 2
The corneo-scleral shell of the surrogate human eye model remains tough and resilient to an applied force. In addition, the surrogate human eye model should have an attached simulated optic nerve
Data Source
AI summary
A surrogate human model eye, comprising: (a) a gelatin core; (b) a sclera; (c) an anterior chamber; (d) a posterior chamber; (e) a cornea; (f) an optic nerve and (g) an outer shell structure based on a hydrogel matrix, wherein said surrogate human model eye is made from a silicone-based master mold and dimensioned for replacement of postmortem ocular tissue and practice in blast research and testing. Methods are provided for practicing blast research and testing on a surrogate human eye model comprising: supplying a surrogate human eye model comprising: (a) a gelatin core; (b) a sclera; (c) an anterior chamber; (d) a posterior chamber; (e) a cornea; (f) an optic nerve and (g) an outer shell structure based on a hydrogel matrix, wherein said surrogate human model eye is made from a silicone-based master mold and dimensioned for replacement of postmortem ocular tissue.