Laser-Sculpted Corneal Implants Using Natural Donor Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vision correction methods, such as LASIK, face limitations in reshaping the cornea effectively due to synthetic material implants that lack biocompatibility and hydration matching, leading to inadequate refractive correction and integration with the eye's collagen matrix.
Innovation Solution
Employing implants made from natural donor corneal tissue, such as allografts or xenografts, which are shaped and hydrated to match the patient's cornea, allowing for precise refractive profile correction and integration, using laser-cutting systems and controllers to sculpt and position the implants within the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synthetic material implants are used for corneal reshaping, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the biocompatibility and hydration matching with the eye's collagen matrix is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using natural corneal tissue (allografts or xenografts) that matches the biological composition of the recipient's cornea. This ensures homogeneous material properties including collagen structure, hydration levels, and refractive index, eliminating the biocompatibility issues associated with synthetic materials while maintaining structural integrity for effective corneal reshaping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material principles by combining natural corneal tissue with specific structural configurations. The implant consists of processed corneal stroma with preserved collagen architecture, creating a biologically compatible composite structure that integrates with the host cornea's collagen matrix while providing the necessary mechanical and optical properties for vision correction
2Manufacturing precision
If laser cutting systems are used to sculpt corneal implants, then precise refractive profiles can be achieved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cutting methods with laser-based sculpting systems. The laser delivers precise energy to the corneal tissue, enabling accurate refractive profile creation through controlled ablation. This substitution achieves superior manufacturing precision for the implant's optical surface while the system complexity is managed through automated control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the laser system to achieve precise sculpting. By controlling laser parameters such as pulse duration, energy density, and scanning patterns, the system can precisely remove tissue to create the desired refractive profile. The controller adjusts these parameters dynamically during the sculpting process to maintain manufacturing precision while managing overall system complexity
3Reliability
If natural donor corneal tissue is used for implants, then biocompatibility and hydration matching improve, but the availability and selection of suitable donor tissue becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the donor cornea into multiple usable sections. The corneal stroma is processed to create separate implants or multiple implants from a single donor cornea, maximizing the utilization of limited donor tissue. This segmentation approach increases the effective availability of suitable implant material while preserving the biocompatibility and structural integrity of each individual implant
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 natural tissue implants demonstrate improved biocompatibility, hydration matching, and gas/nutrient exchange, providing effective refractive correction while minimizing rejection and promoting epithelial growth, thus overcoming limitations of synthetic materials.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source that emits a laser and one or more optical elements that direct the laser from the laser source
Data Source
AI summary
A system for forming a corneal implant includes a cutting apparatus, which includes a laser source that emits a laser and optical elements that direct the laser. The system includes a controller implemented with at least one processor and at least one data storage device. The controller generates a sculpting plan for modifying a first shape of a lenticule formed from corneal tissue and achieving a second shape for the lenticule to produce a corneal implant with a refractive profile to reshape a recipient eye. The sculpting plan is determined from measurements relating to the lenticule having the first shape and information relating to a refractive profile for a corneal implant. The controller controls the cutting apparatus to direct, via the one or more optical elements, the laser from the laser source to sculpt the lenticule according to the sculpting plan to produce the corneal implant with the refractive profile.