Low-Tack Acrylic Intraocular Lens Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable acrylic materials for intraocular lenses (IOLs) are often tacky, making them difficult to handle and process, and they have longer unfolding times, which can lead to complications during small-incision cataract surgery.
Innovation Solution
The development of soft, foldable acrylic materials comprising at least 75% by weight of an aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer, combined with a methacrylate-terminated polystyrene macromer additive to reduce tackiness, along with a cross-linking monomer and optional UV and blue-light absorbing compounds, to create a material that is easier to handle and fold, with improved unfolding characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If foldable acrylic materials are used for IOLs, then the refractive index is higher and unfolding is more controllable, but the materials become tacky and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the acrylic material by incorporating specific hydrophilic monomers (e.g., 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) in controlled amounts (5-50 wt%). This parameter change adjusts the material's surface properties to reduce tackiness while preserving the bulk optical properties and controlled unfolding characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite acrylic material system that combines hydrophobic acrylic monomers (providing high refractive index and foldability) with hydrophilic monomer additives (reducing tackiness). This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both the desired optical performance and improved handling characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hydrogel materials are used, then the materials are soft and foldable, but the refractive index is lower requiring thicker lens optics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the refractive index parameter of the acrylic material by selecting specific aryl acrylic monomers (e.g., phenyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate) with inherently high refractive indices (1.50-1.60). This parameter optimization allows thinner lens optics to achieve the same optical power, eliminating the need for thicker lenses while maintaining soft foldable properties.
3Quantity of substance
If silicone materials are used, then the refractive index is higher than hydrogels, but the materials unfold explosively after being placed in the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the viscoelastic parameters of the acrylic material by controlling the glass transition temperature (Tg) through monomer selection and crosslinking density. The Tg is optimized to be between -10°C and +50°C, ensuring the material remains sufficiently soft for controlled unfolding through small incisions while maintaining structural integrity to prevent explosive unfolding.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention develops a composite acrylic system that combines flexible monomers (enabling softness and foldability) with crosslinking agents (providing structural stability). This composite structure allows the material to unfold controllably without explosive behavior, unlike silicone materials, while achieving adequate refractive index for thin lens design.
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 resulting materials are less tacky, easier to process, and have shorter unfolding times, reducing the risk of damage during surgery and improving the handling and implantation of IOLs through smaller incisions.
Implementation Method 1
The materials also contain a macromer additive in an amount sufficient to reduce the materials' tackiness. The macromer additive is a methacrylate-terminated polystyrene macromer.
Implementation Method 2
The remainder of the material comprises a cross-linking monomer
Implementation Method 3
The remainder of the material comprises a cross-linking monomer and optionally one or more additional components, such as UV-light absorbing compounds
Implementation Method 4
such as UV-light absorbing compounds and blue-light absorbing compounds
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic materials. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain one or more aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers as principal device-forming monomers and a tack-reducing macromer additive. In addition to their use as intraocular lens materials, the present materials are also suitable for use in other ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, corneal inlays or rings; otological ventilation tubes and nasal implants.