Metastable Polymer Compositions for Ophthalmic Injector Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic injectors face challenges in achieving reliable lubrication for intraocular lens insertion through micro-incisions, with existing methods like migration agents and coatings being non-reproducible, costly, and prone to leaving residues or requiring complex multi-step processes.
Innovation Solution
Development of metastable polymer compositions comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a functional copolymer with hydrophilic blocks, which provide sliding properties by forming a surface layer when exposed to an aqueous solution, reducing friction and allowing smooth lens insertion without the need for post-treatment processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If migration agents are used to provide lubrication, then sliding properties are improved, but white marks and residues are formed on the implant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the lubricating agent by using a polymer with specific molecular weight (10,000-1,000,000 g/mol) and specific functional groups instead of traditional low molecular weight migration agents. This parameter change allows the lubricant to provide sliding properties without forming white marks or residues on the implant surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention eliminates the harmful byproduct (white marks) by discarding the traditional migration agent approach and replacing it with a polymer that degrades or dissolves without residue, thereby recovering a clean implant surface while maintaining lubrication function.
2Ease of operation
If migration agents are used for lubrication, then sliding properties are improved, but the process becomes non-reproducible and requires long waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricating polymer is pre-incorporated into the thermoplastic polymer matrix during the injection molding process itself, rather than requiring post-manufacturing waiting periods for migration. This preliminary action ensures consistent lubrication properties are achieved immediately upon contact with aqueous solutions, eliminating variability associated with migration timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention ensures continuous and consistent lubrication action by having the polymer uniformly distributed in the thermoplastic matrix from the start, providing reliable sliding properties throughout the device's service life without interruption or variability related to migration kinetics.
3Ease of operation
If coatings are applied to provide lubrication, then sliding properties are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the structural thermoplastic polymer and the lubricating polymer into a single homogeneous composite material that is processed in one step through injection molding. This combining eliminates the need for separate coating steps, surface treatments, or assembly operations, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining excellent sliding properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoplastic polymer matrix serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural integrity of the device and acts as the carrier for the lubricating polymer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate lubricating coatings, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired sliding properties.
4Strength
If thermoplastic materials are used for the tip and cartridge, then mechanical strength and rigidity are improved, but sliding properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite material system where a thermoplastic polymer (providing rigidity and strength) is combined with a lubricating polymer (providing sliding properties). The thermoplastic polymer forms the structural matrix while the lubricating polymer disperses within it to provide surface lubrication, achieving both mechanical strength and low friction in a single material.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricating polymer is distributed throughout the thermoplastic matrix, creating local lubricating zones at the surface and interface areas where sliding occurs. This local quality enhancement provides low friction exactly where needed while the bulk thermoplastic material maintains its rigidity and structural properties.
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 metastable polymer compositions ensure consistent and stable sliding properties over time, enabling easy and trauma-free insertion of intraocular lenses through micro-incisions with reduced production complexity and costs, while preventing polymer solubilization and residue formation.
Implementation Method 1
The functional copolymer has sequences or blocks with a hydrophilic character and sequences or blocks with a hydrophobic character
Implementation Method 2
The metastable polymer compositions ensure consistent and stable sliding properties over time, enabling easy and trauma-free insertion of intraocular lenses
Implementation Method 3
They are characterized by a two- or multi-phase morphology, and by the presence of interphases constituted by chains of the constituent polymer and hydrophobic sequences or blocks of the functional copolymer
Implementation Method 4
new polymer compositions in a metastable morphological state capable of leading, directly, at the end of their implementation, to biomedical devices having sliding properties on their surface
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to metastable polymer compositions, their use for the manufacture of medical devices or of elements of medical devices having a sliding surface, and the devices with a sliding surface that are obtained from these metastable polymer compositions, particularly in the field of ophthalmic injectors.