Multi-arm PEG Macromer Acrylic IOL Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic and otorhinolaryngological device materials, such as hydrogels and silicones, face challenges with refractive index, flexibility, and glistening issues, with acrylic materials being desirable but lacking in strength and non-tacky surface properties for small incision insertion.
Innovation Solution
Development of soft, high refractive index acrylic device materials using a multi-arm polyethylene glycol macromer that reduces temperature-induced glistening and maintains mechanical strength, allowing for the synthesis of glistening-resistant, low equilibrium water content IOLs suitable for small incision insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional silicone materials are used for IOLs, then the refractive index is higher than hydrogels, but the material unfolds explosively after being placed in the eye in a folded position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of acrylic materials by incorporating multi-arm PEG macromers with specific molecular weights and arm configurations. This changes the physical properties of the material to achieve both high refractive index and controlled unfolding behavior, resolving the contradiction between optical performance and mechanical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite acrylic material system combining multi-arm PEG macromers with conventional acrylic monomers. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both the high refractive index needed for optical performance and the controlled flexibility required for safe unfolding after implantation.
2Illumination intensity
If acrylic materials are used for IOLs, then they have high refractive index and unfold more slowly than silicone materials, but they lack the strength and non-tacky surface properties needed for insertion through small incisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the molecular weight and arm configuration parameters of the PEG macromer to optimize the balance between mechanical strength and surface properties. By carefully selecting these parameters, the material achieves sufficient strength for small incision insertion while maintaining high refractive index and non-tacky surface characteristics.
3Reliability
If PEG dimethacrylates are used to improve glistening resistance, then higher molecular weight PEG dimethacrylates yield copolymers with improved glistening performance at low PEG concentrations, but the concentration and molecular weight must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-arm PEG macromers with specifically controlled molecular weights and arm configurations to achieve glistening resistance. This approach simplifies the formulation by using a single well-defined macromer structure rather than requiring precise control of multiple PEG dimethacrylate parameters, thereby reducing formulation complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic device materials. The materials contain a multi-arm PEG macromer.