Natural Dyes for Ocular Membrane Staining and Light Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dyes used in intraocular surgical procedures, such as indocyanine green, pose toxicity risks and have limited affinity for ocular structures, making it difficult to safely identify and remove delicate membranes during surgeries like vitreoretinal surgery.
Innovation Solution
The use of natural dyes, specifically lutein and zeaxanthin, either alone or in combination with other dyes, to stain ocular membranes and structures, providing better visibility and protection against light-induced damage during surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If synthetic dyes such as indocyanine green are used to stain ocular structures, then visibility of membranes is improved, but toxicity to retinal tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter from synthetic dyes to natural dyes (carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin), which fundamentally alters the toxicity profile while maintaining staining capability. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by selecting a dye class that is inherently less toxic to retinal tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the natural color properties of carotenoid pigments (yellow-orange hues) to stain ocular membranes, providing sufficient contrast for surgical visualization. The color change capability of these natural dyes allows membrane identification without requiring synthetic coloring agents that pose toxicity risks.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If natural dyes such as lutein and zeaxanthin are used to stain ocular structures, then toxicity is reduced, but staining capacity may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite dye formulations containing multiple carotenoid pigments (lutein, zeaxanthin, and other natural dyes) to enhance staining capacity. By combining multiple natural dye components, the formulation achieves sufficient staining reliability while maintaining the low toxicity advantage of natural pigments.
Solution Approach 2:
The natural dyes serve multiple functions: they provide staining capability for membrane visualization, offer antioxidant protection to retinal tissues, and absorb potentially damaging light wavelengths. This multi-functionality compensates for any limitations in staining capacity alone.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lutein and zeaxanthin are administered topically or via injection, then protection against light-induced damage is provided, but complexity of administration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ophthalmic vehicle solutions as intermediaries to deliver lutein and zeaxanthin to the ocular tissues. These vehicles facilitate proper distribution and retention of the natural dyes on or in the eye, enabling protective function while maintaining relatively simple administration procedures consistent with existing ophthalmic practice.
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
Lutein and zeaxanthin offer a safer and more effective means of identifying ocular structures with minimal toxicity, reducing the risk of adverse effects and improving surgical outcomes by providing antioxidant protection against light damage.
Implementation Method 1
The compositions include lutein and zeaxanthin which absorb light and provide a protective effect, particularly against the most damaging wavelengths of light.
Implementation Method 2
The use of natural dyes, including the use of a pigment that is a constitutive structure of the retina, as a new alternative dye for use in chromovitrectomy or other surgeries or procedures where it is necessary or helpful to define layers or boundaries
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of one or more natural dyes, alone or in combination with other dyes for preparation of a composition to stain membranes and biological structures, in order to facilitate their identification during surgical procedures. The present invention relates to the use of one or more natural dyes, alone or in combination with other dyes, to stain membranes and biological structures, in order to facilitate their identification during surgical procedures.