Biodegradable Ocular Patch for Resorbable Amniotic Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for ocular surface disorders, such as amniotic membrane transplantation and collagen corneal shields, face challenges including high costs, surgical trauma, discomfort, and the need for multiple sessions due to non-resorbable components and suboptimal contact with the cornea, while lacking effective, convenient application of amniotic and placental extracts for healing.
Innovation Solution
A self-retaining, fully resorbable lens-shaped patch made from biodegradable materials like collagen or PLGA, incorporating amniotic and/or placental extracts, designed to adhere to the cornea without external support, with controlled degradation times ranging from 1 to 30 days, providing sustained therapeutic benefits without surgical intervention or ring-related discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If amniotic membrane transplantation is performed surgically, then ocular surface healing is promoted and inflammation is reduced, but surgical trauma and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the therapeutic active ingredients (amniotic membrane extract and placental extract) from the original surgical amniotic membrane transplantation, concentrating the healing benefits into a topical eye drop formulation that can be applied without surgical intervention, thereby eliminating surgical trauma while maintaining therapeutic efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical surgical transplantation method with a chemical/pharmacological delivery system (eye drops containing extracted active ingredients), substituting the physical surgical procedure with a controlled release formulation that delivers therapeutic agents topically to the ocular surface
2Reliability
If amniotic membrane graft is used, then epithelialization is facilitated and fibrovascular ingrowth is reduced, but multiple sessions are required due to dissolution within several days
Solution Approach 1:
The invention provides continuous therapeutic action through a controlled release eye drop formulation that maintains sustained concentrations of active ingredients at the ocular surface over an extended period, eliminating the need for repeated surgical applications by providing ongoing epithelialization support and anti-fibrovascular effects
3Reliability
If self-retaining AM on double ring system is used, then healing is promoted and corneal scarring is reduced, but ocular discomfort occurs from the ring
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the problematic double ring mechanical support structure from the treatment system, extracting only the therapeutic benefits of amniotic membrane through its active ingredients delivered via eye drops, thereby eliminating the source of ocular discomfort while maintaining the healing and anti-scarring effects
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the eye drop formulation as an intermediary delivery system that transports active ingredients to the ocular surface without requiring mechanical support structures like rings, allowing the therapeutic agents to act directly on the cornea and conjunctiva without causing mechanical discomfort
4Reliability
If topical amniotic membrane extract is applied, then epithelialization is promoted and inflammation is decreased, but it lacks physical bandage characteristics and cannot be used as patch graft
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the anti-inflammatory and epithelialization-promoting properties of amniotic membrane extract with the protective bandage function by formulating eye drops that create a therapeutic film on the ocular surface, combining pharmacological treatment with physical protection in a single delivery system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a multi-functional eye drop formulation that simultaneously provides anti-inflammatory effects, promotes epithelialization, and delivers protective bandage-like coverage, making the treatment versatile for various ocular surface conditions without requiring separate interventions
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 patch effectively reduces inflammation, promotes healing, and treats conditions like dry eye syndrome, corneal trauma, and ulcers by releasing active ingredients over time, eliminating the need for surgical removal and offering a convenient, comfortable treatment option with controlled degradation for varying treatment durations.
Implementation Method 1
the carrier material is biodegradable and the lens-shaped patch degrades and completely dissolves while on the cornea
Implementation Method 2
the carrier material is biodegradable and the lens-shaped patch degrades and completely dissolves while on the cornea
Data Source
AI summary
A biodegradable multi-purpose lens-shaped patch useful for healing and treatment of ocular conditions is disclosed. The patch is formed from a biodegradable carrier such as collagen from a mammalian source or a poly (DL-lactide co-glycolide) copolymer carrier. The carrier supports an amniotic extract and/or placental extract active ingredient. The lens-shaped patch may be shaped in the form of a conventional contact lens and it is applied to a corneal surface to enhance healing thereof. After a period of time ranging from one to thirty days, the patch degrades and completely dissolves and need not be removed. The degradation time can be adjusted by the use of crosslinking agents such as riboflavin.