Phenylene-Siloxane Macromer Intraocular Lens Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional soft acrylic intraocular lens materials lack an appropriate combination of strength, flexibility, and non-tacky surface properties to be inserted through small incisions, and existing fillers improve mechanical properties but reduce optical clarity.
Innovation Solution
Development of copolymeric materials comprising a monofunctional acrylate or methacrylate monomer, a difunctional cross-linker, and a phenylene-siloxane macromer, which are polymerized to create soft, foldable acrylic device materials with improved refractive index and mechanical properties, suitable for use as intraocular lenses and other ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional soft acrylic materials are used to make intraocular lenses, then the materials have good optical clarity, but they lack the appropriate combination of strength, flexibility and non-tacky surface properties to be inserted through small incisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining acrylic polymer matrix with silane-based crosslinking agents and surfactant additives. The crosslinking creates a three-dimensional network structure that reinforces the acrylic material, while the surfactant provides surface modification. This composite approach enables the material to simultaneously achieve enhanced tensile strength, improved flexibility for folding, and reduced surface tackiness, resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and ease of insertion through small incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the crosslinking degree through varying silane content and crosslinking conditions. By adjusting the crosslinking density, the material's mechanical properties can be tuned to achieve the optimal balance between strength and flexibility. Additionally, the surfactant concentration is optimized to achieve the desired surface properties without compromising bulk mechanical strength, enabling insertion through small incisions while maintaining adequate strength.
2Strength
If reinforcing fillers are added to soft polymers to improve tensile strength and tear resistance, then the mechanical properties improve, but the optical clarity of the finished product is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical reinforcement approach (adding particulate fillers) with a chemical reinforcement mechanism. Instead of incorporating solid fillers that would scatter light and reduce optical clarity, the invention uses silane-based crosslinking chemistry to create a molecular-level three-dimensional network within the acrylic matrix. This chemical reinforcement provides enhanced tensile strength and tear resistance without introducing particulate matter that would compromise optical transparency, effectively substituting a chemical system for a mechanical one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reinforcement mechanism from particulate filler addition to controlled crosslinking density adjustment. By varying the silane content and crosslinking conditions, the material achieves optimal mechanical properties through molecular network formation rather than particulate reinforcement. This parameter control enables simultaneous achievement of high strength and optical clarity, as the crosslinked network provides mechanical enhancement at the molecular level without introducing light-scattering particles.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional silicone materials are used for intraocular lenses, then they have higher refractive index than hydrogels, but they tend to unfold explosively after being placed in the eye in a folded position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite acrylic material system that combines the high refractive index advantage of acrylics with the flexibility needed for controlled unfolding. The silane crosslinked acrylic matrix provides both optical properties and mechanical control, eliminating the explosive unfolding problem associated with silicones while maintaining high refractive index. The crosslinked network structure provides gradual, controlled expansion rather than explosive unfolding.
4Ease of operation
If the glass transition temperature is reduced to improve flexibility and foldability, then the material becomes softer and easier to insert, but the strength and structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by carefully controlling the glass transition temperature within an optimal range through selection of specific acrylic monomers and adjustment of crosslinking density. The surfactant addition further modifies the material properties to enhance flexibility without compromising strength. This multi-parameter optimization enables the material to achieve both softness for easy insertion and adequate structural integrity for maintaining lens shape and function after implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material formulation combining acrylic polymer, silane crosslinking agents, and surfactant additives to achieve the desired balance between softness and strength. The crosslinked network provides structural reinforcement that maintains integrity even as the glass transition temperature is reduced for improved foldability. The surfactant contributes to surface properties that facilitate insertion while the bulk crosslinked structure maintains strength.
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 materials provide enhanced flexibility, strength, and optical clarity, enabling intraocular lenses to be inserted through small incisions while maintaining high refractive index, making them suitable for various ophthalmic and otorhinolaryngological applications.
Implementation Method 1
which are polymerized to create soft, foldable acrylic device materials
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic device materials having improved strength. The materials contain a phenylene-siloxane macromer.