Porous Hydrogel Sheet for Glaucoma Surgery Adhesion Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adhesion-preventing materials for ophthalmic surgeries, such as glaucoma treatment, face challenges with short retention times and potential toxicity, leading to complications like infection and blockage of aqueous humor drainage channels.

Innovation Solution

A hydrogel sheet is produced from a two-reactant adhesive, specifically aldehyde dextran and succinic anhydride-added poly-L-lysine, which is freeze-dried to create a porous sheet with controlled porosity and stickiness, maintaining its adhesive properties for at least four months to prevent adhesions and facilitate aqueous humor drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mitomycin C is applied to prevent adhesion, then adhesion prevention is improved, but tissue damage and infection risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion preventionVSAvoidtissue damage and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a porous sheet as an intermediary material between the conjunctiva and sclera to prevent adhesion. This mediator provides physical separation without the cytotoxic effects of mitomycin C, achieving adhesion prevention while avoiding tissue damage and infection risks associated with chemical agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The porous sheet is designed as a temporary, disposable material that performs its adhesion-prevention function during the critical healing period and then naturally degrades or is removed. This short-living approach eliminates long-term toxicity concerns while providing effective temporary protection against adhesion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If existing adhesion preventing materials are used, then adhesion prevention is achieved, but retention time is too short

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion preventionVSAvoidretention time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the adhesion-preventing material by using a porous structure with controlled porosity (30-70%) and specific mechanical properties. These parameter changes enable the material to maintain its integrity and adhesion-prevention function for an extended period (at least 4 months) while gradually integrating with surrounding tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The porous sheet is constructed as a composite material with specific structural characteristics that combine mechanical strength for long-term retention with biocompatibility for tissue integration. This composite structure allows the material to persist in the eye for months while gradually being replaced by natural tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If drainage channel is created, then aqueous humor drainage is improved, but adhesion and blockage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaqueous humor drainageVSAvoiddrainage channel patency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The porous sheet is placed in position before the drainage channel becomes vulnerable to adhesion, providing preventive protection during the critical early healing period. This preliminary action secures the drainage channel against blockage by adhesion before it can occur, maintaining patency throughout the healing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 hydrogel sheet effectively prevents adhesions and maintains intraocular pressure reduction for an extended period, reducing the risk of infection and ensuring the drainage channel's functionality without causing tissue damage.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreeze-drying: Freeze Drying

Implementation Method 2

A hydrogel sheet is produced from a two-reactant adhesive, specifically aldehyde dextran and succinic anhydride-added poly-L-lysine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12605481B2Adhesion preventing material for ophthalmic applications, and method for producing same

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 BMG INC

AI summary

In specific embodiments, provided is a material for preventing adhesion of membranes in an ophthalmic surgery for treatment of glaucoma or the like without using mitomycin-C or the like. Particularly provided is such material, which is easy to handle and has no risk of histolysis or infections. In a production method of a preferred embodiment, prepared are: aldehyde-modified dextran (first reactant) having weight-average molecular weight of 10,000-5,000,000 and introduced aldehyde group-per-anhydrous glucose unit (mol/AGU) of 0.4-0.7; and succinic anhydride-added poly-L-lysine (second reactant) having weight-average molecular weight of 1000-100,000 and having residual amino group ratio of 80-99%; then, they are mixed together so that aldehyde group-to-amino group molar ratio becomes 0.9-1.1 and are reacted in presence of water so that polymer concentration becomes 8-20%; and a hydrogel produced by the reaction, or a suspension before gelation, is freeze-dried to produce a porous sheet having a thickness of 0.1-0.8 mm.