Regenerative Corneal Prosthesis with Anti-Fouling Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for corneal blindness, such as corneal transplantation, face challenges including a severe shortage of donated organs, immune rejection, and complications like retroprosthetic membrane formation and calcification, necessitating an alternative solution that promotes regeneration without sustained immunosuppression and maintains optical clarity.
Innovation Solution
A duo-functional regenerative prosthesis (RPro) comprising a hydrogel matrix with a cross-linked extracellular matrix and a core material based on olefinic or UV polymerizable monomers, which supports cell and tissue ingrowth while preventing vessel ingrowth, allowing for unhindered light transmission and tailored mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic-based prostheses (keratoprostheses) are used to restore vision in severe ocular surface damage, then vision restoration is achieved, but serious complications occur including retroprosthetic membrane formation, calcification, infection, glaucoma, and unnatural appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional plastic to biosynthetic materials (collagen, PEGDA, HEMA) with specific mechanical and optical properties. The core material uses UV-polymerizable monomers to achieve optimal refractive index and transparency, while the matrix material uses natural polymers to reduce immunogenicity and prevent complications like calcification and membrane formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure with a central core material surrounded by a matrix material. The core provides optical clarity and structural stability, while the matrix promotes tissue integration and regeneration. This composite approach combines the advantages of synthetic materials (optical properties) with natural materials (biocompatibility), eliminating the harmful effects of single-material prostheses.
2Reliability
If allogeneic donor corneas are used for transplantation, then corneal blindness is treated, but immune rejection occurs at high rates requiring continuous immunosuppression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a prosthesis that serves itself by promoting autologous tissue regeneration. The biosynthetic matrix material stimulates the patient's own cells to grow and integrate into the implant, eliminating the need for immunosuppression. The material composition (collagen, PEGDA, HEMA) is designed to be non-immunogenic while supporting cellular functions, allowing the implant to regenerate tissue using the patient's own biological resources.
3Reliability
If biosynthetic implants made from recombinant human collagen are implanted, then regeneration of corneal tissues and nerves occurs without sustained immunosuppression, but the implants lack optimal mechanical properties and optical clarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines biosynthetic collagen matrix material with UV-polymerizable core materials (PEGDA, HEMA) to create a composite prosthesis. The collagen matrix provides biocompatibility and regeneration support, while the polymerized core provides mechanical strength and optical clarity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of both material types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the material parameters by introducing UV-polymerizable monomers into the collagen matrix. The UV polymerization process creates cross-linked networks that enhance mechanical properties and maintain optical clarity. The refractive index and transparency are optimized through selection of specific monomers (PEGDA, HEMA) and control of polymerization conditions, while maintaining the regenerative properties of the collagen matrix.
4Reliability
If stem cells are transplanted to repopulate damaged areas, then regeneration is promoted, but rejection of foreign implanted stem cells occurs at high rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the prosthesis to stimulate autologous cell migration and proliferation rather than relying on implanted stem cells. The biosynthetic matrix material creates a favorable microenvironment that attracts and supports the patient's own stem cells to migrate into the implant and regenerate tissue. This approach eliminates rejection issues by using the patient's own cells rather than foreign implanted cells.
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 RPro promotes regeneration of corneal cells and nerves, reduces the risk of rejection, and maintains optical clarity, enabling effective vision restoration without the need for sustained immunosuppression, addressing the limitations of existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
the core material is based on olefinic or UV polymerizable monomers or polypeptides or mixtures thereof
Implementation Method 2
the matrix material is a hydrogel comprising a cross-linked extracellular matrix polymers, polypeptides or polysaccharides
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a corneal implant comprising a matrix material and a core part wherein the core part is arranged essentially in the middle of the matrix material. The core part is anti fouling in order to stop cell proliferation across said part. The present disclosure further relates to a method of preparing the said product and the use of the same.