Reverse Thermo-Sensitive OVD for Corneal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) face challenges in maintaining the integrity of the corneal endothelium during cataract and glaucoma surgeries, as they can be difficult to handle, provide inadequate protection, and often result in post-surgical complications such as intraocular pressure spikes due to residual material.
Innovation Solution
Development of a novel class of OVDs characterized by reverse thermo-sensitive materials that are non-toxic, easy to insert and remove, maintain a high viscosity state during surgery, and transition to a lower viscosity state for easy aspiration, thereby minimizing tissue damage and post-surgical complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-viscosity OVDs are used to protect corneal endothelium, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of injection and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies temperature as a parameter to control the viscosity of the OVD. The material transitions from low viscosity at room temperature (easy injection) to high viscosity at body temperature (effective protection), and can be reverted to low viscosity for easy removal. This dynamic parameter change resolves the contradiction between protection effectiveness and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The OVD material dynamically changes its viscosity state in response to temperature changes. It is injected in a liquid state, transforms to a gel state during surgery to provide protection, and can be converted back to liquid state for removal. This dynamic behavior allows the material to adapt its properties to different surgical stages, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high viscosity for protection and low viscosity for ease of handling.
2Reliability
If OVD material remains in the eye after surgery, then protection function is maintained, but intraocular pressure spikes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition between liquid and gel states of the OVD material. After surgery, the material is converted from gel phase back to liquid phase, allowing complete aspiration and removal from the eye. This eliminates residual material that would otherwise cause intraocular pressure spikes, while maintaining the protective gel state during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function of the OVD is maintained continuously during surgery through its gel state, and then seamlessly transitioned to a removable liquid state for complete aspiration. This continuous action ensures protection when needed while enabling complete removal to prevent harmful pressure spikes, resolving the contradiction between maintaining protection and avoiding complications.
3Ease of operation
If low-viscosity OVDs are used for easy injection, then ease of operation is improved, but protection effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs temperature-dependent viscosity changes in the OVD material. The material is injected at room temperature in a low-viscosity liquid state for ease of injection, then transforms to a high-viscosity gel state at body temperature to provide effective corneal endothelium protection. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between injection ease and protection effectiveness.
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 OVDs effectively protect the corneal endothelium, maintain the anterior segment's integrity, and facilitate safe and efficient removal, reducing the risk of post-surgical complications like intraocular pressure spikes and endothelial cell damage.
Implementation Method 1
an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) characterized by comprising a reverse thermo-sensitive material
Implementation Method 2
maintain a high viscosity state during surgery, and transition to a lower viscosity state for easy aspiration
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
The invention provides a unique family of materials for use as OVDs in the course of eye treatment.