Semifluorinated Alkane Tamponade Composition for Retinal Visual Acuity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current tamponade agents for treating retinal detachment, such as silicone oils, cause visual acuity issues due to mismatched refractive indices and emulsification, leading to the need for corrective lenses and decreased vision during treatment.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a mixture of semifluorinated alkanes with a refractive index of 1.310 to 1.365, closely matching the natural vitreous body's refractive index, to minimize emulsification and improve visual acuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silicone oils are used as tamponade agents, then the retina can be effectively tamponaded, but visual acuity decreases and corrective lenses are required due to refractive index mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamponade effectivenessVSAvoidvisual acuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the tamponade agent by using semifluorinated alkanes (refractive index 1.310-1.365) instead of traditional silicone oils (refractive index ~1.400), bringing it closer to the natural vitreous body's refractive index and thereby improving visual acuity during treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material strategy by creating a mixture of semifluorinated alkanes with specific physical properties that combine both effective tamponade capability and optimal refractive index matching, achieving dual functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If traditional tamponade agents are used, then retinal detachment can be treated, but emulsification occurs leading to treatment complications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretinal detachment treatmentVSAvoidemulsification resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by selecting semifluorinated alkanes with specific molecular structures and physical properties (refractive index 1.310-1.365, appropriate viscosity) that inherently resist emulsification with aqueous media, thereby improving compositional stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs materials that are biocompatible and can be safely absorbed or removed without causing long-term emulsification issues, treating the tamponade agent as a temporary solution that does not persist problematically in the eye

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 composition reduces the need for visual acuity correction and minimizes emulsification, providing a more user-friendly treatment for retinal detachment by maintaining refractive stability within the eye.

Implementation Method 1

The refractive index of the composition is from about 1.310 to about 1.365, closely matching the natural vitreous body's refractive index

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The tamponade agent is an immiscible liquid, especially with aqueous media/liquids, which prevents retinal breaks due to its interfacial tension and buoyancy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterfacial tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

The tamponade agent is an immiscible liquid, especially with aqueous media/liquids, which prevents retinal breaks due to its interfacial tension and buoyancy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4647066A1A composition comprising a mixture of at least one oil and one or more semifluorinated alkanes, a use of the composition for treating a disease as well as a method of producing the composition and corresponding kits
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 FLUORON
  • EP4647066A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1E
  • EP4647066A1 patent drawingFigure 1F~1I
  • EP4647066A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

The present invention inter alia relates to a composition comprising a mixture of at least one oil and one or more semifluorinated alkanes, the refractive index of the composition being from about 1.310 to about 1.365, and to a use of said composition for treating a disease, wherein the disease optionally comprises treating a detached retina. The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising the composition, and to a method of producing the composition.