Surface-Treated Intraocular Lens for Secondary Cataract Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing secondary cataract after intraocular lens implantation are either expensive, require complex precision processing, or have limited effectiveness, such as using ND:YAG laser irradiation, sharp-edged lenses, or biocompatible coatings.
Innovation Solution
Surface-modifying intraocular lenses by irradiating them with active light that decomposes oxygen molecules to generate ozone and active oxygen, improving fibronectin adhesion to inhibit secondary cataract formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ND:YAG laser irradiation is used to remove opacified portions, then secondary cataract can be treated, but the apparatus cost is expensive and fundus examination, photocoagulation and vitreous body operation are hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-modifying the intraocular lens surface with hydrophilic groups before implantation. This preventive surface treatment reduces epithelial cell adhesion and proliferation from the outset, avoiding the need for subsequent laser treatment and its associated complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical laser irradiation system with a chemical surface modification approach. By introducing hydrophilic groups through chemical treatment, the lens surface becomes resistant to cell adhesion without requiring expensive laser equipment or complex surgical procedures.
2Reliability
If medicine is used to treat and prevent secondary cataract, then some preventive effect is achieved, but a new combination of intraocular lens and medicine is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by incorporating the preventive function directly into the intraocular lens material itself. The hydrophilic groups are built into the lens surface chemistry, allowing the lens to actively resist cell adhesion without requiring separate medicinal agents or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the base lens material with surface-modified hydrophilic groups. This creates a functionally enhanced lens that integrates prevention capabilities directly into its structure, eliminating the need for separate medicine-lens combinations.
3Reliability
If sharp edges are formed on circumferential portion to inhibit secondary cataract, then some inhibition effect is achieved, but additional precision-processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical parameters of the lens surface rather than altering its physical geometry. By changing the surface chemistry to include hydrophilic groups, the lens achieves anti-adhesion properties without requiring complex precision machining or edge shaping.
4Reliability
If biocompatible material coating is applied to posterior capsule portion, then some prevention effect is achieved, but coating process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lens material with the protective surface layer by incorporating hydrophilic groups directly into the lens polymer structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate coating processes and additional material layers, simplifying both manufacturing and clinical application.
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 surface treatment enhances fibronectin adhesion, effectively preventing secondary cataract formation by improving the adhesion of the intraocular lens to the capsule, as demonstrated in rabbit eye tests.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the surface of an intraocular lens with active light that works to decompose oxygen molecules to generate ozone and that also works to decompose the ozone to generate active oxygen
Implementation Method 2
active light that works to decompose oxygen molecules to generate ozone and that also works to decompose the ozone to generate active oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a process for producing an intraocular lens capable of inhibiting secondary cataract that may occur after the insertion of an intraocular lens and a secondary-cataract-inhibiting intraocular lens obtained by the above process, and the process is for producing a surface-treated intraocular lens, which comprises irradiating the surface of an intraocular lens with active light that works to decompose oxygen molecules to generate ozone and that also works to decompose the ozone to generate active oxygen, in the presence of oxygen, and the lens is a secondary-cataract-inhibiting intraocular lens obtained by the above process.