Light Adjustable Intraocular Lenses Using Upconverting Nanoparticles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for adjusting light adjustable lenses, such as those used in intraocular applications, face safety concerns due to high irradiances from coherent light sources and require complex beam control, while incoherent sources need significant attenuation to prevent retinal damage, and existing upconverting nanocrystals have low quantum yields.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical hydrogels and intraocular lenses comprising photopolymerizable prepolymers, UV-Vis photoinitiators, and core-shell upconverting nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared light to activate the photoinitiators, allowing for refractive index changes without the need for initial lock-in procedures and reducing retinal exposure through UV-Vis blockers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If UV irradiation sources (lasers or arc lamps) are used to modify refractive power of light adjustable lenses, then the lens power can be adjusted, but retinal safety is compromised due to high irradiances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces upconverting nanoparticles as an intermediary substance within the lens material. These nanoparticles absorb the safe near-infrared light and convert it to UV wavelengths locally, mediating between the safe external light source and the photoinitiator system without requiring direct UV exposure to the retina
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the activation light from UV to near-infrared. By using near-infrared light (which is safer for the retina) to excite the upconverting nanoparticles, the system achieves the same photoinitiator activation effect while operating at a safer wavelength that the retina can tolerate
2Manufacturing precision
If coherent light sources (lasers) are used for lens adjustment, then precise power modification is achieved, but complex beam control and rasterization are required
Solution Approach 1:
The upconverting nanoparticles embedded in the lens material serve as a distributed intermediary that converts near-infrared light to UV throughout the lens volume. This eliminates the need for complex beam rasterization and control systems, as the nanoparticles are distributed throughout the lens and can be activated uniformly or selectively through optical masking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical beam scanning and rasterization system with a chemical/physical conversion system. Instead of mechanically moving or scanning a UV beam across the lens, the system uses near-infrared light activation of upconverting nanoparticles to achieve the same effect through photonic conversion
3Use of energy by moving object
If single crystal upconverting nanocrystals are used to activate photoinitiators, then near-infrared light can be utilized, but quantum yields are low due to weak emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs core-shell structured upconverting nanoparticles, which are composite materials combining different crystalline phases or compositions. The core provides strong near-infrared absorption while the shell enhances the UV emission through optimized crystal field effects and reduced non-radiative transitions, achieving high quantum yields unattainable with single-crystal structures
Solution Approach 2:
The core-shell structure creates local quality differences within the nanoparticle. The core region is optimized for near-infrared absorption while the shell region is optimized for UV emission enhancement. This spatial differentiation of functional properties within the single nanoparticle enables simultaneous strong absorption and high quantum yield emission
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
This approach enhances the safety and efficiency of refractive power adjustments by using near-infrared light to activate the photoinitiators within the lenses, allowing for multiple adjustments and a safer lock-in process, while minimizing retinal exposure and improving quantum yields.
Implementation Method 1
core-shell upconverting nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared light to activate the photoinitiators
Implementation Method 2
UV-Vis photoinitiators, and core-shell upconverting nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared light to activate the photoinitiators
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates compositions comprising upconverting core-shell nanocrystals and photoactive compositions and methods using these compositions to modify treat myopia and other ocular conditions. In some cases, the methods use near infrared irradiation to adjust the refractive power of light adjustable intraocular lenses.