Treatment to improve adhesive properties of corneal implant
Inventors
Daphna, Ofer • Ferera, Nahum • Dubson, Dmitry
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10966863-B2
Publication Date
2021-04-06
Expiration Date
2038-01-08
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Abstract
A method is described of improving adhesion of an ocular implant to corneal tissue by forming an implant adhesive layer on the ocular implant, the implant adhesive layer having greater adhesive strength than a rest of the implant or by forming a corneal adhesive layer on a posterior surface of a posterior portion of the corneal tissue, the corneal adhesive layer having greater adhesive strength than a rest of the corneal tissue.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to methods of improving adhesion of an ocular implant to corneal tissue by forming an adhesive layer on the implant and/or on the corneal tissue that has greater adhesive strength than the rest of the implant or the cornea. The adhesive layer is created by making chemical and/or physical changes on the implant's anterior surface or on the posterior surface of the corneal tissue's posterior portion. Such changes include laser treatment, chemical treatment, thermal treatment, plasma treatment, corona treatment, flame treatment, or other methods that enhance adhesive properties.
The ocular implant described may be a hydrophobic pseudo-endothelial implant that serves as a water barrier allowing dehydration of an edematous cornea, used as an alternative to donor implants in surgeries like DSEK or DMEK. The implant can be formed from biologically compatible materials like polymethylmethacrylate, silicone, collagen, hydrogels, and others, and can be rigid, semi-rigid, or foldable.
The problem being solved is the difficulty of bonding a corneal implant to corneal tissue without sutures or mechanical fasteners. Adhesive materials must be compatible with the sensitive ocular environment, provide sustained adhesion without degradation, and avoid negatively affecting ocular quality. The invention addresses this challenge by creating an adhesive layer either on the implant or the corneal tissue surface to improve long-lasting adhesion without external adhesives.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent claim defining the method of improving adhesion of an ocular implant to corneal tissue.
Forming implant adhesive layer by chemical and physical surface changes
Improving adhesion by forming an implant adhesive layer on the ocular implant with greater adhesive strength than the rest of the implant, achieved by making chemical and/or physical changes on the anterior surface of the implant that increase adhesion.
Applying laser energy to enhance implant surface adhesion
The formation of the implant adhesive layer is done specifically by application of laser energy on the anterior surface of the implant to chemically and physically modify the surface and enhance adhesive properties.
The inventive features focus on a method for improving implant adhesion by creating an adhesive layer on the implant's anterior surface via physical and chemical modifications, specifically using laser energy for surface treatment.
Stated Advantages
Improved adhesion of ocular implants to corneal tissue without the need for sutures or mechanical fasteners.
Creation of long-lasting adhesive bonds compatible with the ocular environment that do not degrade the eye's quality.
Enhanced adhesion achieved without applying external adhesive substances, reducing complications associated with foreign adhesives.
Documented Applications
Use of hydrophobic pseudo-endothelial corneal implants as water barriers enabling dehydration of an edematous cornea.
Replacement of donor corneal implants in surgical procedures such as Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK) or Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK).
Bonding implants in posterior lamellar keratoplasty (PLK) or DSEK surgeries by forming an adhesive layer on the implant or corneal tissue surface.
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