INTRAOCULAR IMPLANT AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN INTRAOCULAR IMPLANT

Abstract

An intraocular implant, such as a corneal implant, an intraocular lens or an IOL carrier matrix, which has a dimensionally stable lattice structure and a corresponding method for producing an intraocular implant. The intraocular implant and method for producing an intraocular implant counteract metabolic problems, and thus also limited functional compatibility, and facilitates long-term tolerance. The intraocular implant has a dimensionally stable lattice structure designed in such a way that it permits permeability for small molecules and/or supports the mobility of endogenous cells in the implant.

Claims

1.-26. (canceled)

27. An intraocular implant for implantation in an eye structure, the intraocular implant comprising: a dimensionally stable lattice structure, the dimensionally stable lattice structure being adapted to permit permeability for small molecules, adapted to support the mobility of endogenous cells in the implant or both.

28. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 27, wherein the lattice structure comprises a microscopically irregular framework structure.

29. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 27, wherein the dimensionally stable lattice structure defines channels with a diameter of >1 m and webs with a dimension of <50 m.

30. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 29, wherein the dimensionally stable lattice structure defines channels with a diameter of >3 m, and webs with a dimension of <20 m.

31. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 27, wherein intraocular implant comprises a biocompatible material, which is arranged in the form of fibrils in lamellae in the lattice structure.

32. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 31, wherein the biocompatible material comprises collagen.

33. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 31, wherein the lamellae are arranged alternately at right angles to respective neighboring lamellae.

34. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 31, wherein the lamellae are interwoven.

35. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 27, wherein the intraocular implant is adapted for a preferential direction for cell movement or cell growth.

36. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 27, in which mechanical properties, optical properties or both of the implant vary spatially.

37. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 27, in which at least one of the following is true: the material and/or lattice structure is configured such that the implant has an additional optical function; the material and/or lattice structure is configured such that a diffractive optical element or a gradient lens is present; the material and/or lattice structure is configured such that part of the visible light is absorbed; the material and/or lattice structure is configured such that the effective refractive power of the implant is such that the material and/or lattice structure generates a refractive effect on a surrounding eye structure; and the material and/or lattice structure is configured such that the effective refractive power of the implant is such that the material and/or lattice structure generates a refractive effect on the cornea.

38. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 27, wherein the lattice structure further comprises at least one of the following additions: growth factors; crosslinkers; keratocytes; stem cells; anti-inflammatory agents; nanoparticles; solvents; and membranes.

39. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 38, in which nanoparticles are present and arranged at locally different concentrations in the lattice structure, such that there is a different refractive index in lamellar layers, radial zones of the implant or both.

40. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 27, wherein the dimensionally stable lattice structure is filled with a liquid, or is adapted to be filled with a liquid, wherein the liquid remains stable in the lattice structure and is optically transparent.

41. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 40, wherein the refractive index of the liquid is matched to the refractive index of the implant material.

42. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 27, wherein the intraocular implant comprises a corneal implant that changes the outer shape of a cornea.

43. The intraocular implant as claimed in claim 27, wherein the intraocular implant comprises a corneal implant that contains pigments, arranged such that an artificial iris is created.

44. The intraocular implant as claimed claim 27, wherein the intraocular implant comprises an intraocular lens (IOL), an intraocular lens (IOL) carrier matrix or both.

45. A method for producing an intraocular implant, for producing a corneal implant, for producing an intraocular lens or for producing an IOL carrier matrix, which has a dimensionally stable lattice structure, comprising at least one of the following production sequences: (a) producing a transparent base workpiece for the intraocular implant, which base workpiece initially does not yet have the shape intended for the implant, and subsequently using a separation method for shape adaptation and for generating a final shape of the intraocular implant; (b) primarily forming from an initially liquid and/or gel-like mixture, by molding, injection molding or by a generative manufacturing method or by 3D printing; (c) machining to modify a material structure, to generate cavities and/or to change chemical bonds between the constituents of the material or molecules of the material.

46. The method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising producing a transparent base workpiece for the intraocular implant according to (b) and then adapting a shape thereof according to (a).

47. The method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising producing the intraocular implant according to (b), adapting the intraocular implant in shape according to (a), modifying the intraocular implant's material structure according to (c) or a combination of the foregoing.

48. The method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising using a femtosecond laser keratome in step (a) and/or (c).

49. The method as claimed in claim 45, further comprising using irradiation with light for the modification according to (c).

50. The method as claimed in claim 49, further comprising dosing the light differently according to location.

51. The method as claimed in claim 49, further comprising generating a chemical reaction.

52. The method as claimed in claim 51, further comprising facilitating the chemical reaction by introducing a photosensitizer beforehand into the material.

53. The method as claimed in claim 49, further comprising using lithography for the irradiation with light.

54. The method as claimed in claim 45 further comprising populating the intraocular implant artificially with cells (keratocytes) during and/or after its production.

55. The method as claimed in claim 54, further comprising integrating stem cells at a high concentration in a volume of the intraocular implant in a printing operation.

56. The method as claimed in claim 45 further comprising carrying out a measurement accompanying and optimizing the production during the production sequence.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0087] Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

[0088] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D depict ocular implants according to example embodiments of the invention; and

[0089] FIG. 2 depicts a corneal implant implanted in a cornea according to an example embodiment of the invention.

[0090] While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] FIGS. 1A-1D and 2 show examples of corneal implants 1 according to example embodiments of the invention, a special intraocular implant 1, in cross section, wherein, seen three-dimensionally according to the invention, always from the architecture of the lattice structure 2, there is full-surface permeability of the corneal implants 1 for the intrastromal liquid.

[0092] FIGS. 1A-1D show various exemplary embodiments of corneal implants 1 according to the invention in schematic cross sections through the permeable lattice structures 2. In the case of the macroscopically lamellar structure 4 of FIG. 1D, the permeability is ensured in a perpendicular direction through a microscopically porous structure.

[0093] In particular, the outer shape of the corneal implants 1 having the lattice structure 2 is produced here by additive manufacture, with a high three-dimensional shape precision as far as, for example, the 1m range. On account of the elasticity properties of the biocompatible material or of the technically recovered collagen material of the printed lattice structure 2, the corneal implant 1 remains flexible, which can be used to advantage in the implantation procedure. On the other hand, the internal lattice structure 2 ensures that the volume of the corneal implant 1, in the deployed state after implantation, remains dimensionally stable over a long period of time.

[0094] FIG. 2 shows schematically an exemplary embodiment of a corneal implant 1 according to the invention, with a lattice structure 2 which is designed in such a way that it permits permeability for small molecules and/or supports the mobility of endogenous cells in the implant 1, wherein the corneal implant 1 has been introduced into the cornea 5 of an eye.

[0095] The aforementioned features of the invention, which are explained in various exemplary embodiments, can be used not only in the combinations specified in an exemplary manner but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0096] Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

[0097] Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

[0098] Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

[0099] Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

[0100] For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms means for or step for are recited in a claim.