Photoresponsive, biocompatible materials for reconfigurable intraocular lenses

用于可重构人工晶状体的光响应、生物相容性材料

• 批准号: DH-2022-00249
• 负责人: Saravanamuttu, Kalaichelvi
• 金额: $ 6.48万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Horizons
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=748552
• 关键词: Photoresponsive; biocompatible; materials; reconfigurable; intraocular

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are soft, flexible lenses that are surgically implanted to replace cataractous lenses in the human eye; cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures in the world. In the case of further vision changes, current IOLs must be surgically replaced. Our objective is to develop reconfigurable IOLs, which can be post-operatively and non-invasively modified with (benign) laser beams to correct vision. Reconfigurable IOLs would eliminate the need for ophthalmic surgery, associated risk of infection, recovery time and expense; they represent a disruptive technology that would significantly enhance quality of life in a predominantly geriatric and vulnerable patient population.Our approach to reconfigurable IOLs is necessarily interdisciplinary, spanning molecular-level photochemistry, optical physics, optical engineering, chemical and biomedical engineering of lenses, in vitro and in vivo safety and toxicity studies, ophthalmic surgery to patient care. It begins with the design and synthesis of light-responsive molecules, which are incorporated into biocompatible hydrogels (flexible, water-swollen networks akin to biological lenses) that can be moulded into IOLs. When exposed to wavelengths in the near infrared (NIR) region, these photoresponsive molecules within IOLs undergo carefully designed configurational changes that alter the optical properties - including the refractive index - of the hydrogel. This in turn changes the power (prescription) of the IOL - allowing it to be remotely tuned with a laser beam - even after insertion into the eye. By employing NIR light rather than visible wavelengths, we ensure that modification of the lens is elicited only by design with a NIR laser and that IOLs remain inert to ambient light. The applicants bring the diverse and broad suite of technical expertise and instrumentation critical to this project, ranging from optical physics, photo-responsive soft materials (Saravanamuttu), chemical/biomedical engineering (Sheardown), ophthalmic surgery (McLaughlin) and synthetic chemistry (Vargas Baca). We will co-supervise a team of two post-doctoral fellows, charged respectively with synthesis of photoresponsive molecules, and fabrication, characterization and viability testing of IOL prototypes. Each will mentor a graduate student during the course of the project. We will coordinate reciprocal, seamless interactions between team members, which is key to the success of this project.

人工晶状体 (IOL) 是一种柔软、灵活的晶状体，通过手术植入以替代人眼中的白内障晶状体；白内障手术是世界上最常见的手术之一。如果视力进一步变化，则必须通过手术更换现有的人工晶状体。我们的目标是开发可重构人工晶状体，可以在术后用（良性）激光束进行非侵入性修改以矫正视力。可重构人工晶状体将消除眼科手术的需要、相关的感染风险、恢复时间和费用；它们代表了一种颠覆性技术，将显着提高主要是老年人和弱势患者群体的生活质量。我们对可重构人工晶体的方法必然是跨学科的，涵盖分子级光化学、光学物理、光学工程、晶状体的化学和生物医学工程、体外和体内安全性和毒性研究、眼科手术到患者护理。首先设计和合成光响应分子，将其纳入生物相容性水凝胶（类似于生物晶状体的柔性水膨胀网络）中，然后再模制成人工晶状体。当暴露于近红外 (NIR) 区域的波长时，人工晶体内的这些光响应分子会发生精心设计的构型变化，从而改变水凝胶的光学特性（包括折射率）。这反过来又改变了人工晶状体的功率（处方）——即使在插入眼睛后也可以用激光束对其进行远程调节。通过使用近红外光而不是可见波长，我们确保只能通过近红外激光设计才能对晶状体进行修改，并且人工晶状体对环境光保持惰性。申请人带来了对该项目至关重要的多样化和广泛的技术专业知识和仪器，包括光学物理、光响应软材料 (Saravanamuttu)、化学/生物医学工程 (Sheardown)、眼科手术 (McLaughlin) 和合成化学 (Vargas Baca)。我们将共同指导一个由两名博士后研究员组成的团队，分别负责光响应分子的合成以及人工晶状体原型的制造、表征和可行性测试。每个人都将在项目过程中指导一名研究生。我们将协调团队成员之间相互、无缝的互动，这是该项目成功的关键。