Femtosecond-laser-adjustable intraocular lens

INTRODUCTION:

About 25 million people yearly undergo a replacement of the natural crystalline lens for an intraocular lens (IOL) to improve their vision impaired by cataract, refractive errors or presbyopia. However, in up to 40% of cases further correction, most often via spectacles, is needed to achieve optimal vision.

TECHNOLOGY (INVENTION) DESCRIPTION:

Even though human eyes are individually quite different and IOLs are ready-made, there is no possibility to try IOL function prior to implantation. The IOL fit can also worsen over time. These challenges could be solved by a non-invasive adjustment of the implanted lens in situ by ± 3 D multiple times postoperatively. Our technology involves modification of refractive index (RI) of hydrogels due to two-photon absorption (TPA) of a femtosecond laser (FSL) beam. This allows to inscribe a diffractive, refractive or RI gradient lens within a hydrogel IOL. Our proprietary bioanalogic hydrogels, which are used in clinically proven IOLs, can be made substantially more sensitive to TPA than any other IOL material due to a proprietary combination of pendant “dopant” groups and “quencher” groups.

ADVANTAGES OVER EXISTING SOLUTIONS:

No commercial solutions for non-invasive post-operative adjustment of IOLs exist. Companies with active development in the area include Calhoun Vision, Perfect Lens, and Clerio Vision. Calhoun Vision offers a silicone IOL and its post-operative adjustment by a UV light delivery system. Our advantage would be repeatable adjustment and simpler procedure. Perfect Lens and Clerio Vision are developing a laser system able to write optical elements within an IOL by making RI changes in the IOL material. Their laser systems could in theory be complementary with our IOLs, while our material´s higher sensitivity would allow better and greater optical adjustment than in conventional IOLs.

DEVELOPMENT STATUS (STAGE):

Technology feasibility phase showed efficacy in our materials. We are now examining safety of the FSL adjustment.

PUBLICATIONS:

Sahler et al: Creation of a refractive lens within an existing intraocular lens using a femtosecond laser, J Cataract Refract Surg 2016; 42:1207–1215. Gandara-Montano et al, Femtosecond laser writing of freeform gradient index microlenses in hydrogel-based contact lenses, OMEX 2257, Vol. 5, No. 10, 1 Oct 2015 MEDICEM inventions are published in patent applications: Stoy et al: Light-Adjustable Hydrogel And Bioanalogic Intraocular Lens, US20160296662 A1; Bioanalogic Intraocular Lens, WO2014111769 A1; Method And Device For Optimizing Vision Via Customization Of Spherical Aberration Of Eye, WO2016/178133

IP PROTECTION STATUS:

US20160296662 A1; WO2014111769 A1; WO2016/178133. Unpublished-yet patent applications. Remaining patent life: 20 years.

TECHNOLOGY / IP OWNERS :

Medicem Ophthalmic (CY) Ltd 195, Makarious II Ave Nucleous House P.C. 3030 Limassol, Cyprus Medicem Ophthalmic (CY) Ltd is a fully owned subsidiary of MEDICEM GROUP B.V. Herikerbergweg 292, 1101CT Amsterodam, NL