阅读说明：本技术 用于眼科植入物的抗微生物聚合物 (Antimicrobial polymers for ophthalmic implants ) 是由 伊齐耶·舒埃 于 2018-01-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于眼科植入物的抗微生物聚合物,包括至少一种抗微生物单体,和至少一种选自丙烯酸、有机硅、乙烯基和胶原单体的其它单体。(An antimicrobial polymer for use in an ophthalmic implant comprising at least one antimicrobial monomer, and at least one other monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic, silicone, vinyl, and collagen monomers.)

1. An antimicrobial polymer for use in an ophthalmic implant comprising

At least one antimicrobial monomer; and

at least one other monomer selected from: acrylic monomers, hydrophobic acrylic monomers, hydrophilic acrylic monomers, silicone monomers, vinyl monomers, and collagen monomers.

2. The antimicrobial polymer of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic acrylic polymer is selected from the group consisting of: monomers of phenylethyl acrylate, phenylethyl methacrylate and butanediol diacrylate which form a copolymer of phenylethyl acrylate and phenylethyl methacrylate, crosslinked with butanediol diacrylate: (An IOL); monomers of ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, 2,2, 2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, crosslinked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, which form a copolymer of ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate and 2,2, 2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, crosslinked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate ((AMO)); monomers of phenylethyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate and fluoroalkyl methacrylate which form crosslinked copolymers of phenylethyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate and fluoroalkyl methacrylate: ((HOYA)); monomers of phenylethyl acrylate, phenylethyl methacrylate and butanediol diacrylate, which form a copolymer of phenylethyl acrylate and phenylethyl methacrylate, crosslinked with butanediol diacrylate (HI 56); monomers of 2-phenylethyl acrylate and 2-phenylethyl methacrylate, which form a copolymer of 2-phenylethyl acrylate and 2-phenylethyl methacrylate (BENZ HF-1.2); monomers of 2-phenylethyl acrylate and 2-phenylethyl methacrylate which form a copolymer of 2-phenylethyl acrylate and 2-phenylethyl methacrylate (Benz HF-2), and

the hydrophilic acrylic polymer is selected from: monomers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate which form a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (CI 26); monomers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate which form a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (MICS 22); monomers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate which form a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (CI 18); monomers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate which form a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate (Benz IOL 125); monomers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate, which form a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (BenzFlex 26).

3. The antimicrobial polymer of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial polymer is transparent, opaque, or translucent.

4. The antimicrobial polymer of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial polymer is reversibly deformable.

5. The antimicrobial polymer of claim 1, wherein the ocular implant is an artificial cornea, a glaucoma valve, a retinal prosthesis, or an intracorneal implant.

6. The antimicrobial polymer of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial monomer is a quaternary ammonium salt-based monomer.

7. The antimicrobial polymer of claim 6, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt-based monomer is: 1- [12- (methacryloyloxy) dodecyl ] pyridinium bromide (MDPB), methacryloyloxyethyl hexadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DMAE-CB), 2-methacryloyloxyethyl dodecyl methylammonium bromide (MAE-DB), 2-methacryloyloxyethyl hexadecylmethylammonium bromide (MAE-HB), bis (2-methacryloyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium bromide (IDMA-1).

8. The antimicrobial polymer of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial monomer comprises a monomer having a primary, secondary, or tertiary amino group.

9. The antimicrobial polymer of claim 8, wherein the antimicrobial monomer is p-dimethylaminomethylstyrene, N- (2-dimethylaminoethyl) acrylamide, N- (2-aminoethyl) acrylamide, N-butylacrylamide, or diallyldimethylammonium salt.

10. The antimicrobial polymer of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial monomer is covalently linked to an antimicrobial peptide.

11. The antimicrobial polymer of claim 1, wherein the at least one other monomer is: an acrylic monomer selected from the group consisting of Methyl Acrylate (MA) and Methyl Methacrylate (MMA); a silicone monomer having the formula: r₂SiO, wherein R is methyl, ethyl or phenyl; or a vinyl monomer selected from vinyl carbonates and vinyl carbamates.

12. A method of making an antimicrobial polymer for an ophthalmic implant, comprising:

reacting at least one antimicrobial monomer with at least one other monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic monomers, hydrophobic acrylic monomers, hydrophilic acrylic monomers, silicone monomers, vinyl monomers, and collagen monomers to obtain an antimicrobial polymer; and

the antimicrobial polymer is used in an ophthalmic implant.

13. The method of making an antimicrobial polymer according to claim 12, wherein the hydrophobic acrylic polymer is selected from the group consisting of: monomers of phenylethyl acrylate, phenylethyl methacrylate and butanediol diacrylate which form a copolymer of phenylethyl acrylate and phenylethyl methacrylate, crosslinked with butanediol diacrylate: (

the hydrophilic acrylic polymer is selected from: monomers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate which form a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (CI 26); monomers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate which form a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (MICS 22); monomers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate which form a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (CI 18); monomers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate which form a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate (Benz IOL 125); monomers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate, which form a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (BenzFlex 26).

14. The method of making an antimicrobial polymer according to claim 12, wherein the antimicrobial polymer is transparent, opaque, or translucent.

15. The method of making an antimicrobial polymer according to claim 12, wherein the antimicrobial polymer is reversibly deformable.

16. A method of making an antimicrobial polymer according to claim 12, wherein the ocular implant is an artificial cornea, a glaucoma valve, a retinal prosthesis, or an intracorneal implant.

17. The method of making an antimicrobial polymer according to claim 12, wherein the antimicrobial monomer is a quaternary ammonium salt-based monomer.

18. The method of making an antimicrobial polymer according to claim 17, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt-based monomer is: 1- [12- (methacryloyloxy) dodecyl ] pyridinium bromide (MDPB), methacryloyloxyethyl hexadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DMAE-CB), 2-methacryloyloxyethyl dodecyl methylammonium bromide (MAE-DB), 2-methacryloyloxyethyl hexadecylmethylammonium bromide (MAE-HB), bis (2-methacryloyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium bromide (IDMA-1).

19. The method of making an antimicrobial polymer according to claim 12, wherein the antimicrobial monomer comprises a monomer having a primary, secondary, or tertiary amino group.

20. The method of making an antimicrobial polymer according to claim 19, wherein the antimicrobial monomer is p-dimethylaminomethylstyrene, N- (2-dimethylaminoethyl) acrylamide, N- (2-aminoethyl) acrylamide, N-butylacrylamide, or diallyldimethylammonium salt.

21. The method of making an antimicrobial polymer according to claim 12, wherein the antimicrobial monomer is covalently linked to an antimicrobial peptide.

22. The method of making an antimicrobial polymer according to claim 12, wherein the at least one other monomer is: an acrylic monomer selected from the group consisting of Methyl Acrylate (MA) and Methyl Methacrylate (MMA); a silicone monomer having the formula: r₂SiO, wherein R is methyl, ethyl or phenyl; or a vinyl monomer selected from vinyl carbonates and vinyl carbamates.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to ophthalmic implant devices and methods of making and using the same, and more particularly to antimicrobial polymers for ophthalmic implant devices obtained by copolymerizing at least one antimicrobial monomer with at least one other monomer.

Background

Infection is a serious complication of ophthalmic implant surgery. Examples of ocular implants include intraocular lenses, glaucoma valves, and artificial corneas, which are also known as keratoprostheses. Uncontrolled infection of any of these devices following ophthalmic implant surgery can result in loss of vision or even loss of the eye.

It is important to distinguish ophthalmic implants from contact lenses. While both are considered medical devices, their purposes and requirements for normal function are quite different.

Contact lenses are transparent lenses that "float" on the human tear film. They do not physically adhere to the eye in any way, and direct contact between the contact lens and the tissue is known to cause complications, including corneal abrasion, infection, and corneal scarring. The purpose of contact lenses is to refract light so that it is properly focused on the retina.

In contrast, an ophthalmic implant is any device that is transparent, translucent, or opaque that can be embedded within ocular tissue. Ophthalmic implants must be biocompatible with ocular tissue to function.

The most common strategy for reducing the risk of infection following ophthalmic implant surgery is the use of topical antibiotic drops. However, this regimen has the significant disadvantage of requiring patient-dependent compliance to ensure proper dosing. In the case of artificial corneal implants, the infection problem is particularly troublesome, which currently requires daily administration of topical antibiotic drops throughout the patient's life. The use of such antibiotics is necessary because current artificial corneas are exposed to the non-sterile surface of the eye. Thus, there is a continuing risk of infection.

Other inventors have recognized the inadequacies of antibiotic drugs as a means of reducing infection following ophthalmic implant surgery. An alternative strategy proposed in U.S. patent 6,976,997 to Noolandi et al is to coat or covalently bond an antimicrobial chemical to the surface of an ophthalmic implant. A limitation of this approach is that the coating and covalently bonded chemicals may erode away from the implant surface over time. Thus, it is predicted that the antimicrobial properties of such implants will decrease over time, thereby increasing the risk of infection.

Another strategy proposed in the past has been to implant polymers of ophthalmic implants with antimicrobial metal ions. In particular, silver and copper metals have been proposed as agents for injection into polymers for ophthalmic implants. Although the use of free metal ions in polymers as antimicrobial agents has been widely used in commercial plastics and some short-term disposable medical devices (e.g., catheters), metal ions are known to be harmful to the eye.

Silver deposition (Argyrosis) is a medical term for silver toxicity in the eye. Silver deposits are reported to cause gray discoloration of the conjunctiva and iris. It has also been found that silver deposits can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration, both of which can threaten vision.

Copper toxicity in the eye can lead to the appearance of a characteristic green ring around the cornea known as the Kayser-Fleischer ring. In addition, copper toxicity has been shown to induce ocular complications such as intraocular inflammation (uveitis), hemorrhage, vitreous liquefaction, low intraocular pressure, iris ischemia, and retinal damage.

In addition, free metal ions may also leach out of the polymer over time, and thus, the polymer may lose its antimicrobial properties over time.

For the foregoing reasons, there remains a need in the art for improved compositions and methods for reducing the risk of microbial infection following ophthalmic implant surgery.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides antimicrobial polymers for ophthalmic implants obtained by copolymerizing at least one antimicrobial monomer with at least one other monomer selected from acrylic, silicone, vinyl and collagen monomers. The present invention also provides a method of preparing an antimicrobial polymer for an ophthalmic implant by reacting at least one antimicrobial monomer with at least one other monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, silicone, vinyl, and collagen monomers to obtain the antimicrobial polymer; and using the antimicrobial polymer in the ophthalmic implant.

The copolymers of the present invention are antimicrobial, biocompatible, and reversibly deformable, while also being transparent, translucent, or opaque. These features are the best functions expected of an ophthalmic implant designed for implantation into ocular tissue through a small incision. Furthermore, because not only the surface of the copolymer, but the entire copolymer has antimicrobial properties, ocular implants made from such copolymers do not lose their antimicrobial properties even if the surface of the implant erodes over time. This is particularly important for ophthalmic implants exposed to the surface of the eye, as blinking can lead to erosion of the polymeric material. When the surface of the polymer of the present invention is eroded, the subsurface antimicrobial polymer can still kill microorganisms, thereby reducing the risk of infection for the patient.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a polymeric embodiment of an antimicrobial, transparent, biocompatible, reversibly deformable polymer.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure provides antimicrobial polymers for ophthalmic implants obtained by copolymerizing at least one antimicrobial monomer with at least one other monomer selected from acrylic, silicone, vinyl or collagen monomers. The resulting antimicrobial polymer provides an antimicrobial, biocompatible, and reversibly deformable implant that is also transparent, translucent, or opaque. These features are the best functions expected of an ophthalmic implant designed for implantation into ocular tissue through a small incision. Furthermore, because not only the surface of the copolymer, but the entire copolymer has antimicrobial properties, ocular implants made from such copolymers do not lose their antimicrobial properties even if the surface of the implant erodes over time. This is particularly important for ophthalmic implants exposed to the surface of the eye, as blinking can lead to erosion of the polymeric material.

There are many types of ophthalmic implants, one of which is an artificial cornea. In artificial corneas, the copolymers are considered antimicrobial, transparent, biocompatible, and reversibly deformable. In some cases, the ophthalmic implant need not be transparent to perform its intended function. For example, extraocular glaucoma valves, retinal prostheses, and intracorneal implants do not require refractive light as part of their function, and thus may be translucent or opaque. In these cases, the polymers of the present invention may be translucent or opaque. Various ophthalmic implants and methods thereof have been fully described in U.S. patents 8,029,515, 7,901,421, and 7,223,275, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Antimicrobial polymers are a class of polymers that have antimicrobial activity or the ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and/or protozoa. These polymers mimic antimicrobial peptides in the immune system of living animals used to kill a variety of microorganisms. Antimicrobial polymers are generally non-volatile and chemically stable and are used in the medical field as a means to combat infection, in the food industry to prevent bacterial contamination, and in water sanitation to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in drinking water.

The antimicrobial polymer kills microbes by rupturing the microbial cells in contact. For example, antimicrobial polymers are generally positively charged and can readily adsorb onto negatively charged surfaces of bacterial cell walls. Once adsorbed, the antimicrobial polymer diffuses through the cell wall, binds to and destroys the cell membrane. While adsorption is best achieved by cationic antimicrobial polymers, small molecule antimicrobials perform well in terms of diffusion due to their low molecular weight. Disruption of the cell membrane and subsequent leakage of cytoplasmic components can cause bacterial death.

Most bacterial cell walls are negatively charged, and therefore most antimicrobial polymers are positively charged to facilitate the adsorption process. The structure of the counter ion or the charge balancing ions associated with the polymer also affect antimicrobial activity. The counter anion, which forms a strong ion pair with the polymer, hinders antimicrobial activity because the counter ion prevents the polymer from interacting with bacteria. However, the formation of loose ion pairs or ion pairs that are easily separated from the polymer show a positive effect on the activity, since it allows the polymer to freely interact with the bacteria.

Fig. 1 shows a polymeric embodiment of an antimicrobial, transparent, biocompatible, reversibly deformable polymer. In this figure, the antimicrobial polymer is obtained by copolymerizing at least one antimicrobial monomer with at least one other monomer selected from acrylic, silicone, vinyl, or collagen monomers. After polymerization, the resulting polymer network includes immobilized antimicrobial polymers spaced throughout the network.

In one embodiment, the antimicrobial monomer is selected from quaternary ammonium salt monomers. A non-limiting example of a quaternary ammonium salt monomer is 1- [12- (methacryloyloxy) dodecyl ] pyridinium bromide (MDPB).

CH₂＝C(CH₃)C(O)O(CH₂)₁₂N⁺(C₅H₅)Br^-

MDPB

MDPB has been used as an antimicrobial monomer to reduce the risk of dental caries when copolymerized with dental adhesives and dental resins.

In other embodiments, at least one antimicrobial monomer is a quaternary ammonium salt monomer, such as methacryloyloxyethyl hexadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DMAE-CB).

CH₂＝C(CH₃)C(O)O(CH₂)₂N⁺(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₁₅CH₃Cl^-

DMAE-CB

It is also possible to increase the amount of antimicrobial monomer that can be incorporated into the polymeric material and subsequently enhance the antimicrobial activity by modifying the quaternary ammonium salt-based monomer to have two polymerizable methacrylic acid moieties.

Thus, in other embodiments, at least one antimicrobial monomer is a quaternary ammonium salt monomer, such as 2-methacryloyloxyethyl dodecyl methyl ammonium bromide (MAE-DB).

CH₂＝C(CH₃)C(O)O(CH₂)₂N⁺(CH₃)(CH₂)₂O(O)CC(CH₃)＝CH₂(CH₂)₁₂CH₃Br^-

MAE-DB

In other embodiments, at least one antimicrobial monomer is a quaternary ammonium salt monomer, such as 2-methacryloyloxyethyl hexadecylmethyl ammonium bromide (MAE-HB).

CH₂＝C(CH₃)C(O)O(CH₂)₂N⁺(CH₃)(CH₂)₂O(O)CC(CH₃)＝CH₂(CH₂)₁₆CH₃Br^-

MAE-HB

In other embodiments, at least one antimicrobial monomer is a quaternary ammonium salt monomer, such as bis (2-methacryloyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium bromide (IDMA-1).

CH₂＝C(CH₃)C(O)O(CH₂)₂N⁺(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₂O(O)CC(CH₃)＝CH₂Br^-

IDMA-1

In other embodiments, the at least one antimicrobial monomer may differ based on alkyl chain length. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, dimethylaminopropyl methacrylate (DMAPM), dimethylaminohexyl methacrylate (DMAHM), dimethylaminoheptyl methacrylate (DMAHPM), dimethylaminooctyl methacrylate (DMAOM), dimethylaminonenyl methacrylate (DMANM), dimethylaminodecyl methacrylate (DMADM), dimethylaminoaundecyl methacrylate (DMAUDM), dimethylaminoadodecyl methacrylate (DMADDM), dimethylaminoatridecyl methacrylate (DMATDM), dimethylaminoatetradecyl methacrylate (DMATTDM), dimethylaminopentadecyl methacrylate (DMAPDM), dimethylaminoacetyl methacrylate (DMAHDM), dimethylaminoaheptadecyl methacrylate (DMAHPDM), dimethylaminoaoctadecyl methacrylate (DMAODM), Dimethylaminoannodecyl Methacrylate (DMANDM), dimethylaminoaicosyl methacrylate (DMAIOM), dimethylaminoaheneicosyl methacrylate (DMAHOM), dimethylaminoaicosyl methacrylate (DMADOM), and/or combinations thereof.

In other embodiments, the antimicrobial monomer may have a primary, secondary, or tertiary amino group. Examples of these types of antimicrobial monomers include, but are not limited to, o-, m-, and/or p-dimethylaminomethylstyrene, N- (2-dimethylaminoethyl) acrylamide, N- (2-aminoethyl) acrylamide, N-butylacrylamide, and diallyldimethylammonium salts.

In another embodiment, the antimicrobial monomer may be covalently linked to the antimicrobial peptide. Examples of antimicrobial peptides include, but are not limited to: beta-sheet peptides stabilized by 2-4 disulfide bonds (e.g., human alpha-and beta-defensins, fungal defensins (plectasin), or porcine antimicrobial peptides (protegrin)); alpha-helical peptides (e.g., LL-37, cecropins, or magainins); an extension structure rich in glycine, proline, tryptophan, arginine or histidine (e.g., indolicidin); cyclic peptides with one or two disulfide bonds (e.g. bacteriocins).

In one embodiment, the at least one other monomer is selected from acrylic, silicone, vinyl or collagen monomers. These monomers can be polymerized with at least one antimicrobial monomer described above to provide an antimicrobial polymer for use in ophthalmic implants. For example, an ophthalmic implant may be formed from a single blank or block of material, typically a polymeric hydrogel, such as a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate, or a hydrophobic acrylic material, commonly used to form intraocular lenses (IOLs). The polymeric hydrogel material may also have hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties, such as a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate that has been plasma surface treated. Alternatively, the ophthalmic implant may be shaped, machined, or laser cut from a collagen-based hydrogel.

In one embodiment, the at least one other monomer is selected from hydrophobic acrylic monomers. Examples of hydrophobic acrylic monomers include, but are not limited to:

monomers of phenylethyl acrylate, phenylethyl methacrylate and butanediol diacrylate, which form a copolymer of phenylethyl acrylate and phenylethyl methacrylate, crosslinked with butanediol diacrylate (Acry)

IOL) from Erikang (Alcon), 6201, Nguohuguey, Inc., part of Nxwell, TX 76134-;

ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, 2,2, 2-trifluoro-ethyl acrylateMonomers of ethyl methacrylate cross-linked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, which form a copolymer of ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate and 2,2, 2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, cross-linked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate ((AMO)) available from qiangsheng vision health, saint andelu P1 street 1700, CA 92705;

monomers of phenylethyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate and fluoroalkyl methacrylate which form crosslinked copolymers of phenylethyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate and fluoroalkyl methacrylate (AF-(HOYA)), available from Haoya corporation, Tokyo Dou Xinjiang, Japan, No. 7,5, 2 Dies;

monomers of phenylethyl acrylate, phenylethyl methacrylate and butanediol diacrylate, which form a copolymer of phenylethyl acrylate and phenylethyl methacrylate, crosslinked with butanediol diacrylate (HI56), available fromCompany, axekoshima, savorenshil hill kanton, inc, CB 113 AU;

monomers of 2-phenylethyl acrylate and 2-phenylethyl methacrylate, which form a copolymer of 2-phenylethyl acrylate and 2-phenylethyl methacrylate (BENZ HF-1.2), available from the company of research and development on gallop, sarasota, park, dawn 6447, FL 34243; and

monomers of 2-phenylethyl acrylate and 2-phenylethyl methacrylate, which form a copolymer of 2-phenylethyl acrylate and 2-phenylethyl methacrylate (Benz HF-2), are available from the company of research and development on the gallows, pakland avenue No. 6447, FL 34243, sarasota.

In one embodiment, the at least one other monomer is selected from hydrophilic acrylic monomers. Examples of hydrophilic acrylic monomers include, but are not limited to:

monomers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate, which form a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (CI26), available from

Company, axekoshima, savorenshil hill kanton, inc, CB 113 AU;

monomers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate, which form a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (MICS22), available fromCompany, axekoshima, savorenshil hill kanton, inc, CB 113 AU;

monomers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate, which form a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (CI18), available fromCompany, axekoshima, savorenshil hill kanton, inc, CB 113 AU;

monomers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate which form a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate (Benz IOL 125) available from Benz research and development, Inc., Parkland Dairy No. 6447, Salasota, FL 34243; and

monomers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate, which form a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (BenzFlex 26), available from Benz research & development, Spakarta, Pakland Dairy 6447, FL 34243.

In embodiments, the at least one other monomer is biocompatible with the cornea, eye, and body. Suitable monomers include, but are not limited to, one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of collagen, urethane, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, vinyl pyrrolidone, glycerol methacrylate, vinyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, methacrylic acid, silicone, acrylic acid, fluorocarbon monomers, and monomers with phosphorylcholine.

In one embodiment, the at least one other monomer comprises a hydrogel. In other embodiments, the material comprises methacrylic acid and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHBMA/MAA).

In other embodiments, the at least one other monomer is a material comprising a reversibly deformable acrylic monomer, such as a material for intraocular lenses. Examples of suitable monomers include, but are not limited to, hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate. In a further aspect, the monomer provides a deformable polymer that is hydrophilic in nature to allow smooth wetting of the optical surface of the implant. Wettability is an important feature of ophthalmic implants that can allow the tear film to act as a good optical interface.

In other embodiments, the ophthalmic implant can be made of a monomer that promotes epithelialization of the implant surface. Examples of such materials include collagen and N-isopropylacrylamide, collagen and 1-ethyl-3, 3' (dimethyl-aminopropyl) -carbodiimide, and collagen and N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS). In other aspects, the polymer may additionally contain an extracellular matrix protein, such as fibronectin, laminin, substance P, insulin-like growth factor-1, or a peptide sequence, such as fibronectin adhesion promoting peptide or peptide (FAP).

In one embodiment, at least one other monomer is an acrylic monomer. Non-limiting examples of acrylic monomers include, but are not limited to, Methyl Acrylate (MA) and Methyl Methacrylate (MMA). MA and MMA are organic compounds having the respective formulae: CH (CH)₂＝CHCO₂CH₃And

CH₂＝C(CH₃)CO₂CH₃. These colorless liquids are produced on a large scale for the production of Polymethacrylate (PMA) and Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), respectively. While MA and MMA are irritants and may be carcinogenic, the polymers of MA and MMA are biocompatible, resistant to long-term exposure to temperature, and chemical and cellular effects of human tissues. The acrylic monomer can be polymerized with the at least one antimicrobial monomer described above to provide an antimicrobial polymer for use in an ophthalmic implant.

In one embodiment, the at least one other monomer is a silicone. The silicone has the formula: r₂SiO, where R is an organic group such as methyl, ethyl or phenyl. The organosilicon may be polymerized to form polysiloxanes that include a repeating inorganic silicon-oxygen backbone (- -Si- -O- - - - - - - - - - - -) with the pendant organic group R attached to a tetravalent silicon atom. By varying the-Si-O-chain length, pendant groups, and crosslinking, polysiloxanes can be synthesized with a variety of properties and compositions. Their consistency can vary from liquid to gel to rubber to hard plastic. The most common siloxane is linear Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a silicone oil. The silicone monomer can also be polymerized with the at least one antimicrobial monomer described above to provide an antimicrobial polymer for use in an ophthalmic implant.

In one embodiment, at least one other monomer is a vinyl monomer. Non-limiting examples of vinyl monomers include, but are not limited to, vinyl esters (acrylates), vinyl carbonates (roc (o) OCH ═ CH₂) And vinyl carbamate (R' R "nc (o) OCH ═ CH₂). These monomers have been shown to be generally suitable for use in many biomedical applications. In particular, monomers such as vinyl carbonates and vinyl carbamates generally have lower cytotoxicity, but similar reactivity with acrylates. For example, the degradation of vinyl carbonates and vinyl carbamates can be readily adjusted to provide non-toxic low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohols as degradation products and various other non-toxic alcohols, such as glycerol or polyethylene glycols. The concept is also used to provide vinyl ester derivatives of hyaluronic acid and gelatin in the field of hydrogels for tissue engineering. The vinyl monomer can also be polymerized with at least one antimicrobial monomer described above to provide an antimicrobial polymer for use in ophthalmic implants.

In one embodiment, the at least one other monomer is a collagen monomer. A single collagen molecule (tropocollagen) is used to compose larger collagen aggregates, such as fibrils. The fibril is composed of three polypeptide chains, each of which is identified as having a left-handed helix. The three left-handed helices are twisted into right-handed triple helices or microfibers, a mating quaternary structure stabilized by hydrogen bonds. Each microfiber is then interdigitated with its adjacent microfibers. In addition, the collagen monomer may be linked to one or more acrylate or vinyl monomers using a variety of linkers. The collagen monomer can also be polymerized with at least one antimicrobial monomer described above to provide an antimicrobial polymer for use in an ophthalmic implant. In one embodiment, the ophthalmic implant can include collagen and N-isopropylacrylamide, collagen and 1-ethyl-3, 3' (dimethyl-aminopropyl) -carbodiimide, and collagen and N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS).

In the foregoing, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations and embodiments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein.