On-demand photoinitiated polymerization
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsAndrew J. Boydston, Robert H. Grubbs, Chris Daeffler, Nebojsa Momcilovic
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Abstract
Compositions and methods for adjustable lenses are provided. In some embodiments, the lenses contain a lens matrix material, a masking compound, and a prepolymer. The lens matrix material provides structure to the lens. The masking compound is capable of blocking polymerization or crosslinking of the prepolymer, until photoisomerization of the compound is triggered, and the compound is converted from a first isomer to a second isomer having a different absorption profile. The prepolymer is a composition that can undergo a polymerization or crosslinking reaction upon photoinitiation to alter one or more of the properties of the lenses.
Claims40
A method for modifying a composition, the method comprising:
- (a) a triggering step, comprising applying electromagnetic energy of a first wavelength and intensity to a pre-polymerized composition, wherein the triggering step causes photoisomerization of a masking compound in the composition;
- and
- (b) a polymerization or crosslinking step, comprising applying electromagnetic energy of a second wavelength and intensity to the photoisomerized composition, wherein the polymerization or crosslinking step causes polymerization or crosslinking of a prepolymer in the composition to form a polymerized composition;
- wherein the photoisomerization converts the masking compound from a first photoisomer to a second photoisomer, and wherein the second photoisomer absorbs less light at the second wavelength than does the first photoisomer;
- and
- wherein the composition is an intraocular implant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.