Bioimplantes for a new era in eye surgery.

-Functionalised material by means of hydrogels, capable of absorbing drugs that facilitate integration is of implants in the body of the patient and minimize the cases of rejection

Spain, February 2013.- today there are many eye problems which have a solution thanks to the surgery. The ophthalmologic innovations such as the bioimplantes, developed thanks to new materials, represent a big step forward for ophthalmologic surgery more secure, fast, and free of rejections.

The Technology Center IK4-CIDETEC, in research and development of new materials, and with headquarters in Parque Tecnológico de San Sebastian, has developed a new material performed by means of hydrogels for use in implants in ophthalmology, capable of absorbing drugs that facilitate the integration into the patient’s body.

The new material, developed for the bio-ophthalmic company AJL, is based on the use of porous polyethylene and is specifically designed to be applied in the reconstruction of the eyeball. Being porous, the new material allows the formation of blood vessels inside, which facilitates integration avoiding possible problems of rejection.

Advantages

In the market there are similar porous polyethylene implants. This type of implants the growth of tissue and blood vessels inside your pores. However in some cases, due to the characteristics of the material, usually present problems with infections or rejections that prevent integration of the implant. In addition, in the event of, for example, is required to manage any antibiotics to treat an infection, these do not have the required incidence not be irrigated area.

IK4-CIDETEC undertook the development of the new material in 2009, with the purpose of modifying the surface of the implant and achieve better integration in the patient’s body. To achieve this, the Basque technological centre has generated a few coatings that allow you to incorporate in the implant drugs and growth factors, which facilitate the integration by reducing the time needed for is fully integrated.

a researcher in the laboratories of IK4-CIDETEC.

The new range of implants is modified on the surface so that it has greater affinity for these drugs and allow a progressive release, so that the doctor can incorporate the products necessary to ensure a rapid and effective integration of the implant. In this way, once implemented, drugs can be released steadily over time, which facilitates a more rapid, safe and effective integration.

The CENIT project CeyeC is focused on medicine personalized in ophthalmology and specifically designed for orbital implants intended for the replacement of the eyeball.

Experimental model

IK4-CIDETEC has developed an experimental model of implant that it is being tested in preclinical phase. Once the preclinical and clinical phases are completed AJL plans to launch a new range of implants that they incorporate the technology developed by the Basque technological centre.

Ophthalmologic research project CENIT CeyeC

Customized Eye Care project. CEYEC (CEN-20091021 No.) has been funded by the Centre for the Industrial technological development (CDTI), with the support of the Ministry of economy and competitiveness, in the fifth call of the CENIT program, program aimed at fostering stable public-private cooperation in research, development and innovation (RDI), which falls within the Spanish Government initiative INGENIO 2010.