Arrested Phase Separation Enables High‐Performance Keratoprostheses. Issue 16 (6th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pan, Jiageng; Zhang, Wang; Zhu, Jin; Tan, Jieying; Huang, Ying; Mo, Kunlun; Tong, Yan; Xie, Zhenhua; Ke, Yubin; Zheng, Huade; Ouyang, Hong; Shi, Xuetao; Gao, Liang
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 35:Issue 16(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-03-06
• Subjects: hydrogels -- keratoprostheses -- phase separation -- poly(vinyl alcohol); Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202207750
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Corneal transplantation is impeded by donor shortages, immune rejection, and ethical reservations. Pre‐made cornea prostheses (keratoprostheses) offer a proven option to alleviate these issues. Ideal keratoprostheses must possess optical clarity and mechanical robustness, but also high permeability, processability, and recyclability. Here, it is shown that rationally controlling the extent of arrested phase separation can lead to optimized multiscale structure that reconciles permeability and transparency, a previously conflicting goal by common pore‐forming strategies. The process is simply accomplished by hydrothermally treating a dense and transparent hydrophobic association hydrogel. The examination of multiscale structure evolution during hydrothermal treatment reveals that the phase separation with upper miscibility gap evolves to confer time‐dependent pore growth due to slow dynamics of polymer‐rich phase which is close to vitrification. Such a process can render a combination of multiple desired properties that equal or surpass those of the state‐of‐the‐art keratoprostheses. In vivo tests confirm that the keratoprosthesis can effectively repair corneal perforation and restore a transparent cornea with treatment outcomes akin to that of allo‐keratoplasty. The keratoprosthesis is easy to access and convenient to carry, and thus would be an effective temporary substitute for a corneal allograft in emergency conditions. Abstract : Hydrothermally treating a dense and transparent hydrophobic association hydrogel can confer synergetic optimization among multiple performance indexes essential for keratoprostheses, where the morphology is kinetically arrested via glass transition under isochoric conditions. Such a process can mediate porous structure at ≈100 nm, rendering a combination of multiple desired properties that equal or surpass those of current state‐of‐the‐art keratoprostheses.