Ocular implant project receives €1.4 million

BIOSURF, a research project to develop ocular implants, has been awarded a Ocular implant project receives €1.4 million grant by German Minister Dr Schavan.

The grant has been issued to alamedics, Offenhäuser & Berger, the Max-Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and the Laser Institute in order to develop a new generation of ocular implants for glaucoma.

Dr Christian Lingenfelder, general manager of alamedics and coordinator of the project group, explained, "The implants will allow for better control of intraocular pressure. The newly designed surfaces of artificial intraocular lenses, a combination of innovative materials and nanostructures, will allow for significantly better night vision. Additionally, the interaction of implant and body after implantation will be much better controlled."

Dr Schavan commented, "The BIOSURF research group over the next three years wants to explore new biomaterials and to create nanostructures, which allow controlled interaction of the human body with the implants. To better control the function and durability of the implant, the biomimetic structures researched in this project, will support regeneration of the interface between implant and body."