Colored Protein Decolorization for Contact Lens Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact lens users lack a visual indicator to determine if their lenses have been disinfected for a sufficient time period, making it difficult to ensure they are clean and ready for use.
Innovation Solution
A lens care kit with a colored solution containing a water-soluble colored protein and a proteolytic enzyme, where the enzyme gradually degrades the protein over time, causing the solution to decolorize, indicating that the disinfection process is complete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a colored protein is added to the lens care solution to provide visual indication, then the user can visually identify when lenses are ready for use, but the color may fade prematurely or not fade sufficiently within the required disinfection time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the colorant system by selecting specific colored proteins with appropriate molecular weights and stabilities, and by optimizing their concentration in the solution. This allows the color to remain stable during the required disinfection period while still degrading predictably to provide visual indication of completion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining the colored protein with specific proteolytic enzymes and lens care solution components. This composite formulation ensures the colorant remains stable under disinfection conditions while being selectively degraded by the enzyme system at the appropriate time, providing reliable visual indication
2Ease of operation
If a proteolytic enzyme is used to degrade the colored protein, then the solution decolorizes to indicate disinfection completion, but the enzyme may compromise the antimicrobial properties of the solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having the proteolytic enzyme act selectively on the colored protein substrate while leaving the antimicrobial components of the solution unaffected. The enzyme's specificity ensures it degrades only the colorant molecules, maintaining the functional integrity of the disinfecting agents throughout the process
3Loss of information
If the colored protein degrades too slowly, then color stability is maintained, but the visual indication is delayed, causing user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the colored protein as a visual timer that provides real-time information about the disinfection process status. The controlled degradation of the colorant creates a reliable feedback signal that correlates with the completion of disinfection, allowing users to accurately determine when lenses are ready without excessive waiting time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a visual cue for users to determine when lenses are disinfected and ready for use, ensuring effective cleaning and disinfection without compromising the antimicrobial properties of the solution.
Implementation Method 1
a colored lens care solution including at least one water-soluble colored protein and a proteolytic enzyme, wherein, when in contact with the colored lens care solution, the proteolytic enzyme gradually degrades the colored protein
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a lens care kit for disinfecting and cleaning contact lenses. The lens care kit of the invention comprises a colored lens care solution including a colored protein and a proteolytic enzyme. The kit of the invention allows customers to visually identify when their lenses are disinfected, clean, and ready to wear. The invention relies upon a color change to indicate the completion of disinfection and cleaning of contact lenses.