Contact Lens Dimpled Back Surface for Blink Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact lenses, particularly translating and silicone hydrogel lenses, face challenges in moving effectively with blink or gaze changes, leading to suboptimal vision correction for presbyopia and reduced oxygen transmission.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates dimples on the back surface of the contact lens, with specific dimensions and patterns, along with a lubricious coating, to enhance translational properties, allowing for improved movement with blink and gaze changes, and can be either single power or multifocal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a silicone hydrogel material is employed in contact lenses, then oxygen transmission to ocular tissues is increased, but the lens does not move with blink on the eye as readily as other contact lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating dimples only in specific regions of the lens periphery rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized modification allows the lens to maintain its silicone hydrogel material properties for oxygen transmission while introducing specific regions that facilitate movement with blink through controlled interaction with the eyelid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the lens surface by introducing dimples with specific depth ranges (5-60 microns) and area ratios (5%-75% of back surface). These parameter changes create localized flexibility variations that enable the lens to move with blink while preserving the bulk material's oxygen transmission properties.
2Ease of operation
If a thickened peripheral portion is added to enable translation with blink, then the lens can move with gaze change, but the uniform thickness design does not lead to the intended translation when worn on an eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating a non-uniform peripheral thickness distribution through the dimple pattern. Rather than uniform thickness, the dimples create localized variations in thickness that generate asymmetric force distribution during blink, enabling effective translation. The mirror symmetry is deliberately broken in specific regions to create the desired movement pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the peripheral region into multiple discrete dimples rather than creating a continuous thickened zone. This segmentation allows different regions of the periphery to interact independently with the eyelid during blink, creating a cumulative translation effect that overcomes the limitations of uniform thickening designs.
3Ease of operation
If the lower portion of the lens is flattened to create a truncated shape, then the lens can be designed to translate vertically, but the translational properties are not sufficiently improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the overall spherical/curved shape of the lens while introducing localized dimple curvatures in the periphery. This approach preserves the lens's natural interaction with the eye surface while creating specific regions that facilitate vertical translation during blink, overcoming the limitations of flat truncated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the traditional two-dimensional truncated edge modification to a three-dimensional dimple structure with depth components. This dimensional addition creates vertical displacement variations across the peripheral surface that enhance translation capability while maintaining overall lens integrity and optical zone integrity.
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
The dimpled design enhances the lens's ability to translate with blink and gaze changes, improving vision correction and oxygen transmission, as demonstrated by increased movement and comfort during wear.
Implementation Method 1
The back surface of the lens may have a surface treatment, such as a lubricious coating
Data Source
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AI summary
Contact lenses have design features to enhance translational properties such as dimples coating treatments.