Electrochemical Contact Lens Cleaning with Hypochlorite Protein Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current contact lens cleaning methods, such as manual rubbing, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and can cause lens damage or eye harm, while existing devices lack effective sterilization and protein removal, leading to lens fading and aesthetic issues.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical method using sodium chloride solution to generate oxidative substances like hypochlorite for sterilization and protein removal, controlled by pH and electric field, avoiding manual contact and minimizing lens damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual rubbing method is used for contact lens cleaning, then sterilization and protein removal can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming (2-4 hours or more) and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical rubbing with an electrochemical system. Electrodes generate oxidative substances (hypochlorite) through electrolysis of sodium chloride solution, which chemically degrade proteins and sterilize lenses automatically, eliminating the need for manual rubbing and reducing cleaning time to 10-60 minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system performs self-service through automatic electrochemical reactions. The electrodes and control system automatically generate and regulate the concentration of oxidative substances in the solution, enabling the device to clean lenses without human intervention beyond initial setup.
2Reliability
If manual rubbing is used for protein removal, then cleaning effect can be achieved, but excessive rubbing force causes lens breakage and insufficient force results in inadequate protein removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rubbing force with electrochemical oxidation. The generated hypochlorite substances chemically degrade proteins on the lens surface without applying mechanical stress, ensuring complete protein removal while maintaining lens integrity and avoiding breakage or deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the concentration of oxidative substances through electrochemical parameters (voltage, current, electrolyte composition). By adjusting these parameters, the patent achieves optimal protein degradation effectiveness while maintaining safe conditions that protect lens structural integrity.
3Reliability
If conventional care solutions are used for sterilization, then sterilization effect can be achieved, but the solutions can corrode contact lens coatings and cause lens fading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrolysis of sodium chloride solution to generate hypochlorite in-situ, with pH controlled at 8-12. This electrochemical approach produces sterilization-effective oxidative substances without the corrosive components of conventional care solutions, preventing lens coating corrosion and fading while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sodium chloride solution as an intermediary medium that is electrolyzed to produce hypochlorite. This intermediary approach enables sterilization through a controlled chemical reaction rather than direct application of corrosive agents, protecting lens coatings from damage.
4Reliability
If conventional sterilization devices are used, then sterilization can be achieved, but the devices lack automatic cleaning function requiring manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical cleaning device performs self-service through automatic electrolysis and electrochemical reactions. The system automatically generates oxidative substances, maintains solution composition through controlled electrolysis, and completes the cleaning process without manual intervention, significantly improving operational convenience while ensuring reliable sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual cleaning operations with an automated electrochemical system. Electrodes and control circuits automatically perform the cleaning function through electrochemical reactions, eliminating the need for manual rubbing and simplifying user interaction to merely placing lenses in the device.
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
Achieves rapid, effective sterilization and protein removal without lens damage, with a 99% bacterial and fungal kill rate in 10 minutes, safer than conventional methods, and reducing lens discoloration.
Implementation Method 1
an oxidation reaction occurs at the anode end
Implementation Method 2
the cathode electrolyzes H2O in the sodium chloride solution to produce H2 and OH-
Implementation Method 3
utilizing electrochemical technology to generate certain oxidative substances such as hypochlorite from sodium chloride solution
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Disclosed in the present patent are an electrochemical sterilization and protein removal method and device. The method comprises: pouring a sodium chloride solution into care compartments, the care compartments being each internally provided with at least a first electrode and a second electrode, and the pH value range of the sodium chloride solution being 8-12; putting contact lenses in the sodium chloride solution in the care compartments; conducting the first and second electrodes to a power supply, one of the first and second electrodes serving as anodes, and the other one being cathodes; the anodes electrolyzing Cl-in the sodium chloride solution into Cl2, and Cl2 being dissolved in the solution to generate HCL and HCLO; and controlling the pH value of the solution in the care compartments to be 8-12, and controlling the mass concentration of CIO- in the solution to be 0.1-0.4%, wherein the CIO- can sterilize the contact lenses and degrade denatured proteins on same, and under the effect of an electric field force, the degraded denatured proteins move in a direction towards electrodes the polarity of which is opposite to the charges carried by the denatured proteins themselves. The present invention has excellent sterilization and protein removal effects, effectively degrades proteins, achieves instant sterilization, and can reach the sterile grade just within 10 minutes. The present invention does not cause damage to contact lenses, has excellent stability, and requires short time for sterilization and protein removal.