Contact Lens Ink Nesting and Silicone-Hydrogel Composite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact lenses face challenges in durability, wettability, oxygen permeability, and the ability to display legible characters, which are not adequately addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
A contact lens incorporating a lens enhancing material that alters properties such as appearance, wettability, and oxygen permeability, including the use of silicone and hydrogel materials, and the integration of medicaments, with legible characters printed on the peripheral zone to maintain visual clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If legible characters are printed on the contact lens, then the ability to display legible characters is improved, but the visual clarity and comfort are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning legible characters specifically in the peripheral zone of the contact lens rather than distributing them across the entire surface. This localized placement ensures that characters are visible and legible while avoiding interference with the optic zone, thereby maintaining visual clarity and comfort for the wearer.
2Reliability
If silicone material is used to increase oxygen permeability, then oxygen permeability is improved, but wettability and durability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining silicone material with hydrogel material in a multi-layer structure. The silicone layer provides high oxygen permeability, while the hydrogel layer contributes enhanced wettability and durability. This composite approach allows the contact lens to simultaneously achieve multiple desirable properties that individual materials cannot provide alone.
3Shape
If ink is applied to the contact lens surface, then appearance enhancement is improved, but the structural integrity and durability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by embedding the ink pattern within the lens structure rather than applying it as a surface coating. The ink is incorporated into the lens material itself, creating a nested structure where the appearance-enhancing pattern is integrated within the lens body, thereby maintaining structural integrity and durability while achieving the desired aesthetic effect.
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 contact lens offers enhanced durability, increased oxygen permeability, improved wettability, and the ability to display legible characters without affecting vision, while maintaining comfort and visual clarity.
Implementation Method 1
They can also be used to change the appearance of the user's eyes. For example, color contacts can be used to change the appearance of the user's iris.
Implementation Method 2
The lens enhancing material can include silicone material arranged in combination with hydrogel material to provide increased wettability and oxygen permeability.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of a contact lens includes a lens body configured to fit directly on the surface of the eye and legible characters positioned on the lens body. Another embodiment of a contact lens comprises a lens body including polymeric material and a lens enhancing material (e.g., ink, silicone material, medicament material, and the like) encapsulated in the polymeric material. The lens enhancing material can be in the form of isolated sections distributed in the surrounding polymeric material. Methods of making contact lenses include forming a first lens layer including a first surface, forming a pattern on the first surface, and forming a second lens layer over the pattern.