Contact Lens Disinfection With pH-Enhanced Peroxide Neutralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disinfection systems using hydrogen peroxide for contact lenses are cumbersome and require large amounts of metal catalysts for effective neutralization, leading to increased costs and potential eye irritation due to residual hydrogen peroxide.

Innovation Solution

A disinfection system that includes a hydrogen peroxide solution with organic carboxylic acids like glycolic, tartaric, or citric acid, adjusted to a pH of 6 to 8, and a metal catalyst, enhancing neutralization efficiency and allowing direct lens wear after treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the amount of catalyst metal is increased to improve neutralization efficiency, then the neutralization rate of hydrogen peroxide is improved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneutralization efficiencyVSAvoidamount of catalyst metal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the pH parameter of the disinfecting solution from the conventional acidic range to a neutral range of 6 to 8. This parameter change dramatically improves the neutralization efficiency of the metal catalyst, allowing effective neutralization with significantly reduced amounts of catalyst metal, thereby resolving the contradiction between neutralization efficiency and catalyst quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If hydrogen peroxide is used at high concentration to achieve desired disinfection effect, then the disinfection effectiveness is improved, but the amount of residual hydrogen peroxide that needs to be removed increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidresidual hydrogen peroxide
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the pH parameter to a neutral range of 6 to 8, the invention enhances the neutralization capability of the metal catalyst. This allows for more complete removal of residual hydrogen peroxide from high-concentration disinfection treatments, effectively resolving the contradiction between achieving strong disinfection and minimizing harmful residues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional neutralization treatment methods are used, then hydrogen peroxide can be removed, but the disinfection operation becomes cumbersome and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen peroxide removalVSAvoiddisinfection operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the neutralization function with the existing disinfecting solution by adjusting its pH to 6-8 and adding a metal catalyst. This integration eliminates the need for separate neutralization steps, making the entire disinfection operation simpler and more straightforward while ensuring complete hydrogen peroxide removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Quantity of substance

If the amount of catalyst metal is reduced to lower cost, then cost reduction is achieved, but the neutralization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of catalyst metalVSAvoidneutralization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pH parameter change to a neutral range of 6 to 8 fundamentally alters the chemical environment to favor catalyst activity. This parameter optimization allows minimal amounts of precious metal catalyst to achieve high neutralization efficiency, completely reversing the traditional trade-off between catalyst quantity and neutralization performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system improves hydrogen peroxide neutralization efficiency, reduces catalyst metal usage, and ensures safe direct lens wear by minimizing residual hydrogen peroxide, thus lowering costs and reducing eye irritation.

Implementation Method 1

a metal catalyst, enhancing neutralization efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

The pH of the disinfecting solution is adjusted to 6 to 8, so that the contact lens is effectively disinfected and the neutralization rate of the hydrogen peroxide is effectively improved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH adjustment:

Data Source

PatentEP2942066B1System and method for sterilizing contact lens
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 MENICON CO LTD

AI summary

A disinfection system of a contact lens comprising immersing the contact lens in a disinfecting solution containing hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of 1 to 10% and neutralizing the hydrogen peroxide in the disinfecting solution through contact with a metal catalyst, where the disinfecting solution contains an organic carboxylic acid or a salt of the organic carboxylic acid, the organic carboxylic acid having a structure in which a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group are bonded to one carbon atom; the disinfecting solution is adjusted to have a pH of 6 to 8; and the disinfecting solution after the neutralization is adjusted to have an osmotic pressure of 250 to 350 mOsm.