Contact Lens Packaging with Hydrophilic Polymer Lubricity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact lenses often cause discomfort due to dryness and irritation, especially towards the end of the day, as existing packaging solutions fail to maintain adequate lubrication and comfort, and the use of surfactants is limited by shelf-life and heat sterilization concerns.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system using an aqueous solution with a hydrophilic polymer having non-ethylenically-unsaturated carboxylic acid terminated groups, with an osmolality of at least 200 mOsm/kg and a pH of 6 to 9, which provides improved lubricity and comfort for extended wear without irritation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surfactants are added to packaging solution to improve lens comfort and wetting, then lens comfort is improved, but shelf-life is lowered and adverse reactions occur during heat sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the packaging solution by using specific pH ranges (6.0-9.0) and osmolality ranges (200-400 mOsm/kg) with hydrophilic polymers having non-ethylenically-unsaturated carboxylic acid terminated groups, achieving both lens comfort and stability during heat sterilization without requiring traditional surfactants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable packaging system where the lens is packaged in a sterile blister pack with a specific aqueous solution containing hydrophilic polymer at controlled pH and osmolality, providing sufficient lubricity for extended wear without needing long-term preservative systems
2Reliability
If traditional packaging solutions are used to store contact lenses, then lenses are kept sterile, but lenses become dry and uncomfortable towards the end of the day
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the packaging solution parameters by controlling pH (6.0-9.0) and osmolality (200-400 mOsm/kg) to match physiological conditions, and uses hydrophilic polymers with specific molecular weights (1,000-1,000,000) to provide sustained lubricity and comfort for extended wear while maintaining sterility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite aqueous solutions containing hydrophilic polymers (such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, or their salts) combined with physiological buffers and tonicity agents to create a multi-functional packaging medium that provides both sterility and extended comfort
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 packaging solution ensures a more uniform coating on the contact lens, enhancing comfort and allowing for extended wear without adverse effects on the cornea, while being physiologically compatible and sterile.
Implementation Method 1
The aqueous packaging solution contains a hydrophilic polymer having one or more non-ethylenically-unsaturated carboxylic acid terminated groups... providing improved lubricity and comfort for extended wear without irritation
Implementation Method 2
The packaging solution ensures a more uniform coating on the contact lens, enhancing comfort and allowing for extended wear without adverse effects on the cornea
Data Source
AI summary
Packaging systems for storing ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses and to methods for packaging such ophthalmic devices with solutions to improve the comfort of the lenses during wear are disclosed. A packaging system includes an ophthalmic device stored in an aqueous packaging solution comprising a hydrophilic polymer having one or more nonethylenically-unsaturated carboxylic acid terminal groups.