Crosslinked Polymer Insert for Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact lens inserts have low oxygen permeability and refractive index, which can negatively impact corneal health and optical performance, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A crosslinked polymeric material comprising polysiloxane-containing polymerizable components, aryl acrylic monomers, and vinylic crosslinking agents, with a composition that achieves high oxygen permeability and refractive index, suitable for embedded silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional non-hydrogel materials are used for inserts, then the inserts have low water content and good structural stability, but the oxygen permeability is low which adversely affects corneal health
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining polysiloxane-containing polymers (for high oxygen permeability) with aryl acrylic monomers and vinylic crosslinking agents (for structural stability). This composite approach allows the insert to achieve both high oxygen permeability (at least 60 barrers) and adequate mechanical properties, resolving the contradiction between corneal health requirements and material structural stability.
2Reliability
If traditional insert materials are used, then the inserts have good structural stability, but the refractive index is relatively low which limits optical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the insert material by incorporating aryl acrylic monomers (containing aromatic rings with high refractive index) and polysiloxane components. The resulting material achieves a refractive index of at least 1.40, which is higher than traditional materials, thereby improving optical performance while maintaining structural stability through crosslinking.
3Quantity of substance
If materials with high oxygen permeability are used, then corneal health is improved, but the material may become too soft for manufacturing and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a crosslinked polymeric network that provides structural rigidity throughout the material matrix, while the polysiloxane-containing segments locally provide high oxygen permeability pathways. The crosslinking structure ensures the material remains rigid enough for manufacturing and handling, while the polysiloxane domains maintain oxygen transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines rigid crosslinked networks (from vinylic crosslinking agents) with flexible polysiloxane segments that facilitate oxygen permeability. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously achieve high oxygen permeability (at least 60 barrers) and adequate mechanical strength for manufacturing and clinical handling.
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 material provides improved oxygen permeability and refractive index, enhancing corneal health and optical performance while being rigid enough for manufacturing and handling.
Implementation Method 1
repeating units of at least polysiloxane-containing polymerizable material, wherein said at least polysiloxane-containing polymerizable material comprises at least one polysiloxane vinylic monomer and/or at least one polysiloxane vinylic crosslinker
Implementation Method 2
repeating units of at least one vinylic crosslinking agent
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is generally related to an insert for being embedded in a silicone hydrogel contact lens. The insert is made of a crosslinked materials which are rigid in dry state at room temperature (from about 22ºC to about 26ºC), have a high oxygen permeability and a high refractive index in fully hydrated state, and can become softer at a temperature great than 32ºC. Such materials are useful for making inserts in embedded contact lenses for correcting corneal astigmatism, presbyopia, and color blindness lenses and for imparting photochromic characteristics to the lenses. The invention is also related to a method for making embedded silicone hydrogel contact lenses comprising an insert of the invention therein and to embedded silicone hydrogel contact lenses comprising an insert of the invention therein.