Energized Ophthalmic Lens Battery Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ophthalmic lenses lack a mechanism for wireless energization, limiting their ability to power embedded semiconductor devices and provide enhanced functionalities such as vision correction, cosmetic enhancement, and therapeutic effects.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a rechargeable lithium ion battery and power management circuit within the ophthalmic lens, secured by a binder layer, and using actinic radiation to polymerize a reactive monomer mixture around the energy source, allowing for the creation of an energized ophthalmic lens capable of powering semiconductor devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a battery and semiconductor devices are embedded in the contact lens, then the lens can provide enhanced functionalities (vision correction, cosmetic enhancement, therapeutic effects), but the lens structure becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalitiesVSAvoidlens structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the battery, semiconductor devices, and contact lens into a single integrated unit. The mold simultaneously forms the lens material and encapsulates the energy source and components, merging multiple manufacturing steps and reducing overall device complexity despite the enhanced functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy source and semiconductor components are nested within the contact lens structure. The mold cavity accommodates these components, and the reactive monomer mixture is deposited around them, creating a nested configuration where the lens material encapsulates the functional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Use of energy by moving object

If wires are run from the lens to a battery to power semiconductor devices, then the devices can be powered, but the lens structure becomes more complex and less biocompatible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowering capabilityVSAvoidwire structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for external wires by integrating the battery directly into the lens structure. The energy source is embedded within the lens material itself, extracting the wiring function and replacing it with a self-contained power system that maintains biocompatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mold acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates the integration of the battery and semiconductor devices without requiring external wiring. The reactive monomer mixture serves as a mediator that encapsulates the components and forms the lens material around them, creating direct electrical connections within the lens matrix.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the reactive monomer mixture is deposited around the energy source and polymerized, then the energy source is securely incorporated within the lens, but the manufacturing process becomes more time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy source incorporationVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The energy source and semiconductor components are positioned within the mold cavity before the reactive monomer mixture is deposited. This preliminary arrangement ensures proper placement and secure incorporation during the polymerization process, eliminating the need for subsequent assembly steps and reducing overall manufacturing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The deposition and polymerization steps are combined into a single continuous process. The reactive monomer mixture is deposited around the pre-positioned components and immediately polymerized, merging two separate operations into one efficient step that secures the energy source while minimizing manufacturing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the binder layer is applied to the mold part and pre-polymerized, then the energy source can be securely bound, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The binder layer is applied and pre-polymerized before the energy source is introduced into the mold. This preliminary preparation creates a ready-to-bind surface that securely attaches the energy source upon contact, ensuring strong binding without requiring additional processing steps later in the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables the development of energized ophthalmic lenses that can power embedded semiconductor devices, providing enhanced functionalities while maintaining biocompatibility and optical acceptability.

Implementation Method 1

The binder layer is pre-polymerized to create a tackiness on the binder layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPre-polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

exposing the reactive monomer mix to actinic radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP2349698B2Method of forming an energized ophthalmic lens

Publication Date: 2023.01.18 JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE INC

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AI summary

The invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing an ophthalmic lens with an energy source incorporated therein.