Oil-Resistant Fluorinated Silicone Copolymer Lens for Electrowetting Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens materials for electrowetting ophthalmic devices absorb non-polar liquids, leading to degradation and unintended changes in optical properties, which affects the performance and shelf life of the devices.
Innovation Solution
Development of lens materials comprising a copolymer with a mass:mass ratio of fluorinated acrylate repeating units to silicon-containing repeating units greater than or equal to 2:1, which provides resistance to oil absorption, high oxygen permeability, and structural rigidity, preventing oil absorption and leaching of contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lens materials are used in electrowetting ophthalmic devices, then the devices can operate with oil-based non-polar liquids, but the lens materials absorb the oil leading to degradation and unintended changes in optical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the lens material by incorporating fluorinated monomers (such as perfluorobutyl methacrylate and hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate) at specific concentrations (2-20 wt% each) to change the material's polarity and reduce its affinity for non-polar oils, thereby preventing oil absorption while maintaining optical clarity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer material combining multiple monomer types including fluorinated monomers, silane-modified monomers (such as γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane), and crosslinking agents (such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) to achieve a material with both oil resistance and mechanical/optical properties suitable for ophthalmic devices
2Reliability
If lens materials with high oil resistance are developed using fluorinated monomers, then oil absorption is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity and material formulation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for fluorinated monomer content (2-20 wt% for perfluorobutyl methacrylate, 2-20 wt% for hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate) and silane monomer content (5-30 wt% for γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) to optimize oil resistance while maintaining manufacturability through controlled polymerization processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces functional differentiation within the polymer matrix by localizing fluorinated groups (which provide oil resistance) and silane groups (which provide crosslinking and mechanical strength) to different extents throughout the material structure, achieving both oil resistance and ease of manufacturing through modular monomer selection
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 lens materials effectively reduce oil absorption, maintain optical clarity, and extend the shelf life of electrowetting ophthalmic devices while ensuring comfort and performance by minimizing oil uptake and contaminant release.
Implementation Method 1
Lens materials encasing a non-polar liquid, such as an oil, may absorb a portion of the non-polar liquid. Such absorption can lead to degradation of the lens material and a deleterious and/or unintended change in optical properties of the ophthalmic device.
Implementation Method 2
a copolymer composed of repeating units including: a fluorinated acrylate repeating unit; and a silicon-containing repeating unit, wherein a mass:mass ratio of the fluorinated acrylate repeating unit to the silicon-containing repeating unit is greater than or equal to 2:1
Data Source
AI summary
Lens materials and ophthalmic devices including lens materials that are oxygen permeable and resistant to oil absorption are described. In an embodiment, the lens material includes a copolymer composed of repeating units including: a fluorinated acrylate repeating unit; and a silicon-containing repeating unit, wherein a mass:mass ratio of the fluorinated acrylate repeating unit to the silicon-containing repeating unit is greater than or equal to 2:1.