Fluoro-Containing Ether Monomer for Contact Lenses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current contact lenses face issues with lipid deposition, discomfort, and inadequate oxygen permeability, which affect their mechanical strength and wearability.

Innovation Solution

A fluoro-containing ether monomer is introduced, represented by the formula (I), which is incorporated into contact lens compositions along with hydrophilic monomers, siloxane macromers, and initiators to prevent lipid deposition and enhance oxygen permeability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hydrophilic monomers are added to increase water content, then water content increases, but mechanical strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater contentVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining hydrophilic monomers (for water content) with fluoro-containing ether monomers and siloxane macromers (for mechanical strength). This creates a multi-component polymer system where each component contributes different properties, resolving the contradiction between water content and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing fluoro-containing ether monomers with specific molecular structures (formula I) that have different polarity and interaction properties. This alters the polymer network characteristics to achieve both high water content and adequate mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional contact lens materials are used, then manufacturing is simple, but lipid deposition occurs causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlipid deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating fluoro-containing ether monomers that specifically interact with lipid molecules at the lens surface. This creates a localized anti-lipid deposition property at the surface while maintaining the overall material structure and manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful lipid deposition into a beneficial effect by using the fluoro-containing ether monomer to attract and sequester lipids away from the lens surface, preventing discomfort while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If silicone hydrogel materials are used to improve oxygen permeability, then oxygen permeability increases, but flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen permeabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining siloxane macromers (for oxygen permeability) with fluoro-containing ether monomers and hydrophilic monomers (for flexibility). This multi-component approach allows simultaneous achievement of high oxygen permeability and adequate flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The fluoro-containing ether monomer is introduced at specific concentrations (0.1-10 wt%) to locally enhance oxygen permeability pathways while the bulk material maintains flexibility through the hydrophilic monomer matrix.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2813518B1Fluoro-Containing Ether Monomer For Fabricating Contact Lenses, Contact Lenses Materials And Contact Lenses Obtained Therefrom

Publication Date: 2015.06.03 BENQ MATERIALS CORP

AI summary

The invention provides a fluoro-containing ether monomer for fabricating contact lenses represented by following formula (I): In formula (I), R10 is fluoroalkyl group (CxFyHz, wherein x is an integer of 2-20, y is an integer of 5-30, and y+z=2x+1), R11 is oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; R12 is C1-C3 alkylene; n is an integer of 3-40.