Fluoro-ether monomer contact lenses for oxygen and comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contact lenses face issues with lipid deposition and discomfort due to protein absorption, and they often compromise on oxygen permeability and mechanical strength.

Innovation Solution

A fluoro-containing ether monomer is introduced for fabricating contact lenses, which includes a specific chemical formula that prevents lipid deposition, enhances oxygen permeability, and maintains adequate water content, combined with siloxane macromers and hydrophilic monomers to improve mechanical properties.

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), fluoro-containing monomers (for protein resistance), and crosslinking agents (for mechanical strength) to create a contact lens material that achieves high water content (40-70%) while maintaining adequate mechanical strength through synergistic material composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the water content range to 40-70% (higher than conventional lenses) while adjusting the crosslinking density and monomer ratios to maintain mechanical properties, thereby decoupling the traditional trade-off between water content and 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 introduces fluoro-containing monomers with specific chemical structures (containing fluorinated alkyl groups) that change the surface energy and chemical properties of the contact lens material, creating a hydrophobic surface that resists protein and lipid adsorption while maintaining overall lens hydrophilicity for comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining hydrophilic components (for comfort and water content) with fluoro-containing components (for anti-deposition properties), achieving both comfort and resistance to lipid/protein deposition without compromising manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 optimizes the oxygen permeability parameter (DK value) to exceed 90 by incorporating fluoro-containing monomers that provide high oxygen transmission, while simultaneously adjusting the polymer network structure and crosslinking density to maintain flexibility and mechanical strength, thereby decoupling the traditional trade-off between oxygen permeability and flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9388266B2Fluoro-containing ether monomer for fabricating contact lenses, contact lenses materials and contact lenses obtained therefrom

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 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.