Friction Stabilized Contact Lens Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Toric contact lenses face challenges in maintaining rotational stability on the eye due to rotation caused by eyelid and tear film movement, leading to sub-optimal vision correction, and existing stabilization methods compromise comfort with increased thickness or require multiple lenses for presbyopia correction.

Innovation Solution

The use of friction zones on the contact lens surface, with a higher coefficient of friction than the surrounding areas, to generate a rotational force during blinking, replacing thickness gradients and allowing for orientation and stabilization without increasing lens thickness, thereby enhancing comfort and maintaining optimal visual acuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If thickness gradients are used to stabilize toric contact lenses, then rotational stability is improved, but lens thickness increases and comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational stabilityVSAvoidlens thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating specific zones on the lens surface with different friction coefficients. High friction zones are localized in peripheral regions while the central optical zone maintains low friction, allowing stabilization without increasing overall lens thickness. This selective modification of surface properties enables rotational stability while preserving comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical thickness gradient system with a friction-based stabilization mechanism. Instead of relying on weight distribution through varying thickness, the invention uses differential friction coefficients between high friction peripheral zones and low friction central zones to achieve rotational stability, thereby eliminating the need for increased lens thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If friction zones are used to stabilize contact lenses, then rotational stability is improved, but lens comfort may deteriorate due to increased friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational stabilityVSAvoidlens comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the lens surface into distinct functional zones: high friction peripheral zones for stabilization and low friction central zones for comfort and optical performance. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, achieving rotational stability without compromising overall lens comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lenses are used for presbyopia correction, then visual acuity across multiple distances is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-distance vision correctionVSAvoidnumber of lenses required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single contact lens that performs multiple functions: correcting refractive errors in the central zone and providing stabilization through peripheral friction zones. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate lenses, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility for different vision correction needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges stabilization functionality with the primary vision correction lens by integrating high friction peripheral zones into the lens structure. This combination allows the single lens to simultaneously provide optical correction and rotational stability, eliminating the need for separate stabilization devices or multiple lenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Friction zones effectively orient and stabilize contact lenses on the eye, providing equivalent rotational force to thickness gradients while improving comfort and maintaining stability over time, allowing for balanced rotation and comfort performance.

Implementation Method 1

one or more surface modified zones in specific regions to generate a friction driven rotational force during blinking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11782295B2Friction stabilized contact lenses

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE INC

AI summary

A contact lens incorporating one or more surface modified zones on the anterior surface of the lens may be utilized to generate a friction driven rotational force when the upper and/or lower eyelids pass over the one or more regions during blinking. A small difference in the coefficient of friction between the modified and unmodified regions of the lens may result in an equivalent rotational force to that of a thickness gradient lens. This small difference in the coefficient of friction produces a means to orient and stabilize the contact lens on eye.