Hydrogel Contact Lens Blue Light Blocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current contact lenses lack blue light-blocking capabilities while maintaining high water content, which is essential for protecting eyes from blue light-induced eye diseases without compromising vision, especially in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogel composition comprising a hydrophilic monomer, a blue light-blocking monomer, a crosslinker, and an initiator, with specific weight ranges and components such as silicone monomers, yellow dyes, and UV-blocking agents, formulated to create a hydrogel contact lens that blocks 10-55% blue light while maintaining a water content of 38-80% and ensuring clear vision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If blue light-blocking monomers and dyes are added to hydrogel contact lenses, then blue light-blocking capability is improved, but water content decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of monomers by introducing specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine) that can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. This changes the hydrophilic parameters of the hydrogel matrix, enabling it to retain high water content (38-80%) even with blue light-blocking components present. The weight ratio of blue light-blocking monomer (0.02-0.5 parts) is carefully controlled to achieve optimal balance between blue light blocking and water retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite hydrogel system combining multiple components: hydrophilic monomers (HEMA, NVP, GM), blue light-blocking monomers (with yellow dye structures), crosslinkers, and initiators. This composite formulation allows the material to simultaneously achieve blue light-blocking functionality (10-55% blocking) and high water content through synergistic interactions between components, particularly hydrogen bonding networks that trap water molecules within the polymer matrix.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If blue light-blocking monomers and dyes are added to hydrogel contact lenses, then blue light-blocking capability is improved, but vision quality in dim light deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs yellow dyes with specific molecular structures (containing conjugated systems and auxochromes like -OH, -NH2, -O-) that selectively absorb blue light wavelengths (380-500 nm) while maintaining transparency in the visible spectrum (500-700 nm). This localized optical property ensures blue light blocking occurs only in the harmful wavelength range, preserving vision quality in dim light conditions. The precise control of dye concentration (0.02-0.5 parts by weight) optimizes this selective absorption characteristic.
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 hydrogel contact lens effectively blocks blue light, preventing eye diseases while maintaining or improving visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, even in dim light conditions, without affecting vision quality.
Implementation Method 1
a blue light-blocking monomer in a range from 0.02 to 0.5 part by weight, and having a yellow dye
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophilic monomer in a range from 30 to 99.68 parts by weight
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogel composition and a hydrogel contact lens made of the hydrogel composition are provided. The hydrogel composition includes a hydrophilic monomer, a blue light-blocking monomer, a crosslinker and an initiator. The hydrophilic monomer is in a range from 30 to 99.68 parts by weight. The blue light-blocking monomer is in a range from 0.02 to 0.5 parts by weight and has a yellow dye. The crosslinker is in a range from 0.1 to 1 parts by weight. The initiator is in a range from 0.2 to 2 parts by weight.