Hydrolysis-Resistant Silicone Compounds for Ophthalmic Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional processes for producing silicon-containing materials for ophthalmic lenses face challenges in achieving satisfactory yield and purity while maintaining transparency and oxygen permeability, and are prone to hydrolysis, which degrades the physical properties of contact lenses over time.
Innovation Solution
Development of sterically hindered hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds with improved purity, achieved through reacting alkoxysilyl compounds with silyl halides or silanols, resulting in compounds with reduced disiloxane side-products and enhanced resistance to hydrolysis, suitable for use in ophthalmic lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If carboxylic acid such as methacrylic acid is used as copolymerization component to obtain higher moisture content, then moisture content is improved, but silicone component is gradually hydrolyzed and physical properties are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the silicone monomer by introducing sterically hindered groups (such as bulky alkyl groups adjacent to the silicon atom). This structural modification creates a protective effect that prevents water molecules from accessing and hydrolyzing the silicon-oxygen bonds, thereby maintaining both high moisture content and hydrolysis resistance simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining hydrophilic groups (for moisture content) with sterically hindered silicone groups (for hydrolysis resistance). The resulting copolymer integrates both functional characteristics, achieving high moisture content while maintaining stability against hydrolysis through the protective steric environment
2Reliability
If conventional process reacts triethylchlorosilane and 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate to prepare 3-[tris(triethylsiloxy)silyl]propyl methacrylate, then hydrolysis is inhibited, but hexaethyldisiloxane by-product is generated in large amount and yield is as small as several percent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic by-product formation pathway by using alternative reactants or modified reaction conditions. The new process selectively produces the desired silicone monomer while minimizing or eliminating hexaethyldisiloxane by-product, thereby dramatically improving yield while maintaining hydrolysis resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the reaction parameters including reactant selection, stoichiometry, solvent system, temperature, and catalyst to optimize the synthesis process. These parameter modifications shift the reaction pathway to favor the desired product, achieving high yield (>80%) while maintaining the hydrolysis-resistant properties of the final product
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional processes produce silicon-containing materials, then materials are obtained, but satisfactory yield and purity are not achieved while maintaining transparency and oxygen permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes synthesis parameters including reactant purity, reaction temperature, solvent selection, and purification methods to achieve high yield and purity products. These controlled parameters ensure the final silicone monomer meets the stringent requirements for transparency and oxygen permeability while achieving satisfactory manufacturing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates preliminary purification steps and quality control measures during the synthesis process to prevent impurity formation and ensure high purity product. By addressing purity concerns early in the manufacturing process, the method achieves both high yield and the optical properties required for ophthalmic lens applications
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 new silicone compounds exhibit improved hydrolysis resistance and purity, maintaining transparency and oxygen permeability, and are more stable over time, addressing the deficiencies of conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
reacting an alkoxysilyl compound with one or more silyl halide compounds... reacting a silyl halide with a silanol
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, the invention relates to hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds. In particular, disclosed are sterically hindered hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds and improved purity hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds. Also disclosed are processes for making hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds; the products of the disclosed processes; compositions and polymers comprising the disclosed compounds and products of the disclosed processes; and ophthalmic lenses, for example contact lenses, intraocular lenses, artificial cornea, and spectacle lenses, comprising the disclosed compositions, disclosed polymers, disclosed compounds, and products of the disclosed processes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.