Ionic Silicone Hydrogel Polymers for Stable Protein Uptake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses face challenges in maintaining oxygen transmissibility while achieving low adverse event rates, as previous attempts to add anionic components resulted in unstable lenses with increased modulus due to hydrolysis and denatured protein uptake.
Innovation Solution
The development of ionic silicone hydrogel polymers with specific anionic components, such as carboxylic acid groups, within a controlled concentration range (0.1-0.8 wt%) and silicone components like polydimethylsiloxane chains, to enhance thermal stability and protein uptake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If anionic components are added to silicone hydrogels to improve protein uptake, then protein uptake is enhanced, but hydrolytic stability deteriorates and modulus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using specific anionic components (carboxylic acid groups) at controlled concentrations (0.1-10 mmol/gm) and specific silicone components (polydimethylsiloxane chains), which allows achieving desired protein uptake while maintaining hydrolytic stability through optimized compositional parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining silicone components with specific anionic components in defined ratios, forming an ionic silicone hydrogel that integrates the oxygen permeability benefits of silicone with the protein interaction capabilities of anionic groups while maintaining stability
2Reliability
If anionic components are added to silicone hydrogels to reduce adverse events, then comfort is improved, but lens stability deteriorates due to hydrolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of anionic components within specific ranges (0.1-10 mmol/gm carboxylic acid groups) to achieve the right balance between comfort improvement through reduced adverse events and maintaining lens stability by preventing excessive hydrolysis
3Reliability
If conventional hydrogel lenses are used to achieve low adverse events, then comfort is improved, but oxygen permeability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite ionic silicone hydrogel material that combines the high oxygen permeability characteristics of silicone with the biocompatibility and low adverse event rates of hydrogel systems, achieving both high oxygen transmissibility and wearer comfort
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 approach results in silicone hydrogel lenses with improved thermal stability, reduced modulus increase, and enhanced protein uptake, including native protein retention, while maintaining high oxygen permeability.
Implementation Method 1
ionic silicone hydrogel polymers displaying improved thermal stability and desirable protein uptake
Implementation Method 2
silicone hydrogel lenses with improved thermal stability, reduced modulus increase, and enhanced protein uptake, while maintaining high oxygen permeability
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to ionic silicone hydrogel polymers displaying improved thermal stability. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymer formed from reactive components comprising at least one silicone component and at least one ionic component comprising at least one anionic group. The polymers of the present invention display good thermal stability and desirable protein uptake.