Ionic Silicone Hydrogel Polymers for Stable Protein Uptake

Solution Overview

Problem

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses face challenges with hydrolytic instability and low protein uptake, particularly when anionic components are added, leading to increased modulus and denatured proteins, while maintaining high oxygen permeability and low adverse events.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a specific range of anionic components, such as carboxylic acid groups between 0.1 and 10 mmol/gm, and silicone components with polydimethylsiloxane chains to stabilize the polymer and enhance protein uptake, while controlling the concentration of anionic and trimethylsilyl groups to maintain thermal stability and desirable protein profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If anionic components are added to silicone hydrogels to improve protein uptake, then protein uptake increases, but hydrolytic stability decreases and modulus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotein uptakeVSAvoidhydrolytic stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the concentration of anionic groups (0.1-10 mmol/gm) and trimethylsilyl groups to optimize the balance between protein uptake and hydrolytic stability. By adjusting these chemical parameters within specific ranges, the invention achieves desirable protein profiles while maintaining thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by combining silicone components with polydimethylsiloxane chains and anionic components in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously exhibit the oxygen permeability of silicone hydrogels and the protein uptake characteristics of ionic materials, while mitigating the hydrolytic instability through the stabilizing effect of the polydimethylsiloxane structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If anionic components are added to silicone hydrogels to improve protein uptake, then protein uptake increases, but adverse event rates increase due to denatured proteins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotein uptakeVSAvoidadverse event rates

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the concentration of anionic groups (0.1-10 mmol/gm) and trimethylsilyl groups to optimize the balance between protein uptake and hydrolytic stability. By adjusting these chemical parameters within specific ranges, the invention achieves desirable protein profiles while maintaining thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by combining silicone components with polydimethylsiloxane chains and anionic components in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously exhibit the oxygen permeability of silicone hydrogels and the protein uptake characteristics of ionic materials, while mitigating the hydrolytic instability through the stabilizing effect of the polydimethylsiloxane structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Use of energy by moving object

If silicone hydrogels are used to maintain high oxygen permeability, then oxygen transmissibility increases, but hydrolytic instability occurs when ionic components are added

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen permeabilityVSAvoidhydrolytic stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite materials by combining silicone components with polydimethylsiloxane chains and anionic components in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously exhibit the oxygen permeability of silicone hydrogels and the protein uptake characteristics of ionic materials, while mitigating the hydrolytic instability through the stabilizing effect of the polydimethylsiloxane structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by introducing polydimethylsiloxane chains at specific locations within the polymer structure to provide localized hydrolytic stability. This allows different regions of the material to have different functions: the silicone components provide oxygen permeability, the anionic groups provide protein uptake, and the polydimethylsiloxane chains provide hydrolytic stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution achieves improved thermal stability and desirable protein uptake characteristics, with silicone hydrogel lenses displaying stable modulus and high oxygen permeability, while maintaining low adverse event rates and native protein retention.

Implementation Method 1

ionic silicone hydrogel polymers displaying improved thermal stability and desirable protein uptake

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 2

silicone components with polydimethylsiloxane chains to stabilize the polymer and enhance protein uptake

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

silicone hydrogel lenses have oxygen permeabilities greater than about 60

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS9260544B2Ionic silicone hydrogels having improved hydrolytic stability

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE INC

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.