Lens Solution Polymer Coating for Lipid Adhesion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact lens solutions, particularly those using nonionic surfactants, are inadequate in hydrophilizing the lens surface, preventing lipid adhesion, and imparting lubricity, leading to issues like eyestrain and reduced visual acuity.
Innovation Solution
A lens solution containing a polymer with a hydrophilic repeating unit and a polyoxyalkylene group in a side chain, along with a particular hydrophobic group at the end of the side chain, is used to coat the contact lens, enhancing lipid detergency, hydrophilization, and lubricity while preventing lipid adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional nonionic surfactants (poloxamer and poloxamine) are used for cleaning contact lenses, then lipid detergency is achieved, but hydrophilization performance is insufficient and lubricity is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite polymer structure containing both hydrophilic repeating units (providing hydrophilization) and polyoxyalkylene groups with hydrophobic end groups (providing lipid detergency and adhesion prevention). This composite structure at the molecular level allows simultaneous achievement of multiple functions that conventional single-purpose surfactants cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer molecule exhibits local quality differentiation where different segments perform different functions: hydrophilic regions interact with water to provide hydrophilization, while hydrophobic regions with polyoxyalkylene groups interact with lipids for detergency and adhesion prevention. This spatial differentiation of functional properties within the same material resolves the contradiction between lipid removal and surface hydrophilization.
2Reliability
If silicone hydrogel contact lenses are used to achieve high oxygen permeability, then oxygen transmission is improved, but the feeling of wearing deteriorates due to hydrophobicity and lipid adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a coating solution containing the specialized polymer as an intermediary layer on the silicone hydrogel lens surface. This coating acts as a mediator that maintains the high oxygen permeability of the silicone hydrogel while providing the hydrophilic and lubricious surface properties needed for comfort, thus resolving the contradiction between oxygen transmission and wearing comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameters of the contact lens by applying a coating with specific molecular structure and composition. The coating alters surface hydrophilicity, lubricity, and lipid interaction properties without significantly affecting the bulk oxygen permeability of the silicone hydrogel, thereby improving comfort while maintaining reliability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional cleaning solutions are used, then lipid removal is achieved, but the lipid adhesion preventive effect is insufficient leading to recurring lipid buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a coating solution containing the specialized polymer in advance to create a protective layer on the contact lens surface before lipid adhesion occurs. This preliminary action of coating the surface with the dual-functional polymer prevents lipid adhesion from the outset, rather than merely removing lipids after they have adhered, thereby providing sustained adhesion prevention.
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 effectively prevents lipid adhesion, maintains high hydrophilicity, and provides excellent lubricity, making it suitable for cleaning, storage, and coating contact lenses, ensuring sustainability of these effects.
Implementation Method 1
a repeating unit having a polyoxyalkylene group in a side chain and having the end of the side chain formed from an alkyl group having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkanoyl group having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, or an aryl group
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophilic repeating unit
Implementation Method 3
a polymer having 2.5% to 95% by mass of the following repeating unit (A) and 2.5% to 95% by mass of the following repeating unit (B)
Implementation Method 4
exhibits an excellent lubricity-imparting effect when used to coat a lens
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a lens solution which has excellent lipid detergency, exhibits high hydrophilization performance, and exhibits an excellent lipid adhesion preventive effect and an excellent lubricity-imparting effect when the solution is used to coat a lens. Disclosed is a lens solution containing a polymer having 2.5% to 95% by mass of the following repeating unit (A) and 2.5% to 95% by mass of the following repeating unit (B):(A) a hydrophilic repeating unit; and(B) a repeating unit having a polyoxyalkylene group in a side chain and having the end of the side chain formed from an alkyl group having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkanoyl group having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, or an aryl group.