Ophthalmic Device Chloride Ion Boost Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ophthalmic devices face challenges in achieving precise and timely release of therapeutics due to limited access of chloride ions, which are essential for efficient electrodissolution, especially when the metal electrode is encased within silicone-hydrogel or hydrogel-based materials.
Innovation Solution
The ophthalmic device incorporates a hydrogel-based material with enhanced chloride permeability and a boost layer, either made of solid salt or high-water-soluble materials, to create a local environment with increased chloride ion concentration, facilitating rapid electrodissolution of the metal electrode and controlled release of the therapeutic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the metal electrode is encased within silicone-hydrogel or hydrogel-based materials, then the therapeutic release positioning and dosing precision is improved, but the chloride ion access to the electrode is limited, reducing electrodissolution effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a chloride ion concentration gradient within the hydrogel body. The body is designed with different chloride permeability zones, allowing chloride ions to accumulate locally near the metal electrode through diffusion, while maintaining the overall structural integrity and therapeutic positioning benefits of the encased design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the hydrogel body by incorporating materials with specific chloride ion permeability characteristics. This modifies the diffusion characteristics of chloride ions within the body, enabling sufficient chloride ion access to the electrode without compromising the encased structure.
2Device complexity
If traditional electrodissolution process is used without chloride ion enhancement, then the device structure remains simple, but the electrodissolution time is extended to minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the hydrogel body with chloride ion permeable pathways and incorporating chloride ion sources during manufacturing. This prepares the device in advance to enable rapid electrodissolution when activated, reducing the time required from minutes to seconds without adding complex external systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by designing the hydrogel body to automatically facilitate chloride ion diffusion and accumulation near the electrode through its inherent material properties. The system uses the body's own structure and composition to enable rapid electrodissolution without requiring external chloride ion delivery mechanisms.
3Productivity
If chloride ion concentration is increased locally near the electrode, then the electrodissolution speed increases significantly, but the device requires enhanced chloride permeability materials and boost layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a chloride ion concentration gradient within the hydrogel body. The body is designed with different chloride permeability zones, allowing chloride ions to accumulate locally near the metal electrode through diffusion, while maintaining the overall structural integrity and therapeutic positioning benefits of the encased design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining hydrogel-based materials with specific permeability characteristics and incorporating chloride ion-containing boost layers. This composite structure enables rapid chloride ion diffusion and accumulation near the electrode, significantly increasing electrodissolution speed while integrating multiple functional components.
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
This approach significantly reduces the time required for electrodissolution from minutes to seconds, ensuring predictable and efficient delivery of therapeutics directly to the eye, enhancing treatment efficacy for eye diseases and disorders.
Implementation Method 1
a metal electrode configured to cover an opening of the reservoir and to receive an electronic signal that electrodissolves the metal electrode to release the therapeutic from the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
electrodissolution is enhanced by chloride ions
Implementation Method 3
a body comprising a silicone-hydrogel or hydrogel-based material that is configured to encapsulate the reservoir and the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic device including a hydrogel-based material body that can encapsulate a reservoir housing a therapeutic and a metal electrode covering the reservoir. The therapeutic can be delivered into an eye by way of electrodissolution of the metal electrode. The electrodissolution can be enhanced by the presence of chloride ions proximal to the metal electrode, and the ophthalmic device can be engineered to ensure the presence of chloride ions proximal to the metal electrode.