Ophthalmic Lens Antimicrobial Hydrophilic Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ophthalmic lenses face challenges with protein and lipid deposition, bacterial adhesion, and compromised optical properties due to high hydrophilicity, which affects wearing comfort and ocular health.
Innovation Solution
A novel antimicrobial hydrophilic layer comprising a polydopamine layer and a zwitterionic polymer is applied to the ophthalmic lens, providing excellent deposit resistance, high antimicrobial properties, and maintaining desirable optical properties like high transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the surface hydrophilicity of the contact lens is increased to improve wearing comfort, then the wearing comfort is improved, but the deposition of protein and lipid onto the surface of the contact lens increases, resulting in reduction of lens clarity and wearing comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dual-layer surface modification approach where the inner layer (polydopamine) provides adhesion and the outer layer (zwitterionic polymer) provides hydrophilicity and deposit resistance. This local differentiation of functions resolves the contradiction by concentrating hydrophilicity in the outer layer while the inner layer handles adhesion, preventing the trade-off between comfort and deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surface structure combining polydopamine and zwitterionic polymer layers. The polydopamine layer provides strong adhesion to the lens substrate, while the zwitterionic polymer layer provides high hydrophilicity and resistance to protein/lipid deposition. This composite approach allows both wearing comfort and deposit resistance to be achieved simultaneously.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If fluoro-containing monomers are added to the composition for manufacturing the ophthalmic lens to reduce protein and lipid deposition, then deposit resistance is improved, but the surface hydrophilicity of the formed lens is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The zwitterionic polymer acts as an intermediary layer between the lens substrate and the tear film. It provides the hydrophilic surface needed for comfort while its specific chemical structure resists protein and lipid deposition, replacing the need for fluoro-containing monomers that would compromise hydrophilicity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If zwitterionic materials are added into the composition for manufacturing the ophthalmic lens to improve deposit resistance, then deposit resistance is improved, but the physical properties of ophthalmic lens are adversely affected and production yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The polydopamine layer is formed first on the lens substrate before applying the zwitterionic polymer. This preliminary action creates a stable foundation that enhances adhesion, allowing the subsequent zwitterionic polymer layer to be applied more effectively with better control over deposition, thereby improving production yield while maintaining deposit resistance.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the surface of the contact lens is treated by plasma treatment to improve deposit resistance, then deposit resistance is improved, but high-cost equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a chemical coating approach using polydopamine and zwitterionic polymer that can be applied through simpler, less expensive equipment compared to plasma treatment. This method uses readily available chemicals and standard coating processes, reducing manufacturing costs while achieving comparable or superior deposit resistance.
5Object-generated harmful factors
If the surface of the contact lens is modified by covalently bonding zwitterionic materials to provide deposit resistance, then deposit resistance is improved, but lens deformation occurs and production yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces covalent bonding (chemical mechanism) with adsorption and hydrogen bonding (physical mechanisms) for attaching the zwitterionic polymer to the polydopamine layer. This substitution avoids the harsh conditions and structural changes associated with covalent bonding, preventing lens deformation while maintaining effective deposit resistance.
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 enhances wearing comfort through improved biocompatibility and hydrophilicity while preventing protein and lipid deposition, ensuring effective antimicrobial action without compromising the lens's optical clarity.
Implementation Method 1
the zwitterionic polymer in the antimicrobial hydrophilic layer can provide the contact lens with the resistance of protein and lipid deposition
Implementation Method 2
zwitterionic polymer having both positively charged groups and negatively charged groups
Implementation Method 3
polydopamine possesses a structure similar to the adhesive proteins secreted by mussel with amounts of hydrophilic hydroxy functional groups and amine functional groups
Implementation Method 4
polydopamine has been widely used in surface modification of medical instrument for improving hydrophilicity or biocompatibility
Implementation Method 5
The polydopamine layer is adhered to the surface of the lens body
Implementation Method 6
the zwitterionic polymer is non-covalently bonded to the polydopamine layer
Implementation Method 7
The visible light transmittance of the present ophthalmic lens is not less than 90%
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is to provide an ophthalmic lens comprising a lens body and an antimicrobial hydrophilic layer thereon and a manufacturing method thereof, wherein the antimicrobial hydrophilic layer comprises a polydopamine layer and a zwitterionic polymer non-covalently bonded on the polydopamine layer, and the zwitterionic polymer can be selected from one of the group consisting of phosphorylcholine polymer, sulfobetaine polymer, carboxybetaine polymer, mixed-charge polymer and a combination thereof.