Optical Contact Lens Water Content Test Device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contact lens testing methods are time-consuming, inconvenient, and pose hygiene and health risks due to their reliance on coulometric or polarography methods, which are susceptible to environmental factors and cause discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact optical test device and method that uses a light emitting unit to generate reflected light intensity, which is then used with a specific water content algorithm to estimate the actual water content of contact lenses, based on reference data and light intensity measurement data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If coulometric or polarography methods are used to test contact lens water content, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operation time increases and device portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater content measurement accuracyVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrochemical measurement system (coulometric or polarography) with an optical measurement system. A light source emits light through the contact lens, and a sensor detects the transmitted light intensity. The water content is calculated based on the optical density relationship, eliminating the need for complex electrochemical equipment and lengthy procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrochemical properties to optical properties. By measuring light transmission intensity at specific wavelengths and using the relationship between optical density and water content, the system achieves rapid measurement without the time-consuming electrochemical processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If coulometric or polarography methods are used to test contact lens water content, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and environmental susceptibility increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater content measurement accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex electrochemical measurement system with a simple optical system consisting of a light source and a light sensor. This substitution eliminates the need for electrodes, electrolytes, and complex signal processing circuits, resulting in a much simpler device that is not susceptible to environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If contact measurement methods are used to test contact lens, then measurement maturity is improved, but hygiene and health risks worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement maturityVSAvoidhygiene and health risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces contact-based measurement methods with non-contact optical measurement. The light source emits light through the contact lens without physical contact between the measurement probe and the lens, eliminating the risk of contamination and health issues associated with contact methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a rapid, convenient, and hygienic method for testing contact lens water content and retention, replacing traditional equipment and maintaining lens quality, while allowing for accurate assessment of contact lens performance.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitting unit emitting a first incident light to the first contact lens to generate a first reflected light having a first light intensity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10180374B1Test device and method for testing contact lens and test device for testing hydrous element

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 NATIONAL APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORIES

AI summary

A test device for testing a first contact lens classified as a specific type of contact lens is disclosed. The test device includes a light emitting unit and a detection unit. The light emitting unit emits a first incident light to the first contact lens to generate a first reflected light having a first light intensity, and the detection unit receives the first reflected light, in response to the first light intensity generates a first light intensity value, and implements a specific water content algorithm based on the first light intensity value to estimate an actual water content associated with the first contact lens, wherein the specific water content algorithm is constructed based on a water content reference data associated with the specific type of contact lens and a corresponding light intensity measurement data associated with the water content reference data.