Polymeric Antimicrobial Complexes for Contact Lens Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current contact lens care solutions face challenges in achieving effective antimicrobial activity against resistant organisms like Candida, Fusarium, and Acanthamoeba while minimizing ocular irritation and user discomfort, particularly with soft contact lenses that tend to bind and desorb antimicrobial agents, leading to irritation and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The development of ophthalmic compositions comprising complexes of cationic and anionic polymers, such as hyaluronic acid with cationic compounds like alexidine, which are soluble in aqueous solutions, providing enhanced biocidal activity without significant ocular irritation or discomfort, and are resistant to uptake by contact lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the amount of disinfecting agent is increased to achieve adequate antimicrobial activity against resistant organisms like Candida and Fusarium, then biocidal efficacy is improved, but ocular irritation and user discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial agent by using polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds with specific molecular weights and charge densities. These parameter changes allow the agent to maintain high biocidal efficacy against resistant organisms while reducing ocular irritation compared to conventional small-molecule antimicrobials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite antimicrobial systems that combine polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds with specific polymers (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose) to create multi-functional formulations. The composite structure provides both effective disinfection against Candida and Fusarium and reduced ocular toxicity through the synergistic interaction of components
2Reliability
If soft contact lenses are used to provide high oxygen transmission, then ocular health is improved, but the lenses bind and desorb antimicrobial agents leading to ocular irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific polymers as intermediaries that interact with the soft contact lens material to prevent the binding and subsequent desorption of antimicrobial agents. These intermediary polymers create a barrier or modification layer on the lens surface that reduces the interaction between the lens matrix and the antimicrobial compounds, thereby preventing the release of irritating substances to the ocular surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical-chemical parameters of the antimicrobial formulation specifically for use with soft contact lenses, including adjusting molecular weight, charge density, and hydrophilicity of the polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds to minimize lens uptake and desorption while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multi-purpose solutions are designed to be gentle on the eyes, then ocular comfort is improved, but antimicrobial activity against resistant organisms is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops composite multi-purpose solutions that integrate polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds with soothing ocular agents and specific polymers. This composite formulation achieves a balance where the gentle base formula provides ocular comfort while the embedded polymeric antimicrobial component maintains effective biocidal activity against resistant organisms like Candida and Fusarium
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration and molecular characteristics of the polymeric quaternary ammonium compound within the gentle multi-purpose solution formula. By carefully controlling parameters such as polymer chain length, charge density, and concentration, the solution achieves adequate antimicrobial activity against resistant organisms while maintaining overall gentleness and comfort for ocular use
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
These complexes demonstrate superior antimicrobial activity against resistant microorganisms, including Candida, Fusarium, and Acanthamoeba, while maintaining ocular compatibility and reducing lens uptake, thus enhancing user comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
complexes of cationic and anionic polymers
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention provides an ophthalmic composition comprising polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), hyaluronic acid and a boric acid buffer. The composition is useful for treating eye conditions and treating contact lenses.