Scleral Contact Lens Oxygen Pathways for Impermeable Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact lenses with additional components, such as optical filters, face challenges in providing adequate oxygenation to the cornea while maintaining structural integrity, as these components often reduce oxygen permeability and may not be compatible with flexible silicone hydrogel materials.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer scleral contact lens design with an oxygen-impermeable core and thin, gas-permeable outer and inner coverings forms air gaps and pathways to facilitate oxygen transmission from the environment to the cornea, ensuring sufficient oxygenation despite the inclusion of oxygen-impermeable payload components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional components (optical filters) are included in the contact lens, then the lens can perform additional functions, but the oxygen transmission to the cornea is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens is divided into multiple functional layers: a first region containing the optical filter payload, a second region providing oxygen permeability, and a third region for corneal coverage. This segmentation allows each region to specialize in its function without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the contact lens are assigned different material properties: the first region uses oxygen-impermeable materials to support the optical filter, while the second region uses oxygen-permeable materials to ensure corneal oxygenation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between filter functionality and oxygen transmission.
2Strength
If the contact lens is made thicker to support payload components, then structural integrity is improved, but oxygen transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lens structure is segmented into distinct functional zones where the thicker first region provides mechanical support for the payload, while the thinner second region maximizes oxygen transmission. This spatial segmentation allows the lens to be thick where needed for strength and thin where needed for oxygen flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens employs local quality by using different thicknesses and material compositions in different regions. The first region is thicker and structurally reinforced to support the optical filter, while the second region is optimized for oxygen permeability, thus resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and oxygen transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If oxygen-impermeable materials are used for the optical filter, then the filter functionality is achieved, but oxygen flow to the cornea is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens is segmented into a first region with oxygen-impermeable optical filter materials and a second region with oxygen-permeable materials. This segmentation allows the optical filter to perform its function without blocking oxygen flow, as the oxygen transmission path is separated into the dedicated second region.
Solution Approach 2:
Different material properties are applied locally: the first region uses oxygen-impermeable materials optimized for optical filtering, while the second region uses oxygen-permeable materials optimized for gas exchange. This local differentiation allows each material to excel at its specific function without compromising the other.
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 design allows for effective oxygenation of the cornea while supporting payload components, such as optical filters, by utilizing gas-permeable layers and air pathways to enhance oxygen diffusion, addressing the limitations of conventional contact lenses.
Implementation Method 1
thin, gas-permeable outer and inner coverings forms air gaps and pathways to facilitate oxygen transmission from the environment to the cornea
Data Source
AI summary
A scleral contact lens has a core containing an optical filter. The core and/or the optical filter may comprise oxygen impermeable material, such that an overall oxygen permeability of the core is insufficient to oxygenate a user's cornea when wearing the contact lens. To provide oxygenation to the user's cornea, the contact lens further comprises an outer covering, and an inner covering, each corresponding to a thin layer of gas-permeable material shaped to form a respective manifold between the covering and the core. Oxygen from an outside environment passes through the outer covering to reach the outer manifold, through an air path formed within the core to the inner manifold, and through the inner covering to reach the cornea of the user's eye.