Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses with Polyamides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact lenses suffer from low oxygen permeability and biocompatibility issues, leading to potential immunological responses and microbial fouling due to protein, lipid, or preservative absorption.
Innovation Solution
Silicone hydrogels are formulated with a reactive monomer mixture comprising polyamides, hydroxyl-substituted siloxanes, and hydrophilic monomers, achieving a balanced biocompatibility and mechanical properties by controlling the ratio of these components to minimize surface deposits and preservative absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydrogel contact lenses are used, then biocompatibility is achieved, but oxygen permeability is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hydrophilic monomers (HEMA, MAA) with silicone-containing components to create a composite polymer matrix that integrates the biocompatibility of hydrogels with the high oxygen permeability of silicone materials, resolving the contradiction between these two properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating specific ratios of hydrophilic monomers, crosslinkers, and silicone components, and controls polymerization conditions to achieve optimal balance between biocompatibility and oxygen permeability in the contact lens material
2Duration of action of moving object
If contact lenses are worn for extended periods, then convenience is improved, but immunological responses and microbial fouling increase due to protein, lipid, or preservative absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful interaction between lens material and tear film components into a beneficial effect by formulating the polymer composition to actively resist protein and lipid adsorption, thereby preventing immunological responses and microbial fouling while enabling extended wear
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters including the ratio of hydrophilic monomers, crosslinker content, and silicone component concentration to create a surface property that minimizes unwanted absorption of proteins, lipids, and preservatives, thereby reducing harmful effects during extended wear
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 silicone hydrogels exhibit improved biocompatibility, reduced immunological responses, and enhanced oxygen permeability, providing a comfortable and stable ophthalmic solution for extended wear contact lenses.
Implementation Method 1
The lack of protein, lipid, or other biological deposits on the surface of contact lenses may limit, reduce, or eliminate any immunological responses or microbial fouling
Implementation Method 2
Silicone hydrogel lenses have oxygen permeabilities greater than about 60, and many provide reduced levels of hypoxia compared to conventional hydrogel contact lenses
Data Source
AI summary
Described are silicone hydrogels that are more biocompatible than current ocular materials. The silicone hydrogels are formed from a reactive monomer mixture comprising: a mixture of hydroxyl substituted silicone containing components, at least one polyamide; and at least one hydrophilic monomer. The silicone hydrogels also display a desirable balance of properties, including clarity, oxygen permeability, wettability and desirable protein uptake.