Siloxanyl Compounds for Ophthalmic Lenses
Solution Overview
Problem
Acryloyl-functionalized linear polydimethylsiloxanes face challenges in achieving a balance between oxygen permeability and hydrophilicity, leading to hydrophobicity and corneal staining issues, as well as phase separation when copolymerized with hydrophilic monomers, resulting in poor optical quality.
Innovation Solution
Development of siloxanyl compounds with specific structures that enhance transparency, hydrophilicity, and oxygen permeability, suitable for producing molded articles such as ophthalmic lenses, by incorporating siloxanyl groups and hydroxyl or hydrolyzable groups, which allow for effective copolymerization with hydrophilic monomers without phase separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acryloyl-functionalized linear polydimethylsiloxanes are used to increase oxygen permeability, then oxygen permeability is improved, but hydrophobicity increases causing corneal staining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces siloxanyl groups with specific molecular structures (containing oxygen atoms in the side chains) to change the chemical composition parameters of the contact lens material. This structural modification allows the material to maintain high oxygen permeability while simultaneously improving hydrophilicity, thereby resolving the contradiction between oxygen permeability and hydrophobicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite molecular structure combining siloxanyl groups with hydrophilic monomers (such as 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate). This composite approach allows the material to integrate both oxygen-permeable siloxane characteristics and hydrophilic properties, eliminating the harmful hydrophobic effect while maintaining oxygen permeability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrophilic monomers are copolymerized with acryloyl-functionalized polydimethylsiloxane to increase hydrophilicity, then hydrophilicity is improved, but phase separation occurs due to static repulsion between polar hydroxyl groups and nonpolar siloxanyl groups, resulting in poor optical quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses siloxanyl groups as intermediary structures that bridge the polar hydroxyl groups and nonpolar siloxane chains. These intermediary groups reduce the static repulsion between oppositely polar components, enabling homogeneous copolymerization without phase separation, thus maintaining both hydrophilicity and optical quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters by introducing specific siloxanyl groups with controlled oxygen content and molecular weight. These parameter changes optimize the compatibility between hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, preventing phase separation while maintaining transparency and optical quality
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect, the invention relates to compositions comprising siloxanyl compounds comprising the structure (I) or residues thereof. Such compositions can be suitable for producing molded articles, can be excellent in transparency, hydrophilicity, and oxygen permeability, and can have a low modulus of elasticity and/or an excellent optical quality, so as to be suitable for ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses and intraocular lenses. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.