UV Lens Storage Unit with Sensor Monitoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for disinfecting and monitoring contact lenses are not effective in preventing microbial contamination, leading to potential eye infections due to the limitations of chemical disinfectants and lack of real-time monitoring of lens conditions and geo-social phenomena.

Innovation Solution

An ophthalmic lens storage unit equipped with programmable and communication capabilities that uses disinfecting radiation to kill bacteria and viruses, includes sensors to monitor lens conditions, and correlates data with geo-social phenomena to alert users and healthcare providers of potential issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical disinfectants are used to disinfect contact lenses, then the disinfection process is simple and widely available, but the disinfection efficacy is insufficient and cannot reliably prevent microbial contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection efficacyVSAvoiddisinfection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical disinfection mechanisms with UV radiation disinfection. The UV LED array emits ultraviolet light that directly destroys microbial DNA/RNA, providing reliable disinfection without relying on chemical agents. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving disinfection efficacy and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the disinfection parameter from chemical concentration to radiation dose (wavelength and intensity). By using UV radiation at specific wavelengths (280-400nm) with controlled intensity and exposure time, the system achieves reliable disinfection through physical parameters rather than chemical ones, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If traditional storage cases are used without monitoring capabilities, then the device complexity is low, but real-time monitoring of lens conditions and geo-social phenomena cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens condition informationVSAvoidstorage unit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor lens conditions (moisture, temperature, contamination) and provide feedback to the control system. The display unit presents this information to users in real-time, enabling informed decisions about lens replacement. This feedback loop prevents information loss while managing complexity through integrated electronics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The storage unit combines multiple functions: UV disinfection, environmental monitoring, data storage, communication capabilities, and user interface. By integrating these functions into a single universal device, the patent reduces the need for separate monitoring systems, managing overall complexity while providing comprehensive lens condition information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If lenses are monitored for extended periods to detect microbial contamination, then the reliability of infection prevention improves, but the response time to geo-social phenomena changes may be delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection prevention reliabilityVSAvoidresponse speed to geo-social changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous monitoring of lens conditions through integrated sensors that operate throughout the storage period. Rather than periodic sampling, the system continuously tracks moisture levels, temperature, and contamination indicators, ensuring both reliable infection detection and rapid response to environmental changes without interruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary disinfection using UV radiation before lenses are stored and monitored. This preliminary action eliminates most microbial threats in advance, allowing the monitoring phase to focus on detecting remaining risks and environmental changes, thereby maintaining high reliability while improving response speed to geo-social phenomena

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effective disinfection and real-time monitoring of contact lenses, reducing the risk of eye infections by using disinfecting radiation and sensors to track lens conditions and geo-social data, ensuring timely replacement and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

subjecting the contact lens to a chemical disinfectant... using disinfecting radiation to kill bacteria, viruses, molds, fungi and the like on a contact lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV disinfection: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS8942841B2Lens storage unit with programmable and communication elements for monitoring the condition of lenses and their response to geo-social phenomena

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE INC

AI summary

The present invention provides for a programmable processor in a ophthalmic lens storage unit for contact lenses. The processor can be in logical connection with a plurality of sensors that can provide data and a digital storage for storing the data and using it via executable software for lens monitoring. In some embodiments, the processor is additionally operative via the executable software to correlate geo-social phenomena with the optical performance of a lens.