Variable Geometry Contact Lens for Thick Payloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact lenses with embedded payloads face a challenge in maintaining sufficient oxygen transmission to the cornea, as increasing thickness to accommodate payloads reduces oxygen permeability, potentially leading to eye discomfort and corneal health issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of variable geometry contact lens structures, comprising layers of high and low oxygen transmissibility materials, where low transmissibility materials provide mechanical support and high transmissibility materials ensure adequate oxygen supply, with abrupt thickness ratios varying across the lens to optimize oxygen flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the contact lens thickness is increased to accommodate payloads, then the payload capacity is improved, but the oxygen transmission to the cornea deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens employs different materials with different oxygen transmissibility properties in different regions. High oxygen transmissibility materials are used in regions where oxygen transmission is critical (such as over the cornea), while low oxygen transmissibility materials are used in regions where mechanical support is more important (such as over the sclera). This local differentiation allows the lens to maintain adequate oxygen transmission to the cornea while providing sufficient structural support for payloads in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens is constructed as a composite structure combining multiple materials with different properties. The composite includes high oxygen transmissibility materials (such as silicone hydrogel) and low oxygen transmissibility materials (such as rigid gas permeable materials or fluorosilicone). This composite construction allows the lens to achieve both adequate oxygen transmission and sufficient mechanical strength to support payloads of increased thickness and volume.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high oxygen transmissibility materials are used throughout the lens, then oxygen transmission is improved, but mechanical support for payloads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens employs different materials with different oxygen transmissibility properties in different regions. High oxygen transmissibility materials are used in regions where oxygen transmission is critical (such as over the cornea), while low oxygen transmissibility materials are used in regions where mechanical support is more important (such as over the sclera). This local differentiation allows the lens to maintain adequate oxygen transmission to the cornea while providing sufficient structural support for payloads in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens is constructed as a composite structure combining multiple materials with different properties. The composite includes high oxygen transmissibility materials (such as silicone hydrogel) and low oxygen transmissibility materials (such as rigid gas permeable materials or fluorosilicone). This composite construction allows the lens to achieve both adequate oxygen transmission and sufficient mechanical strength to support payloads of increased thickness and volume.
3Strength
If low oxygen transmissibility materials are used for structural support, then mechanical strength is improved, but oxygen transmission to the cornea deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens employs different materials with different oxygen transmissibility properties in different regions. High oxygen transmissibility materials are used in regions where oxygen transmission is critical (such as over the cornea), while low oxygen transmissibility materials are used in regions where mechanical support is more important (such as over the sclera). This local differentiation allows the lens to maintain adequate oxygen transmission to the cornea while providing sufficient structural support for payloads in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens is constructed as a composite structure combining multiple materials with different properties. The composite includes high oxygen transmissibility materials (such as silicone hydrogel) and low oxygen transmissibility materials (such as rigid gas permeable materials or fluorosilicone). This composite construction allows the lens to achieve both adequate oxygen transmission and sufficient mechanical strength to support payloads of increased thickness and volume.
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 approach allows for thicker payloads while maintaining sufficient oxygen transmission to the cornea, ensuring wearer comfort and corneal health by utilizing high oxygen transmissibility materials in most areas and low transmissibility materials for structural support, with lateral diffusion compensating for lower transmission regions.
Implementation Method 1
high transmissibility materials ensure adequate oxygen supply
Implementation Method 2
lateral diffusion compensating for lower transmission regions
Data Source
AI summary
A variable geometry contact lens structure having a thickness t sufficient to carry an active payload is constructed using layers of materials with high oxygen transmissibility and low oxygen transmissibility. The low transmissibility layer provide mechanical support for the active payload, and the high transmissibility layers provide adequate oxygen transmission to the cornea of the user's eye. The ratio of the thicknesses of the two layers changes abruptly at the boundaries between the payload and non-payload regions of the structure. For example, at a boundary of the payload region, a ratio of thicknesses of the high transmissibility layer t1 to thickness of the low transmissibility layer t2, R=t1/t2, changes by at least 2:1 over a lateral distance of not more than t.