Viscous Lens Care Solution for In-Eye Cleaning and Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact lens care solutions require users to remove lenses from the eye for cleaning and lubrication, which is inconvenient, and do not effectively address the needs of extended wear contact lenses made from high oxygen permeable silicone hydrogel materials.
Innovation Solution
A lens care solution comprising dexpanthenol, xylitol, and a viscosity-enhancing agent, which provides a viscous solution capable of cleaning, disinfecting, and lubricating contact lenses both in a lens case and while worn in the eye, maintaining ophthalmic safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional lens care solutions are used to clean and lubricate contact lenses, then the lenses can be cleaned and disinfected, but the user must remove the lenses from the eye which is inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The lens care solution is formulated to perform multiple functions (cleaning, disinfecting, and lubricating) in a single application, eliminating the need for separate steps and allowing users to maintain lens hygiene without removal from the eye
Solution Approach 2:
The solution enables users to perform lens care independently while wearing the lenses, without requiring removal or assistance from external devices, making the system self-sufficient for in-eye treatment
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lens care solutions are used, then lenses can be treated in a lens case, but they cannot be effectively cleaned and lubricated while worn in the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The solution is designed to work in both lens case and in-eye environments, providing universal applicability across different wearing modalities including daily wear and extended wear
Solution Approach 2:
The solution contains viscosity-enhancing agents that adjust the rheological properties to ensure the solution remains effective whether applied in a lens case or directly in the eye, maintaining reliability across different application contexts
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the solution viscosity is increased to improve lubrication and comfort, then the solution can better coat the lens surface, but the solution may become too thick for comfortable application and distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The solution employs viscosity-enhancing agents at controlled concentrations that optimize the balance between lubrication effectiveness and application ease, ensuring the solution is thick enough to provide comfort but thin enough for comfortable distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The solution provides enhanced viscosity specifically at the lens surface interface where lubrication is needed, while maintaining lower viscosity in the bulk solution for easy application and distribution
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
Enables convenient and effective cleaning and lubrication of contact lenses without removal from the eye, improving comfort and reducing dryness, while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy and compatibility with extended wear lenses.
Implementation Method 1
The lens care solution comprises: dexpanthenol, xylitol, at least one surfactant
Implementation Method 2
a viscosity-enhancing agent in an amount sufficient to provide the solution a viscosity of from about 5 centipoise to about 25 centipoise
Implementation Method 3
xylitol
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides solutions containing dexpanthenol in combination with xylitol, preferably further including a viscosity-enhancing agent to make solutions viscous so that the viscous solutions are not only capable of cleaning, disinfecting, and/or rinsing a contact lens in a lens case but also capable of cleaning and lubricating the contact lens directly in an eye. Such solutions can provide to the user an ability to clean and to rewet lenses anytime anywhere even without taking them out.