KR20200031652A - Contact lenses with device protection - Google Patents

Abstract

The contact lens having a device protection function includes a light-transmitting body 1, a functional device 2, and a protective layer 3. The functional element 2 is installed in the light-transmitting body 1, and the protective layer 3 is installed in the light-transmitting body 1 and covers the functional element 2. The functional element 2 is coated by the light-transmitting body 2 and the protective layer 3 to be isolated from the outside, and the protective layer 3 includes a film-forming polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and a solvent. The contact lens may have an effect of supporting and protecting a functional element through a design having a protective layer of a specific composition, and the protective layer can be suitably applied to the manufacturing process of the contact lens.

Description

Contact lenses with device protection

The present invention relates to a contact lens, and more particularly, to a contact lens having a device protection function.

Existing contact lenses are contact lens products that can be combined with electronic devices in addition to vision correction, ophthalmic disease treatment, and makeup functions to form versatility. Specifically, a lens having a refracting property that has been designed can effectively correct a wearer's vision (eg, nearsightedness, farsightedness, diffused light, etc.), and can treat ophthalmic diseases by attaching medicines onto the lens. For aesthetics, a color pattern can be added to the lens to change the color of the pupil or to display letters or patterns on the pupil. In addition, contact lenses and electronic elements, such as electrodes, sensors, and light-emitting elements, have been developed to provide different visual effects to the wearer. In other words, a functional material such as a color material or an electronic element may be put in the contact lens body to impart various functionalities to the lens.

However, with the existing technology, in the case of a functional lens product, it must be loaded into a functional element using an auxiliary support or an insert, and there is room for improvement in their structure and material.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide support and protection of a functional device, including a specific configuration of a protective layer against the lack of existing technology, and to provide a device protection function that helps to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process. It is to provide a contact lens.

In order to solve this technical problem, the technical scheme adopted in the present invention is to provide a contact lens that provides a device protection function including a light-transmitting body, a functional device, and a protective layer. The functional element is installed on the light transmitting body. The protective layer is installed on the translucent body and covers the functional element. The functional element is coated with the transparent body and the protective layer to be isolated from the outside, and the protective layer includes a film-forming polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and a solvent.

Furthermore, there is a recessed space recessed in on the outer surface of the translucent body, and both the protective layer and the functional element are accommodated in this recessed space.

Furthermore, the film-forming polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, polyethers, polyester polyols, polyacrylic acid and its derivatives, PMMA and its derivatives, copolymers of styrene and acrylic acid, and combinations thereof.

Furthermore, the content of the film-forming polymer is between 1 and 60% based on the total weight of the protective layer.

Furthermore, the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, fiber and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof.

Furthermore, based on the total weight of the protective layer, the content of the hydrophilic polymer is between 0.1 and 45%.

Furthermore, the solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, acetylamides, and combinations thereof, and the content of the solvent is 30 to 90% based on the total weight of the protective layer.

Furthermore, based on the total weight of the protective layer, the content of the film-forming polymer is between 15 and 50%.

Furthermore, based on the total weight of the protective layer, the content of the hydrophilic polymer is between 5 and 40%.

Furthermore, the functional device includes at least one of a pattern layer and an electronic device.

One beneficial effect of the present invention is that a contact lens having a device protection function provided by the present invention is "the functional device can be isolated from the outside by being coated with the light transmitting body and the protective layer." And "The protective layer includes a film-forming polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and a solvent."

In order to better understand the features and technical contents of the present invention, reference is made to the detailed description and accompanying drawings of the present invention. However, the accompanying drawings provided are for reference and description of the present invention only, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

1 is a cross-sectional guide view of a contact lens having a device protection function provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged guide view of part II of FIG. 1.
3 is a guide diagram for a first step of a method of manufacturing a contact lens having a device protection function provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a guide diagram of a second step of a method of manufacturing a contact lens having a device protection function provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a guide diagram of a third step of a method of manufacturing a contact lens having a device protection function provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a guide diagram of a fourth step of a method of manufacturing a contact lens having a device protection function provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a guide diagram of a fifth step of a method of manufacturing a contact lens having a device protection function provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes the implementation method related to the 'contact lens having a device protection function' disclosed in the present invention through specific specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art understand the advantages and effects of the present invention as disclosed in the present specification. You can. The present invention may be implemented or applied through other specific embodiments, and each of the details of this specification may be modified and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention based on different viewpoints and applications. In addition, the drawings of the present invention are merely a brief guide, and it is stated in advance that they are not based on actual size descriptions. The following implementation method will describe the related technical content of the present invention in more detail, but the disclosed content is not used to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

See FIGS. 1 and 2. 1 is a cross-sectional guide view of a contact lens having a device protection function provided in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged guide view of part II of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the contact lens L having a device protection function provided in the present invention includes at least a light-transmitting body 1, a functional device 2, and a protective layer 3. The functional element 2 and the protective layer 3 are provided on the light transmitting body 1. It should be noted that in the present invention, "to be installed on" is not limited to being installed on the surface (normal) of the object, and may refer to being installed inside the object. The functional element 2 and the protective layer 3 are both installed inside the light-transmitting body 1.

Specifically, the light-transmitting body 1 constitutes the body of the contact lens L, and may be formed by a general hydrogel material (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-based hydrogel material) or a silicone hydrogel material. . Silicone hydrogel materials are also called polysilic acid hydrogels. The translucent body 1 may have semi-osmotic properties, and may contain other additives other than a hydrogel material or silicone gel material. The material of the light transmitting body 1 is not limited in the present invention.

In addition, the light transmitting body 1 has an outer surface 11 and an inner surface 12 that faces the outer surface 11. For example, the inner surface 12 of the light transmitting body 1 is a surface that contacts the user's eye when the contact lens L is worn by the user, and the outer surface 11 of the light transmitting body 1 is the user's It is the outer surface of the eyeball.

In the contact lens (L) provided with the device protection function provided in the present invention, there is a recessed space that is recessed in on the outer surface 11 of the light-transmitting body 1, and the protective layer 3 and the functional device 2 are recessed space Is accommodated within.

Next, the functional element 2 is installed in the light transmitting body 1. The functional element 2 includes at least one of a pattern layer and an electronic element. For example, the functional element 2 can be used as a pattern layer that deforms the wearer's iris color. The pattern layer may be installed to correspond to a portion of the light-transmitting body 1 that covers the pupil and the iris of the wearer. In other words, when the functional element 2 is a pattern layer, the functional element 2 may be provided in a ring shape (enclosed) in the contact lens. In this case, the pattern layer can cover the pupil and the iris of the wearer, and completely or partially shields the natural color of the pupil and the iris of the wearer to give a makeup effect to the contact lens (L).

In another embodiment of the invention the functional element 2 is an electronic element. The electronic device may be an electrode, a signal transceiver, a light emitting device or a sensor. In the present invention, the type of electronic device is not limited. For example, the electronic device is a distance sensor including a transmitter and a receiver, and can be used to measure the distance between objects observed in the wearer's eyes.

The contact lens L having a device protection function provided in the present invention further includes a protection layer 3. The protective layer 3 may have a thickness between 2 μm and 30 μm. As described above, like the functional element 2, the protective layer 3 is also provided inside the light transmitting body 1. In the present invention, the protective layer 3 may cover (protect) the functional element 2. Specifically, the functional element 2 is a pattern layer, and the pattern layer is provided in a ring shape (enclosed) in the light-transmitting body 1 of the contact lens L, and the protective layer 3 covering the functional element 2 is The light-transmitting body 1 may be installed in the same loop (to surround). In one embodiment of the present invention, the width of the protective layer 3 is larger than the width of the functional element 2 (pattern layer), so care must be taken to ensure a protective effect on the functional element 2.

One of the embodiments of the present invention is that the functional element 2 is fixed or connected to the protective layer 3 so that the functional element 2 is supported by the protective layer 3. For example, the functional element 2 includes a colloid type adhesive and a color material, the color material is dispersed in the adhesive, and a functional element through interaction or bonding between molecules of the adhesive and molecules of the protective layer 3 (2) is to be fixed on the protective layer (3).

The functional element 2 and the protective layer 3 are provided at a position relatively close to the outer surface 11 in the light transmitting body 1. In other words, when the contact lens L is worn by the user, the functional element 2 and the protective layer 3 are in a position close to the outside from the light-transmitting body 1. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the functional element 2 is provided between the outer surface 11 and the protective layer 3. In this case, when the functional element 2 is a patterned layer containing a color material, the protective layer 3 diffuses molecules of the color material (or ink) of the functional element 2 to the outside of the contact lens L, thereby contributing to the external environment. Avoid contact.

In other words, when the functional element 2 is a patterned layer, the protective layer 3 not only supports the functional element 2 but also diffuses the material molecules (eg, color material or ink) in the functional element 2. Can prevent problems caused by. For example, when the material molecules are diffused to the outside, the pattern or color displayed on the original pattern layer may be affected and thus may not exert the predetermined makeup effect, and the material diffused out of the light transmitting body 1 of the contact lens L Molecules can contact the wearer's eye and affect the eye's health.

The structure of the protective layer 3 and the ratio between them must be appropriately selected so that the protective layer 3 has good compatibility with the light transmitting body 1 and the functional element 2 while supporting the functional element 2 . In addition, since the different materials of the contact lens (L) must be transferred by using different loads depending on the process of manufacturing the contact lens (L), the protective layer (3) is also used selectively according to the equipment or mold in the manufacturing process Thus, the protective layer 3 can be smoothly formed inside the transparent body 1 of the contact lens L.

Specifically, the protective layer 3 should have an appropriate viscosity and affinity, and the viscosity and affinity of the protective layer 3 are controlled by selecting different groups of appropriate content ratios. For example, when the protective layer 3 has a desired viscosity, it can be avoided that the material of the protective layer slips or does not adhere properly when transferred between devices.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the protective layer 3 includes a film-forming polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and a solvent. The film-forming polymer is a polyether polyol, polyether, polyester polyols, polyacrylic acid and derivatives thereof, polymethylmethacrylate and derivatives thereof, and copolymers of styrene acrylic acid ( styrene-acrylic acid copolymer) and combinations thereof.

For example, the polyether polyol may have a molecular weight of between 5000 and 500,000, and may be polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, caprolactone, or any combination thereof. The polyether may have a molecular weight of between 5,000 and 500,000, and may be ethylene oxide, propane oxide, glycerin or any combination thereof. The polyester polyol can be oxalic acid, malonic acid, glycerin or any combination thereof. Polyacrylic acid can have a molecular weight of between 50 and 1.5 million. The polyacrylic acid derivative may be a polyacrylic acid salt, for example, potassium salt and sodium salt of acrylic acid. PMMA can have a molecular weight between 5,000 and 500,000. The copolymer of styrene and acrylic acid may be formed of 10-90% styrene monomer and 90-10% acrylic acid.

As described above, the content of the film-forming polymer based on the total weight of the protective layer 3 is between 1 and 60%. Specifically, when the content of the film-forming polymer is less than 1%, the viscosity characteristic of the protective layer 3 is adversely affected and is not fixed at a specific position of the light-transmitting body 1, and if the content of the film-forming polymer is greater than 60% The viscosity of the protective layer 3 is too high and disadvantageous to the manufacturing process of the contact lens L. In one embodiment of the present invention, the content of the film-forming polymer based on the total weight of the protective layer 3 is between 15-50%.

Next, the hydrophilic polymers include polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose and its derivatives, polyethylene alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and its copolymers, and their copolymers. It is selected from the group consisting of combinations. For example, polyvinyl alcohol may be composed of a polymer having a polymerization degree of between 500 and 10000. Fibers can have molecular weights between 5000 and 500,000. Polyethylene alcohol can have a molecular weight between 500 and 50,000. Polyvinylpyrrolidone can have a molecular weight between 50 and 1.5 million.

As described above, the content of the hydrophilic polymer is between 0.1 and 45% based on the total weight of the protective layer 3. In one embodiment of the present invention, based on the total weight of the protective layer 3, the content of the hydrophilic polymer is between 5 and 40%. Specifically, when the content of the hydrophilic polymer is less than 1%, the viscosity characteristic of the protective layer 3 is adversely affected and is not fixed at a specific position of the light-transmitting body 1, if the content of the hydrophilic polymer is greater than 45% The viscosity of the protective layer 3 is excessive, which is disadvantageous for the manufacturing process of the contact lens L. In addition, the hydrophilic polymer content may also affect the comfort when wearing the contact lens (L).

In the protective layer 3 of the contact lens L which is an embodiment of the present invention, the solvent is selected from the group of water, alcohols, amides and combinations thereof. For example, solvents include ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), dimethyl acetamide and dimethyl formamide. The solvent content is between 30 and 90% based on the total weight of the protective layer 3.

With respect to the component composition of the protective layer 3 and its correlation ratio, Table 1 below shows an example of forming the protective layer 3 using different film-forming polymers, hydrophilic polymers and solvents having different contents. Table 1 also shows the evaluation results obtained by evaluating different Examples and Comparative Examples. According to the evaluation results, ◎ indicates that the performance of the film formation / phase transition is good, β indicates that the effect of the film formation / phase transition is acceptable, and x indicates that the effect of the film formation / phase transition is not good. As can be seen from Table 1, it is possible to obtain an acceptable film formation / phase transition effect by using the protective layer 3 having a specific component composition and a correlation ratio provided by the present invention.

Specifically, when the content of the solvent in Comparative Example 1 is less than 30%, and the content of the film-forming polymer in Comparative Example 2 is greater than 60%, in Comparative Example 3, when the content of the hydrophilic polymer is greater than 45%, Comparative Example 1 All of ~ 3 cannot achieve a good film formation / phase transition effect.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 to 7. 3 to 7 are guide diagrams of a first step, a second step, a third step, a fourth step, and a fifth step of a method for manufacturing a contact lens having a device protection function provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the contact lens L having a device protection function provided by the present invention should be manufactured using a molding mold including at least one group of the lower mold M1 and the upper mold M2.

Reference is first made to FIG. 3. 3, in the first step, the lower mold M1 is provided. The lower mold M1 can be made of a metal or non-metallic material. For example, the lower metal mold M1 may be formed of a steel sheet to have an inner concave surface, and the inner concave surface is formed into an annular groove to dissolve the material. The lower mold M1 is used to load the material used to form the contact lens L.

Next, referring to FIG. 4. In the second step, the protective layer 3 and the functional element 2 are installed on the lower mold M1. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the functional element 2 comprises a pattern layer of color material. As shown in Fig. 4, the protective layer 3 and the pattern layer may be installed on the lower mold M1 by a printing method. Specifically, the protective layer 3 may be first installed on the inner surface of the lower mold M1, and the functional element 2 may be directly installed on the protective layer 3. For example, the protective layer 3 material is buried through a rubber pad, and the protective layer 3 material is transferred to the groove surface of the lower mold M1 to form a protective layer. The functional element 2 can also be formed on the protective layer 3 in a similar way.

See FIG. 5. In the third step shown in Fig. 5, the gel material 1 'of the light transmitting body 1 is injected into the grooves of the lower mold M1, and the upper mold M2 is press-fitted (press fit) onto the lower mold M1 to transmit light. The material of the body 1 is filled in the indentation space between the lower mold M1 and the upper mold M2. The shape of the tooth space corresponds to the shape of the contact lens L. For example, in the third step, a gel material (1 ') based on silicone hydrogel is injected into the indentation space, and the protective layer (3) and the functional element (2) are made into a gel material (1') based on silicon hydrogel. Coating.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the next step, photocuring or heat curing is performed for the upper mold M2 and the lower mold M1. Commercialization or heat curing can solidify and mold the material (silicon hydrogel-oriented material) of the light transmitting body 1 installed in the indentation space formed by the upper mold M2 and the lower mold M1. For example, a curing process through ultraviolet light may be performed. Finally, as shown in FIG. 7, in the fifth step, the lens L having the device protection function is obtained by removing the upper mold M2 and the lower mold M1.

[Advantageous Effects of Examples]

The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the lens L having the device protection function provided in the present invention is "functional element 2 is coated with the light transmitting body 1 and the protective layer 3 and is isolated from the outside" and " The protective layer 3 includes a film-forming polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and a solvent. "Through the technical measures, it is possible to exert the effect of supporting and protecting the functional element 2.

Specifically, the protective layer 3 included in the contact lens L provided by the present invention has a specific configuration, and this configuration includes other materials of the contact lens L (for example, the light transmitting body 1). It has good compatibility between hydrogel materials or silicone hydrogel materials), and the properties due to its configuration also efficiently transfer the materials between different devices in the process of manufacturing the contact lens L, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency. Significant improvement.

In addition, the specific configuration of the protective layer 3 is the material of the functional element 2 having a fluidity (eg, of the pattern layer) with the effect of supporting the functional element 2 (for example, a pattern layer or an electronic element) The adhesive and pigment molecules) are prevented from being diffused from the contact lens L to an unspecified position due to flow, and further, the contact lens L is prevented from being pre-set for the makeup effect or the wearer's health.

The contents disclosed above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and as such, it is not limited to the protection scope of the rights request of the present invention, and thus, changes in the technology of equivalent effect made using the manual and drawings of the present invention claim the rights of the present invention All are included within the scope of.

Claims (10)

In a contact lens having a device protection function,
The contact lens includes a light-transmitting body, a functional element installed in the light-transmitting body, and a protective layer installed in the light-transmitting body and covering the functional element,
The functional element is coated with the light-transmitting body and the protective layer to be isolated from the outside, and the protective layer comprises a film-forming polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and a solvent. According to claim 1,
A contact lens having a device protection function, characterized in that it has a recessed space that has entered into the outer surface of the translucent body, and that both the protective layer and the functional element are dissolved in the recessed space. According to claim 1,
The film-forming polymer has a device protection function characterized in that it is selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, polyethers, polyester polyols, polyacrylic acid and its derivatives, PMMA and its derivatives, copolymers of styrene and acrylic acid, and combinations thereof. Contact lenses with. According to claim 1,
Based on the total weight of the protective layer, the content of the film-forming polymer is a contact lens having a device protection function, characterized in that between 1 to 60%. According to claim 1,
The hydrophilic polymer is a contact lens having a device protection function, characterized in that selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, fibrin and its derivatives, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and its copolymers and combinations thereof. According to claim 1,
A contact lens with device protection, characterized in that the content of the hydrophilic polymer is between 0.1 and 45% based on the total weight of the protective layer. According to claim 1,
The solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, acetylamides, and combinations thereof, and based on the total weight of the protective layer, the content of the solvent is between 30% and 90%. Contact lenses. According to claim 1,
A contact lens with device protection, characterized in that the content of the film-forming polymer is between 15 and 50% based on the total weight of the protective layer. According to claim 1,
Based on the total weight of the protective layer, the content of the hydrophilic polymer is a contact lens having a device protection function, characterized in that between 5 to 40%. According to claim 1,
The functional element comprises a pattern layer and at least one of an electronic element, a contact lens having a device protection function.

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