TWI638204B - Contact lens with element protecting function - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a contact lens with component protection function, which comprises a light-transmissive body, a functional component and a protective layer. The functional component is disposed on the light transmissive body, and the protective layer is disposed on the light transmissive body and covers the functional component. The functional component is covered by the transparent body and the protective layer and is isolated from the outside, and the protective layer comprises a film forming polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and a solvent. The contact lens disclosed by the present invention can achieve the effect of supporting and protecting the functional element by the design of the protective layer having a specific composition, and the protective layer used in the contact lens disclosed in the present invention is well applied to the contact lens. During the manufacturing process.

Description

Contact lens with component protection

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

In addition to providing corrective vision, treating eye diseases, and makeup, existing contact lenses can also be combined with electronic components to form a versatile contact lens product. Specifically, the use of a lens having a designed refractive property can effectively correct the wearer's vision (eg, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, etc.), and attaching a pharmaceutical product to the lens can treat an ophthalmic disease. In order to achieve the aesthetic appeal, the color pattern can be placed in the contact lens to change the color of the pupil or display text or pattern on the pupil. In addition, it has now been developed to combine contact lens lenses with electronic components such as electrodes, sensors or illuminating elements to provide different visual effects for the wearer. In other words, by incorporating a functional element such as a colorant or an electronic component into the contact lens body, various functionalities of the contact lens can be imparted.

However, in the prior art, for a functional contact lens product, it is still necessary to use an auxiliary support or an insert as a carrier for the functional element, and there is room for improvement in the structure and material of these carriers.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a contact lens having a component protection function, which comprises a protective layer having a specific composition to provide support and protection of functional components, and to improve the manufacturing process, in view of the deficiencies of the prior art. effectiveness.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is to provide a contact lens having a component protection function, which comprises a light transmitting body, a functional component and a protective layer. The functional element is disposed on the light transmissive body. The protective layer is disposed on the light transmissive body and covers the functional element. The functional element is covered by the transparent 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.

One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the contact lens having the component protection function provided by the present invention can be isolated from the outside by "the functional element is covered by the light-transmitting body and the protective layer" And the technical solution that the protective layer includes a film-forming polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and a solvent, and has the effect of supporting and protecting the functional element.

For a better understanding of the features and technical aspects of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings.

L‧‧‧ contact lenses

1‧‧‧Lighting body

1'‧‧‧gel material

11‧‧‧ outer surface

12‧‧‧ inner surface

2‧‧‧ functional components

3‧‧‧Protective layer

M1‧‧‧ lower mold

M2‧‧‧Upper mold

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a contact lens having a component protection function according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion II of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a contact lens having a component protection function according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a second step of a method for manufacturing a contact lens having a component protection function according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a component protection according to an embodiment of the present invention; Schematic diagram of a third step of a method for manufacturing a functional contact lens; FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a fourth step of a method for manufacturing a contact lens having a component protection function according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the present invention Provided contact lens with component protection Schematic diagram of the fifth step of the manufacturing method.

The following is a description of an embodiment of the present invention relating to a "contact lens having a component protection function" by a specific embodiment, and those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in the specification. The present invention may be carried out or applied in various other specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the drawings of the present invention are merely illustrative and are not intended to be stated in the actual size. The following embodiments will further explain the related technical content of the present invention, but the disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a contact lens having a component protection function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion II of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the contact lens L having the component protection function provided by the present invention includes at least a light transmitting body 1, a functional element 2, and a protective layer 3. Both the functional element 2 and the protective layer 3 are disposed on the light-transmitting body 1. It is to be noted that, in the present invention, "disposed on" is not limited to being disposed directly above the object, and may be disposed inside the object. In other words, both the functional element 2 and the protective layer 3 are disposed inside the light-transmitting body 1.

Specifically, the light-transmitting body 1 constitutes a main body of the contact lens L, and may be formed of a general water-repellent material (a water-based glue material mainly composed of hydroxyethyl methacrylate) or a hydrophobic rubber material. The hydrophobic gel material can also be called a polyoxygen hydrogel. The light transmitting body 1 may have semi-permeable properties and may contain a water gel material or other additives other than the hydrophobic rubber material. The material of the light transmitting body 1 is not limited in the present invention.

In addition to this, the light-transmissive body 1 has an outer surface 11 and an inner surface 12 with respect to the outer surface 11. For example, the inner surface 12 of the light-transmitting body 1 is a surface that contacts the eyeball of the user when the contact lens L is worn by the user, and the appearance of the light-transmitting body 1 The face is the surface facing the outside of the user's eye.

In the contact lens L with component protection function provided by the present invention, the outer surface 11 of the light-transmitting body 1 has a concave recessed space, and the protective layer 3 and the functional element 2 are accommodated in the recessed space. .

Next, the functional element 2 is disposed inside the light-transmitting body 1. The functional element 2 includes at least one of a pattern layer or an electronic element. For example, the functional element 2 can be a pattern layer to change the iris color of the wearer. The pattern layer may be disposed on a portion of the light-transmitting body 1 corresponding to the pupil and the iris covering the wearer. In other words, when the functional element 2 is a patterned layer, the functional element 2 can be circumferentially disposed within the contact lens. In this way, the patterned layer can cover the wearer's pupil and the iris to completely or partially obscure the wearer's pupil and the natural color of the iris, thereby imparting a contact lens L finish effect.

In another embodiment of the invention, the functional element 2 is an electronic component. The electronic component can be an electrode, a signal transceiver, a light emitting component, or a sensor. In the present invention, the kind of the electronic component is not limited. For example, an electronic component is a distance sensor that includes a transmitter and a receiver that can be used to measure the distance between the wearer's eyes and the observed object.

The contact lens L having the component protection function provided by the present invention further includes a protective layer 3. The protective layer 3 may have a thickness of between 2 μm and 30 μm. As described above, like the functional element 2, the protective layer 3 is also disposed inside the light-transmitting body 1. In the present invention, the protective layer 3 can cover the functional element 2. Specifically, when the functional element 2 is a pattern layer, and the pattern layer is circumferentially disposed in the light-transmitting body 1 of the contact lens L, the protective layer 3 covering the functional element 2 can be similarly disposed in a wraparound manner. Inside the light body 1. It should be noted that in one embodiment of the invention, the width of the protective layer 3 is greater than the width of the functional element 2 (pattern layer) to ensure a protective effect on the functional element 2.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, the functional element 2 is fixed or attached to the protective layer 3 such that the functional element 2 is supported by the protective layer 3. For example, The functional component 2 is composed of a binder in the form of a colloid and a colorant, and the colorant is dispersed in the binder, and the functional component is made by the vantage force or bonding between the molecules of the binder and the molecules of the protective layer 3. 2 is fixed on the protective layer 3.

The functional element 2 and the protective layer 3 are disposed closer 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 located near the outer side of the light-transmitting body 1. Further, in the embodiment of the invention, the functional element 2 is disposed between the outer surface 1 and the protective layer 3. In this way, when the functional element 2 is a pattern layer including a color material, the protective layer 3 can prevent the color material (or ink) molecules of the functional element 2 from diffusing to the outside of the contact lens L to be in contact with the external environment.

In other words, when the functional element 2 is a patterned layer, the protective layer 3 can not only provide support for the functional element 2, but also prevent the material molecules (such as colorants or inks) in the functional element 2 from spreading outward. The problem caused. For example, if the material molecules are outwardly diffused, the pattern or color displayed by the original pattern layer may be affected and the predetermined cosmetic effect may not be exerted, and the material molecules diffused to the outside of the light-transmitting body 1 of the contact lens L may be The eye contact of the wearer affects the health of the eyeball.

In order for the protective layer 3 to have good compatibility with the light-transmitting body 1 and the functional element 2 while supporting the functional element 2, the composition of the protective layer 3 and the ratio between it and the like must be appropriately selected. In addition, since different materials are needed to transfer the different materials of the contact lens L during the manufacturing process of the contact lens L, the protective layer 3 also needs to be selected in accordance with the implement or the mold in the manufacturing process, so that the protective layer 3 is selected. It can be smoothly formed inside the light-transmitting body 1 of the contact lens L.

Specifically, the protective layer 3 must have an appropriate viscosity and affinity, and the viscosity and affinity of the protective layer 3 are controlled by selecting different components in appropriate proportions. For example, when the protective layer 3 has a desired viscosity, it is possible to prevent the material of the protective layer from slipping or failing to adhere smoothly when transferring between the implements.

In an embodiment of the invention, the protective layer 3 comprises a film-forming polymer, hydrophilic Polymer and solvent. The film-forming polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, polyethers, polyester polyols, polyacrylic acid and derivatives thereof, and polymethylmethacrylate. And a group of its derivatives, styrene-acrylic acid copolymer, and combinations thereof.

For example, the polyether polyol may have a molecular weight of between 5,000 and 500,000, which may be polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, caprolactone or Any combination of these. The polyether may have a molecular weight of between 5,000 and 500,000, which may be ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, glycerin or any combination thereof. The polyester polyol may be oxalic acid, malonic acid, glycerin or any combination thereof. Polyacrylic acid can have a molecular weight between 5,000 and 1.5 million. The polyacrylic acid derivative may be a polyacrylate such as potassium salt of sodium acrylate and a sodium salt. Polymethyl methacrylate can have a molecular weight between 5,000 and 500,000. The copolymer of styrene and acrylic acid may be formed from 10-90% styrene monomer and 90-10% acrylic acid.

In view of the above, the content of the film-forming polymer is between 1 and 60% based on the total weight of the protective layer 3. Specifically, if the content of the film-forming polymer is less than 1%, the viscosity characteristic of the protective layer 3 is adversely affected and cannot be fixed to a specific position in the light-transmitting body 1, and if the content of the film-forming polymer is larger than 60%, the viscosity of the protective layer 3 is too high to facilitate the manufacturing process of the contact lens L. In one embodiment of the present invention, the content of the film-forming polymer is between 15 and 50% based on the total weight of the protective layer 3.

Next, the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose and its derivatives, polyethylene alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and copolymers thereof ( Polyvinylpyrrolidone and its copolymer), and a group of combinations thereof. For example, polyvinyl alcohol can be a polymer having a degree of polymerization between 500 and 10,000. Cellulose can have a molecular weight between 5,000 and 500,000. Polyethylene glycol can have a molecular weight between 500 and 500,000. Polyvinylpyrrolidone It may have a molecular weight between 5,000 and 1.5 million.

In view of the 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 invention, the hydrophilic polymer is present in an amount between 5 and 40% based on the total weight of the protective layer 3. Specifically, if the content of the hydrophilic polymer is less than 1%, the viscosity characteristic of the protective layer 3 is adversely affected and cannot be fixed to a specific position in the light-transmitting body 1, and if the content of the hydrophilic polymer is more than 45% The viscosity of the protective layer 3 is too high to facilitate the manufacturing process of the contact lens L. In addition, the content of the hydrophilic polymer also affects the comfort of the contact lens L when worn.

In the protective layer 3 of the contact lens L of the embodiment of the present invention, the solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, guanamines, and the like. For example, the solvent may be ethanol, propanol, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide or the like. The solvent content is between 30 and 90% based on the total weight of the protective layer 3.

With respect to the composition of the protective layer 3 and its related ratio, Table 1 below shows an example in which the protective layer 3 is formed using different film-forming polymers, hydrophilic polymers, and solvents having different contents. The evaluation results obtained by evaluating different examples and comparative examples are also listed in the table. For the evaluation results, ◎ represents good results in film formation/phase transfer, △ represents the effect of film formation/phase transfer, and ╳ represents poor film formation/phase transfer. As can be seen from Table 1, an acceptable film formation/phase transfer effect can be obtained by using the protective layer 3 provided by the present invention having a specific composition and its related ratio.

Specifically, the content of the solvent in Comparative Example 1 was less than 30%, the content of the film-forming polymer of Comparative Example 2 was more than 60%, and the content of the hydrophilic polymer of Comparative Example 3 was more than 45%, and thus, comparison was made. In all of Examples 1 to 3, a good film formation/phase transfer effect could not be obtained.

Next, please refer to Figures 3 to 7. FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 are schematic diagrams showing 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 component protection function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the contact lens L having the component protection function provided by the present invention needs to be manufactured using at least one set of molding dies including the lower mold M1 and the upper mold M2.

Please refer to Figure 3 first. As shown in FIG. 3, in the first step, the lower mold M1 is provided. The lower mold can be made of a metal or a non-metal material. For example, the lower mold M1 may be molded from a steel sheet to have a concave surface, and the concave surface surrounds a groove for receiving a material. The lower mold M1 is for carrying a material for forming the contact lens L.

Next, please refer to Figure 4. In the second step, the protective layer 3 and the functional element 2 are provided on the lower mold M1. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 6, the functional element 2 comprises a patterned layer of colorant. As shown in FIG. 4, the protective layer 3 and the pattern layer can be disposed in the lower mold M1 by pad printing. Specifically, the protective layer 3 may be first disposed on the inner surface of the lower mold M1, and the functional element 2 is directly disposed on the protective layer 3. For example, the material of the protective layer 3 can be taken up by a plastic head, and the material of the protective layer 3 can be transferred to the surface of the groove 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 manner.

Please refer to Figure 5. In the third step shown in FIG. 5, the gel material 1' of the light-transmitting body 1 is injected into the groove of the lower mold M1, and the upper mold M2 is pressed onto the lower mold M1 so that the material of the light-transmitting body 1 is filled. In the accommodating space between the lower mold M1 and the upper mold M2. The shape of the accommodation space corresponds to the shape of the contact lens L. For example, in the third step, the gel material 1' mainly composed of hydrophobic glue is injected into the accommodating space, so that the protective layer 3 and the functional element 2 are gel materials mainly composed of hydrophobic glue. 'covered.

As shown in FIG. 6, next, in the fourth step, the upper mold M2 and the lower mold M1 are photocured or heat-cured. Light curing or heat curing can make the light-transmitting book disposed in the accommodating space formed by the upper mold M2 and the lower mold M1 The material of the body 1 (a material mainly composed of hydrophobic glue) is solidified and molded. For example, the curing process can be performed by UV light. Finally, as shown in FIG. 7, in the fifth step, the upper mold M2 and the lower mold M1 are removed, and a contact lens L having a component protection function is obtained.

[Advantageous Effects of Embodiments]

An advantageous effect of the present invention is that the contact lens L having the component protection function provided by the present invention can be separated from the outside by the "functional element 2 is covered by the light-transmitting body 1 and the protective layer 3" and the "protective layer" 3 includes a film-forming polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and a solvent, and has an 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 composition, and the composition is not only the other materials in the contact lens L (for example, the water-repellent material of the light-transmitting body 1 or the hydrophobic water). The plastic material has good compatibility, and the characteristics caused by its composition can also make the transfer of materials between different implements efficiently in the process of manufacturing the contact lens L, thereby greatly improving the manufacturing efficiency.

In addition to this, the specific composition of the protective layer 3 can achieve the effect of supporting the functional element 2 (for example, a pattern layer or an electronic component), and can also effectively avoid the material of the functional element 2 having fluidity (for example, in a pattern layer). The adhesive and the pigment molecules diffuse into the non-predetermined position due to the flow in the contact lens L, thereby preventing the contact lens L from losing the preset makeup effect or endangering the wearer's health.

The above disclosure is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, any equivalent technical changes made by using the present specification and the contents of the drawings are included in the application of the present invention. Within the scope of the patent.

Claims (9)

A contact lens having a component protection function, comprising: a light transmissive body; a functional component, the functional component being disposed on the light transmissive body; and a protective layer disposed on the transparent layer And covering the functional element on the light body; wherein the functional element is covered by the transparent 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, wherein the content of the film-forming polymer is between 1% and 60% based on the total weight of the protective layer. The contact lens having a component protection function according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the light transmissive body has a concave recessed space, and the protective layer and the functional component are accommodated in Within the recessed space. The contact lens having a component protection function according to claim 1, wherein the film-forming polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, polyethers, polyester polyols, polyacrylic acids and derivatives thereof, and polycondensation. A group consisting of methyl methacrylate and its derivatives, a copolymer of styrene and acrylic acid, and combinations thereof. The contact lens having a component protection function according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and copolymerization thereof. a group of objects, and combinations thereof. The contact lens having a component protection function according to claim 1, wherein the content of the hydrophilic polymer is between 0.1% and 45% based on the total weight of the protective layer. The contact lens having a component protection function according to claim 1, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, guanamines, and the like, and is based on the protective layer. The total weight of the solvent is between 30% and Between 90%. The contact lens having a component protection function according to claim 1, wherein the content of the film-forming polymer is between 15% and 50% based on the total weight of the protective layer. The contact lens having a component protection function according to claim 1, wherein the content of the hydrophilic polymer is between 5% and 40% based on the total weight of the protective layer. A contact lens having a component protection function according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit comprises at least one of a pattern layer and an electronic component.