New Functional Polymers for Next Generation Contact Lenses - a Phase I Project

该提案旨在开发一种新技术，用于生产下一代水凝胶隐形眼镜。目前的隐形眼镜产品具有不同的缺点，例如大量的泪液蛋白质沉积、润滑性差或水合保持性低，这会产生不适和眼睛刺激。目前的技术一直集中在这些问题中的一个或两个，但从来没有同时在所有三个。我们提出在形成透镜的水凝胶网络中掺入具有作为超润滑剂和超润湿剂的独特属性并且高度水合的聚合物。这些特性在单一聚合物中的组合允许配制水凝胶网络，其呈现非常强的抗蛋白质吸附性和长时间的高保水性以及超润滑特性。该I期项目将评价聚合物添加剂对模型角膜组织的毒性、其在灭菌过程中的稳定性以及最终其在透镜中的停留时间。这些结果将使我们能够说服对本技术感兴趣的工业合作伙伴，进一步支持将该技术转化为商业产品。

This proposal aims to develop a novel technology for producing the next generation of hydrogel-based contact lenses. Current contact lenses products suffer from different drawbacks such as extensive lachrymal proteins deposition, poor lubrication or low hydration retention which creates discomfort and eye irritation. Current technologies have been focused on one or two of these issues but never on all three simultaneously. We propose the incorporate in the hydrogel network forming the lens a polymer that has the unique attribute of being superlubricant and super antifouling agent and highly hydrated. The combination of these properties in a single polymer allows to formulate hydrogel networks that present very strong resistance to protein adsorption and high water retention over long period of time and superlubrication properties. This phase I project will evaluate the toxicity of the polymer additive on model corneal tissues, its stability during sterilization and finally its residence time in the lens. These results will allow us to convince industrial partners who have manifested their interest in the present technology to further support its translation of this technology into a commercial product.