Micro-engineered poly(HEMA) hydrogel for wearable contact lens biosensing and other applications

Abstract

Microchannels in hydrogels play an essential role in enabling a smart contact lens. A wearable contact lens is disclosed herein that uses microchannels and connected chambers located in poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (poly(HEMA)) hydrogel that is used in a commercial contact lens with three-dimensional (3D) printed mold. The corresponding capillary flow behaviors in these microchannels were investigated. Different capillary flow regimes were observed in these microchannels, depending on the hydration level of the hydrogel material. In particular, it was found that a peristaltic pressure could reinstate flow in a dehydrated microchannel, indicating the motion of eye-blinking may help tear flow in a microchannel-containing contact lens. Colorimetric pH and electrochemical Na+ sensing capabilities were demonstrated in these microchannels. Micro-engineered contact lenses formed using poly(HEMA) hydrogel can be used for various biomedical applications such as eye-care and wearable biosensing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.