$EPGL **New Publication** 20170235158 ELECTRONIC MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS US 17.08.2017
G02C 7/08
15502201 EP GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. David T. Markus
The present disclosure provides an elastic electronic circuit adapted to provide three dimensional elasticity while conforming to the curved or angled structures of a swellable medical device, such as a hydrogel or silicone hydrogel contact lens. The elastic electronic circuit can include a first pattern for flexibility in a first dimension, a second pattern for flexibility in a second dimension, and a third pattern for flexibility in a third dimension. Alternatively, the elastic circuit can include a first pattern for flexibility in a first dimension and a second pattern for flexibility in a second dimension. The resulting three-dimensional elasticity enables the use of electronic circuits on soft contact lenses, where manufacture and use will cause the lenses and circuits to swell and shrink. Furthermore, the electronic circuit will not distort the vision correction of the contact lens or otherwise cause discomfort or other negative side effects.
1. A swellable medical device, comprising:
a substrate having a first size, and formed of a material that allows the substrate to swell to a second size that is different than the first size; and
an elastic electronic circuit provided on or in the substrate, the elastic electronic circuit comprising a first pattern that allows the elastic electronic circuit to stretch as the substrate swells from the first size to the second size.
2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first pattern of the elastic electronic circuit has a horseshoe shape having a turning degree from 0 degrees to 45 degrees.
3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the substrate material is a hydrogel polymer.
4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the substrate material is a silicone hydrogel polymer.
5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the substrate has a semispheroidal shape having an apex region, and the elastic electronic circuit circumscribes the apex region.
6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device is an ophthalmic lens.
7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device is an contact lens.
8. A method of manufacturing a swellable medical device, comprising:
forming a material into a substrate having a first size and that can swell to a second size that is different than the first size; and
providing an elastic electronic circuit on or in the substrate, wherein the elastic electronic circuit comprises a first pattern that allows the elastic electronic circuit to stretch as the substrate swells from the first size to the second size.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first pattern of the elastic electronic circuit has a horseshoe shape having a turning degree from 0 degrees to 45 degrees.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the substrate material is a hydrogel polymer.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the substrate material is a silicone hydrogel polymer.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the substrate has a semispheroidal shape having an apex region, and the elastic electronic circuit circumscribes the apex region.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the medical device is an ophthalmic lens.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the medical device is a contact lens.
15. A flexible medical device, comprising:
a substrate having a first size, and formed of a material that allows the substrate to change to a second size that is different than the first size; and
an elastic electronic circuit provided on or in the substrate, the elastic electronic circuit comprising a first pattern that allows the elastic electronic circuit to stretch as the substrate changes from the first size to the second size;
wherein the substrate is not distorted by the elastic electronic circuit upon the changing of size of the substrate.
16. The medical device of claim 15, wherein the substrate is flexible and is not distorted by the elastic electronic circuit upon flexing of the substrate.
17. The medical device of claim 15, the elastic electronic circuit further comprising an interconnecting member attached to one or more electronic components.
18. The medical device of claim 17, wherein the interconnecting member includes a first curved or angled structure and a second curved or angled structure embedded in the first curved or angled structure.
19. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the interconnecting member includes a third curved or angled structure embedded in the second curved or angled structure.
20. The medical device of claim 15, wherein the medical device is a contact lens and the elastic electronic circuit further comprises an interconnecting member attached to one or more electronic components, wherein the interconnecting member is non-planar and the electronic components enhance, modify or extend lens function.
21. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said first pattern further comprises a second pattern embedded within said first pattern.
22. The medical device of claim 21, wherein said second pattern further comprises a third pattern embedded within said second pattern.
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