Surface characterization of an ultra-soft contact lens material using an atomic force microscopy nanoindentation method.

ABSTRACT: As new ultra-soft materials are being developed for medical devices and biomedical applications, the comprehensive characterization of their physical and mechanical properties is both critical and challenging. To characterize the very low surface modulus of the novel biomimetic lehfilcon A silicone hydrogel contact lens coated with a layer of a branched polymer brush structure, an improved atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation method has been applied. This technique allows for precise contact-point determination without the effects of viscous squeeze-out upon approaching the branched polymer. Additionally, it allows individual brush elements to be mechanically characterized in the absence of poroelastic effects. This was accomplished by selecting an AFM probe with a design (tip siz

SUBMITTER: Sharma V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9678857 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature