Intraocular lens with metasurface elements for reducing reflections

Abstract

An IOL includes an optic having an optic anterior surface and an optic posterior surface opposite the anterior surface, the optic anterior surface configured to receive light entering an eye in which the IOL is implanted. The IOL includes at least one of a refractive structure and a diffractive structure configured to improve vision of the eye. A metasurface is configured to reduce reflection of the human visible spectrum from the anterior surface. The IOL can further include a peripheral portion surrounding the optic, the metasurface can additionally or alternatively be formed on the peripheral portion and configured to act as a filter for reducing transmission of the human visible spectrum through a peripheral anterior surface of the peripheral portion into the peripheral portion.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 652,577, filed May 28, 2024, which is hereby assigned to the assignee of this application and is hereby expressly incorporated in its entirety by reference for all applicable purposes, as fully set forth below. Background Technology

[0002] The human eye provides vision by allowing light to pass through a transparent outer part called the cornea and be focused onto the retina via the lens. The quality of the focused image depends on many factors, including the size and shape of the eye, as well as the transparency of the cornea and lens. When the lens becomes opaque due to age or disease, vision deteriorates because less light can pass through to the retina. This defect in the eye's lens is medically known as a cataract. One treatment for this condition is surgical removal of the lens and implantation of an artificial lens (IOL).

[0003] While existing IOLs are acceptable, they also have certain drawbacks. Therefore, IOL design needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect of the invention, an IOL includes an optical device having a front surface and a rear surface opposite to the front surface, the front surface being configured to receive light entering an eye in which the IOL is implanted. The IOL includes at least one of a refractive structure and a diffractive structure configured to improve vision in the eye. A metasurface is configured to reduce reflection of the visible spectrum from the front surface. Attached Figure Description

[0005] To gain a detailed understanding of the features described above, reference can be made to the embodiments to provide a more specific description of the disclosure, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings only illustrate some aspects of this disclosure, and that other equally effective embodiments are permissible.

[0006] Figure 1 It showcases conventional intraocular lenses (IOLs) and eyes.

[0007] Figure 2 This is an isometric view of the IOL according to certain embodiments, showing its cross-section.

[0008] Figure 3 According to certain embodiments Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view of the IOL shows the behavior of near-normal rays.

[0009] Figure 4A This is a cross-sectional view of the front surface region of an IOL according to certain embodiments, on which a metasurface is formed.

[0010] Figure 4B This is a cross-sectional view of the front surface region of the IOL according to certain embodiments, an alternative implementation on which a metasurface is formed.

[0011] Figures 5A to 5C This is a cross-sectional view of a column of a metasurface according to certain embodiments.

[0012] Figure 6 According to certain embodiments Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view of the IOL shows the behavior of light incident on the upper surface of the periphery of the IOL.

[0013] Figure 7 According to certain embodiments Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view of the IOL shows the behavior of light rays incident on the edge surface of the IOL and within the perimeter of the IOL.

[0014] Figure 8 According to certain embodiments Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view of the IOL shows the behavior of light rays leaving the lower surface of the perimeter of the IOL.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the rear surface region of an IOL according to certain embodiments, on which a metasurface is formed.

[0016] Figure 10 An example method for forming an IOL is described.

[0017] Figure 11 Example systems for designing, configuring, and / or forming an IOL, according to certain embodiments, are described.

[0018] Figure 12 Example operations for forming an IOL according to certain embodiments are described.

[0019] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals have been used where possible to refer to the same elements common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment can be advantageously combined in other embodiments without further description. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Figure 1A conventional intraocular lens (IOL) 108 with an optical axis 102 is shown placed within the eye 100. While existing IOLs function well in many patients, they also have certain drawbacks. In some cases, flashes of light may occur in the peripheral vision after cataract surgery due to shadows and reflections associated with the IOL 108.

[0021] For example, incident light 104 may enter IOL 108 from the temporal direction at an extreme angle of incidence (e.g., angle of incidence 106). In this case, reflected light 110 may be perceived as a flash or reflected glare image (e.g., positive aberrant photophobia or "PD").

[0022] The innovative insight is that the geometry of IOL 108 (e.g., edge design) differs from that of the human lens replaced by IOL 108, wherein the edge and / or peripheral design of the IOL plays an important role in causing positive aberrant optic vision and thus potentially reducing positive aberrant optic vision, as can be described in the following embodiments.

[0023] Another drawback of the existing IOL 108 is the reflection from the anterior surface of the IOL 108. Because the material properties of the IOL are different from those of the surrounding fluid (aqueous humor), the patient's pupil may emit light in a way that is perceptible to others and disturbing, a phenomenon commonly known as "crazy eye".

[0024] The embodiments described herein provide an IOL having metasurface elements (e.g., pillars) disposed on or within the IOL for purposes of reducing one or both of “crazy eye” and positive aberrant photophobia, as well as other possible purposes. The metasurfaces include nanostructures (e.g., pillars or other periodic structures) that, through various designs and arrangements, can impart customized polarization, wavelength-dependent amplitude (e.g., optical filtering), and / or phase to incident light, and / or provide customized reflectivity to the incident light.

[0025] As used herein, “metasurface” and “metasurface element” include (1) a metasurface that defines (or partially defines) an outer front or rear surface of a transparent member, (2) an embedded metasurface located within a transparent member, and / or (3) both of the above. In some embodiments, a metasurface may include structures or features having micro or nanoscale dimensions. For example, as further described in this disclosure, a metasurface may include nanoscale structures or nanostructures, such as nanopillars or nanocones. In some aspects, metasurface elements are arranged to be at least substantially opaque to at least a portion of the human visible spectrum and / or have reduced reflectivity within a certain incident angle range. As used herein, “human visible spectrum” may be defined as from 380 nm to 750 nm.

[0026] refer to Figure 2 According to some embodiments, the intraocular lens (IOL) 200 includes an optics element 202. The optics element 202 can be implemented as a monofocal refractive lens or a multifocal lens, the multifocal lens including refractive and diffractive structures (e.g., an annular grating) to provide multiple focal lengths, such as some or all for distance, intermediate, and near vision. The diffractive structure can be formed on one or both of the anterior surface (facing the outer side of the eye) or the posterior surface (facing the retina) of the optics element 202. The optics element 202 defines an optical axis 204 passing through its center. The focusing characteristics of the optics element 202 can be designed for a angular region surrounding the optical axis 204 that will align with the highest-resolution portion of the retina (fovea) during use. The diameter of the optics element 202 surrounding the optical axis 204 can be between about 4.5 mm and about 7.5 mm.

[0027] The intraocular lens 200 may include a peripheral portion 206 extending around the optics 202. For example, the peripheral portion 206 may have a toroidal shape, the dimension of which is parallel to the optical axis 204 smaller than its width perpendicular to the optical axis 204. The peripheral portion 206 may have rounded edges or right-angled edges. For example, the optics 202 and the peripheral portion 206 may have the cross-sectional shape 208 shown.

[0028] In IOL 200, loops 210 are mounted to and extend outward from peripheral portion 206. Loops 210 function as springs that are biased outward against the eye's pouch to stabilize and maintain IOL 200 in place. IOL 200 according to embodiments disclosed herein may include loops 210 of any type known in the art, and in some embodiments, loops 210 may be absent. In some embodiments, IOL 200 may be implemented as an torus IOL and therefore may have asymmetric characteristics with respect to optical axis 204 to compensate for astigmatism. In some other embodiments, IOL 200 may be non-torus, monofocal, multifocal, or any other type of IOL.

[0029] Optical element 202, peripheral portion 206, and possibly loop 210 may be made of a transparent, flexible, biocompatible polymer (such as a flexible polymer, including hydrophobic acrylic polymer materials). In some embodiments, optical element 202, peripheral portion 206, and loop 210 may be made of substantially the same material, while in other embodiments, loop 210 may be made of a different material from optical element 202 and peripheral portion 206 and secured to the peripheral portion by welding, adhesive, or another fastener. For example, in some embodiments, optical element 202, peripheral portion 206, and / or loop 210 may include biocompatible materials such as modified polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), modified PMMA hydrogel, hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), PVA hydrogel, other silicone polymer materials, and hydrophobic acrylic polymer materials, such as AcrySof® and Clareon® materials available from Alcon, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas.

[0030] refer to Figure 3 Optical element 202 has a front surface 300a and a rear surface 300b on opposite sides of the optical axis 204. Peripheral portion 206 also has a front surface 302a and a rear surface 302b on opposite sides of the optical axis 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the front and rear surfaces 302a and 302b of peripheral portion 206 are planar, and the optical axis 204 is perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces 302a and 302b. However, other shapes are possible, including conical, elliptical, etc. An edge surface 304 extends between the front and rear surfaces 302a and 302b of peripheral portion 206. The edge surface 304 may have a cylindrical shape centered on the optical axis 204, and may have non-cylindrical features in the region fixed to loop 210. The edge surface 304 may also have a rounded shape in a plane parallel to the optical axis 204. In some embodiments, the right-angled edge of the peripheral portion 206 (i.e., the cylindrical edge surface 304) may be preferred because it can suppress posterior capsule opacification.

[0031] Figure 3The function of IOL 200 relative to "near-normal light" 306 is further illustrated. Near-normal light 306 has an angle of incidence 308 relative to the optical axis 204, such that it is focused onto the fovea by optics 202. In some embodiments, near-normal light 306 can be defined as light focused by optics 202 within the periphery of the parafovea (the retinal region surrounding the fovea) or the periphery of the peripheral fovea (the retinal region surrounding the parafovea). For example, near-normal light 306 can be defined as having an angle of incidence 308 less than or equal to 2.5 degrees, i.e., the angle of view of light focused onto the fovea. In other embodiments, near-normal light 306 can be defined as having an angle of incidence 308 less than or equal to 4.2 degrees (angle of view of the parafovea) or less than or equal to 9.2 degrees (angle of view of the peripheral fovea) relative to the optical axis 204.

[0032] It is desirable that near-normal light in the human visible spectrum is transmitted through the optics 202, and it is desirable to reduce or eliminate the portion of the near-normal light 306 reflected 310 that falls within the human visible spectrum. Reducing the portion of the near-normal light 306 reflected 310 in the human visible spectrum improves the patient's vision and reduces the occurrence of "crazy eye".

[0033] For this purpose, the front surface 300a, extending outward from the optical axis 204 within a radius 312, may have a metasurface formed thereon or adhered thereto, which reduces light reflection in the human visible spectrum. The radius 312 may extend entirely or partially to the periphery of the optics 202, for example, to a radius of 2.25 mm to 3.75 mm. The radius 312 may coincide with the range of refractive and / or diffractive structures formed on the front surface 300a and / or the rear surface 300b. In some exemplary embodiments, the metasurface is formed on or adhered to the front surface 300a, which may be planar or non-planar, while the refractive and diffractive structures are defined on the rear surface 300b, which may be planar or non-planar. In additional or alternative embodiments, the metasurface may be formed on or adhered to the front surface 300a, which may also include refractive and / or diffractive structures.

[0034] like Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs shown, the metasurface 400 can be formed within a radius 312 on the front surface 300a of the optics 202, and can include a plurality of pillars 402, which can be arranged on or formed in the front surface 300a of the optics 202. The pillars 402 can taper from a widened base 402B to a smaller top 402T. The pillars 402 can have a conical shape with rounded ends of a radius of curvature r. The pillars 402 can have a height H in the Z direction between about 30 nm and about 1000 nm, the Z direction being defined as perpendicular to the surface from which the individual pillar 402 extends, such as the front surface 300a of the optics 202 and possibly the front surface 302a of the peripheral portion 206 of the IOL 200. The pillars 402 can have a width R in the X and Y directions between about 30 nm and about 500 nm, the X and Y directions being defined as perpendicular to the Z direction, i.e., tangent to a point on the surface from which the individual pillar 402 extends. The pillar 402 may have a pitch P between approximately 30 nm and approximately 500 nm in the X and Y directions. The height H, width R, and pitch P of the pillar 402 may be constant throughout the metasurface 400, or may vary, for example, with distance from the optical axis 204. The pillar 402 may have a circular cross-section from the base 402B to the top 402T (see...). Figure 5A and Figure 5B Alternatively, column 402 may be derived from a square or rectangular section at base 402B (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 5C Transition to near the top 402T (e.g., 0.05 from the top 402T). The column 402 has a circular cross-section (within H). The shape shown for the column 402 is merely exemplary. The column 402 may alternatively be implemented as a nanofin (e.g., with a cross-sectional aspect ratio greater than 2, 4, or 8 in the XY plane), a nanocone, or the like.

[0035] Column 402 can extend from the front surface 300a of optics 202 into the aqueous humor within the patient's eye, such as... Figure 4A As shown, or it can be embedded in the coating material 406, such as Figure 4B As shown. In any embodiment, the pillar 402 may be made of the same material as the body of the optical device 202, or it may be made of a different material with a different refractive index than the rest of the optical device 202. When using coating material 406, coating material 406 may be closer to the refractive index of aqueous humor to reduce reflection. Coating material 406 may alternatively be formed of the same material forming the body of the optical device 202, while the pillar 402 is formed of a material with a different refractive index compared to the material forming the body of the optical device 202.

[0036] Light 408 at an incident angle θ iThe incident light is incident on metasurface 400. The reflectivity of metasurface 400 relative to the wavelength of the incident light is given by height H, width R, pitch P, and incident angle θ. I And the refractive index of column 402 relative to the surrounding medium (aqueous solution or coating material 406).

[0037] The properties of column 402 (height H, width R, pitch P, and the refractive index of column 402 and the surrounding medium within a selectable range) can be chosen so that metasurface 400 acts as a near-normal incident angle θ. i A long-pass filter. The periodic arrangement and size of pillars 402 can be used to reflect light waves at different depths, thereby producing wavelength-dependent constructive and destructive interference. When reflected light from different depths undergoes destructive interference at a given wavelength, transmission occurs at that wavelength without attenuation. When reflected light from different depths undergoes constructive interference at a given wavelength, reflection occurs at that wavelength (i.e., transmission attenuation). The degree of constructive and destructive interference determines the degree of attenuation of transmitted light at a given wavelength.

[0038] Long-pass filters have a "start" wavelength such that wavelengths shorter than the start wavelength will be attenuated, for example, at least 3 dB, while wavelengths longer than the start wavelength will not be attenuated, for example, attenuated less than 3 dB. To reduce "crazy eye," the start wavelength can be chosen to be just below the visible spectrum, such as 380 nm, 370 nm, or 360 nm. In this way, light in the visible spectrum will transmit through the metasurface 400 instead of being reflected. The transmission of light with wavelengths shorter than the start wavelength (e.g., 380 nm) will be attenuated, and therefore these wavelengths will be reflected. The start wavelength varies with θ i The size increases with the increase of the light intensity. Accordingly, the characteristics of column 402 can be selected to be suitable for all near-normal rays (such as those mentioned above). Figure 3 The defined near-normal light (306) provides a starting wavelength just below the visible spectrum.

[0039] Therefore, near-normal light 306 above the starting wavelength (e.g., above 380 nm and therefore in the visible spectrum) will transmit without significant attenuation (e.g., greater than 3 dB) and thus will not undergo significant reflection. Because the light is essentially not reflected, it will not be visible to others as "mad eyes." Transmission of light below the starting wavelength (e.g., below 380 nm and therefore not in the visible spectrum) is attenuated. Therefore, light below the starting wavelength will be reflected. However, since light below the starting wavelength is not in the visible spectrum, it is not perceptible to others and will not cause "mad eyes."

[0040] Table 1 below provides example values ​​for metasurface 400, including pillar height (H), pitch / period (P), cone tip radius of curvature (r), and pillar width (R); the refractive index (n) of the material forming pillar 402. n ) and the refractive index (n) of the medium surrounding the pillar. a ). Table 1

[0041] Another advantage provided by the pillars 402 can include improved wetting properties of the IOL, such as superhydrophobicity. Superhydrophobicity can be achieved by determining the dimensions and arrangement of the pillars 402 such that the pillar height-to-pitch ratio (H / P) is between about 2.5 and 5 (inclusive of the end value), thereby providing a metasurface 400 with desired optical, wetting, and antimicrobial properties. In one aspect, the pillars 402 are arranged to provide superhydrophilic properties to the metasurface by having a height-to-pitch ratio between about 1 and 2 (inclusive of the end value) and a pitch in the range of 0.1 µm to 1 µm or having end values ​​within said pitch range. Improved wetting from superhydrophilicity can reduce light scattering by bubbles trapped between the pillars 402. Antimicrobial properties can result from column 402 reducing bacterial adhesion, as described in the following reference, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: Kim S, JungUT, Kim SK, Lee JH, Choi HS, Kim CS, Jeong MY, “Nanostructured multifunctional surface with antireflective and antimicrobial characteristics”, ACS Appl Materials & Interfaces (January 2015).

[0042] Figure 6 The behavior of IOL 200 relative to "oblique beam" 600 is demonstrated. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the description, oblique light 600 and its portions described as being transmitted or reflected from the surface described below can be understood as light in the visible spectrum, while the behavior of light outside the visible spectrum is ignored because it does not cause “crazy eye” or positive aberrant photophobia. As used herein, oblique light 600 can be defined as light having an angle of incidence 602 relative to the optical axis (e.g., optical axis 204), which is greater than the angle of incidence described above. Figure 3The maximum incident angle 308 of the near-normal light 306 is defined. In some embodiments, oblique light 600 can be defined as light having an incident angle 602 such that the light is incident on the peripheral portion 206 of the IOL 200. In the absence of some mitigation solution such as the metasurface 400 described herein, such oblique light 600 may cause undesirable visual disturbances, such as positive aberrant photophobia. For example, in some cases, such oblique light 600 can be defined as having an incident angle of at least 40 degrees, at least 50 degrees, at least 60 degrees, or at least 70 degrees.

[0043] When oblique light 600 is incident on the front surface 302a of the peripheral portion 206, a portion of the incident oblique light 600 (i.e., reflected light 604) is reflected from the front surface 302a of the peripheral portion 206, and a portion of the incident oblique light 600 (i.e., the transmission portion 606) is transmitted into the peripheral portion 206. As the transmission portion 606 travels through the peripheral portion 206 internally, it can then be incident on and reflected from the edge surface 304 of the peripheral portion 206. As previously discussed, light reflected from the edge of the IOL (e.g., edge surface 304) (e.g., the transmission portion 606) may then illuminate a portion of the retina, thereby causing undesirable positive optic aberration.

[0044] To mitigate the positive abnormal photophobia caused by reflection from the edge surface 304 by the transmissive portion 606, the front surface 302a of the peripheral portion 206 of the IOL 200 may include a metasurface, such as a metasurface 400, formed thereon to reduce the transmissive portion 606 in the visible spectrum. For example, the front surface 302a and / or the rear surface 302b of the peripheral portion 206 may have a metasurface 400 formed thereon, for example, within an annular region 608 extending around the optical axis 204 of the peripheral portion 206. The annular region 608 may extend partially or completely from the edge surface 304 to the optics 202, for example, to the portion of the optics 202 defined by radius 312 (see [link to documentation]). Figure 3 In some embodiments, the entire front surface of IOL 200 (possibly except for loop 210) may have a metasurface 400 formed thereon. The metasurface 400 formed within radius 312 may have the same properties as the metasurface 400 within the annular region 608 (such as H, P, R, r, n as defined above). n (or different characteristics).

[0045] In some embodiments, the front surface 300a of the optical device 202 and the front surface 302a of the peripheral portion 206 are planar and coplanar with each other, and the rear surface 300b of the optical device 202 defines a refractive structure and / or a diffractive structure. In some embodiments, a metasurface 400 can be formed on the front surface 300a of the optical device 202 and the front surface 302a of the peripheral portion 206 using a single manufacturing step.

[0046] As described above, the initial wavelength of the long-pass filter defined by metasurface 400 varies with the incident angle θ. i The initial wavelength increases with the angle of incidence θ. This property can be advantageously used to make the metasurface 400 substantially non-reflective of near-normal light 306 in the visible spectrum, in order to reduce "crazy eye," while also reflecting oblique light 600 in the visible spectrum, in order to reduce positive aberrant photophobia. In other words, since the initial wavelength increases with the angle of incidence θ i As the wavelength increases, the shift becomes higher, so the final human visible spectrum will fall below the starting wavelength, and the transmitted light in the visible spectrum will be significantly attenuated, for example, by more than 3 dB. Wavelengths longer than the starting wavelength (such as near-infrared and infrared light) can still be transmitted but will be invisible and therefore will not cause positive aberrant photopsia.

[0047] The incident angle of the near-normal beam 306 is much smaller than that of the oblique beam 600. The initial wavelength changes with θ i The size increases with the increase of the size. Therefore, the metasurfaces 400 with the same configuration formed on the front surface 300a of the optical device 202 and the front surface 302a of the peripheral portion 206 (e.g., within manufacturing tolerances H, P, R, r, n) are formed. n Metasurfaces (formed during the same and / or same manufacturing process) can reduce both "crazy eye" and positive aberrant photophobia. For example, metasurface 400 can be configured to have an initiation wavelength below the visible spectrum (e.g., about 380 nm) for near-normal light 306 and an initiation wavelength shifted above the visible spectrum (e.g., about 750 nm) for oblique light 600. Therefore, near-normal light 306 will be transmitted instead of reflected, which reduces "crazy eye." Oblique light 600 will be reflected instead of entering IOL 200, thereby reducing internal reflection that causes positive aberrant photophobia.

[0048] For example, Table 2 shows the results for various tilted incident angles θ for the metasurface 400 configured according to Table 1. i The starting wavelength ( The change in wavelength (λ) is obvious. It is clear that for incident angles greater than 60 degrees, the initial wavelength... It is longer than the longest visible wavelength (approximately 750 nm). Therefore, metasurface 400, which acts as a long-pass filter, will essentially block the transmission of all visible light. Table 2

[0049] refer to Figure 7 The transmission portion 606 of the obliquely incident light 600 on the edge surface 304 includes a transmission portion 700 and a reflection portion 702. The reflection portion 702 causes positive aberrant photophobia and can therefore be reduced. For example, the metasurface 400 may be formed on or fixed to the edge surface 304 and has characteristics selected for the possible incident angle for the transmission portion 606, transmitting wavelengths in the visible spectrum (as defined above, H, P, R, r, n). n The metasurface formed on or attached to the edge surface 304 can be configured as (a) a long-pass filter with an onset wavelength shorter than the human visible spectrum (e.g., less than 380 nm), or (b) a short-pass filter with a cutoff wavelength longer than the visible spectrum (e.g., greater than 750 nm). The cutoff wavelength of the short-pass filter refers to a wavelength above which transmission will be significantly attenuated (e.g., reflected), for example, attenuated by at least 3 dB; while below which transmission will not be significantly attenuated.

[0050] Note that in some embodiments, a metasurface on the front surface 302a of the peripheral portion 206 is sufficient, so that no metasurface exists on the edge surface 304. In other embodiments, a metasurface is formed on the edge surface 304, and the formation of a metasurface on the front surface 302a is omitted.

[0051] refer to Figure 8 The reflective portion 702 can then be incident on the rear surface 302b of the peripheral portion 206, thereby creating the transmissive portion 800 and the reflective portion 802. The transmissive portion 800 will cause positive aberrant photopsia when it is incident on the retina. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the transmissive portion 800.

[0052] The same principle can be applied to blue light filtering. This applies when near-normal light is incident on the IOL (Ion-Oriented Light Array). The starting wavelength of the IOL can be configured by setting the column. This allows for the filtering of blue light. Table 3 below provides a list of methods for blue light filtering. Example columnar configuration (= 400 nm). Table 3

[0053] In some embodiments, a metasurface may be formed on all or part of the rear surface 302b, such as within the same annular region 608 or different annular regions 608. The metasurface formed on the rear surface 302b may be configured as (a) a long-pass filter with an onset wavelength longer than the visible spectrum (e.g., greater than 750 nm) or (b) a short-pass filter with an offset wavelength shorter than the visible spectrum (e.g., less than 380 nm).

[0054] Note that in some embodiments, a metasurface on the front surface 302a and / or edge surface 304 of the peripheral portion 206 is sufficient, so that no metasurface exists on the rear surface 302b. In yet other embodiments, the metasurface on the rear surface 302b is used alone, and the metasurface on the front surface 302a and / or edge surface 304 of the peripheral portion 206 is omitted.

[0055] refer to Figure 9 ,for Figure 7 and Figure 8 The scenario depicted shows that when light leaves the IOL 200, it passes through the high-refractive-index medium (IOL 200) and is transmitted to the interface with the low-refractive-index medium (aqueous humor, vitreous fluid, or capsule). Figure 3 and Figure 6 The opposite scenario applies. Therefore, the configuration of the metasurface formed on or fixed to the edge surface 304 and / or rear surface 302b can be different from the configuration of the metasurface 400 that can be positioned on the front surface 300a of the optical device 202.

[0056] Specifically, the metasurface 900 formed on or fixed to the edge surface 304 and / or the rear surface 302b may include a notch 902 instead of a pillar 402, the notch having a height H, a width R, an end radius r, and a pitch P. The cross-section of each notch may be circular from the bottom 902B (i.e., the open end) to the top 902T (i.e., the deepest point) of the notch 902 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 5A and Figure 5B Alternatively, notch 902 can be derived from a square or rectangular section at the bottom 902B (see...). Figure 5C Transition to near the top 902T (e.g., 0.05 from the top 902T). A circular cross-section (within H). The values ​​of H, R, r, and P of metasurface 900 can be selected in the same manner as their counterparts in metasurface 400, and can have the same range of possible values ​​listed above. Notch 902 may be filled with a fluid (e.g., vitreous fluid) during use, or may be filled with a coating material, as described above. Figure 5B As described.

[0057] In one respect, metasurfaces (such as metasurface 400 or 900) are formed on substrates using standard micro / nano fabrication methods. Figure 10 An example method 1000 for forming a metasurface of IOL 200 is depicted. Box 1010 includes forming a metasurface pattern on a substrate. For example, a photolithography process is performed to spin-coat photoresist onto the substrate, and selected areas of the photoresist are exposed and developed. The pattern of the photoresist is then transferred onto the substrate by reactive ion etching. The remaining photoresist is then removed by plasma over-etching.

[0058] Metasurface patterns can extend over an area of ​​about 7 mm by about 7 mm on a substrate and can include an array of grooves etched on the substrate with a height between about 30 nm and about 1000 nm, a width between about 30 nm and about 500 nm, and a spacing between adjacent grooves between about 30 nm and about 500 nm.

[0059] As used herein, the term "substrate" refers to a layer of material that serves as the base for subsequent processing operations and includes a surface to be cleaned. For example, a substrate may include glass, or one or more conductive metals such as nickel, titanium, platinum, molybdenum, rhenium, osmium, chromium, iron, aluminum, copper, tungsten, or combinations thereof.

[0060] The substrate may also include one or more silicon-containing materials, including materials associated with Group IV or Group III-V, such as compounds like Si, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon oxide, Ge, SiGe, GaAs, InP, InAs, GaAs, GaP, InGaAs, InGaAsP, GaSb, InSb, etc., or combinations thereof. Additionally, the substrate may include dielectric materials such as silicon dioxide, organosilicones, and carbon-doped silicon oxide. Further, depending on the application, the substrate may include any other materials such as metal nitrides, metal oxides, and metal alloys.

[0061] Furthermore, the substrate is not limited to any particular size or shape. The substrate can be a circular wafer with a diameter of 200 mm, 300 mm, 450 mm, or other diameters. The substrate can also be any polygonal, square, rectangular, curved, or other non-circular workpiece, such as polygonal glass or plastic substrates.

[0062] Box 1020 includes casting an elastomeric film on a substrate on which a metasurface pattern is formed. The elastomeric film may be formed from a thin hydrophobic acrylic polymer material. During casting, the hydrophobic acrylic polymer material in liquid form is mixed with a crosslinking agent and poured onto the substrate, and then heated at an elevated temperature to harden and crosslink the hydrophobic acrylic polymer material to form the elastomeric film. The elastomeric film has a thickness between about 200 µm and 500 µm and replicates the metasurface of the substrate. The metasurface element may have a height between about 30 nm and about 200 nm, a width between about 30 nm and about 300 nm, and a spacing between adjacent trenches between about 30 nm and about 300 nm. After casting, the elastomeric film is removed from the substrate. The elastomeric film can be used as the front surface, rear surface, and / or optical edge of an IOL. Additionally or alternatively, the elastomeric film may be embedded within the IOL.

[0063] Other possible manufacturing methods include additive and / or subtractive manufacturing of metasurface elements (e.g., 3D printing), imprinting of metasurface elements, tuned diamond turning and / or photolithography, which operate directly on the surface of an elastomer to provide metasurface elements.

[0064] Figure 11 An exemplary system 1100 for designing, configuring, and / or forming IOL 200 according to any of the above embodiments is depicted. As shown, system 1100 includes, but is not limited to, a control module 1102, a user interface display 1104, interconnects 1106, an output device 1108, and at least one I / O device interface 1110 that allows different I / O devices (e.g., keyboard, display, mouse device, pen input, etc.) to be connected to system 1100.

[0065] The control module 1102 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1112, a memory 1114, and a storage device 1116. The CPU 1112 can retrieve and execute programming instructions stored in the memory 1114. Similarly, the CPU 1112 can retrieve and store application data residing in the memory 1114. Interconnect 1106 transmits programming instructions and application data between the CPU 1112, I / O device interface 1110, user interface display 1104, memory 1114, storage device 1116, output device 1108, etc.

[0066] CPU 1112 can represent a single CPU, multiple CPUs, a single CPU with multiple processing cores, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, memory 1114 represents volatile memory, such as random access memory. Furthermore, in some embodiments, storage device 1116 can be non-volatile memory, such as a disk drive, a solid-state drive, or a collection of storage devices distributed across multiple storage systems.

[0067] As shown in the figure, storage device 1116 includes input parameters 1118. Input parameters 1118 may include the lens's fundamental focal power, the desired refractive index value of the optics, and / or the starting wavelength of the optical long-pass filter. Memory 1114 includes a calculation module 1120 for calculating control parameters, such as the arrangement of metasurface elements of metasurfaces 400 and 900 (e.g., column shape, size, and pitch or density). Furthermore, memory 1114 includes input parameters 1122.

[0068] In some embodiments, input parameter 1122 corresponds to input parameter 1118 or at least a subset thereof. In such embodiments, during the calculation of control parameters, input parameter 1122 is retrieved from storage device 1116 and executed in memory 1114. In such an example, calculation module 1120 includes executable instructions for calculating control parameters based on input parameter 1122. In some other embodiments, input parameter 1122 corresponds to parameters received from a user via user interface display 1104. In such embodiments, calculation module 1120 includes executable instructions for calculating control parameters based on information received from user interface display 1104.

[0069] In some embodiments, calculated control parameters are output to a lens manufacturing system via an output device 1108, the lens manufacturing system being configured to receive the control parameters and form a lens accordingly. In some other embodiments, system 1100 itself represents at least a portion of the lens manufacturing system. In such embodiments, control module 1102 then causes hardware components (not shown) of system 1100 to form a lens according to the control parameters described above.

[0070] Figure 12 Example operation 1200 for forming an IOL (e.g., IOL 200) is depicted. In some embodiments, steps 1210 and 1220 of operation 1200 are performed by a system (e.g., system 1100), while step 1230 is performed by a lens manufacturing system. In some other embodiments, steps 1210, 1220, and 1230 are all performed by a lens manufacturing system.

[0071] At step 1210, control parameters are calculated based on input parameters (e.g., optical long-pass starting wavelength), such as the configuration of metasurfaces 400 and 900 (e.g., column shape, size, and density / pitch).

[0072] At step 1220, other control parameters, such as the configuration of metasurfaces 400 and 900 (e.g., column shape, size, and density / pitch), are calculated based on the input parameters (e.g., the selected spectrum and the degree of reduction in internal reflection of the optics).

[0073] At step 1230, using appropriate methods, systems and apparatus known to those skilled in the art for manufacturing lenses, an IOL (e.g., IOL 200) can be formed based on calculated control parameters (e.g., the configuration of metasurfaces 400 and 900 (e.g., column shape, size and density / pitch)) according to the above operations.

[0074] Although the foregoing describes embodiments of this disclosure, other and additional embodiments of this disclosure may be contemplated without departing from the essential scope of this disclosure, and the scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An intraocular lens (IOL), comprising: An optical device having a front surface and a rear surface opposite to the front surface, the front surface being configured to receive light entering an eye in which the IOL is implanted, the IOL including at least one of a refractive structure and a diffractive structure configured to improve vision in the eye. as well as Metasurfaces are configured to reduce the reflection of the human visible spectrum from the front surface of the optics.

2. The IOL as described in claim 1, wherein, The metasurface is formed on the front surface of the optical device and / or fixed to the front surface of the optical device.

3. The IOL as described in claim 1, wherein, The metasurface includes an optical long-pass filter having a starting wavelength below the human visible spectrum.

4. The IOL as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical device defines an optical axis, and the metasurface includes an optical long-pass filter having a starting wavelength below the human visible spectrum for incident angles less than 9.2 degrees relative to the optical axis.

5. The IOL as described in claim 4, wherein, The starting wavelength is less than 380 nm.

6. The IOL as described in claim 1, wherein, The metasurface includes pillars.

7. The IOL as described in claim 6, wherein, The column includes a tapered column.

8. The IOL as described in claim 7, wherein, The conical column includes a monotonic conical column.

9. The IOL as described in claim 6, wherein, The columns are arranged to have a column height to column pitch ratio of approximately 2.5 to 5.

10. The IOL as claimed in claim 6, wherein, The column has a height between 30 nm and 1000 nm, a width between 30 nm and 500 nm, and a column pitch between 30 nm and 500 nm.

11. The IOL of claim 1, further comprising one or more loops extending from the optical device.

12. The IOL of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral portion extending around the optics, the peripheral portion including an edge surface configured to engage a pouch of the eye.

13. The IOL as claimed in claim 12, wherein: The metasurface is a first metasurface; The peripheral portion includes a peripheral front surface and a peripheral rear surface opposite to the peripheral front surface, the peripheral front surface being configured to receive light entering the eye; and A second metasurface is formed on and / or fixed to the peripheral portion, the second metasurface being configured to increase the reflection of the human visible spectrum from the peripheral front surface.

14. The IOL as claimed in claim 13, wherein, The second metasurface includes pillars.

15. The IOL as described in claim 13, wherein, The second metasurface is configured to increase the reflection of the human visible spectrum from the peripheral front surface for incident angles greater than 60 degrees.

16. The IOL as claimed in claim 14, wherein, The first metasurface is configured to reduce the reflection of the human visible spectrum from the peripheral front surface for incident angles of less than 9.2 degrees.

17. The IOL as claimed in claim 16, wherein, The second metasurface includes an optical long-pass filter having an initial wavelength lower than the human visible spectrum for incident angles less than 9.2 degrees and an initial wavelength higher than the human visible spectrum for incident angles greater than 60 degrees.

18. The IOL of claim 13, further comprising a cylindrical edge surface extending around the peripheral portion and positioned between the front peripheral surface and the rear peripheral surface.

19. The IOL of claim 18, further comprising a third metasurface formed on and / or attached to the cylindrical edge surface, the metasurface being configured to reduce reflections from the cylindrical edge surface into the optics.

20. The IOL as claimed in claim 19, wherein, The third metasurface includes an array of tapered notches extending into the peripheral rear surface.

Images