Intraocular implant

Abstract

An intraocular implant that includes several lasers to produce several laser beams, where each laser beam has a different color. The implant also includes a diffraction grating to diffract the laser beams into a combined laser beam onto a retina of an eye when the implant is inside the eye, and a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner to move the combined laser beam over an area of the retina when the implant is inside the eye.

Description

INTRAOCULAR IMPLANTRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 516,742, filed 31 July 2023, which is herein incorporated by reference.FIELD

[0002] An embodiment of the disclosure relates to an intraocular implant that may include one or more mirrors for projecting images onto a retina of an eye of a user while the implant is inside user’s eye. Other embodiments are also described.BACKGROUND

[0003] Disease or injury to a cornea of a person can lead to opacification or significant optical damage to the cornea, such that the individual may be vision impaired (e.g., effectively rendered blind). Current solutions rely on eye banks for corneal transplants, and artificial corneas. Both, however, have issues with transplant rejection and surgical complications, and may also result in low visual acuity.

[0004] Blindness due to corneal disease or injury may occur despite the person having a fully functioning retina. For such people, who have a functioning retina but otherwise are essentially blind due to vascularization or damage to the cornea, implantation of an intraocular projector may restore vision to the person. The intraocular projector receives an image of a scene before the person, the image having been captured by a head mounted camera, and then projects the image onto the retina of the eye. Another option is an implantation of an intraocular micro-display into the lens of the eye (e.g., into the capsular bag region), which may receive and display the image onto the user’s retina.SUMMARY

[0005] Bypassing a diseased or damaged cornea through the use of an intraocular projection system may alleviate visual impairment. For example, the intraocular system may include an auxiliary device (e.g., a headset), and an implant that may provide a (visually impaired, due to having opaque corneas, for example) user a visual reproduction of a scene of an environment in which the user is located. In particular, the auxiliary device may include a camera that captures video (e.g., as image data) of a scene that is before the person. For example, the camera may have a field of view that is directed away from and in front of the user, while the auxiliary device is worn (on the head of the user). The auxiliary device may wirelessly transmit (e.g., over the air) the video to the intraocular implant, which may then project the video (e.g., as a series of images) using one or more laser beams that “paint” the video onto an area of the user’s retina. The intraocular projection system may project the video in “real-time”, where the video may be presented to the user with a minimal amount of time from when the video is captured by the camera to when it is presented to the user, where the amount of time may account for time required to capture the video, process the video, and latency due to the wireless transmission of the video. As a result, the user may view a scene in front of the user in a similar (or same) fashion as a person with “normal” vision (e.g., without the visual impairment and / or without the use of the intraocular system).

[0006] The present disclosure provides an intraocular implant of an intraocular projection system, which may also include an auxiliary device, such as smart glasses that may include a camera to capture image data that includes a visual representation of an environment of the auxiliary device (e.g., in a frontal or anterior direction of a user who is wearing the auxiliary device). The implant may include several lasers to produce several laser beams, where each laser beam may have a different color, such as blue, green, and / or red. The implant may also include a diffraction grating to diffract the laser beams into a combined laser beam onto a retina of an eye when the implant is inside the eye, and a micro-electro-mechanical systems(MEMS) scanner to move the combined laser beam over an area of the retina when the implant is inside the eye. In particular, the MEMS scanner may include a mirror from which the combined laser beam is reflected towards the retina, where the MEMS scanner may move the mirror in order to scan (e.g., a laser spot of) the laser beam over the area. As a result, the MEMS scanner may move the combined laser beam to reconstruct image data (e.g., by raster scanning) within the area, where the lasers may be modulated according to the image data. Thus, the multi-colored combined laser beam may provide a user with a full color gamut, as opposed to other intraocular projection systems.

[0007] In one embodiment, the intraocular implant also includes an aperture structure disposed between the diffraction grating and the MEMS scanner, and through which the combined laser beam is to pass through. The placement of the aperture after the diffraction grating rejects and / or absorbs any light diffracted by the grating into higher orders (or the zeroth order). In another embodiment, the implant also includes, for each laser, a collimator (e.g., one or more lenses and / or mirrors) to collimate the laser beam. In particular, each collimator may be placed before the grating (e.g., along the laser beam’s path). In some embodiments, the combined laser beam includes each of the laser beams coaxial to one another. In another embodiment, at least one laser produces a laser beam at a visible wavelength. In which case, the laser beam may be produced having a particular color, such as blue, red, or green. In some embodiments, at least one laser comprises a dichroic filter to transmit a laser beam of the laser with a particular color. In one embodiment, the several lasers include a red laser, a green laser, and a blue laser.

[0008] Another embodiment of the disclosure includes an intraocular implant that uses polarization multiplexing to reduce the overall size of the implant while efficiently and effectively projecting image data as a polarized laser beam onto a retina of a user’s eye. Polarization multiplexing relates to having beams of light pass-through optics multiple times,where the beams may not (or may minimally) interfere with one another due to having different (e.g., orthogonal) polarizations. The implant includes a laser to produce a first linearly polarized laser beam. The implant also includes a polarizing beam-splitter (PBS) to transmit or reflect the first linearly polarized laser beam, and a quarter waveplate (QWP) to convert the transmitted or reflected first linearly polarized light beam into a circularly polarized laser beam. The implant also includes a MEMS scanner to reflect the circularly polarized laser beam back towards the QWP, where the QWP receives the reflected laser beam and is to convert the reflected circularly polarized laser beam into a second linearly polarized laser beam that is orthogonal to the first linearly polarized laser beam. This change in polarization may be due to the reflected circularly polarized laser beam from the MEMS scanner having an opposite rotation (e.g., counterclockwise) than the circularly polarized laser beam produced by the QWP, which may be clockwise. The PBS is to reflect or transmit the second linearly polarized laser beam, respectively to the transmission or the reflection of the first linearly polarized laser beam towards a retina of an eye when the intraocular implant is inside the eye.

[0009] As a result of the polarization multiplexing of the laser beam, e.g., due to the beam passing through the QWP at different polarizations (e.g., the QWP receiving the first linearly polarized laser beam and producing the second linearly polarized laser beam), the implant may be more compact than a conventional unfolded (or non-polarization multiplexing) system, where a laser beam may not pass through one or more optics multiple times. In the particular, the implant disclosed herein may reduce a physical path length, while maintaining the same optical path length, as the conventional unfolded system. Moreover, polarization multiplexing reduces space as opposed to angular multiplexing, where the later may require more space for spatial separation if near-normal incidence is desired on optical components. As a result, lasers that are linearly polarized may be used for the intraocular projectionsystem, and may decrease the overall size of the implant while maintaining a high-power efficiency.

[0010] In another embodiment, the QWP may be disposed between the PBS and the MEMS scanner. In some embodiments, the MEMS scanner is to move the reflected or transmitted second linearly polarized laser beam over an area of the retina when the implant is inside the eye by moving the reflected circularly polarized laser beam. In another embodiment, the MEMS scanner is arranged to move the reflected circularly polarized laser beam along at least one of two perpendicular axes.

[0011] In one embodiment, the implant comprises an enclosure in which the laser, the PBS, the QWP, and the MEMS scanner are housed. In another embodiment, the enclosure is sized to fit into a lens capsule of the eye. In some embodiments, the laser includes a polarizer and produces the linearly polarized laser beam by emitting an unpolarized laser beam into the polarizer. In another embodiment, the implant further includes a collimator to collimate the laser first linearly polarized laser beam; and a lens to focus the first linearly polarized laser beam before the PBS transmits or reflects the first linearly polarized laser beam.

[0012] Another embodiment of the disclosure includes an intraocular implant that includes a laser to produce a laser beam; a PBS to transmit or reflect the laser beam according to a polarization of the laser beam; a first MEMS scanner to move the laser beam along a first axis over a retina of an eye when the implant is inside the eye; a second MEMS scanner to move the laser beam along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis over the retina when the implant is inside the eye; a first QWP that is disposed between the first MEMS scanner and the PBS, and is to circularly polarize the laser beam, where the first MEMS scanner is reflect the circularly polarized laser beam from the first QWP (e.g., along one axis); and a second QWP that is disposed between the second MEMS scanner and the PBS,and is to circularly polarize the laser beam, wherein the second MEMS scanner is to reflect the circularly polarized laser beam from the second QWP (e.g., along another axis).

[0013] In one embodiment, the laser beam includes a first linearly polarized laser beam, the first QWP is to convert the reflected circularly polarized laser beam from the first MEMS scanner into a second linearly polarized laser beam that is orthogonal to the first linearly polarized laser beam, and the PBS is to transmit the first linearly polarized laser beam to the first QWP, and is to reflect the second linearly polarized laser beam to the second QWP. In another embodiment, the second QWP is to convert the reflected circularly polarized laser beam from the second MEMS scanner into a third linearly polarized laser beam that has a same polarization (e.g., is polarized in a same direction) as the first linearly polarized laser beam, and the PBS is to transmit the third linearly polarized laser beam towards the retina of the eye when the intraocular implant is inside the eye.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first MEMS scanner and the second MEMS scanner are arranged to move the laser beam over an area of the retina when the implant is inside the eye. In another embodiment, the implant is sized to fit into a lens capsule of the eye.

[0015] The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all embodiments of the disclosure. It is contemplated that the disclosure includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various embodiments summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims. Such combinations may have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to "an" or “one” embodiment of this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least one. Also, in the interest of conciseness and reducing the total number of figures, a given figure may be used to illustrate the features of more than one embodiment, and not all elements in the figure may be required for a given embodiment.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a plan view illustration of a user and an example intraocular system that includes an auxiliary device and an implant.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a side-view illustration of the user and the example intraocular system.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of the user and the example intraocular system.

[0020] Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of the auxiliary device of the example intraocular system.

[0021] Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of an example implant that includes several lasers.

[0022] Fig. 6 shows several examples of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) scanners according to one embodiment.

[0023] Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of an example implant that projects image data via polarization multiplexing using a two-dimensional (2D) MEMS scanner.

[0024] Fig. 8 shows a front view of the example implant of Fig. 7.

[0025] Fig. 9 shows a side view of the example implant of Fig. 7.

[0026] Fig. 10 shows a block diagram of another example of an implant that projects image data via polarization multiplexing using the 2D MEMS scanner.

[0027] Fig. 11 shows a block diagram of an example implant that projects image data via polarization multiplexing using a pair of one-dimensional (ID) MEMS scanners.

[0028] Fig. 12 shows a back view of the example implant of Fig. 11.

[0029] Fig. 13 shows a side view of the example implant of Fig. 11.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Several embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the appended drawings are now explained. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other embodiments of the parts described in a given embodiment are not explicitly defined, the scope of the disclosure here is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some embodiments may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. Furthermore, unless the meaning is clearly to the contrary, all ranges set forth herein are deemed to be inclusive of each range’s endpoints.

[0031] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0032] Embodiments of the intraocular system disclosed herein may be suitable for patients with intact retinas, yet are blind due to vascularization, occlusion, opacity, or otherwise damage of the cornea. The disclosed system seeks to (at least partially) restore sight to these patients by implanting an electronic intraocular implant (which may be referred to herein as “implant”) into the eye, such as in the capsular bag region of the eye previously occupied by an excised lens. In addition to restoring sight of patients, the disclosed system may beconfigured to enhance vision through the use of the intraocular implant. For example, the system may allow a user to view an increased spectral range, such as the ability to see infrared. As described herein, the implant may include an image formation device, such as a micro-display that is arranged to project regenerated images onto the patient’s (e.g., fully functioning) retina.

[0033] Figs. 1-3 show a user 11 and an example intraocular projection system (hereafter may be referred to as “system”) 10 that includes an auxiliary device (e.g., headset) 12 and an implant 13, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Figs. 1 and 2 are plan and side view illustrations, respectively, while Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of the system 10. As described herein, the intraocular projection system 10 may be configured to capture, using one or more cameras of the headset, image data (or video data, which may be a reproduction of one or more optical images) that includes a visual representation of the environment, which may be in an anterior (frontal or forward) direction of the user, and may be configured to optically present (or display) the captured image data through the implant 13 onto the retina of the user. More about presenting image data onto the retina of the user is described herein.

[0034] As shown, the auxiliary device 12 may be a pair of (e.g., smart) eyeglasses that are being worn by (e.g., on the head of) the user 11, and the implant 13 may be (implanted or at least partially) inside the (e.g., capsular bag region of the) user’s right eye. In one embodiment, the user 11 may include one or more implants, such as having one implant in the user’s right eye (as shown), and another implant in the user’s left eye. In which case, the system 10 may perform similar operations to transmit (image) data to the other implant, as described herein with respect to implant 13.

[0035] As described herein, the device 12 (head -mounted device (HMD) or headset) may be eyeglasses that includes a frame 14 that is being worn by the user 11. In one embodiment, theauxiliary device 12 may be any type of electronic device that may be worn on a user’s head, such as an eyepatch, goggles, a visor, headgear, headphones, or otherwise. In another embodiment, the device 12 may be any type of electronic device, which may or may not be a part of (or worn on) the user’s head. For example, the device may be a part of a user’s appeal (e.g., a part of or integrated into a hat worn by the user 11). Although the auxiliary device 12 is illustrated as a single contiguous frame 14, in other embodiments, device may be segmented into two or more body -wearable modular components that may be interconnected and mounted or worn in various locations about the body or clothing, where the devices may be communicatively coupled with one another and / or with other electronic devices, such as the implant 13.

[0036] The auxiliary device 12 includes a camera 16 and an antenna mount 15 with one or more antennas 17. In particular, each or least some of the elements of the auxiliary device may be coupled to the frame 14. In this example, the frame is a glasses frame, where the elements are a part of (or integrated into) the frame 14. In one embodiment, the auxiliary device may include more or less elements, such as having more or less cameras.

[0037] In one embodiment, the camera 16 may be designed to capture optical (e.g., color) images as image data, where the data produced by the camera includes a scene of a visual representation of a field of view (FOV) of the camera. In particular, the camera may capture a video stream as the image data, where the stream may include a series of still images (e.g., as video frames). In one embodiment, the camera 16 may have a frontal FOV that is directed away from the user 11, in a forward direction with respect to the user. As a result, the camera 16 may be arranged to capture image data that includes a visual representation of an environment of the auxiliary device 12 (e.g., a room in which the user 11 is located). In one embodiment, the camera 16 may be designed to capture color images, which may be presented onto the user’s retina, as described herein. In one embodiment, the camera 16 maybe configured to capture wavelengths of light that may not be in the visible spectrum, and produce color images of the spectrum. For example, the camera may be an infrared camera.

[0038] In one embodiment, the antenna mount 15 is shown as being coupled to (e.g., a temple of) the frame 14, and includes one or more antennas 17. In particular, the antennas may be attached to the mount via an articulable arm, which may be user (or automatically) manipulated in order to reposition the antennas. For instance, the antennas may be repositioned such that they are within a threshold distance of the implant 13, while the implant is inside the eye 20. In one embodiment, the mount may be coupled to a different location on the frame 14. As described herein, the antennas may be configured to provide wireless communication and / or power between the device 12 and the implant 13. In another embodiment, the device 12 may have a wired connection (e.g., via one or more wires) to the implant (e.g., where the wires are surgically implanted through a portion (e.g., the eye) of the user.

[0039] Turning to Fig. 3, this figure shows a cross section of the auxiliary device 12 and the (e.g., right) eye 20 of the user 11, showing the implant 13 inside the eye 20. As shown, the eye 20 includes a cornea 22 to which (or adjacent to which) the implant 13 is disposed within the eye 20, and the eye 20 includes a retina 21. As described herein, the user’s vision may be impaired due to vascularization or damage to the cornea 22, whereas the retina 21 may be capable (or at least partially capable) of converting (e.g., visible) light into electrical signals used by the user’s brain to create images. In this case, the implant may be designed to output (or create) light, which may then be captured by the retina. For example, the implant may be configured to reproduce one or more images (video) using one or more laser beams, which may be captured by one or more cameras of the device 12, and that are directed towards (as shown by a dashed line with an arrow terminating at) the user’s retina 21. Specifically, the implant 13 may receive the one or more images captured by the camera 16 through theantenna(s) 17, and may project the images using one or more laser beams. For example, the implant may include one or more laser scanners (or lasers) that project a pattern through raster scanning the image data onto a portion of the retina 21. In which case, the implant may scan whole images at a given frequency. In one embodiment, the reception, decoding, and presentation (e.g., projection) of the image data by the (e.g., intraocular implant 13 of the) intraocular system 10 may be executed in real-time, meaning may be performed with a minimal amount of latency (e.g., due to digital signal processing and transmission time) between the image data being captured by the camera and the image data being projected onto the retina, thereby providing the user with virtual, real-time, forward-facing vision. More about presenting image data is described herein.

[0040] Furthermore, although Figs. 1-3 illustrate a monocular intraocular projection system, the illustrated components may be replicated to implement a binocular intraocular projection system. Furthermore, implant 13 may be operated with different external hardware having different functionality than described herein in connection with auxiliary device 12. In fact, implant 13 may be operated without the auxiliary device, but rather receive wireless communications from a variety of sources to display a variety of different information.

[0041] As illustrated, implant 13 is entirely disposed within eye 20 and does not include electronic cables or tethers extending out of eye 20 to the auxiliary device 12. Thus, the implant may be small enough (e.g., and shaped) to fit entirely or partially inside the volume of the lens capsule of the eye, or into the anterior chamber of the eye, or into the vitreous humor of the eye. Similarly, the device 12 may be an independent, discrete unit that is worn by or next to the user, such as a headset worn on the user’s head. In one embodiment, the auxiliary device may include embedded electronics for powering and orchestrating the operation of intraocular projection system 10 including itself and / or implant 13, as described herein.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the implant 13 includes an enclosure 19 that may be arranged to house (at least some of the) elements (electronic components) of the implant 13, as described herein. In one embodiment, the enclosure 19 may be a biocompatible enclosure that is sized and shaped for implantation into eye 20. In one embodiment, enclosure 19 may be sized for implantation into the region of the capsular bag of eye 20, as described herein. In one embodiment, enclosure is a hermetically sealed enclosure fabricated of metal, polymers, or otherwise.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of an example auxiliary device 12 of the intraocular projection system 10. As described herein, while in use, the device 12 may be worn by a user, and the device may produce image data, such as a video stream that may include one or more images, which may be transmitted to the implant 13 for presentation (display) on at least a portion of the user’s retina.

[0044] As shown, the auxiliary device 12 includes the camera 16, a controller 80, a power source 82, a wireless data transceiver (Tx / Rx) 81, a wireless power transmitter (Tx) 23, and the antennas 17, which include a power antenna 25 and a data antenna 24. In one embodiment, each of these elements may be a part of or integrated to (e.g., the frame 14 of) the auxiliary device 12. In another embodiment, one or more of the elements may be separate from the (frame 14 of the) device 12. For example, the device may receive image data from one or more cameras that may be a part of separate electronic devices (where the data may be received via a wireless data connection).

[0045] In one embodiment, the camera 16 may be a complementary metal -oxide- semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor that is capable of capturing digital (e.g., still) images including image data that represent a FOV of the camera 16, where the field of view includes a scene (e.g., visual representation) of an environment in which the device 12 is located. In some embodiments, the camera may be a charged-coupled device (CCD) camera type. Thecamera is configured to capture image data as a video stream, which may be represented as a series of still digital images (or image frames). In one embodiment, the camera may be positioned anywhere about the auxiliary device. In some embodiments, the auxiliary device may include and / or be (e.g., wirelessly) communicatively coupled to multiple cameras (e.g., where each camera may have a different FOV with respect to other cameras). In one embodiment, the video stream captured by the camera 16 may be high definition (HD) video that may include 10-bit 4k video, such as, for example, of resolution 3840 x 2160 pixels (which is also referred to as 2160p), 1920 x 1080 pixels (also referred to as 1080p video), and 1280 x 720 pixels (also referred to as 720p video) with a frame rate of 59.94 and / or 60 image frames per second (fps). In another embodiment, the resolution and / or frame rate (as fps) of the video stream captured by the camera may be different, as described herein.

[0046] The controller 80 may be a special-purpose processor such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a general -purpose microprocessor, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal controller, or a set of hardware logic structures (e.g., filters, arithmetic logic units, and dedicated state machines). In one embodiment, the controller may include memory which may store one or more instructions, which when executed by the controller causes the headset to perform at least some of the operations described herein. In another embodiment, the controller 80 may be configured to receive image data (one or more images) captured by the camera 16 (e.g., while the auxiliary device is being worn by the user 11), perform signal processing operations (or video processing operations), and / or networking operations, as described herein. More about the operations performed by the controller 80 is described herein.

[0047] In one embodiment, the controller 80 may be configured to format (encode) image data for transmission to the implant 13. For instance, the controller may receive image data captured by the camera 16 and encode the image data into a format that may be suitable forwireless transmission and / or for presenting by the implant. For example, the controller may encode the data into a desired format, such as MPEG-4, and provide the encoded data to the wireless data Tx / Rx 81, which may process the video data for transmission. For example, the wireless data Tx / Rx 81 may use any number of encoding techniques including one or more of frequency modulation, phase modulation, amplitude modulation, and / or time multiplexing. The auxiliary device may transmit the encoded (video, image, etc.) data as a data signal 26 (e.g., an RF signal) via the data antenna 24 to the implant 13. In one embodiment, the data signal 26 may be any type of wireless connection, such as BLUETOOTH. As described herein, the implant may receive the encoded data and display the data on at least a portion of the user’ s retina.

[0048] In addition to (or in lieu of) transmitting image data to the implant, the auxiliary device 12 may be configured to provide power (e.g., wirelessly) to the implant 13. In particular, the auxiliary device 12 also includes a power source 82 may be any type of power source that is capable of powering (e.g., supplying current) to electronics of the auxiliary device 12. For instance, the power source may be a rechargeable battery that is housed within the auxiliary device 12. In one embodiment, the battery may be removable such that it may be charged. As described herein the power source may also be capable of supplying power to operate the (e.g., electronics of the) implant 13. Specifically, the wireless power Tx 23 is configured to draw power from the power source 82 and wirelessly transmit power as a power signal 27 via the power antenna 25 to the implant 13. In particular, the power source 82 may provide power via inductive power transfer. For instance, the wireless power Tx 23 may produce the power signal 27 as an electromagnetic field using the power antenna 25. In another embodiment, the power signal 27 may be any type of signal, such as an optical signal, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), etc., that is capable of wirelessly transmitting(over the air) power over a distance. As described herein, the implant may be configured to receive the power signal 27 for powering at least some of the electronics of the implant.

[0049] Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of an example implant 13 that includes several lasers. The implant 13 includes a power antenna 30, a wireless power receiver (Rx) 31, a power supply 32, a data antenna 33, a wireless data Tx / Rx 34, control electronics 35, lasers 36a - 36c, collimators 37a - 37c, a diffraction grating 39, an optional lens 41, a lens 43, an aperture structure 42, and a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner 44. In one embodiment, the implant may include more or less elements, such as having more or less lasers and / or lenses.

[0050] In one embodiment, the control electronics 35 may include implant microelectronic circuitry that may be configured to perform one or more computational operations. In particular, the electronics may include any type of components, such as one or more processors, memory, etc., which may enable the electronics to perform at least some operations. More about the operations that may be performed by the control electronics 35 is described herein.

[0051] In one aspect, the wireless power Rx 31 may be configured to receive the power signal 27, via the power antenna 30, and convert the signal into a current that may be supplied to the power supply 32. In one embodiment, the power supply 32 may include a power storage device (e.g., battery) to store the received power, and enables for continuous or uninterrupted supply of power to the electronics (e.g., the control electronics 35 and one or more lasers) of the implant. In another embodiment, the power supply may condition and provide power to the implant, while the auxiliary device 12 is within a threshold distance of the implant. For example, in the case in which the auxiliary device 12 is a headset, the implant may receive the power signal 27 (and / or the data signal 26) while the headset is worn on the user’s head. If, however, the headset is removed from the user’s head (or the headset ismoved beyond the threshold distance), the power signal 27 may no longer be received by the implant, and as a result the implant may stop operating, thereby deactivating (ceasing to power) at least some of the electronics of the implant. In another embodiment, the power supply 32 may provide power to the implant for a period of time after the power signal 27 is no longer received by the implant.

[0052] The implant 13 may be configured to receive image data (e.g., a video stream) in the data signal 26 and present the image data onto the retina of the user. In particular, the wireless data Tx / Rx 34 of the implant may receive the data signal 26, via the data antenna 33, and may extract image data from the received signal 26, and provide the image data to the control electronics 35. The control electronics 35 (e.g., which may include one or more processors) may process (e.g., decode) the image data, and present the image data by using one or more lasers 36a - 36c, the diffraction grating 39, and the MEMS scanner 44 to project or “paint” one or more images onto the retina that are captured by the camera 16 of the auxiliary device so as to present a scene that is before the user. More about the control electronics 35 is describe herein.

[0053] In one embodiment, the lasers 36a - 36c may be configured to produce associated laser beams, based on control signals from the control electronics, where the control signals may indicate timing of laser pulses and / or may power at least some of the lasers. In one embodiment, each of the lasers 36a - 36c may produce a laser beam at a visible wavelength. For example, laser 36a may be a red laser that produces a red laser beam (e.g., within a wavelength range that includes the color red), laser 36b may be a green laser that produces a green laser beam, and laser 36c may be a blue laser that produces a blue laser beam. In which case, each of the lasers may be designed (or manufactured) to produce laser beams at one or more wavelengths. In another embodiment, at least one of the lasers may include a dichroic filter that may be configured to transmit the associated laser beam of the laser with aparticular color. In one embodiment, each of the lasers may be a same type of laser or at least one laser may be a different type of laser than a remainder of the lasers. For example, each of the lasers may be a laser diode. As described thus far, the implant may include three lasers, each for producing a laser beam having different color. In another embodiment, the implant may include more or less lasers to produce more or less colored laser beams.

[0054] The implant 13 includes, for lasers 36a - 36c, collimators 37a - 37c, respectively, where each collimator may be placed between the diffraction grating 39 and an associated laser. In one embodiment, each collimator collimates a laser beam (produced by an associated laser, e.g., collimator 37a collimating the laser beam produced by laser 36a), e.g., reduces a spatial cross-section of an associated laser beam. In one embodiment, the collimators may be arranged to provide custom aberrations compensation upon their respective laser beams.

[0055] The diffraction grating 39 may be arranged to receive each of the laser beams 38 produced by the lasers 36a - 36c, and may be arranged to diffract the laser beams into a combined laser beam 40 onto the retina of the eye of the user when the implant is inside the eye. Specifically, the laser beams 38 may be incident on the diffraction gratings, where the diffraction grating, which may be a high-efficiency grating, is (e.g., designed or manufactured) to diffract each of the laser beams at a different angle according to a grating equation. In which case, the position of the lasers and one or more parameters of the grating equation (e.g., the grating period) may be chosen such that all of the laser beams 38 diffracted by the grating from the combined laser beam 40. In one embodiment, the combined laser beam may include each of the laser beams 38 coaxial to one another.

[0056] The aperture structure 42 may be any type of structure (e.g., a wall) within the implant 13 that may include an opening or hole that may be arranged to receive and pass through the combined laser beam 40. As shown, the aperture is disposed between the diffraction grating 39 and the MEMS scanner 44, and through which the combined laser beam is to passthrough. In one aspect, the aperture may be arranged to reject and / or absorb any light diffracted by the grating 39 into higher orders (or a zeroth order).

[0057] The implant also includes an optional lens 41 and lens 43, where lens 41 may be disposed between the grating and the aperture and lens 43 may be disposed between the aperture and the MEMS scanner. In one embodiment, either (or both) of the lenses may be arranged to focus the combined laser beam. In one embodiment, one or both of the lens 41 and 43 may be collimating lenses for correcting for any aberrations introduced into the combined laser beam by the diffraction grating 39. As described herein, lens 41 may be optional. For example, the implant may not include lens 41, but may include lens 43 that may focus and / or collimate the combined laser beam. In another embodiment, the implant may include a collimating lens after the diffraction grating 39, instead of the collimators 37a - 37c.

[0058] The MEMS scanner may include one or more mirrors that is arranged to receive the combined laser beam 40 and direct the laser beam to form a laser spot on the retina. The MEMS scanner may also include one or more actuators that drives the one or more mirrors of the scanner so as to move the laser spot over an area of the retina based on one or more controls signals received from the control electronics. Thus, the MEMS scanner may move the combined laser beam over the area when the implant is inside the eye. For example, the MEMS scanner may by a two-dimensional (2D) MEMS scanner (e.g., having one or more 2D scanning mirrors) that may be controlled by the electronics 35 to move the mirror of the scanner about one or more axes, so as to move a laser spot of the combined laser beam 40 projected onto the retina of the user horizontally and / or vertically, respectively.

[0059] In one embodiment, the control electronics may be configured to control the MEMS scanner so as to move the laser spot of the combined laser beam 40 by raster scanning or by Lissajous scanning. The control electronics may also modulate intensity of one or more of thelaser beams 38, where the modulated intensity may be synchronized with motion of one or more mirrors in the MEMS scanner and / or with the image that is being projected onto the retina of the user.

[0060] Fig. 6 shows several examples of MEMS scanners 44, 55, and 57 according to one embodiment. In particular, this figure is showing a front view of the MEMS scanners, where each scanner includes a housing 71 and a mirror 72 that is arranged to reflect one or more laser beams. In one embodiment, each MEMS scanner may include one or more actuators and / or other electronics (not shown), which may allow the scanner to be manipulated along one or more axes. In another embodiment, the scanners may include multiple mirrors, where one or more mirrors may be adjustable using one or more actuators, as described herein.

[0061] As shown, the MEMS scanner 44 is a 2D MEMS scanner, where the mirror 72 may be manipulated along at least two axes. For example, the housing, which is holding the mirror 72 may be tilted along the Y-axis, resulting in the mirror rotating along the same axis. In addition, the mirror 72 may be tilted along the X-axis. In another embodiment, the scanner may be configured differently, such as the mirror being mounted upon the housing, such that the mirror moves as the housing is moved (e.g., the movement of the housing is mirrored by the mirror). In one embodiment, the scanner 44 may be rotated about both axes simultaneously or may be rotated individually. As a result of the rotation, a laser beam reflected off of the mirror 72 may be moved within a 2D region on a user’s retina when inserted into a user’s eye, as described herein.

[0062] This figure also shows several one-dimensional (ID) MEMS scanners 55 and 57. In particular, the mirrors of both of these scanners may be manipulated about only one axis. For example, the mirror 72 of MEMS scanner 55 may be rotated about the X-axis, , whereas the mirror of the MEMS scanner 57 may be rotated about the Y-axis.

[0063] Figs. 7-13 include examples of components of the implant for intraocular projection of image data onto a retina of a user’s eye via polarization multiplexing, e.g., where one or more streams of data may be transmitted and / or reflected through one or more polarization states of light, while the implant is inside the user’s eye. In particular, Figs. 7-10 include examples of image projection using a 2D MEMS scanner, while Figs. 11-13 include examples of image projection using one or more ID MEMS scanners. In one embodiment, the implant may include more or less components with respect to the following figures. For example, the implant 13 may include at least some components as described in Figs. 5 and 6 along with additional components in order to allow image projection using a 2D MEMS scanner, as described in Fig. 7.

[0064] Turning to Fig. 7, this figure shows a block diagram of an example implant 13 that projects image data to a retina of a user using a 2D MEMS scanner 44. The implant includes a laser 50, a collimator 52, a half-wave plate (HWP) 59, a lens 51, a polarizing beam-splitter (PBS) 53, a quarter waveplate (QWP), and the 2D MEMS scanner 44. In one embodiment, the implant may include more or less components, such as having one or more lasers, one or more lens, and / or one or more collimators, as described herein, or may not include other components, such as the HWP 59, the collimator 52, and / or the lens 51.

[0065] The laser 50 may be arranged to produce a (e.g., first) linearly polarized light beam 60, which in this case may include p-polarized light (as illustrated by arrows). In one embodiment, although the laser beam 60 may be illustrated as being produced by one laser 50, the beam may be produced by two or more lasers. For example, the laser beam 60 may be the combined laser beam 40 produced by one or more lasers 36a-36c, as described herein. As described herein, the collimator 52 may be arranged to receive the laser beam from the laser 50 and may collimate the light.

[0066] The HWP 59 may be any type of wave plate that may be arranged to receive the laser beam 60 and may be arranged to rotate (or phase shift) the polarization of the laser beam 60. For example, the HWP may produce a p-polarized laser beam, as shown, in response to receiving the laser beam 60 (e.g., which may be s-polarized) from the laser 50. In one embodiment, the HWP may be optional. For example, in the case in the laser beam produced by the laser 50 has a desired polarization, the HWP may be omitted. Otherwise, in the case in which the laser may not produce a desired polarization, which may depend on the orientation of the laser and whether the beam should be transmitted or reflected through the PBS on a first past, the HWP may be provided to adjust the polarization of the beam accordingly.

[0067] The lens 51 may be arranged to receive the laser beam produced by the laser 50 (e.g., from the HWP or from the collimator 52), and may focus the light of the beam based on the design of the lens. In which case, the lens 51 may focus the beam from the before the PBS is to transmit or reflect the laser beam 60, as described herein.

[0068] In another embodiment, the laser may produce the polarized laser beam using one or more polarizers. For example, the laser 50 may include at least one polarizer, and may produce the linearly polarized laser beam by emitting an unpolarized laser beam into the polarizer, which may produce the polarized laser beam 60.

[0069] The PBS 53 may be arranged to transmit or reflect incident light based on the polarization of the incident light. For example, the PBS may be arranged to pass through light in a first polarization state (e.g., p-polarized light, parallel to the plane of incidence), while reflecting light in a second polarization state (e.g., s-polarized light, e.g., perpendicular to the plane of incidence). In another embodiment, the PBS 53 may pass through light in the second polarization state and reflect light in the first polarization state. In one embodiment, the PBS reflects incident light along a diagonal plane. In particular, an angle of reflection to the normal to the diagonal plane may be equal to an angle of incidence of the incident light. Inwhich case, the PBS may be arranged to reflect the light at a different angle with respect to the incidence of the incoming light.

[0070] As shown, the PBS is arranged to transmit p-polarized light and reflect s-polarized light. In particular, the PBS is receiving, and transmitting (at least a portion of) the linearly polarized laser beam 60. In one PBS, since the laser beam 60 is linearly polarized, the PBS may transmit the entire laser beam or with minimal loss.

[0071] The QWP 54 may be arranged to convert linearly polarized light (e.g., a transmitted or reflected laser beam from the PBS) into circularly polarized light. In particular, the QWP may be disposed between the PBS 53 and the MEMS scanner 44, and may be arranged to receive the transmitted linearly polarized laser beam from the PBS and may convert the light into a circularly polarized laser beam (e.g., appearing to be rotating counterclockwise).

[0072] The 2D MEMS scanner may be arranged to receive the circularly polarized light beam and reflect it back towards the QWP 54. As shown, the reflected laser beam is now rotating in a clockwise fashion, which may be due to the reflection of the circularly polarized laser beam received from the QWP. The reflected circularly polarized laser beam is received by the QWP, which may be arranged to convert the reflected beam into a (second) linearly polarized laser beam that may be orthogonal to the first linearly polarized laser beam received from the PBS. In this case, the QWP 54 is producing a s-polarized laser beam that may be directed back towards the PBS, while receiving a p-polarized laser beam from the PBS. As a result, the linearly polarized laser beam produced by the WQP may be in the orthogonal eigenaxis to the original polarization, such as producing s-polarized light based on the p- polarized light received from the PBS. In one embodiment, the orthogonal polarized light being received and produced by the QWP may be multiplexed in one optical path.

[0073] The PBS 53 may be arranged to receive the second linearly polarized laser beam from the QWP and is arranged to reflect the beam, due to the change to the polarization of theoriginal laser beam towards the retina of the eye when the implant is inside the eye. As shown, the PBS 53 reflects the incoming laser beam from the QWP 54 at an angle. In particular, the angle (e.g., angle of incidence) the incident laser beam is received from the QWP 54 may be approximately 40° to the normal of the diagonal plane of the PBS, and therefore the angle of reflection of the reflected laser beam by the PBS may be approximately 40° to the normal of the diagonal plane. As a result, the PBS 53 may be arranged to transmit the laser beam received from the laser 50 and reflect the laser beam from the QWP 54. Thus, the laser beam which had previously been transmitted by the PBS, may now be reflected, allowing for an efficient separation of the input and output laser beams (into and out of the PBS).

[0074] In another embodiment, the components of the implant may be configured such that the PBS 53 may be arranged to reflect the laser beam received from the laser 50 and transmit the laser beam from the QWP. More about this configuration is described with respect to Fig. 10.

[0075] As described herein, the control electronics 35 of the implant 13 may be configured to manipulate the 2D MEMS scanner in order to move the laser spot of the laser beam on the retina of the user’s eye. In this example, the MEMS scanner may be controlled (e.g., by the electronics 35) to move the reflected second linearly polarized laser beam over an area (along a horizontal and / or vertical axis of an area) of the retina when the implant is inside the eye by moving the reflected circularly polarized laser beam received from the QWP. In particular, the MEMS scanner 44 may be arranged to move the reflected circularly polarized laser beam directed back towards the QWP 54 along at least one of two perpendicular axes, such as the X-axis and the Y-axis. For example, when the MEMS scanner 44 is moved along at least one axis, the reflected circularly polarized laser beam may move, resulting in movement of the reflected linearly polarized laser beam out of the PBS 53 in a horizontal and / or verticaldirection along an area on the retina. As the MEMS scanner 44 rotates about a first axis, the reflected circularly polarized laser beam may move, resulting in the reflected polarized laser beam from the PBS 53 moving along one or more axes, causing a laser spot produced by the laser beam 60 to move, horizontally for example, along a portion of the user’s retina. For example, as the MEMS scanner 44 rotates, the angle of incidence of the second linearly polarized laser beam on the diagonal of the PBS 53 may change, resulting in the angle of reflection changing as well and causing the laser spot of the beam to move along the user’s retina. In addition, as the MEMS scanner 44 rotates about another axis, which may be orthogonal to the first axis, the laser spot may move vertically along the portion of the user’s retina.

[0076] Fig. 8 shows a front view of the example implant 13 of Fig. 7. As shown, the implant 13 includes the enclosure 19 that includes several of the components of the implant. The enclosure includes a width, along the X-axis, Di, which may be between 3 mm to 7 mm. In another embodiment, Di may be 5 mm. The enclosure also includes a height, along the Z- axis, D2, which may be between 5 mm to 11 mm. In another embodiment, D2 may be 8 mm. This figure also shows that the implant includes several mirrors M1-M4, each for reflecting the laser beam 60 in one or more directions. In particular, this figure shows the optical path of the laser beam from the laser 50 towards the lens 51. In particular, the laser 50 produces the laser beam 60 that is reflected off of Mi towards the collimator 52, which collimates the light of the laser beam 60. The beam from the collimator is then reflected off of M2 and travels along the Z-axis, and is reflected off of M3 towards M4 along the X-axis. M4 reflects the laser beam upward to be received by the lens 51 that focuses the laser beam 60 and provides the focused laser beam to the PBS 53. Once received by the PBS 53, the laser beam may be optically manipulated, as described herein in order for a laser spot 70 of the laser beam 60 to be reflected towards the retina along the Y-axis, as shown.

[0077] As described herein, the laser beam may travel along an optical path in a clockwise direction from the laser 50 using at least four mirrors. In another embodiment, the laser beam may traverse a counterclockwise optical path. In which case, the laser 50 may produce the laser beam downward (in a negative Z-direction), where the beam may be reflected off a mirror and towards M4, which may reflect the beam upwards (in a positive Z-direction) into the lens 51, as shown.

[0078] As shown, the laser spot 70 is positioned approximately in a center of the PBS 53. In one embodiment, the location of the laser spot 70 may move along the Z-axis and / or the X- axis as the MEMS scanner 44 is actuated by the control electronics 35 of the implant 13, as described herein.

[0079] Fig 9 shows a side view of the example implant 13 of Fig. 7. As illustrated, the enclosure 19 has a width along the Y-axis, D3, which may be between 3 mm to 1.5 mm. In another embodiment, D3 may be 2 mm. This figure shows a profile view of the optical path of the laser beam 60 within the implant 13, and also the optical path of the reflected (or transmitted) laser beam out of the PBS 53 and directed towards the retina 21 of the user’s eye. In particular, this view shows laser 50 producing the laser beam 60, which is then reflected by mirror Mi, towards the collimator (along the X-axis), and is then reflected downward (along the Z-axis) by mirror M2. The laser beam 60 may then be reflected by mirror M3 (not shown) towards M4, along the X-axis. Mirror M4 reflects the laser beam towards the lens 51, which then may focus the beam towards the PBS 53. The beam may then be reflected towards the retina 21, as described herien.

[0080] In one embodiment, the arrangement of elements and / or the travel path of the laser beam 60 may vary, such as more or fewer mirrors may be used. In another embodiment, the position of the laser beam 60 may be adjusted along the Z-axis based on an actuation of the MEMS scanner 44, as described herein.

[0081] Fig. 10 shows a block diagram of another example of an implant that projects image data via polarization multiplexing using the 2D MEMS scanner. As described herein, the PBS may be arranged to transmit the laser beam produce by the laser 50 and reflect the laser beam received from the QWP 54. This figure illustrates that the PBS 53 reflects the laser beam from the laser 50, which may be s-polarized light, towards the QWP 54, and may transmit (pass through) the laser beam received from the QWP 54 that may be orthogonal to the original polarization of the laser beam produced by the laser 50, such as being p-polarized, to the retina.

[0082] In one embodiment, the implant 13 may include an enclosure 19 that may be designed to house at least some of the components of the implant, such as the laser 50, the PBS 53, the QWP 54, and / or the MEMS scanner 44. In one embodiment, the enclosure may be sized to fit into a lens capsule of an eye of a user.

[0083] As described herein, the implant may project an image onto a retina of a user using a 2D MEMS scanner 44, where the scanner may be manipulated by the control electronics over at least to axes. In addition to, or in lieu of, using a 2D MEMS scanner, the implant may use one or more ID MEMS scanners to project the image (e.g., any scanning method).

[0084] Fig. 11 shows a block diagram of the implant 13 that projects image data using a pair of ID MEMS scanners 55 and 57 that are arranged to move a laser beam over an area of a retina when the implant is inside the eye. The implant 13 includes the laser 50 to produce the laser beam 60, the PBS 53 arranged to transmit or reflect the laser beam according to a polarization of the laser beam 60, the first ID MEMS scanner 55, a first QWP 54 that is disposed between the first MEMS scanner and the PBS, a second ID MEMS scanner 57, and a second QWP 56 that is disposed between the second MEMS scanner and the PBS. In one embodiment, the implant 13 may include other elements described herein, such as one ormore lenses / collimators and / or a HWP along the path of the laser beam 60 (e.g., between the laser 50 and the PBS 53).

[0085] As described herein, the laser beam 60 may be a first linearly polarized beam (e.g., a p-polarized beam) that may be transmitted by the PBS 53 to the first QWP 54, which may circularly polarize the first linearly polarized beam from the PBS. The MEMS scanner 55 may receive and reflect the circularly polarized laser beam from the first QWP 54 and back to the QWP 54, which may convert the circularly polarized beam into another linearly polarized laser beam. As shown, the (e.g., second linearly polarized) beam produced by the QWP 54 may have a different polarization than (e.g., orthogonal to) the (e.g., first linearly polarized) beam produced by the laser, such as being s-polarized, as shown.

[0086] The PBS 53 receives the second linearly polarized beam from the QWP and reflects the beam to the second QWP 56 off of the diagonal plane of the PBS. The QWP 56 may receive the reflected beam from the PBS 53 and may circularly polarize the beam. In one embodiment, since the linearly polarized beams received by the first and second QWPs 54 and 56 may have orthogonal polarizations, the circularly polarized laser beams produced by the QWPs may rotate in different directions. For example, the beam produced by the first QWP 54 may rotate counterclockwise, while the beam produced by the second QWP 56 may rotate clockwise.

[0087] The MEMS scanner 57 may receive the circularly polarized beam from the QWP 56 and reflect the beam back to the QWP 56, which may then convert the beam into a third linearly polarized beam. In one embodiment, the beam produced by the second QWP has a same polarization as the first linearly polarized laser beam produced by the laser 50. As a result, the PBS 53 may transmit the third linearly polarized laser beam towards the retina of the eye.

[0088] As described herein, the MEMS scanners 55 and 57 may be ID scanners that may each be arranged to move the laser beam along one axis. In particular, the first MEMS scanner 55 may move the laser beam along a first axis over a retina of an eye when the implant is inside the eye, and the second MEMS scanner 57 may be arranged to move the laser beam along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis over the retain when the implant is inside the eye. For example, the first MEMS scanner 55 may be arranged to pivot (or tilt) along one axis, which may cause the laser beam to move vertically (e.g., along the Y- axis) on a 2D area on the retina, and the second MEMS scanner 57 may be arranged to pivot along another (e.g., perpendicular) axis that may cause the laser beam to move horizontally (e.g., along the X-axis) on the 2D area. In another embodiment, the scanners may be arranged to tilt and / or more about one or more axes, which may result in a laser spot of the laser beam 60 moving about an area of the retina.

[0089] In one embodiment, the MEMS scanners 55 and 57 may move about different axes during overlapping and / or non-overlapping periods of time. For example, the MEMS scanner 55 may move (e.g., rotate about one axis) to cause the reflected circularly polarized laser beam to move to cause the laser spot produced by the laser beam (transmitted through the PBS 53) to move in one or more directions. The MEMS scanner 57 may move (e.g., rotate about another axis) as the MEMS scanner 55 moves so as to move the laser spot in one or more directions within a 2D region of the retina. In another embodiment, the MEMS scanner 57 may stay stationary as the MEMS scanner 55 moves, so that the laser spot moves in only one direction within the region of the retina.

[0090] In one embodiment, the implant 13 with the pair of ID MEMS scanners may be configured differently based on the polarization of the laser beam 60. For example, instead of being p-polarized, the laser beam 60 may have s-polarization. In which case, the laser beam 60 may be first reflected by the PBS 53 towards QWP 56 and MEMS scanner 57. Once thePBS 53 receives the reflected beam from the scanner 57, the PBS may pass through the beam (e.g., based on its new polarization due to QWP 56) towards QWP 54 and MEMS scanner 55. Once the PBS 53 receives the reflected beam from scanner 55, the PBS may reflect the beam towards the retina, as described herein.

[0091] Figs. 12 and 13 show different views of the implant 13 that has the pair of ID MEMS scanners, as described in Fig. 11. For example, Fig. 12 shows a back-view of the implant, while Fig. 13 shows an inverted side-view of the implant. The implant 13 includes components of the pair of ID MEMS scanners as described in Fig. 11 along with other components, such as mirrors M1-M4 in order to project images onto a retina of the user’s eye. As shown, the implant includes the first QWP 54 disposed between the PBS 53 and the first MEMS scanner 55, while the second QWP 56 is disposed between the PBS 53 and the second MEMS scanner 57. Similar to Fig. 8, the laser beam 60 produced by the laser 50 may have a clockwise signal path from the laser and into the lens 51.

[0092] As described herein, Fig. 13 shows an inverted side-view of the implant shown in Fig. 12. In particular, this view shows the implant 13 from Fig. 12, rotated -90° along the Z-axis and rotated -180° along the Y-axis. This view shows the path of the laser beam 60 produced by the laser 50. Specifically, the laser 50 produces the laser beam 60 (along the Z-axis), which is reflected by Mi and received by the collimator 52 (along the X-axis). The laser beam 60 is reflected by M2 (not shown) towards M3 (not shown) along the Z-axis. The laser beam 60 is reflected by M4 and received by the lens 51, which may focus the beam towards the PBS 53.

[0093] The configurations described herein provide several advantages for the projection system. For instance, by striking the one or more mirrors of a (e.g., 2D) MEMS scanner, such as scanner 44, at normal incidence, a full aperture of the laser beam may be used for the image projection system. As a result, this may improve the effective resolution of theprojection system by achieving a smaller laser spot size at the retina, for example. Second, for the case of the pair of ID MEMS scanners, this configuration may minimize a separation between the mirrors (while also using the maximum aperture of the laser beam). This minimization of separation is important since the implant may be sufficiently small in order to fit within the eye of the user. In particular, the implant may not have sufficient space to place reimaging optics to image the laser spot from the first MEMS scanner on the second MEMS scanner and without the reimaging optics, the spot reflected from the first MEMS scanner may miss the second MEMS scanner at larger scan angles. In order to ensure that the spot does not miss, the MEMS scanner and any intermediate optics would have to be larger, resulting in a bigger overall implant. In order to avoid this, however, the ID MEMS scanners of the present disclosure are positioned as close as possible to each other, thereby ensuring that the spot from one ID MEMS scanner does not miss the other.

[0094] As previously explained, an embodiment of the disclosure may be a non-transitory machine-readable medium (such as microelectronic memory) having stored thereon instructions, which program one or more data processing components (generically referred to here as a “processor”) to perform operations, such as the (image) signal processing operations, network operations, optical data transmission operations, and optical power transmission operations, as described herein. In other embodiments, some of these operations might be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwired logic. Those operations might alternatively be performed by any combination of programmed data processing components and fixed hardwired circuit components.

[0095] While certain embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad disclosure, and that the disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those of ordinary skill in the art. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

[0096] To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

[0097] In some embodiments, this disclosure may include the language, for example, “at least one of [element A] and [element B] .” This language may refer to one or more of the elements. For example, “at least one of A and B” may refer to “A,” “B,” or “A and B.” Specifically, “at least one of A and B” may refer to “at least one of A and at least one ofB,” or “at least of either A or B .” In some embodiments, this disclosure may include the language, for example, “[element A], [element B], and / or [element C] ” This language may refer to either of the elements or any combination thereof. For instance, “A, B, and / or C” may refer to “A,” “B,” “C,” “A and B,” “A and C,” “B and C,” or “A, B, and C.”

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An intraocular implant comprising: a plurality of lasers to produce a plurality of laser beams, wherein each laser beam has a different color; a diffraction grating to diffract the laser beams into a combined laser beam onto a retina of an eye when the implant is inside the eye; and a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) scanner to move the combined laser beam over an area of the retina when the implant is inside the eye.

2. The intraocular implant of claim 1 further comprising an aperture structure disposed between the diffraction grating and the MEMS scanner, and through which the combined laser beam is to pass through.

3. The intraocular implant of claim 1 further comprising, for each laser a collimator to collimate the laser beam.

4. The intraocular implant of claim 1, wherein the combined laser beam comprises each of the laser beams coaxial to one another.

5. The intraocular implant of claim 1, wherein at least one laser produces a laser beam at a visible wavelength.

6. The intraocular implant of claim 1, wherein at least one laser comprises a dichroic filter to transmit a laser beam of the laser with a particular color.

7. The intraocular implant of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lasers comprises a red laser, a green laser, and a blue laser.

8. An intraocular implant comprising: a laser to produce a first linearly polarized laser beam;a polarizing beam-splitter (PBS) to transmit or reflect the first linearly polarized laser beam; a quarter waveplate (QWP) to convert the transmitted or reflected first linearly polarized light beam into a circularly polarized laser beam; and a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner to reflect the circularly polarized laser beam back towards the QWP, wherein the QWP is to convert the reflected circularly polarized laser beam into a second linearly polarized laser beam that is orthogonal to the first linearly polarized laser beam, and wherein the PBS is to reflect or transmit the second linearly polarized laser beam, respectively to the transmission or the reflection of the first linearly polarized laser beam towards a retina of an eye when the intraocular implant is inside the eye.

9. The intraocular implant of claim 8, wherein the QWP is disposed between the PBS and the MEMS scanner.

10. The intraocular implant of claim 8, wherein the MEMS scanner is to move the reflected or transmitted second linearly polarized laser beam over an area of the retina when the implant is inside the eye by moving the reflected circularly polarized laser beam.

11. The intraocular implant of claim 10, wherein the MEMS scanner is arranged to move the reflected circularly polarized laser beam along at least one of two perpendicular axes.

12. The intraocular implant of claim 8, wherein the implant comprises an enclosure in which the laser, the PBS, the QWP, and the MEMS scanner are housed.

13. The intraocular implant of claim 12, wherein the enclosure is sized to fit into a lens capsule of the eye.

14. The intraocular implant of claim 8, wherein the laser comprises a polarizer and produces the linearly polarized laser beam by emitting an unpolarized laser beam into the polarizer.

15. The intraocular implant of claim 8 further comprises:a collimator to collimate the first linearly polarized laser beam; and a lens to focus the first linearly polarized laser beam before the PBS transmits or reflects the first linearly polarized laser beam.

16. An intraocular implant comprising: a laser to produce a laser beam; a polarizing beam-splitter (PBS) to transmit or reflect the laser beam according to a polarization of the laser beam; a first micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner to move the laser beam along a first axis over a retina of an eye when the implant is inside the eye; a second MEMS scanner to move the laser beam along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis over the retina when the implant is inside the eye; a first quarter waveplate (QWP) that is disposed between the first MEMS scanner and the PBS, and is to circularly polarize the laser beam, wherein the first MEMS scanner is to reflect the circularly polarized laser beam from the first QWP; and a second QWP that is disposed between the second MEMS scanner and the PBS, and is to circularly polarize the laser beam, wherein the second MEMS scanner is to reflect the circularly polarized laser beam from the second QWP.

17. The intraocular implant of claim 16, wherein the laser beam comprises a first linearly polarized laser beam, wherein the first QWP is to convert the reflected circularly polarized laser beam from the first MEMS scanner into a second linearly polarized laser beam that is orthogonal to the first linearly polarized laser beam, and wherein the PBS is to transmit the first linearly polarized laser beam to the first QWP, and is to reflect the second linearly polarized laser beam to the second QWP.

18. The intraocular implant of claim 17, wherein the second QWP is to convert the reflected circularly polarized laser beam from the second MEMS scanner into a third linearly polarized laser beam that has a same polarization as the first linearly polarized laser beam, wherein the PBS is to transmit the third linearly polarized laser beam towards the retina of the eye when the intraocular implant is inside the eye.

19. The intraocular implant of claim 16, wherein the first MEMS scanner and the second MEMS scanner are arranged to move the laser beam over an area of the retina when the implant is inside the eye.

20. The intraocular implant of claim 16, wherein the implant is sized to fit into a lens capsule of the eye.

Images