Focus depth extended periodic lens surface

Abstract

The lens body, such as an intraocular lens, is configured to be implantable in the eye. The surface of the lens includes a composite periodic surface. The composite periodic surface has a first portion periodically optimized at a first focal length, a second portion periodically optimized at a second focal length, and a third portion that periodically connects the second portions to each other. The third portion can be defined by a periodic function with varying amplitude and frequency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 390,213, filed on July 18, 2022, and U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 402,809, filed on August 31, 2022, both entitled "Depth - of - Focus Extended Periodic Lens Surfaces". The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0002] As conventional optical lens solutions for extending the depth of focus while eliminating common drawbacks, there are diffractive and refractive multifocal lenses each having individual regions. Other conventional solutions include aspherical lenses with a power profile (power profile) where the power changes along the radial direction of the lens, and small - aperture lenses (e.g., pinhole lenses). In the case of an aspherical lens shape, the degree to which the power changes along the radial direction is set by varying the conic constant K and the aspherical coefficient of the n - th order.

[0003] Such techniques have several drawbacks. For example, in the case of an intraocular lens (IOL), the arrangement of individual regions is affected by the size of the pupil. If a specific power zone is exposed by dilation or covered by miosis, the power of the intraocular lens (IOL) changes significantly. As another example, in a multi - zone configuration having multiple regions, essentially, unwanted visual artifacts (such as halos) occur. For a visual target at a specific distance, while the focus may be excellent or good in one region, it may be incomplete in other regions. As a result, multiple images and halos are generated around the main visual target. Furthermore, when the number of regions is small, the halos become more prominent and noticeable. Additionally, an intraocular lens (IOL) with a restricted aperture has limited light - gathering power, and the image projected onto the retina is relatively dark, so a low - contrast resolution is not optimal.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a lens configuration that can reduce or eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This specification discloses a lens such as an intraocular lens configured to continuously change its focal length. The lens has a shape including a front surface and / or a rear surface of a surface (outer surface) defined (embodied) by a combination of at least one reference (baseline) lens shape, and this shape is combined with a shape defined (embodied) by a periodic function, and the amplitude and period of the periodic function can be modulated (adjusted). As a result, the lens will have a shape with a continuously changing diopter (lens power) as it moves along the surface of the lens (e.g., as it moves radially outward with respect to the optical axis). The reference (baseline) lens shape can be various, for example, a spherical surface, an aspherical surface, or other suitable lens-defined shapes (lens-embodied shapes). In another embodiment, the lens is not defined by a reference shape (baseline shape), but is first defined (embodied) by one or more gradient curves (i.e., the gradient (slope) of the curvature of the surface of the lens) that define (embody) the desired or optimal diopter level (power level) of the lens, for example, in a custom specification. The gradient curves can be connected by one or more additional gradient curves. The additional gradient curves are defined (embodied) by a periodic function, a piecewise function, an arbitrary function, or a function where the transition from one location to another in the gradient curve is arbitrary or predefined in some way. Then, the plurality of gradient curves are mathematically integrated (integrated) to define (embody) the curvature of the surface (outer surface) of the lens.

[0006] In the case of an intraocular lens (IOL), in non-limiting embodiments, the lens is shaped to provide the lens with a first power (lens power) that is optimal for a first vision (e.g., distance vision) and a second power (lens power) that is optimal for a second vision (e.g., near vision). Further, the lens can be configured with a plurality of powers corresponding to a plurality of viewing distances, not just distance and near vision. The radii of curvature of the lens surface shapes corresponding to the two optimal powers (lens powers) will necessarily be different, and the radius of curvature of the distance vision lens will be greater than the radius of curvature of the near vision lens. Consequently, the slope (gradient) (e.g., first derivative) of the curve of the distance vision lens increases more gradually away from the central optical axis than the slope (gradient) of the curve of the near vision lens. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a periodic surface wave that defines (embodies) the change in the gradient (slope) of the curvature and / or the radius of the lens provides the lens with a curvature that repeatedly changes from a long-distance optimized curvature to a short-distance optimized curvature across the radius of the lens. In another aspect, the change in the gradient (slope) / radius of curvature is periodic and irregular or random.

[0007] The types of lenses that can employ the features disclosed herein are diverse. The lens can be any lens that utilizes a periodic surface (cyclic surface) to increase the depth of focus and reduce unwanted aberrations. In non-limiting examples, the lens is composed of an intraocular lens (IOL). In another non-limiting example, the lens is composed of an endoscope with a fixed lens system.

[0008] Details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described in this specification will be apparent from the description and drawings of this specification, as well as from the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Before the subject matter of the present invention is further described, it is to be understood that the subject matter described herein is not limited to the particular embodiments described, and that various changes are of course possible. It is also to be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing only particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the subject matter of the present invention belongs.

[0011] Disclosed herein is a lens having a surface (also referred to as a "composite surface", "composite periodic surface", or "composite outer surface") defined (embodied) by combining one or more reference (baseline) lens surface shapes (also referred to as "reference shape", "basic shape", "base shape") with a surface shape defined (embodied) by a function whose amplitude and period can be modulated (e.g., a periodic function such as a sine function). In another embodiment, the function is a chirp function, a logarithmically varying function, a piecewise function, or a random variation. As described above, the reference shape can be various, for example, a spherical surface (spherical reference surface), an aspherical surface (aspherical reference surface), a combination thereof, or any surface described by another mathematical function. The periodic function can also be various. For example, the periodic function can be a simple modulation periodic function (e.g., a sine function or a cosine function). In another example, the periodic function is any complex periodic function composed of any number of sine terms and cosine terms. The further adaptability (fluidity) of the periodic function enables complete control of any shape parameter of periodicity (e.g., the steepness of rise and fall, residence at the extreme value, changes in amplitude and periodicity). The composite surface can be the front surface of the lens, the rear surface of the lens, a part of the front surface, and / or a part of the rear surface. For example, the composite surface can be a region of the front surface (or the rear surface) that occupies a part of the surface moving radially outward from the optical axis. Further, the lens may be created without any reference shape (base shape). In this case, the resulting periodic shape is completely defined by modulating the gradient of the boundary condition curves of high and low diopters. The shape is defined by integrating the gradient curve (slope curve), and since the gradient curve is formed by traveling back and forth between the high-diopter curve and the low-diopter curve, the reference shape (base shape) is unnecessary. Further, any number of intermediate-level diopter curves (power curves) may be included.

[0012] The function may define a composite surface that combines the front and / or rear surfaces of the lens. The composite surface is a surface defined by at least one reference shape (base shape) (e.g., a spherical surface, an aspherical surface, or other suitable lens definition, etc.) and further defined by a predetermined function. Thereby, the surface of the lens periodically transitions between the reference shape (base shape) and the surface defined by the function. For example, the composite surface of the lens may be a surface in which the front surface is combined with a spherical or aspherical rear surface. Alternatively, the composite surface of the lens may be a surface in which the rear surface is combined with a spherical or aspherical front surface. In another example, the composite surface may be on both the rear and front surfaces of the lens. In the example of an intraocular lens (IOL), the intraocular lens (IOL) may include a conical lens (spherical or aspherical) at the central portion of the intraocular lens (IOL) and a composite surface at the radially outer portion of the lens. In another embodiment, a composite surface lens with a diffractive region or a refractive region is employed to emphasize a specific power.

[0013] In one embodiment, the lens has a compound periodic surface (compound cyclic surface). The compound periodic surface (compound cyclic surface) may be the whole or part of the rear surface and / or the front surface. The compound periodic surface (compound cyclic surface) has a first portion periodically defined by a reference shape (base shape) optimized at a first focal length, a second portion periodically defined by a reference shape (base shape) optimized at a second focal length, and a third portion that periodically connects the first portion and the second portion, and the third portion is directly or indirectly defined by a function such as a periodic function. Thereby, as going radially outward from the optical axis of the lens, the surface of the lens periodically or cyclically shuttles (vibrates) between the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion, and the third portion periodically connects the first portion and the second portion. The compound periodic surface (compound cyclic surface) may be further defined by a reference shape (base shape) optimized at a third focal length between the first focal length and the second focal length. A lens body such as an intraocular lens is configured to be implantable in the eye. The surface (outer surface) of the lens includes the compound periodic surface. The compound periodic surface has at least a first portion periodically optimized at a first focal length, a second portion periodically optimized at a second focal length, and a third portion that periodically connects the first portion and the second portion. The third portion can be defined by a periodic function whose amplitude and frequency (vibration frequency, periodicity) change, or other functions. Alternatively, the third portion may be arbitrary or custom-made.

[0014] In another embodiment, rather than being defined by a reference shape (base shape), the lens is defined in a custom manner by providing one or more gradient curves that define the curvature gradient (slope) of at least a portion of the lens surface. The curvature gradient may be at least partially based on the desired diopter profile (power profile) of the lens at one or more positions of the lens. For example, a lens designer may desire a lens that has a desired diopter profile at one or more positions and a different diopter profile at one or more other positions. The designer may identify such a diopter profile based on the gradient values or gradient curves of such a diopter profile, and connect the gradient values / gradient curves as described above to a predefined additional gradient curve (e.g., a periodic function, an arbitrary function, a piecewise function, or a randomly defined connection). Thereby, the definition of the gradient of the lens becomes predefined or arbitrary in number. The resulting composite gradient curve is integrated to provide the curvature of at least a portion of the surface (outer surface) of the lens.

[0015] An intraocular lens (IOL) having the features disclosed herein is configured to vary the diopter (lens power) continuously (e.g., as one moves radially outward from the optical axis of the lens or in other manners) rather than discretely along the surface of the lens. As a result, there is less cortical striae formation in the image projected onto the retina, and generally, the diopter profiles are more effectively blended. With such a lens, any number of cycles (periods) are possible, barring manufacturing limitations. Due to this adaptability (flexibility), the diopter of the lens can be very smoothly distributed.

[0016] In one embodiment, the lens has, on its front and / or rear surface, a plurality of periodic structures (e.g., a wavy structure with a plurality of structural waves), and the surface (outer surface) of each wave includes or defines all of the dioptric powers of the lens. That is, each periodic structure includes all of the powers (lens powers) in the system from high power (high lens power) to low power (low lens power). Light that passes through only a small part of the lens is also affected by the full range of powers. Further, the lens enables processing capabilities (bandwidths) for any power. By changing the amplitude of a function (e.g., a periodic function), the lowest and highest powers in the system can be controlled. The lens can also reduce the occurrence of halos. The lens comprises a plurality of periodic structures each including all of the powers possible in the system. Thereby, the overall blend is significantly improved and the halos are significantly reduced or eliminated.

[0017] In the case of an intraocular lens (IOL), when the lens is implanted in the eye, a change in the pupil diameter does not cause a significant change in the performance of the lens. In a typical area-based multifocal lens, due to obscuration by the iris, the obscured portion of the system is removed from the optical path. As a result, when the iris contracts or expands, a specific magnification (i.e., power) becomes ineffective or is overly emphasized. In the lens having the features disclosed herein, since each periodic structure of the lens includes all of the powers of the lens, the above problem is solved because the performance is uniformly maintained regardless of the expansion of the iris.

[0018] The lens can be manufactured using conventional manufacturing techniques (e.g., a lathe equipped with a diamond cutting tool, or injection molding). This technique is different from metasurface technology or other techniques that require nanostructured configurations (e.g., 1 to 100 nm). These techniques require more specialized manufacturing techniques.

[0019] As described above, the lens disclosed in this specification has a surface (the front and / or rear surface of the lens, also referred to as a "composite surface") defined by a combination of a shape defined by a function whose amplitude and period are modulated (for example, a periodic function) and at least one reference shape (base shape) (for example, a spherical surface, an aspherical surface, or other suitable lens definition). The resulting shape realizes a continuously variable lens power. The related mathematics and geometry are described below.

[0020] At least one reference shape (base shape) of the surface (outer surface) of the lens can be mathematically described as follows. R = reference curvature radius (base line curvature radius) of the lens surface r = radial distance from the optical axis of the lens G(r) = function that defines the lens surface according to the reference shape (base shape) This function can be various, for example, it can be a function of a spherical surface, an aspherical surface, or any suitable surface shape (for example, a polynomial).

[0021] Examples of the lens profile (or reference shape) as a function of r are shown below for a spherical lens profile and an aspherical lens profile, respectively. [Number] [Number]

[0022] The first derivative (G'(r)) of the function that defines the lens surface is obtained.

[0023] G'(r) = first derivative of the function that defines the lens surface In other words, G'(r) represents the gradient of the lens surface at a specific position as a function of r.

[0024] H(r) is a function (e.g., a periodic function) that defines the surface of the lens and enables control of the amplitude and period including the relative gradient of each period within the function. According to Fourier's theorem, any reasonably continuous periodic function can be expressed as the sum of a series of sine terms and cosine terms. That is, any periodic function can be represented by a combination of sine terms and cosine terms. As described below, the function may further be a chirp function, a non-linear chirp function (e.g., a logarithmically varying function), a piecewise function, or a randomly varying function.

[0025] Typical examples are shown below.

[0026] Amplitude constant = a term that changes the amplitude of the periodic function (in this case, the amplitude changes in proportion to the distance r from the optical axis of the lens).

[0027] Frequency constant (oscillation constant) = a term that changes the period of the function The larger the frequency constant (oscillation constant), the greater the frequency (oscillation) of the periodic function and the greater the number of periods combined with the above-mentioned reference shape profile as a basis.

Number

[0028] Here, H’(r) = the first derivative of the above appropriate periodic function In other words, H’(r) is the gradient of the above periodic function that defines a part of the lens surface.

[0029] S(r) = G(r) + H(r) is a function that realizes a composite surface shape by combining the reference shape of the lens surface defined as above and the function defined as above. The combined function G(r) + H(r) may be the sum, convolution, or any combination of the above functions that combines the periodicity (frequency, vibration number) and amplitude of H(r) with the (reference) lens shape of the underlying G(r). This effect is to combine a periodic surface with the underlying lens surface (reference shape). An example of the function S(r) is shown below. [Number]

[0030] S’(r) = the first derivative of the function combining the lens surface function G(r) and the periodic function H(r) Here, S’(r) defines the gradient of the composite lens surface as a function of r (the radial distance from the optical axis of the lens).

[0031] Figure 1 shows a diagram representing a spherical lens surface where G1(r) has a relatively large radius of curvature. In the case of an intraocular lens (IOL), the radius of curvature of G1(r) is optimized for distance vision. G2(r) represents a spherical lens surface with a relatively small radius of curvature (compared to G1) that is optimized for near vision. One or more additional curvatures may be used between distance vision and near vision. In the case of an intraocular lens (IOL), the smaller the diameter, the more optimized it is for near vision. Ideally, the lens may combine the optimized characteristics of both types of lenses. As described above, conventional methods typically include multiple focal regions or diffractive regions, each optimized for a specific power or focal length. In a non-limiting example, a small radius may correspond to high power and near vision and may be about 17 mm, and a large radius may correspond to low power and distance vision and may be about 24 mm. In another non-limiting example, distance vision means 4000 mm (a distance corresponding to the standard visual acuity chart distance), infinity, or any distance between these, and near vision means 400 mm (a distance corresponding to the standard visual acuity chart distance), or a distance closer than this.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the gradient (slope) 205 of function G1 and the gradient (slope) 210 of function G2 as a function of the distance r from the optical axis of the lens. FIG. 2 shows that both curves have a flat (i.e., zero) gradient at the optical axis and that the gradient becomes steeper as both curves move away from the optical axis. FIG. 2 also shows that the gradients of function G1 and function G2 diverge as they move away from the optical axis because they have different underlying radii of curvature. This divergence of the gradients is proportional to the difference in light intensity (refractive power, optical power) between the two lenses, and the lens with the steeper gradient has a higher light intensity (refractive power, optical power) than the lens with the shallower gradient.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows the gradient of the compound lens surface function S’(r) that defines the compound lens surface. This is the gradient of the compound surface of function G(r) and function H(r). The gradient varies periodically according to the amplitude and periodicity (frequency, vibration number) of the periodic function. The periodic function is selected such that the peak amplitude and valley amplitude change according to the gradients of function G1 of the high-power lens profile and function G2 of the low-power lens profile. The gradient curves of the high-power lens profile and the low-power lens profile define the range outside the amplitude of the periodic function. In this case, the maximum value of the gradient of the periodic profile is equal to the gradient of the lens surface with the maximum gradient, and the minimum value of the gradient of the periodic function is equal to the gradient of the lens surface with the minimum gradient. In one embodiment, the amplitude of the periodic function increases (i.e., grows) as the radial distance from the optical axis increases. In this case, the amplitude coincides with the amplitude of the divergence between the gradients of the two lens surfaces.

[0034] Figure 4 shows an example of the representation of a compound periodic surface defined by the compound lens surface function S’(r). The underlying sphere is obvious, and the characteristics of the changing periodic surface structure resulting from the added function are the same. Due to the characteristics of the surface structure, a uniform distribution of high and low powers (or any distribution of high and low powers defined by the compound lens surface function S’(r)) across the entire lens surface is possible. Further, since each periodic characteristic includes all powers (lens powers) from high to low within the system, the power distribution becomes much more uniform than that of a multifocal region lens (multifocal lens). Note that the compound periodic surface has a series of periodic annular waveforms defined by a periodic function.

[0035] In one embodiment, the periodic surface is gradually removed from the lens over a specific range or position of the lens. As shown in FIG. 4A, there is a periodic surface 405 on the lens. The periodic surface 405 exists on the lens up to a specific radius (or position) of the lens, at which position the amplitude of the periodic surface 405 decreases to zero over a specific radial distance, forming an aperiodic surface 410. Outside this radial distance, the lens surface can be defined by a different function (e.g., spherical, aspherical, and / or other aperiodic lens definitions). FIG. 4B shows a graph representing the lens surface as a function of radius. The lens surface transitions from the compound periodic surface to the aperiodic surface 410 at position 420.

[0036] In another embodiment, a central region of a part of the lens is defined by an aperiodic surface (e.g., spherical, aspherical, and / or other aperiodic lens definitions). At a specific radial position of the lens, the lens transitions to a compound periodic surface whose amplitude gradually increases from zero over a specific radial distance.

[0037] In yet another embodiment, the compound periodic surface is directly or indirectly sandwiched (surrounded) by two aperiodic surfaces (e.g., spherical, aspherical, and / or other aperiodic lens definitions). Also, the lens may have an aperiodic surface sandwiched by two compound periodic surfaces.

[0038] The transition between the periodic surface and the aperiodic surface can be characterized as a gradual (ramp-up or ramp-down) transition. A gradual (ramp-up or ramp-down) configuration can be achieved, for example, by applying a trigonometric function or any function that linearly or non-linearly expands or contracts the amplitude of the cycle over a particular radial distance.

[0039] The aperiodic lens surface, if it exists, can be configured to achieve a particular diopter that emphasizes a particular target distance (near vision, short distance vision, or intermediate vision) as needed.

[0040] According to one example method, the shape of the baseline lens surface is defined to have the curvature of the base shape of the telephoto lens (also referred to as the "telephoto curvature"). The curvature of the base shape of the close-up lens (also referred to as the "close-up curvature") is defined to achieve the function G(r) at both telephoto and close-up distances. As described above, additional curvature may be defined for the distance between far vision and near vision. For each of the close-up curvature and the telephoto curvature (or the curvature at other distances), the gradient of the curvature is calculated over all or part of the lens surface by obtaining the first derivative of the function G(r). Such a gradient can be graphically represented as a function of the radial distance from the optical axis of the lens, as shown in FIG. 2. Here, the X-axis is the radial distance from the optical axis, and the Y-axis is the gradient of the curvature. Note that the gradients diverge from each other as the distance from the optical axis increases.

[0041] As described above, in another embodiment, the shape of the baseline lens surface is not predefined. The user defines the value or gradient curve of one or more gradients on the lens surface. Here, the gradient value and the gradient curve are each related to a desired diopter profile. The user may further define one or more functions that transition between multiple gradient values and / or between multiple gradient curves to achieve a composite gradient curve that defines the gradient of the lens surface. Next, mathematical integration is used to define the lens surface. Thus, the method includes defining, at at least a part of the lens surface, a first gradient curve for a diopter (lens power) optimized at a first distance; defining, at at least another part of the lens surface, a second gradient curve for a diopter (lens power) optimized at a second distance; defining at least a third gradient curve connecting the first gradient curve and the second gradient curve; combining the first gradient curve, the second gradient curve, and the third gradient curve to obtain a composite gradient curve; and integrating the composite gradient curve to obtain a definition of the curvature of the lens surface.

[0042] In the next step, two (or three or more) gradient curves or gradient lines are interconnected or fused (integrated) with each other using a function (periodic function). Here, the functions are diverse. In one embodiment, the function is a periodic function (e.g., a sine function) that smoothly changes the gradient of the curvature between the near-distance curvature and the far-distance curvature. Thereby, the diopters are smoothly fused overall between the gradient of the near-distance curvature and the gradient of the far-distance curvature. Thus, the diopters are smoothly combined between farsightedness and nearsightedness. In another embodiment, the function is an irregular function (e.g., a chirp function) whose frequency (vibration number) continuously increases (up-chirps) or decreases (down-chirps). In yet another embodiment, an irregular non-normal function is modified or changed in a non-linear manner (e.g., logarithmically). In another embodiment, the function is a piecewise function.

[0043] In another embodiment, between the gradients defined by the near-distance curvature surface and the far-distance curvature surface (or between multiple additional diopter profiles), and between multiple other curvatures between the near-distance curvature and the far-distance curvature, the gradient of the lens can be arbitrarily, randomly, or quasi-randomly varied. Any resulting function can be adjusted to achieve a particularly desirable distribution of diopters across the entire lens. For example, the function can be adjusted to bias vision towards long-distance vision while overall maintaining a very good depth of focus. In this way, by adjusting the lens to custom specifications, the diopters (lens power) can be distributed in any desired manner. For example, based on the needs or desires of the lens designer, the lens can be adjusted to have one or more regions biased towards long-distance vision and other regions biased towards short-distance vision, with these regions being located at desired positions along the lens.

[0044] To achieve a desired distribution of diopters (lens power) across the entire lens, an appropriate function for varying the gradient between long-distance vision and short-distance vision (and optionally other visions) is constructed, and integration is used to specify or define the shape (e.g., curvature) of the lens surface. As described above, the function representing the composite gradient can be a piecewise function composed of multiple line segments as shown in FIG. 6 and is integrated using any appropriate integration method. This integration can be achieved symbolically, numerically, or using other methods of function integration. As a result of integrating the gradient function, the surface of the lens is defined. The surface of the lens can be at least a part of the front surface, the rear surface, or a combination of these.

[0045] The gradient function can be various. For example, it can be understood that it may be a piecewise function (i.e., a function composed of functions of a plurality of small segments). In this case, the plurality of small segments are a plurality of segments (for example, line 605 in FIG. 6 described below). The gradient function may be any function that travels back and forth between a long-distance gradient curve and a short-distance gradient curve. Further, apart from the short-distance gradient curve and the long-distance gradient curve, additional gradient curves different from the short-distance gradient curve and the long-distance gradient curve may be used so as to include any amount of gradient curves (including intermediate curves or any curves between the short-distance gradient curve and the long-distance gradient curve).

[0046] FIG. 5 is a graph showing a first line 505 (first gradient curve) of the gradient of the curvature of the reference (baseline) outer shape for long-distance vision and a second line 510 (second gradient curve) of the gradient of the curvature of the reference (baseline) outer shape for long-distance vision as a function of the radial distance of the lens from the optical axis. In one embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select, choose, or identify one or more transition points 520 representing the transition between the first line 505 and the corresponding transition point 525 on the second line 510. Thereby, the gradient transitions based on the selected periodic function. As described above, the periodic functions can be various, regular, irregular, or arbitrary. Thus, the distance between transition points along the first line 505 or the second line 510 can be selectively changed by the designer, can be regular, irregular, arbitrary, and / or can be selected by the user. In one embodiment, the user can determine (e.g., in real time) the positions of the transition points 520, 525 so as to provide the desired diopter profile to the lens as it goes radially outward from the optical axis of the lens. Thereby, the user can achieve a customized lens design. That is, the user can finely adjust the diopter distribution and can further finely control the maximum and minimum curvatures of the lens surface. Therefore, even if the pupil size changes, the diopter of the lens can be made more consistent. If the function defining the compound periodic surface is regular, there may be a diffraction effect due to features of a certain width on the lens surface. The user can overcome such a diffraction effect by giving the function a random period width.

[0047] FIG. 6 schematically shows a gradient curve (line 605) of a periodic function that transitions between various transition points 520, 525 along the gradient lines 505, 510. As described above, the user can arbitrarily select the transition points 520, 525 to achieve a customized diopter distribution of the lens. The gradient curve may be a random, regular, periodic, or piecewise function.

[0048] FIG. 7A shows a histogram of the values of the curvature gradient across the entire lens, where the horizontal axis represents the gradient and the vertical axis represents the occurrence amount. The user can customize the amount or quantity of the desired gradient value across the entire lens. As an example, in a non-limiting example, one bar in the histogram represents "the gradient of 0.072 occurs 43 times across the entire lens". Thereby, an index indicating how various frequencies (for example, high frequencies, low frequencies, medium frequencies) exist across the entire lens is obtained. In one embodiment, the user can start lens design using the histogram, for example, by selectively adjusting the histogram to achieve the desired distribution of frequencies (lens power). The resulting histogram is defined and represented by a gradient curve representing the curvature gradient of the lens surface based on the frequency profile defined by the histogram. The gradient curve is integrated to realize the definition of the lens surface. FIG. 7B shows another histogram representing the curvature of the lens surface based on the settings of FIG. 6.

[0049] In one embodiment, the representations shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 can be displayed on a user interface on a display (for example, a computer display). The user can adjust the transition points 520, 525 to selectively achieve the desired distribution of frequencies of the lens. For example, the computer may provide a user interface. Thereby, the user can select one or more transition points 520, 525 (for example, using a mouse cursor) and then slide the transition points along the curves 505, 510 to selectively define the transition points. Alternatively, the user can first define one or more unconnected transition points and then provide a function to connect or transition the transition points to each other. In one embodiment, when the user selectively adjusts the transition points, the user interface is updated in real time, and thereby, the corresponding histogram representations as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B can also be updated in real time on the computer display. In this way, the user can view the resulting histogram based on the selective adjustment of the transition points 520, 525.

[0050] [Examples of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)] As described above, the configurations of lenses using compound surfaces vary. Figures 8A to 8C show non-limiting examples of lenses composed of intraocular lenses (IOLs). Figure 8A shows a front view of an intraocular lens (IOL), which is also a front elevation view. Figure 8B shows a rear view of the intraocular lens (IOL), which is also a rear elevation view. Figure 8C shows a side view of the intraocular lens (IOL). The intraocular lens (IOL) includes a central optical region 46 (having a rear surface 46b). The central optical region 46 provides correction for refractive error, astigmatism, and other corrections required for the lens (e.g., spherical aberration). In a non-limiting example, in the case of an intraocular lens (IOL) using a virtual aperture, the diameter of the central optical region 46 is smaller than that of a conventional intraocular lens (IOL). As a result, the central thickness becomes thinner, making it easier to implant the intraocular lens (IOL), and the corneal incision during surgery can be a small incision of about 2.2 mm. The central optical region 46 can have a variable light transmittance.

[0051] The intraocular lens (IOL) may include a virtual aperture 48. The virtual aperture 48 is disposed further on the outer peripheral side with respect to the central position of the central optical region 46. The virtual aperture 48 is not actually an aperture that blocks light rays, but the optical effect on the central visual field is almost the same. Since the bundle of light rays incident on the virtual aperture 48 propagates through the virtual aperture 48 and generates light rays that are diffused over a wide range due to phenomena such as refraction, diffraction, scattering, reflection, and diffusion, there is almost no contribution to stray light (blurred light) at any location on the observation surface. The virtual aperture 48 can be realized by surface modification, subsurface modification, or a structure (e.g., a mask structure) added to or disposed with respect to the intraocular lens (IOL). For example, the mask structure may be a ring-shaped structure or any ring-shaped mask that blocks at least some light from passing through the intraocular lens (IOL).

[0052] Continuing to refer to FIG. 8A, at least one haptic 50 for an intraocular lens (IOL) (having a back surface 50b) is disposed on the intraocular lens (IOL) further toward the outer peripheral side from the virtual aperture 48. The haptic 50 may be formed of one or more arms extending toward the outer peripheral side so as to define the outermost peripheral edge of the intraocular lens (IOL). In one example, the diameter of the central optical region 46 is 1.5 mm. The haptic 50 may define the outermost peripheral region of the intraocular lens (IOL). A first plurality of light rays incident on the front optical surface of the central optical region 46 pass through the central optical region 46 and form an image on the retina when the intraocular lens (IOL) is disposed in the eye, while a second plurality of light rays incident on the front virtual aperture surface are widely dispersed downstream from the intraocular lens (IOL) toward and across the retina so as to constitute an extended depth of field of the image. Further, the virtual aperture 48 reduces monochromatic aberration and chromatic aberration in the image. The central optical region 46 may be constituted by at least one of a bifocal optical system, a trifocal optical system, and a multifocal optical system.

[0053] The virtual aperture 48 may be connected to the central optical region 46 via the first transition region 47. The first transition region 47 is disposed at the peripheral edge of the central optical region 46 such that it becomes a first peripheral region that surrounds or partially surrounds the central optical region 46. The haptic 50 may constitute a second peripheral region for disposing the intraocular lens within the eye. The first transition region 47 is located on the outer peripheral side of the central optical region 46. Optionally, a second transition region 49 connects the haptic 50 to the virtual aperture 48. The first transition region 47 and the second transition region 49 are configured to facilitate the zero - order and first - order continuity of the surface of the intraocular lens (IOL) on both sides of the respective transition regions. A common method for implementing the first transition region 47 and the second transition region 49 is a polynomial function (e.g., a cubic Bézier function). Such a transition method is known to those skilled in the art. On the back surface of the intraocular lens (IOL), a back surface 46b of the central optical region, a back surface 50b of the haptic, and a transition region 47b therebetween are provided. FIGS. 8A - 8C are not necessarily to scale, and the shape of the haptic is for illustrative purposes only. Other shapes and sizes of the haptic known to those skilled in the art would be equally suitable. The first transition region and the second transition region do not necessarily exist as such within the intraocular lens (IOL).

[0054] An intraocular lens (IOL) has a front surface and a rear surface, and the components of the intraocular lens (IOL) including a central optical region 46, a first transition region 47, a second transition region 49, a virtual aperture 48, and a haptic 50 may each have a front surface and a rear surface. The central optical region 46 has a front optical surface, and the front optical surface may include at least one multifocal region and / or toric region. At least a part or at least one region of the front surface and / or the rear surface (for example, the region of the virtual aperture or the region of other parts of the intraocular lens) may have a surface profile or surface shape that achieves a desired or predetermined effect on the light passing therethrough. In a non-limiting example, the surface profile of the front surface and / or the rear surface includes a region having a corrugated profile (for example, wavy or undulating shape) that forms a series of convex and concave surfaces. Such a surface profile provides various effects with respect to the light passing through the intraocular lens (IOL). For example, the above surface profile can achieve a wide or wider range of diffusion of stray light depending on the type of surface profile used. The above surface profile can be used to achieve diffusion of stray light away from the focus of the retina.

[0055] [Example of a computer system] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a computer system 900 that conforms to the implementation of the subject matter of the present invention. The computer system 900 can perform the processes and methods described herein. The computer system 900 may be provided with or connected to a lens manufacturing system, an imaging system, a biothermal system, an interactive user interface, and / or an input program in order to receive and operate on physical, biometric, biomechanical, material, and mechanical information and data.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, computer system 900 includes a processor 910, a memory 920, a storage device 930, and an input / output device 940. The processor 910, the memory 920, the storage device 930, and the input / output device 940 can be interconnected via a system bus 950. The processor 910 can process instructions for execution within the computer system 900. The instructions executed in this way can implement one or more components of, for example, VESA, 3D-ID AI, and / or MP tools. In some embodiments of the present invention, the processor 910 may be a single-threaded processor. Alternatively, the processor 910 may be a multi-threaded processor. The processor 910 can process instructions stored in the memory 920 and / or the storage device 930 and display graphical information of a user interface provided via the input / output device 940.

[0057] The memory 920 is a computer-readable medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile) and stores information within the computer system 900. The memory 920 can store, for example, a data structure representing a configuration object database. The storage device 930 can provide persistent storage for the computer system 900. The storage device 930 may be a floppy disk device, a digital cloud, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, a tape device, or other suitable persistent storage means. The input / output device 940 provides input and output operations to the computer system 900. In some embodiments of the present invention, the input / output device 940 includes a keyboard and / or a pointing device. In various examples, the input / output device 940 includes a display unit for displaying a graphical user interface.

[0058] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the input / output device 940 may provide input / output operations to a network device. For example, the input / output device 940 may include an Ethernet port or other network ports for communicating with one or more wired and / or wireless networks, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or digital cloud systems (such as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet, etc.).

[0059] In some embodiments of the present invention, the computer system 900 may be used to execute various interactive computer software applications. These applications can be used for sorting, analyzing, and / or storing data in various (e.g., tabular) formats (such as Microsoft Excel (registered trademark) and / or other types of software). Alternatively, the computer system 900 can be used to execute any type of software application. These applications can be used to execute various functions (such as planning functions (generating, managing, editing spreadsheet documents, word processor documents, and other objects), arithmetic functions, communication functions, etc.). These applications may include various add-in functions and plugins, or they may be stand-alone computing products and functions. When activated within the application, the functions can be used to generate a user interface provided via the input / output device 940. The user interface is generated by the computer system 900 (e.g., on a monitor of a computer screen) and presented to the user. The user interface may be integrated with other devices and virtual ecosystems.

[0060] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various aspects or functions may include implementation in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable (special purpose or general purpose) processor. The processor is connected to receive data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device and to transmit data and instructions to the storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computer system may include clients and servers. Clients and servers are typically in separate locations and typically interact via a communication network. The client-server relationship arises by virtue of computer programs running on respective computers having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0061] These computer programs (also referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor and can be implemented in a high-level procedural programming language, an object-oriented programming language, and / or an assembly language / machine language. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to a computer program product, apparatus, and / or device (e.g., magnetic disk, optical disk, memory, and programmable logic device (PLD), etc.) used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives the machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to a signal used to provide machine instructions and data to a programmable processor. A machine-readable medium can non-transitorily store machine instructions as described above, such as, for example, a non-transitory solid-state memory, a magnetic hard drive, or an equivalent storage medium. A machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally temporarily store machine instructions as described above, such as, for example, a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0062] To enable interaction with a user, one or more aspects or features of the subject matter described in this specification may be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED) monitor) for displaying information to the user, and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or trackball) by which the user can input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide interaction with the user. For example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback, etc.), and the input from the user may be received in any form including acoustic, voice, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include a touch screen, or other touch-sensitive devices (e.g., single or multi-point resistive or capacitive track pads, joysticks, speech recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices and associated interpretation software), and the like.

[0063] In the above description and claims, lists of elements or features may be used following phrases such as "at least one" or "one or more". The term "and / or" may also be used in lists of two or more elements or features. Such phrases are intended to mean either each of the recited elements or features individually, or any combination of any of the recited elements or features with any of the other recited elements or features, unless implicitly or explicitly inconsistent with the context in which they are used. For example, the phrases "at least one of A and B", "one or more of A and B", and "A and / or B" each mean "only A, only B, or both A and B". The same interpretation is intended for lists containing three or more items. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "A, B, and / or C" each mean "only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, or all of A, B, and C". The use of the term "based on" in the above description and claims is intended to mean "based at least in part on", and features or elements not recited are also permitted.

[0064] Although this specification contains many details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the claimed invention or of inventions that may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Specific features described in the context of individual embodiments herein may be implemented in combination within a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may be implemented separately in multiple embodiments or in any suitable sub-combination. Further, even if multiple features are described above as functioning in a particular combination and were initially claimed as such, one or more of the features of the claimed combination may in some cases be excluded from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, although operations are shown in the drawings in a particular order, it should not be understood that such operations must be performed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or that all of the operations shown must be performed, to obtain desirable results. Only some examples and implementations are disclosed herein. Based on the disclosed content, changes, modifications, and extensions may be made to the described examples and implementations and to other implementations.

Claims

1. An intraocular lens comprising a lens body configured to be implanted into the eye, having a surface including a composite periodic surface, wherein the composite periodic surface has a first portion periodically defined by a reference shape optimized for a first focal length, a second portion periodically defined by a reference shape optimized for a second focal length, and a third portion periodically connecting the first portion and the second portion, wherein the third portion is defined by a periodic function with varying amplitude and frequency, intraocular lens.

2. The surface includes a front surface and a rear surface, The intraocular lens according to Claim 1.

3. The composite periodic surface is provided on the rear surface, The intraocular lens according to Claim 2.

4. The composite periodic surface is provided on the front surface, The intraocular lens according to Claim 2.

5. The composite periodic surface is provided only on a part of the surface, The intraocular lens according to Claim 1.

6. The surface includes a central region that is an aperiodic surface such as a spherical or aspherical surface, The intraocular lens according to Claim 5.

7. The surface includes the composite periodic surface sandwiched between two aperiodic surfaces such as a spherical or aspherical surface, The intraocular lens according to Claim 5.

8. The composite periodic surface gradually transitions to the aperiodic surface, The intraocular lens according to Claim 6.

9. The periodic function is a sine function or a cosine function, The intraocular lens according to Claim 1.

10. The periodic function is any number of sine terms and cosine terms, The intraocular lens according to Claim 1.

11. The periodic function is a chirp function, The intraocular lens according to Claim 1.

12. The composite periodic surface periodically transitions between the reference shape optimized for the first focal length and the reference shape optimized for the second focal length at a plurality of transition points, The intraocular lens according to Claim 1.

13. The transition points are selectable by the user, The intraocular lens according to Claim 12.

14. The distance between the plurality of transition points is constant, The intraocular lens according to Claim 12.

15. The distance between the plurality of transition points is arbitrary, The intraocular lens according to Claim 12.

16. Having at least one surface defined by a combination of a periodic function with modulated amplitude and period and a reference lens surface shape, Lens.

17. The lens is composed of an intraocular lens, The lens according to claim 16.

18. The at least one surface is a rear surface. The lens according to claim 16.

19. The at least one surface is a front surface. The lens according to claim 16.

20. The lens is constituted by an endoscope. The lens according to claim 16.

21. The periodic function is a sine function or a cosine function. The lens according to claim 16.

22. The periodic function is any number of sine terms and cosine terms. The lens according to claim 16.

23. A method for defining the shape of a lens surface, comprising: defining, at at least a part of the lens surface, a first gradient curve regarding the diopter optimized at a first distance; defining, at at least another part of the lens surface, a second gradient curve regarding the diopter optimized at a second distance; defining at least a third gradient curve connecting the first gradient curve and the second gradient curve; combining the first gradient curve, the second gradient curve, and the third gradient curve to obtain a composite gradient curve; integrating the composite gradient curve to obtain a definition of the curvature of the lens surface. A method comprising the above steps.

24. The first gradient curve relates to a single point of the lens surface. The method according to claim 23.

25. The third gradient curve is a periodic function. The method according to claim 23.

26. The third gradient curve is a piecewise function. The method according to claim 23.

27. The third gradient curve is an arbitrary function. The method according to claim 23.

28. The third gradient curve is a piecewise function. The method according to claim 23.

29. The first gradient curve relates to one region of the lens surface. The method according to claim 23.

30. Further comprising the step of defining an additional gradient curve separately from the first gradient curve and the second gradient curve. The method according to claim 23.

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