Diffractive intraocular lens and contact lens with high efficiency

Abstract

Intraocular or contact lenses that produce high light efficiencies and associated design methodologies are described. An example trifocal lens includes a diffractive surface on a first side, and a refractive surface on a second side. The diffractive surface includes a plurality of zones centered about an optical axis of the lens and diffracts light into a zeroth and two positive diffractive orders, or into a zeroth and two negative diffractive orders. Each zone is at a distance away from the optical axis and each zone is structured to include a blaze profile that, between the boundaries of adjacent zones, varies in a non-linear, curved fashion as a function of the square of the radius from the optical axis. An efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth and two positive diffractive orders, or into the zeroth and two negative diffractive orders is at least 86%.

Description

Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)DIFFRACTIVE INTRAOCULAR LENS AND CONTACT LENS WITH HIGH EFFICIENCYCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority to the provisional application with serial number 63 / 733,057 titled “DIFFRACTIVE INTRAOCULAR LENS AND CONTACT LENS WITH HIGH EFFICIENCY,” filed December 12, 2024. The entire contents of the above noted provisional application are incorporated by reference as part of the disclosure of this document.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The technology described in this patent document relates to intraocular or contact lenses.BACKGROUND

[0003] Intraocular lenses are implanted in the eye usually as part of a treatment for cataracts or for correcting other vision problems. Bifocal intraocular lenses are designed to provide focus for both distance and near objects, while trifocal intraocular lenses correct for distance, intermediate distance (e.g., arm’s length), and near vision (e.g., for reading documents). Intraocular lenses typically combine refractive and diffractive surfaces to achieve the desired optical prescription for correcting the vision and to replace the crystalline lens in the eye. However, the current state-of-art multi-focal intraocular lenses have shortcomings that include visual problems, such as glare or haloes.SUMMARY

[0004] The disclosed embodiments relate to intraocular or contact lenses and associated design methodologies that overcome the deficiencies of prior techniques in producing high efficiencies. Examples of lenses that are disclosed herein include trifocal lenses where the overall efficiency in three predetermined orders is 85% or more. The lenses include blazes of the light diffracting surface with an S-shape that contribute to increase efficiency and reduce stray light and halos. One example embodiment directs light to the zeroth, positive first and positive second orders with substantially equal efficiencies of about 30% or more in each order. Another example embodiment uses two blazes to increase the overall efficiency of the first and second orders as the eye pupil opens. In another example embodiment, an overall efficiency of over 90% is achieved.Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates plots of phase profile of diffractive surface as a function of radial position, r, and the square of radial position, r2.

[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates an example intraocular lens or contact lens with a transparent medium bounded by a refractive surface with vertex radius R2 and a diffractive surface with base vertex radius R1.

[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates blazes of example trifocal diffractive surfaces with diffraction efficiencies of about 30% for in each of first, second and third orders computed with Huygens diffraction (panel (a)), with diffraction efficiency formula of a periodic structure (panel (b)), and a schematic of a lens with an S-shaped profile.

[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates blazes of other example trifocal diffractive surface with varying diffraction efficiencies in each of first, second and third orders (panels (a) and (b)), and a schematic of an example lens with illustrative blaze in r-space.

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates an example phase (blaze) profile that exhibits a curved profile followed by a flat profile (panel (a)) and a schematic for a corresponding example lens (panel (b)).

[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates example zone distributions (quadratic in panel (a) and a quadratic and a quartic in panel (b)).

[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates an example configuration of a contact lens having two surfaces curve in the same direction.

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates example image quality simulation results for different phase profiles corresponding to maximum lens aperture.

[0013] FIG. 9 illustrates a phase profile in r2-space for a lens designed to achieve a particular efficiency in three preselected orders for a first example contact lens or intraocular lens.

[0014] FIG. 10 illustrates example blaze profiles that include a curved blaze profile within each zone (panel (a)), an implementation where the blaze profile continues to the edge of the lens (panel (b)), a flat and sloped second blaze profile in the periphery of the lens (panel (c)), and blazes in r-space (panel (d)) and r2-space (panel (e)).

[0015] FIG. 11 illustrates a phase profile in r2-space for a second example contact lens or intraocular lens.Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)

[0016] FIG. 12 illustrates a phase profile in r2-space for a third example contact lens or intraocular lens.

[0017] FIG. 13 illustrates a phase profile in / -space for a fourth example contact lens or intraocular lens.

[0018] FIG. 14 illustrates a set of operations that can be carried out to design a trifocal intraocular or contact lens in accordance with an example embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0001] One limitation of the existing intraocular lenses is their light efficiency; the overall amount of light that theoretically goes into the diffractive orders of interest is reported in the high 80% such as 84%. The disclosed embodiments, among other features and benefits, describe intraocular and contact lens configurations and design methodologies that enable achieving overall light efficiencies of over 85%, including 90% or 92%, as wells as specific efficiencies for light that is diffracted in the zeroth, first and second diffraction orders suitable for different lighting conditions or tailored to an individual’s requirements.

[0002] The efficiency of an intraocular lens can depend on the blaze and orders chosen. The blaze of the zones in a diffractive surface determines the amount of energy going to each order. This blaze in prior intraocular lenses typically has a saw-tooth profile that depends quadratically on the radial distance, r, from the optical axis of the surface. The top plot in FIG. 1 illustrates a phase profile of such a blaze. It should be noted that the physical profile of a blaze is similar to the phase profile (albeit in different units). When one makes the substitution x = r2, the profile and blaze of zones appears linear as shown in FIG. 1, bottom profile. Note that the slope of the blaze shown in FIG. 1 is always positive. The radius r of the j zone is determined by Equation (1) below, and / is the focal length.

[0003] In Equation (1), with insignificant error, r can be written as ry = ]2jf . For such a blaze that is substantially quadratic as a function of the radial distance from the optical axis (and appears linear under x = r2mapping), the maximum efficiencies for a trifocal configuration with equally energy split in a diffractive surface is reported to be 28% (for each order), for a total efficiency of about 84% in the zeroth, first and second orders. It should be noted that it is preferableProvisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134) to have trifocal lenses that operate based on the zeroth, positive first, and positive second orders, at least because the positive power of the first and second orders introduce chromatic aberration that helps correct the eye’s chromatic aberration.

[0004] There is a need for improvement on the prior lenses, and particularly their lack of overall high efficiency, which means light that does not go into the desired diffractive orders produces glare, image artifacts or halos that are not desirable in intraocular or contact lenses. Furthermore, prior lenses are characterized by a large number of sharp corners in the design of diffractive surfaces that are difficult to manufacture. The disclosed embodiments, inter alia, address the above noted shortcomings of the prior lenses by providing higher efficiency intraocular and contact lens designs, which have a curved blaze with only one sharp transition that helps with manufacturing.

[0005] The disclosed embodiments describe intraocular lenses and contact lenses comprising a transparent medium bounded by a refractive surface with vertex radius R2 and a diffractive surface with base vertex radius R1 (see FIG. 2). In particular, the Sag of the base surfaces with Rl=l / cl and R2=l / c2 is given by:

[0006] In Equation (2), c is the vertex curvature of the surface, k is the conic constant, and P are polynomial coefficients. One example lens configuration is shown in FIG. 2. The blaze of the diffractive surface is described by the phase function, as follows:

[0007] In Equation (3), r is the radial distance from the optical axis, N and M are integer numbers, G and St are coefficients, / ^ and fsare associated with the cosine series and the sign series and relate to the focal length of the diffractive structure, and A is the wavelength of light.

[0008] The coefficients G and Si determine the blaze and the amount of light that is directed to each order. These coefficients can be determined analytically by solving for the desired efficiency, or by optimization in an optical design program. Unlike the prior lenses, where the resulting blaze profile in x = r2mapping is linear, the blaze profile in r2space associated with the disclosed trifocal lenses is curved, while producing, in the zeroth, first and second diffractive orders, overall efficiencies of over 86%.Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)

[0009] The number of terms, N and AT, in Equation (3), provide flexibility to describe the phase, <p(r), of a diffractive surface. An improvement on convergence of Equation (3) can be obtained by using the phase, (p'(r) = V x arctcm(<p(r)), where V is a scaling factor, and arctangent is the inverse tangent function. In this case, a given diffractive order efficiency can be achieved using fewer terms, N and M.

[0010] The relationship between the phase, <p(r), and the blaze height, h(r), is given by:

[0011] For an example intraocular lens, the indices of refraction of the lens and the material in contact with the diffractive surface, respectively, are about wi=1.46 and WA=1.33. The overall surface profile, Profile^r), of the combination of a base surface and a diffractive profile is written as Profiteer) = sag( ) + (r).

[0012] FIG. 3, in panel (a), shows the blaze of a trifocal diffractive surface where light is directed to the zeroth, first, and second orders with efficiencies of about 30%, 30%, and 30%, as calculated with Huygens diffraction. The numbers on the vertical axis represent the phase profile in radians. In panel (b) of FIG. 3, the efficiencies of 30%, 30%, and 30% are calculated with a diffraction efficiency formula of a periodic structure under x = r2mapping. The overall efficiency is thus about 90%. Note that in the configuration of FIG. 3, the blaze is not linear when using x = r2mapping. Notably, the plots in panels (a) and (b) of FIG. 3 show the blaze profile in five zones (annotated in panel (a) - some zones are partially depicted); within each zone (i.e., between two large positive peaks), the blaze profile is curved and includes at most one sharp transition that occurs around the negative peak in each zone. The curved blazed profile in each zone is sometimes referred to as the S-shaped or S-curved profile in this patent document. Panel (c) illustrates a schematic of the lens with an S-shaped profile, illustrating the positioning of an example blaze in r (as opposed to r2) space. Compared to prior systems, the curved blaze profile of FIG. 3 exhibits an improvement of about 5%-6% in efficiency, which is significant and relevant for intraocular lenses. In addition, the S-curved nature of the blaze helps with manufacturing and contributes to reduce stray light. For example, there is a 37.5% reduction of stray light. It is notable that the curved feature of the blaze profile includes at most one sharp transition within each zone.

[0013] Additional examples and configurations are described below, where HuygensProvisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134) diffraction has been used to determine efficiencies.Low level light intraocular lens design examples

[0014] For an intraocular lens, it desirable to increase the amount of light going to the zeroth order, which would correspond to distant vision. The profiles shown in panels (a) and (b) of FIG. 4 illustrate two different blaze profiles as described by Equation (5) below. Zones 1 to 3 (in panel (a), and zones 1 to 7 (in panel (b)), use a first blaze with high efficiencies of 30% for the zeroth, first and second orders; and the remining zones use a second blaze such that when the pupil is fully open the efficiencies for the zeroth and first order are 48% and 29% for the left side blaze (panel (a)), and efficiencies of 38% and 38% for the right side blaze (panel (b)). Panel (c) illustrates a schematic of the lens that includes two blazed profiles. Panel (c) is provided to, among other things, illustrate the positioning of an example blaze in r (as opposed to r2) space.

[0015] The phase function for a dual blazed diffractive surface of the disclosed embodiments can be represent as:

[0016] In Equation (5), the Di, Ei, and offset are coefficients, P and Q are integers, and the remaining terms were described in connection with Equation (3). The top expression in Equation (5) is the same as in Equation (3) but is computed for only the first number of zones with a radius that is less than equal to radius rm.

[0017] Using Equation (5), lenses with various multi-blazed profiles can be designed to meet different requirements and applications. Notably, the eye pupil in bright light has a diameter ranging from about 2 mm to 4 mm and so the center portion of the diffractive surface uses a first blaze with an overall high efficiency that is about equally split into the zeroth, first, and second orders. At low level conditions, the eye pupil further opens and then also accepts light from the second blaze that is radially further from the optical axis. The second blaze contributes to an overall high efficiency for the zeroth order and first orders when the eye pupil is fully opened. Both the first blaze near the optical axis of the lens, and the second blaze near the periphery of the lens, in combination produce a variation of the overall efficiency as a function of the pupil diameter. TableProvisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)1 list example efficiency values for the zeroth, first and second diffraction orders for different pupil apertures for the lens having a blaze profile of FIG. 4, panel (a).

[0018] Table 2 shows similar numbers for the blaze profile depicted in FIG. 4, panel (b).

[0019] It is desirable not to lower the efficiency of an order of interest below about 25%, which is accomplished by the surface blazes in FIG. 4. Notably, at night and in low light conditions where the pupil is substantially fully open, it is desirable for the zeroth order, which is responsible for far vision, to have the highest efficiency because the far vision is predominantly used in such conditions. This outcome is achieved by the blaze profile shown in panel (a) of FIG. 4, as evidenced by the high efficiency values of Table 1. In another example, where high efficiency inProvisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134) near and mid-range vision is required, the blaze profile in panel (b) of FIG. 4 provides such a performance, as evidenced from the efficiency values in Table 2. Panel (c) is an illustration of a compact lens or intraocular lens

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates another example embodiment that includes a second blaze that is flat. The configuration(s) of FIG. 5 can be suitable in applications where it is desirable to increase the efficiency of the zeroth order as the pupil opens. The plot in panel (a) of FIG. 5 illustrates a phase (blaze) profile that exhibits a curved profile for each of the first seven zones (spanning r2= 0 to about r2= 4), followed by a flat profile (no blaze) for the remaining zones. In this case, for an aperture with radius of 3.66 mm, the efficiency in the zeroth, first and second diffraction orders is 76%, 3%, and 2%, respectively. Table 3 lists the efficiency values associated with the blaze profile of FIG. 5. As noted earlier, such a lens may be beneficial where primarily far vision for low-light situations is required. Panel (b) of FIG. 5 illustrates the positioning of an example blaze in r (as opposed to r2) space.

[0021] In the above examples, the refractive surface and the blaze profile have been designed to produce the desired efficiencies in the zeroth, positive first and positive second orders. In some embodiments, the design can be implemented to produce the desired efficiencies in three preselected orders. Non-limiting examples of the three preselected diffraction orders include:Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WO00 (UA25-134)(0,+l,+3), (0,+2,+3), (0,-1, -2), (0,-1, -3), and others. For example, in an implementation where the lens prescription requires a negative focal length, the zeroth, negative first and negative second orders can be selected.Aberration correction

[0022] It should be noted that the previous blaze functions describe circular zones of approximately equal area. However, by altering the zone spacing by a quartic term with a coefficient, W, as a function of the radial distance, r, according to Equation (6), correction for the eye spherical aberration can be achieved.

[0023] Notably, by introducing a quartic term W . or other higher terms, in the description of the phase function, cp(r), the diffractive surface can introduce spherical aberration of different orders. The phase change produces an increasing or decreasing zone distribution as shown by the example diagrams of FIG. 6. Panel (a) in FIG. 6 shows an example quadratic distribution of the zones, and panel (b) of FIG. 6 shows a quadratic and a quartic zone distribution which increases the number of zones toward the periphery. The zone radius of zone j is given by the Equation (6). Thus, the spacing between adjacent zones decreases as a function of distance from the optical axis according to a quartic relationship. It is understood that in some implementations the spacing between adjacent zones can increase as a function of distance from the optical axis according to a quartic relationship to correct spherical aberrations.

[0024] Alternatively spherical aberration can be corrected by the conic constant or polynomial terms in the lens surfaces R1 and R2. In addition, by changing the zones from circular to elliptical boundaries, correction for eye astigmatism can be achieved.

[0025] As noted earlier, the disclosed embodiments can be used to implement intraocular and / or contact lenses. A contact lens is placed exterior to the eye and in contact with the eye’s cornea; in this case the vertex radii, R1 and R2, of the base surfaces have the same sign. An example configuration of a contact lens is shown in FIG. 7, illustrating that the two surfaces curve in the same direction. The diffractive blaze height depends on the selected refractive indices of the lens material, and fluid (tear) that contacts the diffractive surface. The curvature of the diffractive base surface substantially matches the curvature of the cornea to establish contact.Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates example image quality simulation results for different phase profiles and when the eye pupil is fully open, i.e. maximum lens aperture. The top row illustrates different phase or blaze profiles. The second, third and fourth rows correspond to distant, intermediate and near viewing distances, respectively. The inset percentages identify efficiencies at each viewing distance, i.e., distant, intermediate, and near. The Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) curve for each distance is also given for a maximum spatial frequency of 50 lines per mm. The inset bar pattern provides the contrast of the image at 50 lines per mm. Column A is for a trifocal lens with efficiency of 30% per diffractive order; columns B, C and D are for a double blazed lenses, and column E for a tapered lens as in column A. Tapering of the phase profile has the effect of increasing the efficiency of the zeroth order, and decreasing the efficiency of the first and second orders. However, for a minimum desirable image quality the contrast of the image should be higher than about 25%.

[0027] In the description that follows, several additional example of intraocular or contact lenses that include a curved, or S-shaped, blaze profile are described in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. Various coefficients correspond to those provided in Equations (1) to (4).Example A

[0028] In an example embodiment, an efficiency in three preselected orders is achieved; for example, the zeroth, positive first, and the positive second orders where the efficiency is 30.83%, 31.20% and 30.47% respectively for a total of 92.5%.

[0029] The phase <p(r) is described by the function (where Eis a scaling factor):

[0030] The phase profile in s = r2mapping shown in FIG. 9. The blaze profile is shown FIG. 10, where panel (a) illustrates an example blaze profile that includes a curved blaze profile within each zone. Panel (b) illustrates an implementation where the blaze profile continues to the edge of the lens, and meets the side struts, called haptics, which are used to position the lens in place in the capsular bag inside the eye. Panel (c) shows another example implementation that includes a flat (and sloped) second blaze profile in the periphery of the lens. Panels (d) and (e) illustrate the blaze in r-space and r2-space, respectively, along with labels that identify the various features of interest.Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)

[0031] The features of the blaze include a substantially vertical edge, a curved S-shaped blaze, providing the following overall efficiencies that can be greater than 86%, and in some embodiments, greater than 88% and in some embodiments, greater than 90%. The following provides a listing of various coefficients associated with an example design.

[0032] Focal length is / c = / s = 550.00000000; design wavelength is 0.00055000; I / =l.650871. Additional coefficient values are listed in table below.Example B

[0033] In another, illustrated in FIG. 11, the phase <p(r) is described by:Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WO00 (UA25-134)

[0034] In this example, the following parameters and coefficients are used. Efficiencies: at r =1.26, efficiencies are 28%, 29%, 30%; at r = 2.5: efficiencies are 50%, 28%, 5%. Focal length is fs =fc =550.00000000; design wavelength is 0.00055000, and offset is zero. Additional coefficient values are listed in table below.Example C

[0035] In another, illustrated in FIG. 12, the phase <p(r) is described by:Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WO00 (UA25-134)

[0036] Efficiencies for the zeroth, first and second orders are: at r = 1.26: 29%, 30%, 29%; and at r = 3.68: 40%, 42%, 2%. Focal length is / c = / s =550.00000000; design wavelength is 0.00055000 and offset is zero. Additional coefficient values are listed in table below.Example D

[0037] In another, illustrated in FIG. 13, the phase <p(r) is described by:

[0038] Efficiencies for the zeroth, first and second orders are: at r = 3.5: 31%, 31%, 29%. Focal length is / c = / s =550.00000000; design wavelength is 0.00055000. Additional coefficientProvisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WO00 (UA25-134) values are listed in table below.

[0039] FIG. 14 illustrates a set of operations that can be carried out to design a trifocal intraocular or contact lens in accordance with an example embodiment. At 1402, a material is selected for the trifocal intraocular or contact lens. At 1404, a focal length associated with the trifocal intraocular or contact lens is selected. At 1406, a target overall efficiency associated with light that is diffracted into a zeroth, and two positive diffraction orders, or a zeroth order and two negative diffractive orders is selected. At 1408, one or more individual target efficiencies associated with light that is diffracted into one or more of the zeroth, the two positive or two negative diffractive orders is selected. At 1410, based at least on a parameter associated with the material, the target overall efficiency, the one or more individual target efficiencies, and a target corrective power associated with each of a far vision, intermediate vision and near vision, a blaze profile associated with a diffractive surface of the trifocal intraocular or contact lens is determined, wherein: the diffractive surface includes a plurality of zones centered about an optical axis of theProvisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134) intraocular or contact lens, each zone being a distance, r, away from the optical axis, and wherein r increases when the zone is positioned further away the optical axis; each zone is structured to include a blaze profile that, between the boundaries of adjacent zones, varies in a non-linear, curved fashion as a function of r2; and the target overall efficiency is more than 86%.

[0040] In one example embodiment, the above noted method includes determining coefficients Ci and A that correspond to an amount of light that is directed to each of the zeroth, the two positive diffraction orders, or the two negative diffractive orders based on the following phase variations, as a function of r, associated with the blaze:wherein, N and M are integer numbers, fcand fsare focal lengths that relate to the diffractive surface, and A is a wavelength of the light. In another example embodiment, the target overall efficiency is at least 88%. In yet another example embodiment, the target overall efficiency is at least 90%. In still another example embodiment, the target overall efficiency is at least 92%.

[0041] Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments relates to a trifocal intraocular or contact lens that includes a diffractive surface on a first side, and a refractive surface on a second side. The diffractive surface is configured to diffract light into a zeroth and two positive diffractive orders, or into a zeroth and two negative diffractive orders. The diffractive surface includes a plurality of zones centered about an optical axis of the intraocular or contact lens, each zone being a distance, r, away from the optical axis, wherein r increases when the zone is positioned further away the optical axis. Additionally, each zone is structured to include a blaze profile that, between the boundaries of adjacent zones, varies in a non-linear, curved fashion as a function of r and an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into (a) the zeroth and two positive diffractive orders, or (b) the zeroth and two negative diffractive orders is at least 86%.

[0042] In one example embodiment, the blaze profile within each zone includes no more than one sharp transition. In another example embodiment, the efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth, first and second orders is at least 88%. In yet another example embodiment, the efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth, first and second orders is at least 90%. In still another example embodiment, the efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth, first and second orders is at least 92%.Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)

[0043] In another example embodiment, the diffractive surface is configured to diffract light into the zeroth, a positive first order and a positive second order. In one example embodiment, the efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into each of the zeroth, positive first and positive second orders is at least 28%. In yet another example embodiment, the diffractive surface is configured to diffract light into the zeroth, a positive first order and a positive second order. In this embodiment, an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth order is between 28% and 37%, an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the positive first order is between 28% and 34%, and an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the positive second order is between 14% and 30%.

[0044] According to another example embodiment, a phase associated with the blaze profile varies, as a function of r, according to:

[0045] In the above equations, N and M are integer numbers, Ci and 5i are coefficients, : and fa relate to a focal length of the diffractive surface, and 2 is a wavelength of the light.

[0046] In one example embodiment, the blaze profile comprises multiple blaze profiles, including a first blaze profile that extends over a first number of zones and a second blaze profile that extends over a second number of zones, wherein the second number of zones are positioned further away from the optical axis compared to the first optical zones, and wherein a height of the second blaze profile is smaller than a height of the first blaze profile. In another example embodiment, the first and the second blaze profiles produce a variation of the efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the (a) the zeroth and two positive diffractive orders, or (b) the zeroth and two negative diffractive orders as a function a diameter representing an eye pupil.

[0047] In still another example embodiment, a phase associated with the blaze profile varies, as a function of r, according to:Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)

[0048] In the above equation, N, M , P, and Q are integer numbers, Ci, i, Di, Ei and offset are coefficients, : , / , d and / relate to a focal length of the diffractive surface, z is a wavelength of the light, and rm is a radial distance from the optical axis beyond which the second blaze profile is located.

[0049] In one example embodiment, an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth order varies in a range of about 28% to 48% as the diameter enlarges from an initial diameter to a second diameter that is about 60% larger than the initial diameter. In another example embodiment, the blaze profile comprises a first blaze profile that extends over a first number of zones and flat surface profile beyond the first number of zones that extends towards a periphery of the trifocal intraocular or contact lens. In still another example embodiment, an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth order varies in a range of about 29% to 76% as a diameter representing an eye pupil enlarges from an initial diameter to a second diameter that is about 60% larger than the initial diameter. In yet another example embodiment, the plurality of zones forms concentric annuli about the optical axis, wherein a spacing between adjacent zones decreases or increases as a function of distance from the optical axis according to a quartic relationship. In another example embodiment, the plurality of zones form one or both of a set of circular concentric annuli or a set of elliptical concentric annuli about the optical axis.

[0050] While this patent document contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this patent document in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0051] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableProvisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WO00 (UA25-134) results. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described in this patent document should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments.

[0052] It is understood that the various disclosed embodiments may be implemented individually, or collectively, in devices comprised of various optical components, electronics hardware and / or software modules and components. These devices, for example, may comprise a processor, a memory unit, an interface that are communicatively connected to each other, and may range from desktop and / or laptop computers, to mobile devices and the like. The processor and / or controller can perform various disclosed operations based on execution of program code that is stored on a storage medium. The processor and / or controller can, for example, be in communication with at least one memory and with at least one communication unit that enables the exchange of data and information, directly or indirectly, through the communication link with other entities, devices and networks. The communication unit may provide wired and / or wireless communication capabilities in accordance with one or more communication protocols, and therefore it may comprise the proper transmitter / receiver antennas, circuitry and ports, as well as the encoding / decoding capabilities that may be necessary for proper transmission and / or reception of data and other information.

[0053] Various information and data processing operations described herein may be implemented in one embodiment by a computer program product, embodied in a computer- readable medium, including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments. A computer-readable medium may include removable and non-removable storage devices including, but not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVD), etc. Therefore, the computer-readable media that is described in the present application comprises non-transitory storage media. The instructions may be stored on memory of a local processing device, or may be stored in a remote location, such as a remote server, a cloud sever, or other networked devices and environments. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples ofProvisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134) corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes

[0054] Only a few implementations and examples are described and other implementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on what is described and illustrated in this patent document.

Claims

Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)CLAIMS1. A trifocal intraocular or contact lens, comprising: a diffractive surface on a first side; and a refractive surface on a second side; wherein the diffractive surface is configured to diffract light into a zeroth and two positive diffractive orders, or into a zeroth and two negative diffractive orders, the diffractive surface includes a plurality of zones centered about an optical axis of the intraocular or contact lens, each zone being a distance, r, away from the optical axis, and wherein r increases when the zone is positioned further away the optical axis, each zone structured to include a blaze profile that, between the boundaries of adjacent zones, varies in a non-linear, curved fashion as a function of r2, and an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into (a) the zeroth and two positive diffractive orders, or (b) the zeroth and two negative diffractive orders is at least 86%.

2. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1, wherein the blaze profile within each zone includes no more than one sharp transition.

3. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1, wherein the efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth, first and second orders is at least 88%.

4. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1, wherein the efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth, first and second orders is at least 90%.

5. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1, wherein the efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth, first and second orders is at least 92%.

6. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1, wherein the diffractive surface is configured to diffract light into the zeroth, a positive first order and a positive second order.

7. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 6, wherein the efficiency associated withProvisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134) the light that is diffracted into each of the zeroth, positive first and positive second orders is at least 28%.

8. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1, wherein: the diffractive surface is configured to diffract light into the zeroth, a positive first order and a positive second order, an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth order is between 28% and 37%, an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the positive first order is between 28% and 34%, and an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the positive second order is between 14% and 30%.

9. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1 , wherein a phase associated with the blaze profile varies, as a function of r, according to:wherein, N and M are integer numbers, G and Si are coefficients, fcand fsrelate to a focal length of the diffractive surface, and A is a wavelength of the light.

10. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1, wherein the blaze profile comprises multiple blaze profiles, including a first blaze profile that extends over a first number of zones and a second blaze profile that extends over a second number of zones, wherein the second number of zones are positioned further away from the optical axis compared to the first optical zones, and wherein a height of the second blaze profile is smaller than a height of the first blaze profile.

11. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 10, wherein the first and the second blaze profiles produce a variation of the efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the (a) the zeroth and two positive diffractive orders, or (b) the zeroth and two negative diffractive orders as a function a diameter representing an eye pupil.Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)12. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 10, wherein a phase associated with the blaze profile varies, as a function of r, according to:wherein, N, M , P, and Q are integer numbers, G, St, Dt, Et and offset are coefficients, ; , f,fd and ferelate to a focal length of the diffractive surface, A is a wavelength of the light, and rm is a radial distance from the optical axis beyond which the second blaze profile is located.

13. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 10, wherein an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth order varies in a range of about 28% to 48% as the diameter enlarges from an initial diameter to a second diameter that is about 60% larger than the initial diameter.

14. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1, wherein the blaze profile comprises a first blaze profile that extends over a first number of zones and flat surface profile beyond the first number of zones that extends towards a periphery of the trifocal intraocular or contact lens.

15. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 14, wherein an efficiency associated with the light that is diffracted into the zeroth order varies in a range of about 29% to 76% as a diameter representing an eye pupil enlarges from an initial diameter to a second diameter that is about 60% larger than the initial diameter.

16. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1, wherein the plurality of zones forms concentric annuli about the optical axis, wherein a spacing between adjacent zones decreases or increases as a function of distance from the optical axis according to a quartic relationship.Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)17. The trifocal intraocular or contact lens of claim 1, wherein the plurality of zones form one or both of a set of circular concentric annuli or a set of elliptical concentric annuli about the optical axis.

18. A method for designing a trifocal intraocular or contact lens, comprising: selecting a material for the trifocal intraocular or contact lens; selecting a focal length associated with the trifocal intraocular or contact lens; selecting a target overall efficiency associated with light that is diffracted into a zeroth, and two positive diffraction orders, or a zeroth order and two negative diffractive orders; selecting one or more individual target efficiencies associated with light that is diffracted into one or more of the zeroth, the two positive or two negative diffractive orders; based at least on a parameter associated with the material, the target overall efficiency, the one or more individual target efficiencies, and a target corrective power associated with each of a far vision, intermediate vision and near vision, determining a blaze profile associated with a diffractive surface of the trifocal intraocular or contact lens, wherein: the diffractive surface includes a plurality of zones centered about an optical axis of the intraocular or contact lens, each zone being a distance, r, away from the optical axis, and r increases when the zone is positioned further away the optical axis, each zone is structured to include a blaze profile that, between the boundaries of adjacent zones, varies in a non-linear, curved fashion as a function of r2, and the target overall efficiency is more than 86%.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising determining coefficients G and Si that correspond to an amount of light that is directed to each of the zeroth, the two positive diffraction orders, or the two negative diffractive orders based on the following phase variations, as a function of r, associated with the blaze:wherein, TV and AT are integer numbers, fcand fsare focal lengths that relate to the diffractive surface, and l is a wavelength of the light.Provisional Patent Application 044974.8145.WOOO (UA25-134)20. The method of claim 18, wherein the target overall efficiency is at least 88%.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the target overall efficiency is at least 90%.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the target overall efficiency is at least 92%.

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