Accommodating Intraocular Lens with Variable Correction Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular lenses (IOLs) cannot effectively correct variable aberrations induced by the natural eye during accommodation, such as spherical aberration, which degrades vision quality, as they are limited to correcting fixed and lower-order aberrations.
Innovation Solution
An accommodating intraocular lens with two movable optical elements, featuring additional correction surfaces that adjust to correct higher-order aberrations based on the relative position of the elements, allowing simultaneous correction of defocus and variable aberrations like spherical aberration, using cubic and fifth-order surfaces to optimize optical power and reduce aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard monofocal or multifocal IOLs are used, then the lens structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the lens cannot correct variable accommodation-induced aberrations such as spherical aberration
Solution Approach 1:
The IOL is divided into multiple optical elements (typically three elements: a first element, a second element, and a third element) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each element to contribute differently to aberration correction, enabling the lens to address variable accommodation-induced aberrations while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic optical elements that can change their relative positions along the optical axis in response to accommodation demands. The optical elements are designed to move dynamically, with at least one element having a different range of motion than others, allowing the lens to adapt its optical power and aberration correction characteristics in real-time based on the eye's accommodation state.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical elements shift to provide variable focus, then accommodation function is restored, but variable aberrations such as astigmatism and coma are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each optical element is designed with specific local optical properties and surface characteristics tailored to its function. The elements have different optical powers and aberration correction capabilities, with at least one element featuring asymmetric surface profiles or specific curvature distributions that enable it to correct particular types of aberrations (such as spherical aberration or coma) while providing variable focus through its movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric optical element designs where at least one optical element has non-symmetric surface profiles or different curvature radii in different zones. This asymmetry allows the element to correct multiple types of aberrations simultaneously (including astigmatism, coma, and spherical aberration) while maintaining variable focus capability, as the asymmetric geometry enables differential correction of off-axis and on-axis rays.
3Device complexity
If spherical surfaces are used for variable focus, then the lens design is simple, but higher-order aberrations cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes non-spherical curved surfaces on the optical elements, specifically employing aspheric profiles with varying curvature radii across different zones of the lens surfaces. These curved surfaces are designed with mathematical precision to provide both variable focus through element movement and simultaneous correction of higher-order aberrations such as spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism, achieving comprehensive aberration control without requiring complex multi-element assemblies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The lens provides near-diffraction-limited performance by correcting accommodation-induced spherical aberration, improving vision clarity and reducing contrast and detail loss at various focal distances, offering a spectacle-free solution for refractive errors and cataracts.
Implementation Method 1
lenses with variable optical power with optical components which shift perpendicular to the optical axis to vary the optical power
Implementation Method 2
at least two of the optical elements of the lens comprise at least one additional optical correction surface which correction surfaces are adapted for simultaneous variable correction of one or more optical aberrations
Data Source
AI summary
An accommodating intraocular lens with variable optical power, comprising at least two optical elements, at least one of which is movable relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, wherein the optical elements form a lens with different optical power at different relative positions of the optical elements. At least two of the optical elements of the lens comprise at least one additional optical correction surface, which correction surfaces are adapted for simultaneous variable correction of one or more optical aberrations of the natural eye in which the degree of correction depends on the relative position of the optical elements.