Self-regulating Artificial Iris Using Photoreactive Material

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artificial irises lack effective self-regulation of light transmittance without requiring a driving circuit, limiting their practical implementation in the human eye due to complexity and the need for additional components.

Innovation Solution

A self-regulating artificial iris is developed with a ring-shaped hydrophilic region, a curable material layer, and a photoreactive material layer, featuring radial surface wrinkles that change transmittance based on ambient light intensity, fabricated using UV light or laser etching and soft lithography, eliminating the need for a driving circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing artificial irises use sensors and driving circuits for transmittance regulation, then transmittance control capability is improved, but device complexity increases and practical implementation into the human eye is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmittance control capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity and additional components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The artificial iris uses a photoreactive material layer that automatically responds to light intensity changes without requiring external sensors or driving circuits. The material self-regulates transmittance through photochemical reactions, eliminating the need for complex control systems while maintaining reliable transmittance control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical control system (sensors and driving circuits) with a photochemical system. The photoreactive material directly converts light energy into transmittance regulation through molecular structure changes, substituting complex mechanical control with a simpler chemical response mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If artificial iris uses photoreactive material layer for self-regulation, then transmittance self-regulation is achieved without driving circuit, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-regulation capabilityVSAvoidfabrication process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The artificial iris is divided into distinct functional layers: substrate layer, curable material layer, and photoreactive material layer. Each layer is fabricated separately through systematic processes (coating, curing, photoreactive material application), making the complex self-regulation function manufacturable through step-by-step production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the self-regulation behavior by adjusting material parameters (photoreactive material composition, layer thickness, curing conditions) rather than complex structural design. This allows tuning of transmittance characteristics through material science parameters, simplifying the manufacturing of automated regulation functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 artificial iris effectively regulates light transmittance mimicking the human iris, is biocompatible, and can be implemented on a flexible substrate, offering a simpler and more practical solution for light regulation in the human eye.

Implementation Method 1

The photoreactive material layer may include a photochromic material layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochromism: Photochromism

Implementation Method 2

The curing of the coated curable material includes forming radial surface wrinkles in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the ring-shaped region through optical irradiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

The forming of the ring-shaped hydrophilic region may include: coating a hydrophobic material on the substrate; and etching the hydrophobic material using ultraviolet light or laser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP2662054B1Self-regulated artificial iris and method of fabricating the same

Publication Date: 2015.09.30 SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION

Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 2(d)~2(f)

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an artificial iris prepared by forming a ringshaped hydrophilic region (10) on a biocompatible substrate (1), coating a curable material (3) thereon and then coating a photoreactive material (4) mimicking the iris frills through optical irradiation. The artificial iris may be implemented into the real human eye and is capable of regulating the intensity of the light reaching the retina through the pupil depending on the intensity of ambient light.