Aspheric Multifocal Intraocular Lens for Stable Intermediate Vision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multifocal intraocular lenses face issues with image quality, particularly in intermediate focal regions, and are limited by pupil size and lighting conditions, leading to blurred images and color effects like halos in polychromatic light.

Innovation Solution

A refractive multifocal intraocular lens with aspheric geometry on both surfaces, featuring a central region of intermediate optical strength surrounded by rings of varying strength, providing smooth transitions and optimized optical quality for a wide range of distances and pupil sizes, combining the optics of the cornea and intraocular lens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multifocal intraocular lenses are used to provide multiple focuses, then near and far vision are improved, but image quality in intermediate focal regions deteriorates with blurred images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple focusesVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lens applies local quality by creating distinct zones with different optical powers: a central zone for distance vision, an intermediate annular zone for intermediate distances, and a peripheral annular zone for near vision. Each zone is optimized for its specific focal range, allowing the lens to provide multiple focuses while maintaining sharp images in each region rather than compromising intermediate vision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lens segments the optic region into multiple functional zones with different refractive powers. The optic region is divided into a central zone, an intermediate annular zone, and a peripheral annular zone, each contributing to different focal points. This segmentation allows simultaneous provision of multiple focuses while maintaining image quality through proper zonal design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If diffractive lenses are used to create multiple focuses, then near and far vision are achieved, but color effects like halos appear in polychromatic light

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple focusesVSAvoidcolor effects and halos
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the diffractive optical mechanism with a refractive mechanism. Instead of using diffraction gratings or microstructures that split light into multiple wavelengths causing halos, the lens uses refractive index differences and curved surfaces to bend light into multiple focal points. This substitution of the optical mechanism eliminates the wavelength-dependent diffraction effects that cause color separation and halo artifacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens changes the optical parameter from diffraction-based focusing to refraction-based focusing. By utilizing the refractive properties of the lens material and varying the curvature across different zones, the lens achieves multifocality through refraction rather than diffraction, thereby avoiding the color effects and halos associated with diffractive designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If monofocal intraocular lenses are used to correct distance vision, then optical quality for far distances is optimized, but near vision capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical quality for distance visionVSAvoidnear vision capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lens applies local quality by creating distinct zones with different optical powers: a central zone for distance vision, an intermediate annular zone for intermediate distances, and a peripheral annular zone for near vision. Each zone is optimized for its specific focal range, allowing the lens to provide multiple focuses while maintaining sharp images in each region rather than compromising intermediate vision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lens achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple focal zones within a single optical element. The central zone provides distance correction, the intermediate annular zone provides intermediate distance correction, and the peripheral annular zone provides near vision correction. This allows the single lens to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate corrective devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If refractive multifocal lenses with concentric sections are used, then multiple focuses are achieved, but performance is limited by variable pupil size and lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple focusesVSAvoidperformance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lens incorporates dynamic adaptability by designing zones that automatically become more or less dominant based on pupil size and lighting conditions. The intermediate annular zone is positioned and sized to provide stable intermediate vision across a range of pupil diameters, while the central and peripheral zones provide distance and near vision respectively. This dynamic zonal design ensures reliable performance whether the pupil is constricted in bright light or dilated in dim light.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 offers stable, high-contrast vision across various distances with optimized optical quality, independent of pupil size and lighting conditions, significantly improving upon previous refractive and diffractive designs by maintaining performance in intermediate vision and reducing variations with different pupillary diameters.

Implementation Method 1

a map of local optical strength inside said optic region, resulting from the combined optical refraction of said two aspheric optical surfaces and a model cornea

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2941222B1Refractive multifocal intraocular lens with optimised optical quality in a range of focus
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS (CSIC)
  • EP2941222B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2941222B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2941222B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention describes a refractive multifocal intraocular lens with aspheric geometry on both surfaces in such a way that the map of local optical strength of the lens, combined with the cornea, has a central region of intermediate optical strength surrounded by a ring of maximum optica! strength, with a smooth transition between the two, after which it a!ternates smoothly between rings of varying strengths.