Aspheric Intraocular Lens with Multi-Zone Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Many intraocular lenses (IOLs) lack pseudo-accommodative optical power, resulting in a decreased depth of field and compromised vision, especially at varying pupil sizes, as they do not effectively mimic the natural lens's ability to adjust focus for different distances.

Innovation Solution

The design of IOLs featuring a central region and multiple outer regions with distinct asphericity profiles, each defined by a specific equation, providing varying depths of focus for different pupil sizes, thereby enhancing pseudo-accommodation and maintaining desired optical power and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If aspheric surfaces are included to counteract corneal aberrations, then image contrast is increased, but depth of field decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage contrastVSAvoiddepth of field
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lens surface is segmented into multiple zones with different asphericity profiles. The anterior surface includes a central zone with first asphericity, an intermediate zone with second asphericity, and a peripheral zone with third asphericity. This segmentation allows different regions to contribute differently to aberration correction and depth of field extension, resolving the contradiction between image contrast and depth of field.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different zones of the lens are assigned different local optical properties (asphericity profiles) optimized for their specific function. The central zone prioritizes aberration correction for high contrast, while intermediate and peripheral zones provide progressive asphericity changes that extend depth of field without compromising central image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If monofocal power is provided, then optical simplicity is maintained, but pseudo-accommodation is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical simplicityVSAvoidpseudo-accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lens utilizes controlled variations in asphericity parameters across different zones to create pseudo-accommodation. By changing the asphericity profile (a geometric parameter) from the central to peripheral zones, the lens provides multiple focal points without requiring mechanical movement or complex multi-element designs, thus maintaining optical simplicity while gaining adaptability.

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

This design increases the depth of focus by up to three diopters, providing improved near vision while maintaining quality distance vision, by varying asphericity profiles across different regions of the lens.

Implementation Method 1

The anterior optical surface includes a central region surrounded by a first outer region and a second outer region. The central region extends radially outward from a center point of the body portion and has a first asphericity profile. The first outer region extends radially outward from the central region and has a second asphericity profile that is different than the first asphericity profile of the central region. Finally, the second outer region extends radially outward from the first outer region and has a third asphericity profile that is different than the second asphericity profile of the first outer region.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2637606B1Aspheric optical lenses and associated systems and methods
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 NOVARTIS AG
  • EP2637606B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2637606B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2637606B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspheric optical lenses (e.g., intraocular lenses and contact lenses) are provided. The intraocular lens includes a body portion defining an anterior optical surface and an opposing posterior optical surface. The anterior optical surface includes a central region surrounded by a first outer region and a second outer region. The central region has a first asphericity profile. The first outer region has a second asphericity profile that is different than the first asphericity profile of the central region. The second outer region has a third asphericity profile that is different than the second asphericity profile of the first outer region. The overall asphericity profile of the optical lens provides different depths of focus for different pupil sizes. The result is an optical lens that provides increased depth of focus or pseudo-accommodation while maintaining desired optical power and performance.