Capillary Tear Shaping Meshwork for Refractive Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact lenses can cause discomfort and health issues due to stasis and entrapment of the tear film, leading to corneal epithelial waste accumulation and reduced oxygen supply, and refractive surgery is not an option for all individuals, necessitating improved nonsurgical refractive correction techniques.
Innovation Solution
Capillary action-based tear shaping structures, such as particulate structures or meshwork designs, that indirectly shape the tear film by utilizing capillary attraction and adhesion to alter the refractive interface between the tear film and the atmosphere, creating localized concave or convex menisci for refractive correction without direct contact with the cornea.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional contact lenses are used to shape the tear film for refractive correction, then refractive correction is achieved, but tear film stasis and entrapment occur leading to corneal epithelial waste accumulation and reduced oxygen supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a meshwork structure as an intermediary between the atmosphere and the cornea. This meshwork allows the tear film to be shaped for refractive correction while maintaining spaces through which oxygen can reach the cornea and waste products can be removed, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving refractive correction and preventing corneal epithelial harm
Solution Approach 2:
The meshwork structure is inherently porous with spaces between its components. This porosity allows tear film stasis to be avoided while maintaining the shaping function, enabling oxygen permeation and waste removal to continue, thus solving the contradiction between refractive correction and corneal health
2Measurement precision
If contact lenses are used to shape the tear film, then refractive correction is provided, but discomfort and health issues arise due to reduced oxygen supply to the cornea
Solution Approach 1:
The meshwork structure provides a porous configuration that allows oxygen to reach the cornea while maintaining tear film shaping for refractive correction. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both optical correction and corneal health/comfort through the porous design that prevents oxygen deprivation
3Measurement precision
If refractive surgery is performed to correct refractive errors, then clear vision is achieved, but the procedure is not an option for all individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The meshwork structure serves as a non-surgical intermediary that shapes the tear film to provide refractive correction. This approach offers an alternative to surgery for individuals who cannot undergo surgical procedures, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving refractive correction and accessibility to all individuals
4Measurement precision
If solid optical material contact lenses are used to shape the tear film, then refractive correction is achieved, but tear film stasis occurs leading to waste accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens is segmented into a meshwork structure with multiple spaces rather than being a solid continuous material. This segmentation allows tear film to flow through the spaces, preventing stasis and waste accumulation while maintaining the overall shaping function for refractive correction
Solution Approach 2:
The meshwork structure creates a porous configuration that prevents tear film stasis by allowing continuous flow through the spaces. This resolves the contradiction between achieving refractive correction through tear film shaping and preventing waste accumulation from stasis
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
These structures enhance tear retention and exchange, improve corneal health, and provide refractive corrections for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism by minimizing material separation between the atmosphere and the cornea, reducing higher-order aberrations, and compensating for corneal irregularities.
Implementation Method 1
Capillary action-based tear shaping structures, such as particulate structures or meshwork designs, that indirectly shape the tear film by utilizing capillary attraction and adhesion
Implementation Method 2
Capillary action-based tear shaping structures, such as particulate structures or meshwork designs, that indirectly shape the tear film by utilizing capillary attraction and adhesion
Implementation Method 3
The interface between the tear film and the atmosphere represents the most powerful optical focusing interface in the eye. The tear film interface with the atmosphere accounts for approximately two thirds of the focusing power the eye. This focusing power is approximately 43 diopters.
Data Source
AI summary
A tear shaping structure or structures that shape a tear film of an eye thereby enabling a desired refractive effect. The tear shaping structure includes a supporting structure supporting a plurality of capillary action members, the capillary action members being spaced apart and arranged in such a way as to create a desired refractive lens effect by shaping the tear film of an eye.