Composite Optical Lens for Laser Protective Eyewear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art protective eyewear for medical personnel is heavy, costly, and limited in versatility, often requiring multiple pairs to protect against specific laser wavelengths, leading to potential under-protection and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A composite optical lens structure combining a lightweight polycarbonate holding lens with glass lenses on either side, providing a wide range of laser protection through the use of multiple glass lens structures and coatings, allowing for a single eyewear frame to be used across various procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass lenses are used for laser protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eyewear lens is divided into multiple functional segments: a polycarbonate base lens providing structural support and impact resistance, and separate glass optical filters mounted within it that provide laser wavelength protection. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function while reducing overall weight compared to solid glass lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite lens structure combining polycarbonate material for the base lens with glass optical filter materials. The polycarbonate provides lightweight structural integrity while the glass filters provide specialized laser protection, creating a composite structure that achieves both weight reduction and effective protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pairs of eyewear are used for different laser wavelengths, then protection coverage is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base polycarbonate lens is designed to accommodate multiple different glass optical filter inserts, each targeting specific laser wavelengths. This universal design allows a single eyewear frame to provide protection across multiple wavelength ranges by simply changing the filter insert, eliminating the need for multiple separate eyewear pairs and reducing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The eyewear system is designed with dynamic adaptability, allowing users to change or swap optical filter inserts based on the specific laser procedure being performed. This dynamic configuration enables versatile wavelength protection without requiring multiple fixed eyewear pairs, reducing both cost and complexity.
3Reliability
If solid glass lenses are used, then protection effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is segmented into a mass-produced polycarbonate base lens and separate, thinner glass optical filter inserts. This segmentation reduces the amount of expensive glass material needed compared to solid glass lenses, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines inexpensive polycarbonate with smaller amounts of specialized glass optical filters. This material combination reduces overall manufacturing cost compared to solid glass lenses while maintaining or improving protection effectiveness through the synergistic properties of the composite structure.
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 solution offers lightweight, cost-effective, and versatile protective eyewear that can protect against a broad spectrum of laser wavelengths, reducing the need for multiple eyewear pairs and minimizing the risk of under-protection.
Implementation Method 1
The composite optical lenses may be utilized in protective laser eyewear to absorb wavelengths of 532 nm, 755-815 nm, 900-10,600 nm with an OD 5+
Implementation Method 2
The polycarbonate lens and the glass lens structures mounted within the polycarbonate lens provide the laser absorbing protective function for the user
Implementation Method 3
The latter being provided by the outside and inside glass lens structure compositions, a single lens structure and/or by coatings thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A composite optical lens structure for use in protective eyewear. The optical lens structure comprises a polymeric lens structure having an aperture therethrough. Inside and outside lens structures formed of glass are mounted to and within the aperture of the polymeric lens structure to provide a lightweight and economical composite optical lens.