Specialty Contact Lens Surface Approximation for Faster Custom Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact lens manufacturing processes are inefficient and time-consuming, particularly for custom lenses, as they often require complex manufacturing files and lengthy production times due to the need for precise fitting and customization to individual eye shapes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for designing specialty contact lenses using mathematical representations and constraints based on eye measurements, allowing for approximation and optimization of lens surfaces to enhance fit and performance, reducing manufacturing complexity and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If custom contact lenses are manufactured to precisely fit individual eye shapes, then lens fit and performance are improved, but manufacturing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining standard lens shapes and parameters that can be quickly manufactured, then using computer vision to identify which pre-defined shape best matches the patient's eye. This eliminates the need for time-consuming custom design from scratch, while still achieving precise fit through selective application of pre-optimized lens configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting lens parameters (such as curvature, diameter, and shape variations) within a framework of pre-defined standard designs. The system modifies parameters like spherical equivalence and cylinder values to match individual patient needs while maintaining the underlying structure of standardized lens geometries, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom contact lenses are manufactured to precisely fit individual eye shapes, then lens fit and performance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the contact lens design into discrete, pre-defined shape categories and parameter sets. Instead of treating each lens as a completely custom design, the system segments the design space into manageable standard options, then selects and adjusts the appropriate segment for each patient based on eye measurements, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a library of pre-defined standard lens shapes and parameters that can serve multiple patients with different eye geometries. These universal templates can be adapted to various individuals through parameter adjustment, eliminating the need for entirely custom lens designs and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional manufacturing methods are used for custom lenses, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-manufacturing standard lens designs with optimized parameters. This allows the system to quickly produce custom lenses by simply selecting and adjusting pre-optimized templates rather than performing complex real-time calculations and manufacturing processes for each individual lens design.
Data Source
AI summary
Specialty contact lenses can be designed using approximations of one or both surfaces using mathematical representations. The approximations can be configured to optimize the lens manufacturing process. Constraints can be applied to the approximation to achieve the targeted results. The constraints can be assigned based at least in part on labels applied to measurements of the eye. Lens fit parameters can also be applied to control the degree to which the approximation approaches perfectly matching a targeted shape (e.g., the topography of the patient's eye). For example, the lens fit parameter can be related to the order of the mathematical representation used in the approximation. The contact lenses designed and manufactured using the methods and systems disclosed herein can be of any suitable type including, but not limited to, scleral lenses.