Multi-wavelength Wavefront System for Diffractive IOL Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring the optical quality of lenses, particularly diffractive lenses, are cumbersome, time-consuming, and face challenges in accurately testing wavefront aberrations due to issues like 'spot doubling' and the need for water-based testing.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a plurality of wavelengths of light to determine the peak diffraction efficiency of diffractive intraocular lenses, allowing for improved wavefront testing in air rather than water, and enabling more efficient and accurate measurement of optical quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wavefront testing is performed on diffractive lenses in air, then testing efficiency and ease of operation are improved, but spot doubling and measurement accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidwavefront measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the incident light to match the peak diffraction efficiency wavelength of the lens. This parameter change causes the diffractive lens to direct light primarily into a single order, eliminating spot doubling and enabling accurate wavefront measurements in air without requiring water-based testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If water-based testing is used for diffractive lenses, then wavefront measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewavefront measurement accuracyVSAvoidtesting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter to the peak diffraction efficiency wavelength, which allows the lens to operate effectively in air. This eliminates the need for water-based testing environments, simplifying the device complexity and removing the requirement for specialized wet cell apparatus while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple wavelengths of light are used to determine peak diffraction efficiency, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffraction efficiency measurement accuracyVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary characterization of the diffractive lens to determine its peak diffraction efficiency wavelength before conducting the actual wavefront measurement. This preliminary action allows the system to be configured with the optimal wavelength in advance, enabling rapid and accurate measurements without requiring extensive time-consuming multi-wavelength scanning during the actual test.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 proposed solution enhances the efficiency and accuracy of testing lens surfaces and total lens quality, particularly for diffractive lenses, by allowing testing in air and reducing issues like 'spot doubling', thus improving the reliability of optical quality measurements.

Implementation Method 1

one or more light sources configured to emit a plurality of wavelengths of light for diffraction by a diffractive intraocular lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP3749942B1Multi-wavelength wavefront system and method for measuring diffractive intraocular lenses
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 AMO GRONINGEN
  • EP3749942B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3749942B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3749942B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multi-wavelength wavefront system and method for measuring diffractive lenses. A system may include one or more light sources configured to emit a plurality of wavelengths of light for diffraction by a diffractive lens. A light sensor may be configured to receive the light that is diffracted by the diffractive intraocular lens. A processor may be configured to determine one or more of the plurality of wavelengths that have a peak diffraction efficiency for the diffractive intraocular lens based on the light received by the light sensor.