Electro-Active Dynamic Aperture for Ophthalmic Depth of Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for correcting presbyopia and aphakia often result in undesirable side effects such as halos, glare, reduced light transmission, and limited range of focus, particularly in low-light conditions, and existing solutions like multifocal lenses and corneal inlays have limitations in providing a continuous range of focus from near to far distances.
Innovation Solution
An electro-active ophthalmic device with a dynamic aperture, comprising a mostly transparent aperture and a mostly opaque annulus, that can alter its diameter in response to light conditions and user needs, integrated with intraocular lenses, corneal inlays, or contact lenses to enhance depth of field and correct refractive errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed small aperture is used to increase depth of field, then depth of field is improved, but light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic aperture that can change its diameter between a first diameter (providing increased depth of field) and a second diameter (providing increased light transmission). The aperture transitions between these states based on operational requirements, allowing the system to optimize between depth of field and light transmission as needed rather than being fixed at one setting.
2Measurement precision
If a fixed small aperture is used to increase depth of field, then depth of field is improved, but halos and glare are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic aperture transitions between a first diameter that increases depth of field and a second diameter that reduces halos and glare. By dynamically adjusting the aperture size based on lighting conditions and visual requirements, the system can minimize harmful optical effects like halos and glare that occur with fixed small apertures while maintaining depth of field when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a multifocal lens is used to correct focusing problems across a range of distances, then range of focus is improved, but side effects like halos and glare are increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a multifocal lens with multiple fixed focal points that create halos and glare, the patent uses a dynamic aperture that adjusts the effective focal range by changing aperture diameter. This dynamic approach provides a continuous range of focus without the discrete focal points that cause optical interference and harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the depth of field control function from the refractive power of the lens itself and places it in a separate dynamic aperture mechanism. This separation allows the lens to maintain a single optical power while the aperture dynamically controls the range of focus, eliminating the need for multifocal lens designs that inherently produce halos and glare.
4Measurement precision
If the aperture diameter is reduced to increase depth of field, then depth of field is improved, but contrast sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic aperture adjusts between a first diameter optimized for depth of field and a second diameter optimized for light transmission and contrast sensitivity. By dynamically selecting the appropriate aperture diameter based on viewing conditions, the system maintains contrast sensitivity when large apertures are beneficial while achieving increased depth of field when small apertures are needed.
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 electro-active device provides a continuous range of focus from near to far distances, reducing side effects like halos and glare, and improves light transmission and contrast sensitivity, especially in low-light conditions, by dynamically adjusting the aperture size based on user needs and light availability.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-active material that has an optical property that is alterable with the application of electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electro-active element having a dynamic aperture. The electro-active element provides increased depth of field and may be used in a non-focusing ophthalmic device that that is spaced apart from but in optical communication with an intraocular lens, a corneal inlay, a corneal onlay, a contact lens, or a spectacle lens that provide an optical power. The electro-active element provides increased depth of field and may also be used in a focusing or non-focusing device such as an intraocular optic, an intraocular lens, a corneal inlay, a corneal onlay, or a contact lens which may or may not have an optical power. By changing the diameter of dynamic aperture either increased depth of field or increased light reaching the retina may be achieved.