Electro-Optic Bionic Lens for Adaptive Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for restoring or improving human vision, such as glasses and intraocular lenses, fail to provide seamless automatic focus across a wide range of distances due to limitations in refractive power control and are prone to glare and halo effects, especially in multifocal lenses.
Innovation Solution
An intraocular lens with electro-optically controlled refractive power using a dual lens assembly and hybrid liquid crystal alignment, which adjusts dioptric strength based on electromagnetically detected signals from the ciliary muscle, ensuring polarization independence and minimizing light loss, and is powered wirelessly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multifocal artificial lenses are used to provide simultaneous sharp vision at multiple distances, then vision at multiple distances is improved, but glare and halo effects increase and contrast is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic liquid crystal lens system that can continuously change its focal length in response to ciliary muscle signals, replacing the static multifocal lens approach. This allows the lens to adapt to different viewing distances dynamically, eliminating the simultaneous projection of multiple focal points that causes glare and halo effects while maintaining accommodation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the refractive index parameter of the liquid crystal material through electro-optic effects controlled by ciliary muscle signals, enabling continuous adjustment of focal length. This parameter change mechanism allows seamless transition between focal distances without the fixed focal points of traditional multifocal lenses, thereby reducing optical interference and improving image quality
2Manufacturing precision
If the refractive power of the lens is continuously adjusted to maintain sharp focus, then image sharpness is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the liquid crystal lens automatically adjusts its focal length in response to electrical signals from the patient's own ciliary muscle, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms. The ciliary muscle's natural contraction and relaxation directly control the lens power, simplifying the overall system while maintaining continuous focus adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes a feedback loop where the visual cortex processes image sharpness information and sends signals through the optic nerve to the ciliary muscle, which then adjusts the lens accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic focus adjustment without complex external control systems, leveraging the body's existing visual processing pathways
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 enables near-perfect focus for a wide range of distances with minimal glare and halo, maintaining image sharpness by continuously adapting the refractive power in response to visual cortex signals, thus restoring natural focusing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
with a refractive index that is changed if an AC voltage, electronically controlled on the basis of the contraction state of the ciliary muscle, is applied between the electrodes so that the dioptric strength of the assembly is changed
Implementation Method 2
a coil positioned on the lens, whereby a steering signal proportional to the state of the ciliary muscle is electronically and remotely derived from the inductance change of the coil induced by positional changes of the electromagnetic tag
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to the restoration or improvement of the quality of human vision and, more particularly to a self-adapting system and method for achieving automatic sharp vision by the human eye of objects for instance at distances between 25 cm and more than 10 meters away. The invention can be situated in at least four technological domains: 1. ophthalmology, in particular the implantation of intraocular lenses. 2. Non-contact biometric signal recording and processing. 3. Electro-optic control of refractive lens power. 4. Wireless energy transfer.