Eyepiece Astigmatism Correction via Gradient Cylindrical Lens
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes and eyepieces fail to effectively correct astigmatism in users, particularly in medical and surgical applications, as they require additional lenses that are not adaptable to different users' astigmatism levels and can damage glasses, and existing solutions are not practical for use with or without glasses.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope eyepiece with a focusing device for axial ametropia correction and a built-in correction device that adjusts cylindrical refractive power using movable and rotatable lenses with different refractive indices, allowing continuous adjustment without the need for external lenses, enabling use by multiple users with varying astigmatism levels and glasses usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional cylindrical lenses are inserted or attached to correct astigmatism, then astigmatism correction is achieved, but the eyepiece can only be used by persons with the same astigmatism and requires lens exchange or attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a cylindrical lens with adjustable refractive power that can be continuously varied to match different users' astigmatism levels. The lens includes a variable refractive index region created by a gradient in material composition, allowing dynamic adjustment of correction strength without exchanging lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical lens utilizes a gradient structure where the refractive index varies continuously from the center to the periphery. This parameter variation allows the lens to provide different degrees of astigmatism correction for different users, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-power lenses.
2Reliability
If additional cylindrical lenses are inserted or attached to correct astigmatism, then astigmatism correction is achieved, but the lenses can soil or damage the eyepiece coating
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical lens is permanently integrated into the eyepiece assembly rather than being a separate attachable component. The gradient-index cylindrical lens is positioned within the optical path and fixed in place, eliminating the need for users to handle, attach, or remove external lenses that could contaminate or damage the eyepiece coating.
3Reliability
If the entire eyepiece is moved parallel to the optical axis to correct axial ametropia, then focusing is achieved, but the design becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The eyepiece is divided into functionally independent components: a spherical lens for axial ametropia correction and a cylindrical lens for astigmatism correction. Each lens can be adjusted independently, allowing compact integration of multiple correction functions without requiring excessive travel distance for the entire eyepiece assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces independent adjustment mechanisms for the cylindrical lens that operate perpendicular to the optical axis, allowing astigmatism correction without moving the entire eyepiece along the optical axis. This dimensional separation enables compact design while maintaining both focusing and astigmatism correction capabilities.
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 eyepiece provides precise correction of astigmatism and axial ametropia, ensuring clear vision for users with different astigmatism levels, both with and without glasses, while maintaining a compact and robust design, suitable for medical and surgical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first cylindrical lens 56 and a second cylindrical lens 57, which have different refractive powers in different planes perpendicular to an optical axis 48
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the first and second cylindrical lenses 56, 57 has a gradient structure with varying refractive indices
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
An eyepiece (40) comprises a focusing device (41, 42) for positioning the area perceived as sharp by the relaxed human eye and for correcting an axial ametropia of one eye of a user of the eyepiece (40) and a correction device (56, 57; 61, 62, 66) for adjustable correction of an astigmatism of one eye of a user of the eyepiece (40).