Femtosecond Refractive Index Correction for Presbyopia and Aberrations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for vision correction, such as intraocular lenses and contact lenses, lack the ability to efficiently modify refractive indices in ocular tissues and materials without causing scattering loss or tissue damage, limiting their effectiveness in correcting higher-order aberrations and presbyopia.
Innovation Solution
The use of high-repetition, low-pulse energy femtosecond lasers to modify the refractive index of optical polymeric materials and ocular tissues by irradiating select regions with focused pulses below the optical breakdown threshold, creating refractive structures that provide extended depth of focus, multifocal corrections, and reduced glare without scattering loss or tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional laser methods are used to modify refractive index in ocular tissues, then refractive structures can be formed, but scattering loss and tissue damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the laser pulse energy from conventional higher energies to low pulse energy (0.01 nJ to 10 nJ), and adjusting the repetition rate to high frequencies. This parameter transformation enables refractive index modification in ocular tissues while preventing optical breakdown and tissue damage, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and harmful effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through high-repetition-rate laser pulsing, where multiple low-energy pulses are delivered in rapid succession. This periodic delivery allows cumulative refractive index changes to accumulate while each individual pulse remains below the damage threshold, eliminating scattering loss and tissue damage while achieving precise vision correction
2Reliability
If high pulse energy lasers are used to create refractive structures, then vision correction effectiveness improves, but tissue damage and scattering loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-repetition-rate periodic pulsing where many low-energy pulses are delivered in rapid succession. The cumulative effect of these periodic pulses achieves the necessary refractive index change for effective vision correction, while each pulse remains individually below the damage threshold, thus maintaining reliability without causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the laser parameters from high pulse energy to low pulse energy combined with high repetition rate. This parameter change maintains the total energy delivery needed for effective vision correction while distributing it across many sub-threshold pulses, preventing tissue damage and scattering loss
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
This approach enables precise and non-invasive vision correction by inducing refractive index changes in ocular tissues and materials, effectively addressing higher-order aberrations and presbyopia, while maintaining tissue clarity and preventing damage, thus improving visual performance and reducing glare and halo effects.
Implementation Method 1
modifying the refractive index of ocular tissue in the eye by a high-repetition, low-pulse energy femtosecond laser
Implementation Method 2
irradiating select regions with focused pulses below the optical breakdown threshold
Implementation Method 3
The refractive index changes are induced by a high-repetition, low-pulse energy femtosecond laser
Implementation Method 4
irradiating select regions with focused pulses below the optical breakdown threshold
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems wherein laser induced refractive index changes by focused femtosecond laser pulses in optical polymeric materials or optical tissues is performed to address various types of vision correction.