Intraocular Micro-Display Optics With In-Situ Focus Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular micro-displays face challenges in achieving precise surgical placement and maintaining image focus due to the compact nature of the human eye, requiring high optical power and being susceptible to shifts with eye pressure changes, and are prone to physiological compatibility issues and infection risks from transcutaneous tethers.
Innovation Solution
An intraocular micro-display system with a high-power base lens and adjustable electrowetting lens and prism for in-situ focal and lateral adjustments, eliminating the need for transcutaneous tethers by integrating all components within the eye, and using wireless power and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transcutaneous tether is used to provide power and data communication, then the intraocular micro-display can be powered and controlled, but the device is prone to physiological compatibility issues, inflammation, and infection risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the transcutaneous tether entirely from the system, extracting the harmful external connection while maintaining all necessary functions through wireless power transfer and intraocular integration of power and control circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium to transfer power and data between the external world and the intraocular device, eliminating the need for physical penetration through the cornea while maintaining communication and power supply capabilities
2Measurement precision
If a high-power lensing system is used to focus the short throw distance from the capsular sack to the retina, then the image can be focused on the retina, but the precision of surgical placement becomes extremely challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an adjustable focus lens that can dynamically change its focal length after implantation, allowing the system to adapt to slight variations in surgical placement and maintain precise image focus on the retina without requiring extremely precise initial positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the lens system by using an adjustable focus mechanism that can modify the focal length in response to detected eye pressure changes or placement variations, thereby maintaining optimal image focus despite uncertainties in surgical positioning
3Measurement precision
If a high-power lensing system is used to achieve the short throw distance, then the image can be projected onto the retina, but small changes in eye pressure can have a deleterious effect on the focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors eye pressure and adjusts the focal length of the lens accordingly, compensating for pressure-induced focus shifts and maintaining stable image projection on the retina throughout physiological variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the lens focus dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing real-time adaptation to changing eye pressure conditions and maintaining optimal focus stability despite physiological fluctuations during and after implantation
4Reliability
If the intraocular micro-display is made compact to fit within the eye without transcutaneous tethers, then infection risk is reduced, but the electronics and optical sub-systems present significant integration challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional subsystems (power supply, data processing, display, and optical components) into a single integrated intraocular unit, eliminating the need for external tethers while managing complexity through functional integration and modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the intraocular device to perform multiple functions within a single compact unit, including wireless power reception, signal processing, image generation, and optical focusing, thereby reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture
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
Enhances surgical success rates by relaxing precision requirements and reducing invasive repositioning, while minimizing infection risks and maintaining clear image projection on the retina.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable electrowetting lens and prism for in-situ focal and lateral adjustments
Implementation Method 2
an adjustable electrowetting lens and prism for in-situ focal and lateral adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
An intraocular micro-display (IOMD) implant includes an enclosure shaped for implantation into an eye, a micro-display, a base lens, and an adjustable lens. The micro-display is disposed in the enclosure and oriented to emit an image towards a retina of the eye. The base lens has a fixed optical power, is attached to the enclosure, and is positioned relative to the micro-display to reside in an optical path extending between the micro-display and the retina. The base lens is configured to apply the fixed optical power to the image. The adjustable lens is disposed in the optical path between the micro-display and the retina. The adjustable lens has an adjustable optical power that is adjustable in-situ to adjust a focal distance of the image projected by the IOMD implant after the IOMD implant has been implanted into the eye.