Intraocular Lens Wavefront Characterization via Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing the optical quality of lenses, particularly intraocular lenses, are cumbersome and inefficient, especially when measuring specific surfaces or diffractive lenses, as they often require testing in water and can suffer from uncertainties and adverse effects like 'spot doubling' during wavefront testing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a light source and wavefront sensor to reflect light off the optical surface of a lens, allowing for the determination of surface characteristics and aberrations, including the use of multiple wavelengths to identify peak diffraction efficiency, enabling efficient testing of both total and surface optical quality, including diffractive lenses, in air rather than water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wavefront testing is performed on diffractive lenses in air, then testing efficiency is improved, but spot doubling occurs causing measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wavefront measurement process by separating the analysis of different diffractive orders. The system independently measures and processes each diffractive order (zeroth, first, second orders) rather than attempting to measure them simultaneously as a single combined signal, thereby eliminating spot doubling interference while maintaining testing efficiency in air
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by performing wavefront testing at multiple wavelengths (488nm, 532nm, 633nm) and analyzing the diffraction efficiency at each wavelength. This allows identification of the optimal wavelength for each diffractive order and enables accurate measurement by selecting appropriate parameters that minimize interference effects
2Measurement precision
If wavefront testing is performed in water to avoid spot doubling, then measurement accuracy is improved, but testing becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical intervention of immersing the lens in water with an optical/algorithmic solution. Instead of changing the physical environment (water immersion) to eliminate spot doubling, the system uses computational methods to separate and analyze different diffractive orders, achieving the same measurement accuracy goal without the cumbersome water-based setup
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces computational processing algorithms as an intermediary between the optical measurement and the final results. The processor separates the combined wavefront signals from different diffractive orders using mathematical algorithms, acting as a mediator that eliminates the need for water immersion while maintaining measurement precision
3Measurement precision
If confocal microscopy or interferometry is used to measure surface quality, then surface measurement capability is achieved, but the methods are time-consuming and suffer from substantial uncertainties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can measure both total lens quality and specific surface quality using the same wavefront sensing apparatus. By analyzing reflected light from different lens surfaces (anterior and posterior) through the same optical path, the system eliminates the need for separate specialized instruments like confocal microscopes or interferometers, reducing both time and uncertainty
Solution Approach 2:
The wavefront sensing system performs self-characterization by using the lens's own reflected light to measure its surface properties. The system directs light at the lens and analyzes the reflected wavefront to automatically determine surface characteristics without requiring external specialized measurement equipment, thereby reducing testing time and eliminating uncertainties associated with other methods
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 enhances the efficiency and accuracy of lens surface testing, reducing uncertainties and adverse effects, allowing for precise measurement of optical quality, including diffractive lenses, without the need for water-based methods, thereby improving the assessment of lens suitability and potential corrections.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit light that is reflected off an optical surface of an intraocular lens
Implementation Method 2
A wavefront sensor is configured to receive the light that is reflected off the optical surface of the intraocular lens
Implementation Method 3
A processor is configured to determine one or more characteristics of the optical surface of the intraocular lens based on a wavefront of the reflected light that is received by the wavefront sensor
Implementation Method 4
one or more light sources configured to emit a plurality of wavelengths of light for diffraction by a diffractive intraocular lens
Data Source
AI summary
A wavefront based characterization of surfaces based on reflections. An intraocular lens surface measurement system includes a light source configured to emit light that is reflected off an optical surface of an intraocular lens. A wavefront sensor is configured to receive the light that is reflected off the optical surface of the intraocular lens. A processor is configured to determine one or more characteristics of the optical surface of the intraocular lens based on a wavefront of the reflected light that is received by the wavefront sensor.