Ophthalmic Lens Stabilization via Asymmetric Rigid Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic devices, such as contact lenses, face challenges in maintaining a stable orientation on the eye, which is crucial for their functionality, especially for devices with active components that require specific positioning to function effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a Rigid Insert and Stabilizing Features into the ophthalmic device, where the Stabilizing Features can alter the front curve surface or provide a visible orientation cue, ensuring proper placement and orientation on the eye, and can be formed through thermoforming processes or injection of materials with different properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a contact lens is designed with active components requiring specific orientation, then the functionality is improved, but the stability of orientation on the eye deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric stabilizing features including a thickened region, a haptic element, and an asymmetric insert within the contact lens. These asymmetric structures create a preferred orientation on the eye, ensuring that the lens settles in a specific rotational position. This resolves the contradiction by providing both the required orientation stability for active components to function and maintaining the lens's corrective functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizing features are added to ensure proper orientation, then the orientation stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stabilizing features with the lens structure itself. The thickened region is formed as part of the lens periphery, the haptic element is integrated into the lens body, and the asymmetric insert is incorporated within the lens matrix. This integration approach provides effective orientation stability while avoiding the complexity of separate stabilization mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple rigid inserts are used to alter front surface topography, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stabilization function into distinct components: a thickened region for peripheral stability, a haptic element for orientation control, and an asymmetric insert for topography modification. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing for precise control of surface topography and orientation while maintaining modular manufacturing processes. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by achieving high manufacturing precision through specialized components without requiring a single overly complex structure.
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 Rigid Insert and Stabilizing Features enhance the stability and functionality of ophthalmic devices by ensuring correct orientation, improving comfort and precision in vision correction, especially for astigmatic patients, while maintaining biocompatibility and minimizing impact on the Optic Zone.
Implementation Method 1
The lens may form from polymerizing the biocompatible material between a front curve mold and a back curve mold
Implementation Method 2
The Rigid Insert may comprise a thermoformed three-dimensional shape
Data Source
AI summary
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for forming Ophthalmic Lenses with Stabilizing Features, and more specifically, Ophthalmic Lenses that include an encapsulated Insert Device.