Liquid Diagnostic Contact Lens with Variable Diopter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diagnostic contact lenses are inconvenient to use for examining the peripheral retina, as they require frequent replacement with prisms of different diopters, which can lead to accidental eye injuries and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A liquid diagnostic contact lens with a concave lens and a supporting element, where a heavy fluid is encapsulated to adjust optically, allowing for adjustable diopters without physical lens changes, enabling viewing from the posterior pole to the peripheral retina by tilting the lens with the eye, reducing the risk of injury and improving convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional diagnostic contact lenses (flat lens, concave lens, or prism) are used for examining the peripheral retina, then the examination can be conducted, but frequent replacement with prisms of different diopters is required which is inconvenient and may cause accidental eye injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the diopter of the contact lens adjustable rather than fixed. The liquid crystal layer can change its refractive index dynamically in response to applied voltage, allowing the diopter to be adjusted from -20D to +20D continuously. This eliminates the need to physically replace lenses with different diopters, improving ease of operation while maintaining safety by keeping a single lens on the eye throughout the examination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the refractive index of the liquid crystal material through electrical control. By changing the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer, the refractive index changes, which directly adjusts the optical power (diopter) of the contact lens. This allows a single lens to provide multiple diopter values, resolving the contradiction between convenience and safety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple prisms of different diopters are used to examine different positions of the eye, then the peripheral retina can be viewed, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single contact lens that can perform multiple functions - examining the posterior pole, peripheral retina, and various positions of the eye - by adjusting the liquid crystal diopter. The lens acts as both a viewing lens and a variable prism, eliminating the need for multiple specialized lenses and simplifying the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment capability of the liquid crystal layer allows the lens to adapt to different examination needs in real-time. The diopter can be changed continuously to match the required viewing position, providing versatility without requiring a collection of static lenses with different fixed powers.
3Productivity
If conventional diagnostic contact lenses are used, then the posterior pole can be examined, but viewing the peripheral retina requires frequent lens replacement which reduces examination efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically replacing lenses with an electrical system for adjusting the liquid crystal diopter. Instead of manually removing and inserting different lenses, the examiner simply applies voltage to change the optical properties of the existing lens, dramatically reducing the time required and improving examination efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal contact lens enables continuous examination without interruption for lens replacement. The diopter can be adjusted on-the-fly during the examination process, maintaining the continuous useful action of viewing different eye regions without the breaks required by conventional lens replacement 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
The liquid diagnostic contact lens allows for efficient and safe examination of the eye by eliminating the need for frequent lens changes, providing adjustable magnification without risking eye injury, thus simplifying the ophthalmic inspection process.
Implementation Method 1
The top surface of the heavy fluid is kept in a horizontal level due to gravity so the heavy fluid is formed as a flat lens or a prism having adjustable diopters
Implementation Method 2
The liquid diagnostic contact lens is a magnifying lens specifically adapted for ophthalmic inspections or operations
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid diagnostic contact lens includes a main body having a concave lens, and a supporting element disposed at a bottom of the main body. A heavy fluid is placed on a top surface of the concave lens. A transparent plate is sealed over the top surface of the concave lens so as to define an encapsulating room and encapsulate the heavy fluid therein. In operation, an ophthalmologist places the supporting element onto the eye, and examines various interior spots of the eye by adaptively adjusting the eye. The liquid diagnostic contact lens is tilted along with the eye and the top surface of the heavy fluid is kept horizontal so the heavy fluid is formed as prisms of different diopters. Thus, the liquid diagnostic contact lens can examine various spots of the interior of the eye.