Miniature Vision Simulator Using Variable Focus Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current simultaneous vision simulators are bulky, costly, and inefficient, unable to accurately simulate multifocal and progressive optical corrections due to their reliance on mechanical displacement of optical elements and limited channel configurations, which makes them unsuitable for non-invasive testing and patient tolerance assessment.
Innovation Solution
A miniature simultaneous vision simulator using adjustable variable focus lenses to induce different degrees of defocus, enabling the simulation of multifocal and progressive power profiles through temporal channel multiplexing, which allows for rapid changes in vergence without the need for mechanical platforms, thereby reducing size, weight, and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical displacement of optical elements is used to simulate simultaneous vision, then the simulation accuracy is improved, but the device size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical displacement system with a liquid crystal variable focus lens that can dynamically adjust its optical power electronically. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical platforms and moving optical elements, achieving the same function of inducing defocus while dramatically reducing device weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (focal length) of the lens dynamically using liquid crystal technology. By applying different voltages to the liquid crystal lens, the focal length can be adjusted continuously, allowing the system to simulate different defocus conditions without any mechanical movement, thus resolving the contradiction between simulation accuracy and device weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical platforms are used to displace optical elements, then vergence changes can be induced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical platform with an electrically controlled liquid crystal lens. The lens can be adjusted by simple voltage changes, eliminating the need for mechanical stages, motors, and complex alignment systems. This dramatically simplifies the overall system while maintaining the ability to induce vergence changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through the liquid crystal lens, which can rapidly change its focal length in response to electrical signals. This dynamic capability allows for flexible and versatile vergence control without the inertia and complexity associated with mechanical systems, enabling real-time adjustment of optical parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If limited channel configurations are used in simulators, then the device size is reduced, but the ability to simulate multifocal and progressive corrections is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical system universal by using a liquid crystal lens that can be programmed to simulate any power profile. The same optical channel can simulate monofocal, bifocal, multifocal, and progressive corrections by simply changing the lens focal length pattern, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated channels or physical components for each correction type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability to the optical system. The liquid crystal lens can dynamically change its focal length in real-time, allowing a single static optical channel to perform the function of multiple channels. This dynamic capability enables the simulation of various correction types without increasing device volume, as the system adapts its function through electrical control rather than physical reconfiguration.
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
Enables accurate and non-invasive simulation of simultaneous vision, allowing for patient tolerance assessment and optimization of ophthalmic corrections, facilitating the development of low-volume, low-weight systems that can simulate various power profiles, including bifocal, multifocal, and progressive corrections.
Implementation Method 1
the use of an adjustable lens, in particular a variable focus lens, for changing the degree of defocus of a light beam passing through said lens
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a miniature simultaneous vision simulator instrument with various image-forming channels, each one of which projects, onto the retina of the same eye, a component image with a different degree of defocusing of the same observed object, such that the superposition of all of the component images forms a final simultaneous vision image on the retina of the eye. The instrument has at least one adjustable variable focus lens that, as the focus is changed, modifies the vergence of the light beam passing through said adjustable lens. Furthermore, one of the image-forming channels passes through the adjustable variable focus lens. The instrument can operate in the modality of optical channels that are physically differentiated in the modality of temporal channel multiplexing.