Modular Accommodating Contact Lens Manufacturing Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accommodating contact lenses for presbyopia treatment suffer from suboptimal optical properties, manufacturing difficulties, and compatibility issues with known contact lens materials, leading to less than ideal vision correction and manufacturing challenges in large volumes.
Innovation Solution
A modular approach for manufacturing accommodating contact lenses, featuring a self-supporting module with low distortion optics, compatible with soft contact lens materials like hydrogels and silicones, comprising an optical chamber, support structure, and eyelid engaging chambers, which can be assembled and encapsulated with a pressurized fluid to enhance optical correction and responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior accommodating contact lenses are used, then presbyopia treatment is provided, but optical properties are suboptimal and manufacturing is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens is divided into multiple functional zones: a central optical zone with first optical power for distance vision, an intermediate zone with second optical power for intermediate vision, and a peripheral zone with third optical power for near vision. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for its specific function while simplifying the manufacturing process through zone-specific fabrication techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the contact lens are assigned different optical properties and material characteristics. The central zone has optimized optical power and material composition for distance vision, the intermediate zone has different optical power for intermediate distances, and the peripheral zone has yet another optical power for near vision. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing high optical quality in each specific region without requiring complex global optimization that would hinder manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multifocal contact lenses are used, then near and far vision are addressed, but vision quality is degraded due to out of focus light transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens incorporates dynamic elements that allow the optical properties to change based on viewing distance. The intermediate zone can dynamically adjust its optical power between the first optical power (for distance) and third optical power (for near) based on the user's focusing needs, while maintaining clear vision at all distances by preventing out-of-focus light transmission through precise optical zone separation and power gradients.
3Adaptability or versatility
If contact lenses translate on the cornea to provide variable focus, then accommodation is achieved, but ease of use is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens automatically adjusts its optical properties without requiring user intervention or complex corneal translation. The lens structure itself provides the accommodation mechanism through its zoned optical design and material properties, allowing the lens to self-regulate focus based on the user's natural eye movements and focusing demands, thereby maintaining ease of use while achieving variable focus capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An accommodating contact lens module is provided for use with an accommodating contact lens. Components of the accommodating contact lens module can be manufactured and assembled with low distortion optics to provide improved vision. The module comprises a self-supporting module capable of being grasped by one of the components and placed in a mold without distorting the optical components of the module when placed. The module is compatible with soft contact lens materials, and compatible with soft contact lens manufacturing processes such as molding of hydrogels and silicones. The module may comprise one or more of many components that can be placed in the mold together. These components can be placed in the mold for encapsulation in order to provide accurate optical correction of the eye of the subject, for both far vision and near vision. In many embodiments, the module is inspected prior to placement in the mold.