Multizonal Aspheric Intraocular Lens Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ophthalmic lenses, particularly those based on spherical designs, suffer from reduced visual acuity under nighttime driving conditions due to spherical aberrations, while lenses optimized for hyperfocal distance compromise on depth of focus in varying lighting conditions.

Innovation Solution

The development of multi-zonal intraocular lenses with a central zone having progressively varying optical powers and an outer zone to compensate for aberrations, providing enhanced visual acuity under nighttime conditions and extended depth of focus in other lighting conditions, using a clear aperture with optical powers varying less than 1.5 Diopters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If lens power is selected based on hyperfocal distance, then depth of focus is extended, but visual acuity under nighttime driving conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth of focusVSAvoidvisual acuity under nighttime driving
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is divided into multiple optical zones (central zone with progressively varying power and peripheral zone with different power) to provide different focal characteristics for different lighting conditions. The central zone provides extended depth of focus for daytime/intermediate vision while the peripheral zone corrects spherical aberrations for nighttime vision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the lens are assigned different optical properties. The central zone has progressive power variation for pseudo-accommodation, while the peripheral zone has specific spherical aberration correction. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization for both daytime depth of focus and nighttime visual acuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If aspheric lens surfaces are used to correct spherical aberrations, then visual acuity under nighttime driving improves, but depth of focus in varying lighting conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual acuity under nighttime drivingVSAvoiddepth of focus
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is divided into multiple optical zones (central zone with progressively varying power and peripheral zone with different power) to provide different focal characteristics for different lighting conditions. The central zone provides extended depth of focus for daytime/intermediate vision while the peripheral zone corrects spherical aberrations for nighttime vision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the lens are assigned different optical properties. The central zone has progressive power variation for pseudo-accommodation, while the peripheral zone has specific spherical aberration correction. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization for both daytime depth of focus and nighttime visual acuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If spherical intraocular lenses are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but visual acuity under nighttime driving conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidvisual acuity under nighttime driving
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lens design transitions from uniform spherical surfaces to zones with varying optical powers and controlled aberrations. By precisely controlling the power variation parameters in the central zone and the aberration parameters in the peripheral zone, the lens achieves superior nighttime visual acuity while maintaining manufacturability through controlled parameter changes rather than completely new manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances visual acuity under nighttime driving conditions while maintaining a large depth of focus in other lighting conditions, offering improved pseudo-accommodation and reduced spherical aberrations, outperforming traditional spherical and aspheric lenses.

Implementation Method 1

The optic has a clear aperture over which incident light is focused onto the retina of an eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 2

an optic having a variation in optical power over the entire clear aperture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

the outer zone comprising a third optical power and an optical aberration to compensate or reduce a similar aberration of the cornea or eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAberration correction:

Data Source

PatentEP2182891B1Multizonal aspheric lens with extended depth of focus
Publication Date: 2014.04.09 ABBOTT MEDICAL OPTICS INC
  • EP2182891B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2182891B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B
  • EP2182891B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An intraocular lens for providing enhanced vision includes an optic with a clear aperture over which light may be focused onto or near the retina of an eye. The optic includes an anterior surface and an opposing posterior surface, the surfaces disposed about an optical axis. The optic includes a central zone and an outer zone disposed about the central zone. The central zone comprises a plurality of optical powers that progressively vary between a first optical power at a center of the central zone and a second optical power at a periphery of the central zone, wherein the absolute value of the difference between the first optical power and the second optical power being between predetermined values. The outer zone comprises a third optical power and may also have a negative spherical aberration. The optic typically has a variation in optical power over the entire clear aperture that is less than a predetermined amount.