Narrowband Dye-Diffused Optical Filters for Color Vision Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved optical filters that enhance color vision, particularly for ophthalmic devices such as lenses, which current technologies fail to adequately address in terms of spectral modification and preservation of lens properties.
Innovation Solution
The development of tinted optical filters using transparent polymeric substrates with multiple narrowband absorber dyes, where the dyes are diffused into the substrate using a solvent that swells the substrate without degrading it, allowing for a desired absorption spectrum to be achieved while maintaining the substrate's original shape and optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dyes are diffused into the substrate using a solvent, then the absorption spectrum is improved for color vision enhancement, but the substrate may be degraded (cracked, crazed, strained, clouded, or discolored)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the solvent selection criteria (dielectric constant ranges), diffusion temperature (60°C or less), and processing time to achieve dye incorporation while preventing substrate degradation. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing parameters to simultaneously improve color vision enhancement while avoiding harmful effects on the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses specifically selected solvents as intermediaries that facilitate dye diffusion into the substrate without causing degradation. The solvent acts as a mediator with controlled properties (dielectric constant, temperature) that enable the beneficial dye-substrate interaction while preventing harmful effects, thus resolving the contradiction between improving absorption spectrum and avoiding substrate damage.
2Reliability
If the substrate is swelled by solvent to facilitate dye diffusion, then dye incorporation is improved, but the substrate may lose its original shape and volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the swelling process by limiting the diffusion temperature to 60°C or less and selecting solvents with specific dielectric constants. These parameter controls ensure the substrate swells sufficiently for dye diffusion but recovers its original shape and volume after processing, resolving the contradiction between improving dye incorporation and maintaining shape integrity.
3Reliability
If multiple narrowband absorber dyes are used to achieve desired absorption spectrum, then color vision enhancement is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple narrowband absorber dyes into a single diffusion process using one solvent solution. This merging approach achieves the desired complex absorption spectrum for color vision enhancement while simplifying manufacturing compared to sequential dye applications, thus resolving the contradiction between improving absorption spectrum and reducing manufacturing complexity.
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 provides optical filters that effectively enhance color vision by selectively absorbing specific wavelengths of light, addressing color vision deficiencies and maintaining the integrity and functionality of the ophthalmic lenses, including compatibility with prescription lenses.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate is capable of being sufficiently swelled by a solvent that dissolves the dyes and facilitates diffusion of the dyes into the substrate to tint the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a solvent that dissolves the dyes and facilitates diffusion of the dyes into the substrate
Implementation Method 3
The dyes and their relative amounts are selected so that the tinted substrate exhibits an absorption spectrum useful for enhancing color vision
Implementation Method 4
The substrate substantially recovers its original volume and shape following removal of the solvent, trapping the dyes in the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are optical filters that provide regulation and/or enhancement of chromatic and luminous aspects of the color appearance of light to human vision, and methods for designing and making the same. The filters have applications in ophthalmics, e.g., in prescription and nonprescription lenses.