Ophthalmic Articles With Contrast-Enhancing Photochromic Dye Blends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ophthalmic articles with photochromic layers face issues such as reduced light transmission due to scratches, leading to decreased protection and increased visual fatigue, especially in sunlight conditions, and lack of contrast which can cause headaches and difficulties in perceiving the field of view, posing safety risks, especially for drivers.

Innovation Solution

An ophthalmic article featuring a polymer substrate with a blend of contrast-enhancing dyes and photochromic dyes, providing a contrast level value of Kup≥20 in the activated state, which is higher than in the deactivated state, ensuring enhanced protection and comfort by optimizing light intensity and contrast across various lighting conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If photochromic layers are used to reduce light transmission under sunlight, then protection against UV rays is improved, but the layers may be scratched and lose their ability to reduce light transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUV ray protectionVSAvoidlight transmission reduction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple dye types (photochromic dyes, contrast enhancing dyes, and optionally polarizing dyes) into a single integrated ophthalmic article. This merging ensures that even if one component degrades, the others maintain protective and visual functions. The combination provides redundant protection against UV rays and light transmission issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ophthalmic article uses a composite material structure comprising multiple dye components embedded in the lens matrix. This composite approach allows each dye type to contribute specific properties: photochromic dyes for UV activation, contrast enhancing dyes for visual clarity, and polarizing dyes for glare reduction. The composite structure enhances overall reliability and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If photochromic layers reduce light transmission under sunlight, then protection is improved, but lack of contrast may lead to visual fatigue and headaches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight intensity protectionVSAvoidvisual comfort and contrast perception

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different dye types with specific local functions within the same ophthalmic article. Contrast enhancing dyes are positioned to specifically target wavelength ranges that improve visual contrast (enhancing edges and boundaries of objects), while photochromic dyes handle overall light transmission control. This local functional differentiation ensures both protection and visual comfort are optimized simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes color changes through multiple mechanisms: photochromic dyes change absorption characteristics under UV activation, contrast enhancing dyes selectively absorb specific wavelengths to enhance perceived contrast, and polarizing dyes modify light polarization states. These coordinated color and optical property changes enable simultaneous achievement of light protection and contrast enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If contrast enhancement is implemented to improve visual acuity, then visual comfort is improved, but the complexity of the ophthalmic article increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual acuity and contrast perceptionVSAvoiddye blend composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes specific parameters of the dye components including concentration ratios, molecular structures, and spectral absorption characteristics. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent achieves effective contrast enhancement and UV protection without requiring excessive numbers of different dye types. The parameter optimization simplifies the overall composition while maintaining high performance.

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 ophthalmic article effectively reduces visual fatigue and enhances visual acuity by maintaining high contrast and protection in both sunlight and indoor conditions, preventing glare and improving color perception, thus ensuring safer driving and overall comfort.

Implementation Method 1

photochromic material inside the photochromic layer is activated and widely reduces light transmission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochromism: Photochromism

Implementation Method 2

contrast enhancing dyes with a transmission spectrum that presents a minimum between 580-590 nm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20240369857A1Ophthalmic articles

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 BARBERINI SPA

AI summary

An ophthalmic article may include a polymer substrate. The polymer substrate may include at least one area with a blend of contrast-enhancing dyes and photochromic dyes. The ophthalmic article may present, at least in the at least one area with the blend of contrast-enhancing dyes and photochromic dyes, a contrast level value of Kup≥20 in an activated state of the photochromic dyes, which is higher than the contrast level value in a deactivated state of the photochromic dyes.