Retinal Light Management Eyewear with Dynamic Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions do not effectively control light intensity reaching the eyes, particularly for individuals with compromised retinas due to conditions like diabetes, where both UV and blue light filtering and overall light intensity management are necessary to prevent further damage and promote recovery.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising eyewear with electrically controlled light attenuating elements, sensors, and circuitry that adjusts light intensity based on accumulated damage, incorporating UV/blue light filters and light modulation filters to maintain light intensity within predetermined thresholds, and includes features for monitoring and alerting users to reduce exposure during high-risk periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If UV and blue light filters are used to block harmful wavelengths, then retinal protection is improved, but overall light intensity control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretinal damage from UV and blue lightVSAvoidoverall light intensity control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The light spectrum is segmented into different wavelength ranges, with specific filters targeting UV (below 400nm) and blue light (400-500nm) separately from other visible light. This allows selective blocking of harmful wavelengths while controlling overall intensity through separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The eyewear combines multiple filter materials with different spectral characteristics - UV-absorbing materials, blue light-blocking materials, and neutral density filters - to achieve simultaneous wavelength-specific protection and overall intensity control that single materials cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If light intensity is reduced to prevent retinal damage, then protection is improved, but functional light levels for vision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight-induced retinal damageVSAvoidfunctional light levels for vision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The eyewear incorporates dynamic control through photochromic or electrochromic materials that automatically adjust light transmission based on ambient light conditions, maintaining optimal protection while ensuring sufficient light reaches the retina for functional vision across varying environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmission parameter of light dynamically - using photochromic materials that alter their optical properties in response to UV exposure or electrochromic materials controlled by electrical signals - to balance protection needs with functional vision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed filters are used to block harmful light, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different lighting conditions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter implementation simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different illumination conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The eyewear transitions from static fixed filters to dynamic adaptive filters that respond to environmental conditions (photochromic) or user needs (electrochromic), providing automatic adaptation to different lighting scenarios while maintaining the simplicity of filter-based implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The eyewear design integrates multiple functions into single filter elements - UV blocking, blue light filtering, and variable neutral density control - making the system universally adaptable to various lighting conditions without requiring multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system significantly reduces retinal damage by filtering out harmful wavelengths and controlling total light intensity, allowing for recovery periods and maintaining functional light levels, as demonstrated by reduced damage in animal studies.

Implementation Method 1

filtering out blue light (and/or light of a greater wavelength) while keeping overall light intensity reaching a user's eyes below a maximum predetermined value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight filtering: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

electrically controlled light attenuating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochromism: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentUS8833937B2Method and a system for protection of retina from light-induced damage

Publication Date: 2014.09.16 RAPPAPORT FAMILY INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN THE MEDICAL SCIENCES

AI summary

The present applications describes, inter alia, a retinal light management system that allows for removal of dangerous wavelengths of light while controlling the intensity of the remaining light that is allowed to pass to a user's eyes. In one embodiment, the system involves a pair of glasses that include filters that can be modified in the presence of light to reduce total light intensity reaching a diabetic's eyes.