Segmented Contact Lens for Spatial Vision and Circadian Rhythm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contact lenses and intra-ocular lenses do not effectively enhance spatial vision while minimizing the impact on other aspects of visual performance, such as depth of field and chromatic aberrations, particularly in varying light conditions.

Innovation Solution

A contact lens design featuring a central region that transmits yellow light and an annular outer region that transmits blue light, selectively filtering wavelengths to reduce chromatic and monochromatic aberrations, thereby improving spatial vision without significantly affecting color vision or circadian rhythms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a contact lens uses broad-spectrum light transmission to maintain natural vision, then color vision and circadian rhythms are preserved, but spatial vision and depth of field are not enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor vision and circadian rhythm preservationVSAvoidspatial vision and depth of field
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is divided into multiple spectral filtering zones: a central yellow-transmitting zone for spatial vision enhancement and an outer blue-transmitting zone for color vision and circadian rhythm preservation. This segmentation allows different regions to optimize for different visual functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the lens have different spectral transmission properties tailored to local visual needs. The central region transmits yellow light to reduce chromatic aberration and improve spatial vision, while the peripheral region transmits blue light to maintain color discrimination and circadian entrainment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a contact lens transmits blue light to maintain circadian rhythms, then circadian rhythms are preserved, but chromatic aberrations and spatial vision increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircadian rhythm maintenanceVSAvoidspatial vision and chromatic aberration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lens separates blue light transmission to the outer annular region only, while the central region blocks blue light. This spatial segmentation allows blue light to reach the retina for circadian regulation without contributing to chromatic aberration in the central visual axis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lens acts as an intermediary that selectively directs different wavelengths to different retinal regions. Blue light is mediated to the peripheral retina where it supports circadian rhythms without degrading central spatial vision through chromatic aberration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If a contact lens transmits yellow light centrally to improve spatial vision, then spatial vision and depth of field are enhanced, but blue light transmission for circadian rhythms is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial vision and depth of fieldVSAvoidcircadian rhythm and color vision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is segmented into a central yellow-transmitting zone and an outer blue-transmitting zone, ensuring that yellow light reaches the central retina for spatial vision while blue light reaches the peripheral retina for circadian functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves from a single uniform spectral filter to a spatially differentiated spectral filter, adding the spatial dimension to spectral selection. Different wavelengths are transmitted to different spatial zones of the retina, simultaneously optimizing for both spatial vision and circadian health.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Measurement precision

If a contact lens uses narrowband filtering to reduce chromatic aberration, then spatial vision is improved, but color vision is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial visionVSAvoidcolor vision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lens applies narrowband yellow filtering only in the central region where spatial vision is critical, while the outer regions maintain broad-spectrum transmission including blue wavelengths necessary for color discrimination and circadian regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Narrowband spectral filtering is applied locally to the central visual axis where spatial acuity is most important, while peripheral regions maintain broader spectral transmission to preserve color vision and circadian function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 lens significantly enhances spatial vision and depth of field, reduces diffraction effects, and minimizes the impact on yellow/blue and red/green vision, while maintaining normal pupil responses and circadian rhythms, offering improved performance for early presbyopes and individuals with keratoconus.

Implementation Method 1

A contact lens design featuring a central region that transmits yellow light and an annular outer region that transmits blue light, selectively filtering wavelengths to reduce chromatic and monochromatic aberrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectral filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

selectively filtering wavelengths to reduce chromatic and monochromatic aberrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChromatic aberration reduction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

The lens significantly enhances spatial vision and depth of field, reduces diffraction effects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction reduction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP3821293B1lens
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 CITY
  • EP3821293B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3821293B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3821293B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

A lens (1) comprising at least two regions, a first said region (3) being configured to pass incident light having a wavelength falling within a first band, and a second said region (5) being configured to pass incident light having a wavelength falling within a second band that is different to said first band.