Smart Contact Lens Liquid Crystal Auto-Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Presbyopia, a progressive age-related loss of accommodative focusing strength, affects millions worldwide, leading to increased blur at near distances, and existing solutions fail to provide effective real-time focal adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A smart contact lens with an electrically activated accommodation actuator, utilizing a liquid crystal material and electrodes to automatically adjust focal distance based on gaze direction, integrated with a power supply, control electronics, and a gaze direction sensor system for real-time accommodation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional contact lenses or glasses are used, then the device structure is simple, but they cannot provide real-time automatic focal adjustments for presbyopia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (liquid crystal accommodation actuator, power supply, control electronics, gaze direction sensor system) into a single integrated contact lens device. This merging enables automatic accommodation while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for eye-mountable applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens device performs multiple functions simultaneously: correcting vision through the liquid crystal actuator, detecting gaze direction through the sensor system, providing power through the integrated power supply, and controlling accommodation automatically. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving automation without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If manual adjustments are used for presbyopia, then the device structure is simple, but real-time focal adjustments cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens device performs self-adjustment of focal distance by automatically detecting gaze direction and controlling the liquid crystal actuator accordingly. This eliminates the need for manual user intervention while achieving real-time accommodation adjustments, resolving the contradiction between adjustment speed and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaze direction sensor system provides continuous feedback to the control electronics, which adjusts the liquid crystal actuator in real-time based on detected gaze direction. This feedback loop enables automatic real-time focal adjustments without requiring manual user input.
3Extent of automation
If an electrically activated liquid crystal actuator is integrated into the contact lens, then automatic accommodation is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a segmented fabrication process where the liquid crystal accommodation actuator is formed separately and then integrated with other components (power supply, control electronics, sensor system) in distinct manufacturing stages. This segmentation of the fabrication process makes the complex manufacturing more manageable and systematic.
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
Enables real-time auto-accommodation, improving near-distance vision without the need for manual adjustments, enhancing visual clarity and comfort for individuals with presbyopia.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a liquid crystal material and electrodes to automatically adjust focal distance
Data Source
AI summary
An eye-mountable device (EMD) includes a lens enclosure, liquid crystal material, first and second electrodes, a substrate, and a controller. The lens enclosure includes a first encapsulation layer and a second encapsulation layer sealed to the first encapsulation layer. The liquid crystal material is disposed across a central region of the lens enclosure. The first electrode is disposed within the lens enclosure between the first encapsulation layer and the liquid crystal material. The second electrode is disposed within the lens enclosure between the second encapsulation layer and the liquid crystal material. The substrate is disposed within the EMD. The controller is disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes to apply a voltage across the liquid crystal material.