Spectacle Lens Infrared Waveguide for Retinal Implant Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for supplying energy to active eye implants, such as retinal implants, using infrared radiation are limited by the need for a surgically enlarged iris diaphragm and are not functional with small iris diaphragms or varying viewing directions, leading to potential shadowing and aesthetic and functional issues.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an infrared light source and a spectacle lens with a steering device that directs focused infrared beams towards the eye, allowing flexible direction and coaxial coupling with the viewing direction, ensuring energy supply even with small irises and during eye movement, using elements like transmission gratings, reflection gratings, or Fresnel elements that are transparent to visible light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If infrared radiation is coupled into the eye at a slight angle via a deflection element, then energy can be supplied to the implant, but the iris diaphragm must be surgically enlarged which negatively impacts the eye's ability to adapt to different lighting conditions and aesthetic outcome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by directing infrared light coaxially along the optical axis of the eye rather than at a slight angle. This dimensional change allows the infrared beam to pass through the center of the pupil without requiring iris enlargement, thereby maintaining the eye's natural adaptability to different lighting conditions while still delivering energy to the implant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the spectacle lens multi-functional by integrating it as both a visible light optical element and an infrared waveguide. The lens performs its traditional function of correcting vision while simultaneously guiding infrared radiation from the light source to the eye, eliminating the need for separate surgical modification of the iris.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the iris diaphragm is narrowed, then the eye can adapt to different lighting conditions, but the infrared beam is obscured and the implant can no longer be supplied with energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directs the infrared beam coaxially along the optical axis through the center of the pupil, changing the spatial dimension of light delivery. This allows the beam to pass through the narrowed iris diaphragm without being obscured, enabling energy supply to continue even when the eye adapts to different lighting conditions by narrowing the pupil.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a deflecting element is used to direct infrared light, then energy can be supplied to the implant, but the arrangement is complex and requires additional surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spectacle lens with the infrared waveguide function. Instead of using a separate deflecting element like a prism or mirror, the lens itself is designed to couple and guide infrared light through its internal structure. This integration reduces device complexity and eliminates the need for additional surgical procedures to implant separate deflection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the spectacle lens as an intermediary element that mediates between the infrared light source and the implant. The lens acts as a waveguide that transports infrared radiation from the external source to the target location within the eye, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to direct coupling methods.
4Ease of operation
If the viewing direction changes, then the eye can move naturally, but the infrared beam becomes obscured by the iris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directs the infrared beam coaxially along the optical axis, which is the natural axis of eye rotation. When the eye moves or changes viewing direction, the pupil remains centered on this axis, allowing the infrared beam to continue passing through unobscured. This coaxial arrangement maintains energy supply during natural eye movements without requiring mechanical tracking systems.
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 reliable energy supply to active eye implants with small iris diaphragms and varying viewing directions, avoiding shadows and the need for surgical enlargement, while maintaining unobstructed visible light perception.
Implementation Method 1
One possibility for supplying energy is the supply of infrared radiation below the visible range, which is then converted into electrical energy by the active eye implant
Implementation Method 2
For this purpose, the infrared light can be coupled into the lens, which then acts as a waveguide to direct the infrared light to the steering device
Implementation Method 3
using elements like transmission gratings, reflection gratings, or Fresnel elements
Implementation Method 4
using elements like transmission gratings, reflection gratings, or Fresnel elements
Implementation Method 5
which is then converted into electrical energy by the active eye implant, essentially by means of a solar cell or similar device
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~5B
Figure 6~7
AI summary
Disclosed are a device and a method which allow energy to be supplied to a retina implant (12) via infrared radiation. To this end, infrared light is coupled from an infrared light source (14) into an eyeglass lens (13), for example, and is coupled out towards an eye (10) by a coupling-out unit (17) in order for the retina implant (12) to be illuminated.