Stabilized Contact Lens Layout for Rotational Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accommodating contact lenses suffer from inadequate stabilization, particularly for astigmatism correction, due to their tendency to rotate freely on the eye and the use of prism ballast mechanisms that can cause distortion and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The contact lens design incorporates stabilization zones with asymmetrical thickness profiles, including an upper stabilization zone and a zone of increased thickness, along with a pressure-sensitive zone, to stabilize the lens on the cornea by engaging the lower eyelid, enhancing fluidic coupling and reducing prism effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If prism ballast mechanisms are used to stabilize the contact lens, then the lens can be rotationally stabilized, but the lens may cause distortion and misalignment of the central region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the fluidic chamber eccentrically (off-center) relative to the optical zone, creating an asymmetrical thickness profile where the lens is thicker in the lower periphery. This asymmetrical design provides rotational stabilization through the 'watermelon seed principle' where the lens orients itself on the eye with the thicker portion settling lower, while maintaining a uniform thickness across the central optical zone to prevent distortion and ensure proper alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the stabilization mechanism from the central optical zone to the peripheral region of the lens. By positioning the fluidic chamber and asymmetrical thickness in the lower periphery rather than in the central region, the stabilization function is separated from the optical function, allowing the central zone to remain undistorted while the periphery provides rotational stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the contact lens is designed with uniform thickness, then optical quality is maintained, but rotational stabilization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having different thickness characteristics in different regions of the lens. The central optical zone maintains uniform thickness for optimal optical quality, while the lower peripheral region has increased thickness to provide rotational stabilization. This localized asymmetry allows each region to optimize its function without compromising the other.
3Stability of the object's composition
If prism is increased to improve stabilization, then rotational stability is enhanced, but accommodative response is distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry in the form of an eccentrically positioned fluidic chamber that creates thickness variation without relying on traditional prism. The asymmetrical thickness profile stabilizes the lens rotationally while the central optical zone remains free of prism-induced distortion, preserving accurate accommodative response.
4Ease of operation
If the contact lens rotates freely on the eye, then ease of movement is improved, but astigmatism correction is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by not trying to prevent rotation through central optical zone modifications, but instead allowing the lens to rotate freely while using peripheral asymmetry to actively stabilize orientation. The eccentric fluidic chamber creates a stable orientation preference that corrects astigmatism while maintaining overall lens mobility.
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 improved stabilization ensures consistent lens orientation, maintaining optical power adjustments in response to eyelid pressure, thereby enhancing the accommodative response and correcting astigmatism effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a lower pressure sensitive zone (230) coupled to the inner optical zone to engage a lower eyelid and increase optical power
Implementation Method 2
The inner optical zone (170) may comprise a central optical chamber (160) and a lower chamber (140) fluidically coupled to one another with a channel (130) extending between the chambers to pass fluid therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
The stabilized contact lens methods and apparatus disclosed herein provide improved stabilization of a contact lens placed on a cornea of an eye. The contact lens comprises stabilization zones that allow the lens to repeatedly and consistently orient on the cornea such that a sensing zone located on the lower portion of the lens is located inferiorly to engage the lower eyelid. The stabilized contact lens can provide a lower pressure sensing zone with decreased thickness for pressure or other sensing related to the lower eyelid. The decreased thickness has the advantage of improving coupling between forces from an eyelid and a lower chamber of a fluidic module. The improved coupling allows increased amounts of fluid to move between the lower chamber and an upper optical chamber coupled to the lower chamber, such that the upper chamber can increase curvature and optical power in response to pressures of the eyelid.