Tinted Contact Lens Depth Effect via Alternating Clear and Color Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tinted contact lenses lack the ability to create a natural, three-dimensional appearance of the iris due to the limited number of colors and color layers, resulting in a flat and unnatural appearance when worn.
Innovation Solution
The use of alternating clear and color layers on the surface of the contact lens, applied in a specific order to create a depth effect, with clear layers being substantially devoid of dye or pigment and color layers having a light transmittance of 60% or more in the 380-780 nm range, to enhance or change the iris color while maintaining visual performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If multiple color layers are used to create color variation, then the natural appearance of the iris is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and the three-dimensional appearance is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a flat, two-dimensional application of color layers to a three-dimensional structure where clear layers are deposited over color layers. This creates depth and layering effects, allowing the lens to simulate the three-dimensional appearance of a natural iris while using a manageable number of color layers. The clear layers act as transparent barriers that build upon the colored layers, creating optical depth without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Shape
If translucent color layers are used to maintain light transmission, then visual performance is improved, but the color depth and natural appearance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing translucent and opaque color layers in specific regions of the lens. Translucent color layers are used where light transmission is important for visual performance, while opaque color layers are used where deep color saturation is needed for natural appearance. This localized differentiation allows the lens to optimize both visual performance and aesthetic appearance simultaneously, rather than using a uniform color layer throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining translucent and opaque color layers with clear layers in a multi-layer structure. This composite approach allows the lens to integrate the advantages of different material types: translucent layers provide light transmission for visual clarity, opaque layers provide deep color saturation for natural appearance, and clear layers provide structural separation and optical depth. The composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing both properties to coexist in the same lens system.
3Shape
If opaque color layers are used to enhance color saturation, then the natural appearance is improved, but light transmission is reduced and visual performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the color application into separate translucent and opaque color layers, with clear layers interspersed between them. This segmentation allows the lens to distribute light transmission requirements across multiple layers, where translucent layers maintain overall light transmission while opaque layers provide localized color saturation. The clear layers act as optical separators that prevent the opaque layers from completely blocking light, thus maintaining visual performance while achieving deep color saturation.
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 solution provides a more natural and three-dimensional appearance of the iris, allowing for effective color enhancement or change without obstructing the natural iris structure, covering over 85% of the iris area and up to 100% of the limbal ring, while ensuring unimpeded vision.
Implementation Method 1
The lenses of the invention are manufactured to impart a three-dimensional appearance to the pattern providing depth to the pattern... by the use of alternating clear and color layers
Implementation Method 2
color layers having a light transmittance of 60% or more in the 380-780 nm range
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides tinted contact lenses that enhance or change the color of the lens wearer's iris. The lenses of the invention impart a three-dimensional appearance to the pattern by the use of alternating clear and color layers.