TRUE Optical Focusing Through Cataractous Lenses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating congenital cataracts in infants are challenging as they often lead to amblyopia due to early surgery complications, such as aphakic glaucoma, and delayed surgery increases the risk of severe amblyopia, necessitating a method to focus light through cataractous lenses without invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A device using time-reversed ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) optical focusing that employs a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beacon to scatter light, and a modulator to transmit phase-conjugated light through cataractous lenses, allowing noninvasive stimulation of the retina and potentially delaying cataract removal surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cataract removal surgery is performed early to prevent amblyopia, then visual development is improved, but the risk of aphakic glaucoma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing visual stimulation through the cataractous lens before surgery is performed. The optical wavefront shaping system delivers focused light through the opaque lens to stimulate the retina and visual cortex during the critical period, preparing the visual system for later development without requiring early surgical intervention that would cause aphakic glaucoma.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing an external optical wavefront shaping system as a mediator between the cataractous lens and the retina. This device compensates for the scattering effect of the opaque lens, enabling light to reach the retina through the cataract, thereby providing visual stimulation without removing the lens and avoiding the harmful effects of early surgery.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cataract surgery is delayed to reduce aphakic glaucoma risk, then surgical complications are reduced, but severe amblyopia develops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing visual stimulation through the cataractous lens during the critical period before surgery. The optical wavefront shaping system focuses light through the opaque lens to stimulate the retina and visual cortex, ensuring proper visual development occurs even while the cataract remains in place, thus allowing surgery to be delayed without causing amblyopia.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an intermediary optical wavefront shaping system that acts as a mediator to enable visual stimulation through the cataractous lens. This device compensates for light scattering and delivers focused optical energy to the retina, allowing the visual system to develop normally despite the presence of the opaque lens, thereby permitting delayed surgery without amblyopia risk.
3Illumination intensity
If light is focused through cataractous lenses using conventional methods, then retinal stimulation is achieved, but the scattering nature of cataracts prevents effective focusing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the wavefront parameters (phase, amplitude, curvature) of the incident light to compensate for the scattering effects of the cataractous lens. The optical wavefront shaping system measures the scattering characteristics and modifies light parameters in real-time to achieve precise focusing on the retina, overcoming the inherent scattering nature of the opaque lens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using wavefront sensing to detect the scattering effects of the cataractous lens and then adjusting the optical wavefront shaping parameters accordingly. The system measures how the cataract distorts light and uses this information to correct the wavefront, enabling precise focusing through the opaque lens by continuously adapting to the scattering medium's properties.
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 focusing light through highly scattering cataractous lenses, reducing the risk of aphakic glaucoma and amblyopia by providing retinal stimulation, thus allowing for safer timing of cataract surgery and improving visual development in infants.
Implementation Method 1
a beacon scattering the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through an opacity in ocular tissue so as to form scattered electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
a modulator transmitting output electromagnetic radiation having a field determined from a recording of the scattered electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the opacity
Implementation Method 3
A device using time-reversed ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) optical focusing that employs a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beacon to scatter light, and a modulator to transmit phase-conjugated light through cataractous lenses
Implementation Method 4
a transmitter of ultrasound positioned so as to transmit ultrasound forming the beacon including a focus of the ultrasound, wherein the ultrasound frequency shifts the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the opacity so as to form the scattered electromagnetic radiation comprising frequency shifted electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A device for irradiating ocular tissue, including a source of electromagnetic radiation; a beacon scattering the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through an opacity in ocular tissue so as to form scattered electromagnetic radiation; a modulator transmitting output electromagnetic radiation having a field determined from a recording of the scattered electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the opacity, so that the output electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the opacity to the beacon. The device can be used to treat amblyopia or correct optical aberrations in corneal or lens tissue.