Light Adjustable Intraocular Lens UV Blocking Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light-adjustable optical elements, such as intraocular lenses, face limitations in UV light protection, allowing potential damage to the eye while attempting to adjust optical properties with UV light, due to incomplete absorption of UV light and restricted polymerization rates.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a UV and blue light blocking layer or zone with UV absorbers like benzotriazoles and benzophenones, linked to a short polymer chain, to prevent or reduce light transmission through the optical element, allowing for adjustments with UV light while protecting the eye from UV exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV absorbers are incorporated into the optical material to prevent premature polymerization, then polymerization control is improved, but UV light transmission protection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the UV protection function into two segments: UV absorbers incorporated into the optical material bulk for polymerization control, and a separate UV blocking layer applied to the surface for enhanced UV transmission protection. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining the optical material containing UV absorbers with a separate UV blocking layer containing high UV absorption compounds. This composite approach enables the system to simultaneously achieve polymerization control through the absorbers and enhanced UV protection through the blocking layer, resolving the contradiction between these two functions.
2Productivity
If UV light intensity is increased to improve polymerization rate, then adjustment speed is improved, but UV damage to the eye increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV blocking layer acts as an intermediary between the UV light source and the eye, allowing high-intensity UV light to be used for rapid polymerization adjustment while the blocking layer prevents the harmful UV radiation from reaching the eye. This intermediary enables the decoupling of polymerization efficiency from UV exposure risk.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If more UV absorber is incorporated into the lens to reduce UV transmission, then UV protection is improved, but polymerization response to UV light decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UV interaction functions: UV absorbers in the bulk material maintain polymerization responsiveness by not being present in excessive amounts, while the dedicated UV blocking layer provides strong UV transmission protection. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by placing different UV-related functions in separate locations within the optical element.
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 effectively reduces UV light transmission by 20 times, enabling safer adjustment of optical properties and providing enhanced protection against UV damage, while maintaining the ability to induce polymerization changes in the lens.
Implementation Method 1
The zone contains sufficient light absorber material to prevent or substantially reduce the transmission of light through the zone
Implementation Method 2
Upon exposure to a specific wave-length of light, the photoinitiator induces the polymerization of the macromers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to novel optical elements having improved UV protection. The optical element comprises a light adjustable optical element with a UV absorbent layer applied to at least one surface of the optical element. The invention is particularly useful in light adjustable intraocular lenses.