Variable Strength Intra-ocular Lens with Segmented Optical Elements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Intra-ocular artificial lenses with variable optical strength face challenges in maintaining optical quality due to compromises in focus, wide field focus, image conformity, sensitivity to scattered light, and higher-order optical aberrations.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates at least two movable optical elements with surfaces that satisfy specific mathematical formulas for fixed and variable optical strengths, allowing for separation and optimization of these functions independently, with the option to use identical or different elements and various surface configurations to achieve desired optical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If variable optical strength is achieved using movable optical elements, then accommodation function is improved, but optical quality deteriorates due to compromises in focus, wide field focus, image conformity, and aberrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation functionVSAvoidoptical quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is divided into multiple optical elements (first and second optical elements) with distinct functions. The first optical element provides fixed optical power optimized for distance vision, while the second optical element provides variable optical power for accommodation. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between variable optical strength and optical quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If optical power is distributed across multiple movable elements, then variable strength is achieved, but manufacturing precision and alignment sensitivity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable optical strengthVSAvoidalignment sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the fixed optical power function (first optical element) from the variable optical power function (second optical element), the design reduces the complexity of aligning multiple variable elements. The fixed element serves as a stable reference, reducing sensitivity to misalignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first optical element serves dual purposes: providing the majority of the fixed optical power and serving as a stable reference structure for the movable second optical element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components that require precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach enhances the optical quality of intra-ocular lenses by allowing for greater optical power distribution and correction of aberrations, reducing sensitivity to misalignment and improving accommodation processes.

Implementation Method 1

both movable optical elements comprise at least a surface with a component which satisfies the formula z = S(x, y) = ax²y + bx³/3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP1881806B1Improved intra-ocular artificial lens with variable optical strength
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 AKKOLENS INT BV
  • EP1881806B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP1881806B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10
  • EP1881806B1 patent drawingFigure 11~13

AI summary

The invention relates to an intra-ocular artificial lens with variable optical strength, comprising at least two optical elements, at least two of which are movable relative to each other in a direction extending transversely of the optical axis, wherein the optical elements have a form such that in different positions of the movable optical elements the artificial lens has a different optical strength, wherein the artificial lens has a fixed, positive optical basic strength wherein the variable optical strength caused by the relative movement of the movable elements is added to obtain the total optical strength of the artificial lens. Providing a different form results in the possibility of incorporating the greatest optical power in one of the optical elements. This optical element can then be optimized for the desired optical properties. The remaining optical element or the remaining optical elements can then be dimensioned for variation of the optical strength.