Virtual Aperture Intraocular Lens for Aberration Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intraocular lenses (IOLs) fail to effectively correct higher-order and chromatic aberrations, especially in eyes with complications such as asymmetric astigmatism, keratoconus, and postoperative corneal transplant, leading to suboptimal vision quality and increased stray light.

Innovation Solution

A virtual aperture integrated into the IOL design that scatters optical rays widely across the retina, reducing monochromatic and chromatic aberrations, and providing an extended depth of field, while allowing for a smaller optical zone diameter for easier implantation and improved vision correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a standard large optic IOL is used, then vision correction coverage is improved, but aberration removal effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical zone diameterVSAvoidaberration removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL is divided into two distinct functional zones: a central optical zone for vision correction and a peripheral virtual aperture zone for aberration removal. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specialized function optimally without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and aberration removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the IOL are assigned different optical properties: the central zone provides refractive power for focus, while the peripheral virtual aperture zone provides negative refractive power for aberration correction. This local differentiation enables simultaneous optimization of both vision correction coverage and aberration removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a smaller optical zone IOL is used, then aberration removal is improved, but vision correction coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaberration removalVSAvoidvision correction coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL merges two previously separate functions into a single device: the central optical zone for vision correction and the peripheral virtual aperture zone for aberration removal. This combination allows the IOL to simultaneously provide comprehensive vision correction coverage and effective aberration removal, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If a larger optical zone is used, then vision correction coverage is improved, but implantation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical zone diameterVSAvoidimplantation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL design segments the optical zone and virtual aperture zone into distinct regions with different optical powers. This segmentation allows the central optical zone to be optimized for comprehensive vision coverage while the peripheral virtual aperture zone provides the necessary negative refractive power for aberration correction, enabling both large coverage and ease of implantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If a smaller optical zone is used, then implantation ease is improved, but vision correction coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation easeVSAvoidvision correction coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL merges the functions of a small optical zone (easy implantation) with a virtual aperture zone for aberration correction to achieve comprehensive vision coverage. The central zone can be small for easy implantation while the peripheral virtual aperture extends the effective optical coverage, resolving the contradiction between implantation ease and vision correction coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 virtual aperture IOL design significantly enhances vision quality by reducing aberrations and increasing the depth of field, making it effective for eyes with complex conditions and allowing for smaller corneal incisions during surgery.

Implementation Method 1

The construction and arrangement permit optical rays which intersect the virtual aperture and are widely scattered across the retina

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

For a given definition of acceptable vision, the depth of field is increased over a larger diameter optical zone IOL

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDepth of field extension: Depth of Field

Data Source

PatentUS11696823B2High definition and extended depth of field intraocular lens

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 Z OPTICS INC

AI summary

A virtual aperture integrated into an intraocular lens is disclosed. Optical rays which intersect the virtual aperture are widely scattered across the retina causing the light to be virtually prevented from reaching detectable levels on the retina. The use of the virtual aperture helps remove monochromatic and chromatic aberrations yielding high-definition retinal images. For a given definition of acceptable vision, the depth of field is increased over a larger diameter optical zone. In addition, thinner intraocular lenses can be produced since the optical zone can have a smaller diameter. This in turn allows smaller corneal incisions and easier implantation surgery.