Virtual Aperture Intraocular Lens for Extended Depth of Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lenses (IOLs) fail to adequately correct defocus, astigmatism, higher-order monochromatic and chromatic aberrations, and provide an extended depth of field, leading to suboptimal vision quality, especially as pupil size increases.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a virtual aperture into the IOL design, which scatters light rays widely across the retina, reducing monochromatic and chromatic aberrations while increasing the depth of field, using a construction that includes an optical zone, a virtual aperture, and a haptic for positioning within the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a standard monofocal IOL is used to restore vision at a single focal distance, then vision quality at that specific distance is improved, but the depth of field is limited and presbyopia cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The IOL is divided into multiple functional zones: a central optical zone for focused vision and a peripheral virtual aperture zone for extending depth of field. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different optical functions, providing both sharp focus and extended depth of field simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the IOL are given different optical properties. The central zone maintains high optical quality for focused vision, while the peripheral virtual aperture region is designed specifically to scatter light and extend depth of field, with each zone optimized for its specific function
2Adaptability or versatility
If multifocal IOL elements with discrete foci are used to provide vision at multiple distances, then depth of field is extended, but stray light from various focal regions degrades vision quality
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuser layer is introduced as an intermediary element between the optical zone and the retina. This diffuser scattersthe light rays that pass through the virtual aperture, creating a distributed focal pattern that extends depth of field while preventing the formation of discrete stray light spots that would degrade image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of light scattering (which causes stray light and reduces image quality) into a beneficial effect. By using a controlled diffuser in the virtual aperture region, the scattered light is distributed in a way that extends depth of field without creating problematic stray light patterns, turning what is usually a disadvantage into an advantage
3Illumination intensity
If the pupil size increases, then more light enters the eye improving brightness, but higher-order aberrations and chromatic aberrations increase degrading vision quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses the pupil size problem by moving from a two-dimensional aperture control approach to a three-dimensional light distribution approach. The virtual aperture with its diffuser creates a distributed focal pattern along the optical axis, extending depth of field and reducing the impact of spherical aberration that increases with pupil size, thereby maintaining vision quality across varying pupil conditions
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 significantly improves vision quality by minimizing aberrations and extending the depth of field, providing high-definition retinal images with reduced stray light, even as pupil size varies.
Implementation Method 1
a second plurality of light rays incident on an anterior virtual aperture surface are dispersed widely downstream from the intraocular lens towards and across the retina
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods that overcome limitations of lOLs at least by providing a phakic or aphakic IOL that provides correction of defocus and astigmatism, decreases higher-order monochromatic and chromatic aberrations, and provides an extended depth of field to improve vision quality. The IOL includes a virtual aperture integrated into the IOL. The construction and arrangement permit optical rays which intersect the virtual aperture and are widely scattered across the retina, causing the light to be virtually prevented from reaching detectable levels on the retina. 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 IOL.