ABSTRACT
Abstract
Various embodiments are described herein for an ocular device implantable in a user's eye and which has an adjustable optical element for varying one or more optical properties for the eye such as, but not limited to, providing a dynamically adjustable aperture stop to control the amount of incoming light, filtering incoming light, polarizing incoming light, and/or varying a depth of field for the eye.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/032,950 filed Sep. 25, 2020, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CA2019/051719 filed Nov. 29, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/773,666 filed Nov. 30, 2018; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/773,827 filed Nov. 30, 2018; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/849,308 filed May 17, 2019, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The international Patent Cooperation Treaty application entitled OPTIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS, filed on Nov. 29, 2019, listing Inventor JOSEPH J. K. MA, and having International Application No. PCT/CA2019/051718, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
Various embodiments are described herein that generally relate to ocular systems, devices, and methods.
INTRODUCTION
The iris is an annular structure that is located in the anterior chamber of the eye behind the cornea and in front of the lens in the eye. The iris has an adjustable aperture that is called the pupil. The iris comprises of connective tissue and muscle fibers that allow it to change its size and control the size of the pupil by expanding the pupil (i.e. dilating) or contracting the pupil. The iris therefore controls the amount of light that enters the eye, which is important as this affects the perception of vision, glare and depth of field, similar to the aperture of a camera.
The amount of light, accommodation and physiologic responses to emotional stimuli can also affect the size of the pupil by innervating either or both of the sympathetic nervous system (causing pupil dilation) and the parasympathetic nervous system (resulting in pupil constriction) to varying degrees.
The iris also defines the primary perceived eye color for a person or an animal. For example, the iris can have a variety of colors including, but not limited to, brown, blue, green, grey and hazel. These colors are created from a combination of structural colour (the microstructure of the stroma of the iris results in a bluish colour in the absence of pigment) and available pigment. For example, significant amounts of melanin in the iris epithelium results in a brown color. The distribution of colour in the iris can give rise to the perception of a changing colour of the iris, especially in what is commonly referred to as a hazel iris colour. For example, in a hazel coloured eye, if the pigment is primarily confined to a circular area circumscribing the pupil, an iris may appear darker and more brownish when the pupil is dilated and more bluish or greenish when the pupil is constricted and the mid-peripheral bluish iris stroma (areas without pigment) is stretched.
Some people do not have either a portion, a section or all of the iris, either by birth (referred to as congenital) or acquired (usually from either trauma or surgery). Trauma from blunt force or injury including that from explosive devices, air-bags and firecrackers can cause the loss of at least part of the entire visible iris. The absence of a part or all of the iris is both cosmetically obvious and can prevent one from effectively controlling the amount of light that enters their eye, which can lead to severe glare and difficulty with vision. In addition, some people with an intact iris cannot significantly dilate or constrict their pupils either due to ischemia, neuropathy, injury of the iris sphincter, atrophy of the required musculature for dilation from use of medications (such as alpha blockers e.g. Tamsulosin), surgical trauma, or other reasons.
Currently, methods of replacing the iris rely either on placing an opaque disk or a section of an optically opaque disk over the area of the iris defect. This optically opaque disk can be composed of either a hard (e.g. PMMA (Poly(methyl methacrylate)) or soft (e.g. silicone) material. Sometimes this opaque disk is painted on its external surface to match the appearance of the contralateral eye. However, these disks are not optically dynamic, and thus cannot perform the aperture function of a normal iris. They cannot respond to either ambient light or innervation. In addition, these disks limit the field of view of the internal structures of the eye, which can hinder medical examinations and medical treatments such as either the examination or treatment of the peripheral retina. Functionally, these opaque disks can also affect either or both the sensitivity and visual field results of a subjectively administered visual field test.
An alternative technique to replace the iris includes the use of a pupillary cerclage with a purse string suture that can help to decrease the size of the pupil if enough of the iris is intact. However, since all or part of the pupillary sphincter muscle is often damaged in these instances, and due to the restricted diameter of the purse string as it is tied, the pupil is often is also static in these types of iris repairs.
Cosmetically changing the colour of iris has also been sought out as a cosmetic procedure. Currently, this can be achieved by use of an annular disk similar to the disks described above for iris repair, which has the same limitations of being an immobile disk that cannot change the pupil size. There are also surgical methods, including the use of a laser designed to cause cells in the eye to phagocytize melanin and therefore change the colour of a darker (e.g. brown) iris to a blue iris without pigment. This process however is not currently easily reversible, and would likely only be able to conceivably lighten, but not darken the colour of the iris.
SUMMARY
According to some aspects, an intraocular prosthesis system includes (a) an optical device implantable in an eye, the optical device having at least one adjustable optical element operable to vary a depth of field for the eye; and (b) a controller configured to control adjustment of the optical element for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the system further includes one or more environment sensors for detecting environmental conditions and generating environment sensor signals indicative of the environmental conditions, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based at least on the environment sensor signals to provide a suitable depth of field for the environmental conditions.
In some examples, the environmental conditions comprise a distance to one or more objects of interest. In some examples, the one or more sensors include a rangefinder operable to estimate the distance to the one or more objects of interest and generate rangefinder signals indicative of the distance, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based on at least the rangefinder signals to provide the suitable depth of field.
In some examples, the environmental conditions comprise environmental illumination. In some examples, the one or more sensors include at least one illumination sensor operable to measure the environmental illumination and generate illumination signals indicative of the environmental illumination, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based on at least the illumination signals to provide the suitable depth of field.
In some examples, the system further includes one or more intraocular sensors for detecting intraocular conditions and generating intraocular sensor signals indicative of the intraocular conditions, and the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based on the intraocular sensor signals to provide a suitable depth of field for the intraocular conditions. In some examples, the intraocular conditions comprise electrical activity in the eye corresponding to, in some examples, contraction of the ciliary body in the eye.
In some examples, the optical element comprises at least one optical portion and an occlusion mechanism operable by the controller to transition the optical portion between a transparent state in which the optical portion is generally transparent for providing a first depth of field for the eye and an occluded state in which the optical portion is at least partially occluded relative to the transparent state for providing a second depth of field for the eye, the second depth of field different from the first depth of field.
In some examples, the occlusion mechanism is configured to transition the optical portion through at least one of electrochromism and electrodeposition.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises at least one of: (i) one or more diffractive zones and (ii) one or more refractive zones.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises an array of meta-lens wave-guide structures.
In some examples, the occlusion mechanism comprises an adjustable aperture stop operable by the controller to adjust an aperture size for the eye for varying the depth of field. In some examples, the at least one optical element comprises a plurality of the optical portions arranged concentrically, and the occlusion mechanism is configured to reversibly occlude each optical portion independently for adjusting the aperture size.
In some examples, the at least one optical element comprises at least one optical portion having an adjustable morphology, and a morphology adjustment mechanism operable by the controller to transition the optical portion between at least a first morphology for providing a first depth of field for the eye and a second morphology for providing a second depth of field for the eye, the second depth of field different from the first depth of field.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises a lens surface adjustable between the first morphology and the second morphology.
In some examples, the first morphology corresponds to an aspheric shape, and the second morphology corresponds to a spheric shape relative to the aspheric shape.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises one or more diffractive zones adjustable between the first morphology and the second morphology.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises an array of meta-lens wave-guide structures adjustable between the first morphology and the second morphology.
In some examples, the at least one optical element comprises at least one optical portion having an adjustable refractive index and a refraction adjustment mechanism operable by the controller to adjust the refractive index for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises a lens casing having an internal chamber containing nematic liquid crystal, and the refraction adjustment mechanism comprises one or more electrodes adjacent the chamber and operable by the controller to apply an electric field to the nematic liquid crystal for adjusting the refractive index to change the depth of field for the eye.
In some examples, the lens casing and the nematic liquid crystal have a common first refractive index corresponding to a first depth of field for the eye in absence of the electric field, and wherein the lens casing has the first refractive index and the nematic liquid crystal has a second refractive index different from the first refractive index when the electric field is applied to provide a second depth of field for the eye.
In some examples, the lens casing includes an exterior lens surface having a first lens shape, and an interior lens surface defining at least a portion of the internal chamber and having a second lens shape different from the first lens shape.
In some examples, one of the first lens shape and the second lens shape is spheric relative to the other one of the first lens shape and the second lens shape, and the other one of the first lens shape and the second lens shape is aspheric relative to the one of the first lens shape and the second lens shape.
In some examples, the optic element comprises an adjustable meta-lens assembly operable to vary the depth of field for the eye, and the controller is configured to control adjustment of the meta-lens assembly for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the meta-lens assembly includes at least one array of meta-lens wave-guide structures, and a wave-guide adjustment mechanism for adjusting properties of the wave-guide structures to vary the depth of field.
In some examples, the wave-guide adjustment mechanism comprises an occlusion mechanism configured to reversibly occlude at least a portion of the at least one array for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the occlusion mechanism is configured to reversibly occlude the at least a portion of the array through at least one of electrodeposition and electrochromism.
In some examples, the at least one array comprises at least one first set of wave-guide structures and at least one second set of wave-guide structures, and wherein the occlusion mechanism is configured to reversibly occlude at least one of the first set and the second set of wave-guide structures while the other one of the first set and the second set of wave-guide structures remains unoccluded to vary the depth of field. In some examples, the first set is configured for near vision focus, and the second set is configured for distance vision focus. In some examples, the occlusion mechanism is configured to reversibly occlude the first set of wave-guide structures while the second set remains unoccluded to facilitate distance vision focus. In some examples, each of the first set and the second set is concentric with an axis of the meta-lens assembly, and the second set is radially inward of the first set.
In some examples, each wave-guide structure projects from a substrate along a central axis and has a cross-sectional area normal to the axis, and wherein the cross-sectional area is adjustable for varying the depth of field. In some examples, the wave-guide structures comprise electrodeposition sites, the electrodeposition sites platable with ions from an electrolyte medium to increase the cross-sectional area and strippable of the ions to reduce the cross-sectional area.
In some examples, adjacent wave-guide structures have a wave-guide gap therebetween through which electromagnetic radiation is guided, and a size of the wave-guide gap between at least some of the adjacent wave-guide structures is adjustable for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the wave-guide adjustment mechanism comprises a morphology adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a morphology of the at least one array for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, adjacent wave-guide structures have a center-to-center distance, and the center-to-center distance of at least some of the wave-guide structures is adjustable by the morphology adjustment mechanism for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the meta-lens assembly comprises a deformable substrate from which the wave-guide structures project, and the morphology adjustment mechanism is configured to deform at least a portion of the substrate for adjusting the center-to-center distance.
According to some aspects, an optical platform system includes (a) a substrate implantable in an eye, the substrate having an aperture stop defining an aperture for the eye; (b) at least one sensor coupled to the substrate for monitoring one or more properties of the eye; (c) an upgrade interface on the substrate for installation of an optical element over the aperture stop; and (d) a controller for controlling operation of the platform system.
In some examples, the upgrade interface comprises a recessed area in the substrate, the recessed area shaped to receive the optical element.
In some examples, the upgrade interface comprises at least one connector configured to connect the optical element when received in the recess for communication between the optical element and platform components.
In some examples, whe
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/032,950 filed Sep. 25, 2020, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CA2019/051719 filed Nov. 29, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/773,666 filed Nov. 30, 2018; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/773,827 filed Nov. 30, 2018; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/849,308 filed May 17, 2019, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The international Patent Cooperation Treaty application entitled OPTIC SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS, filed on Nov. 29, 2019, listing Inventor JOSEPH J. K. MA, and having International Application No. PCT/CA2019/051718, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
Various embodiments are described herein that generally relate to ocular systems, devices, and methods.
INTRODUCTION
The iris is an annular structure that is located in the anterior chamber of the eye behind the cornea and in front of the lens in the eye. The iris has an adjustable aperture that is called the pupil. The iris comprises of connective tissue and muscle fibers that allow it to change its size and control the size of the pupil by expanding the pupil (i.e. dilating) or contracting the pupil. The iris therefore controls the amount of light that enters the eye, which is important as this affects the perception of vision, glare and depth of field, similar to the aperture of a camera.
The amount of light, accommodation and physiologic responses to emotional stimuli can also affect the size of the pupil by innervating either or both of the sympathetic nervous system (causing pupil dilation) and the parasympathetic nervous system (resulting in pupil constriction) to varying degrees.
The iris also defines the primary perceived eye color for a person or an animal. For example, the iris can have a variety of colors including, but not limited to, brown, blue, green, grey and hazel. These colors are created from a combination of structural colour (the microstructure of the stroma of the iris results in a bluish colour in the absence of pigment) and available pigment. For example, significant amounts of melanin in the iris epithelium results in a brown color. The distribution of colour in the iris can give rise to the perception of a changing colour of the iris, especially in what is commonly referred to as a hazel iris colour. For example, in a hazel coloured eye, if the pigment is primarily confined to a circular area circumscribing the pupil, an iris may appear darker and more brownish when the pupil is dilated and more bluish or greenish when the pupil is constricted and the mid-peripheral bluish iris stroma (areas without pigment) is stretched.
Some people do not have either a portion, a section or all of the iris, either by birth (referred to as congenital) or acquired (usually from either trauma or surgery). Trauma from blunt force or injury including that from explosive devices, air-bags and firecrackers can cause the loss of at least part of the entire visible iris. The absence of a part or all of the iris is both cosmetically obvious and can prevent one from effectively controlling the amount of light that enters their eye, which can lead to severe glare and difficulty with vision. In addition, some people with an intact iris cannot significantly dilate or constrict their pupils either due to ischemia, neuropathy, injury of the iris sphincter, atrophy of the required musculature for dilation from use of medications (such as alpha blockers e.g. Tamsulosin), surgical trauma, or other reasons.
Currently, methods of replacing the iris rely either on placing an opaque disk or a section of an optically opaque disk over the area of the iris defect. This optically opaque disk can be composed of either a hard (e.g. PMMA (Poly(methyl methacrylate)) or soft (e.g. silicone) material. Sometimes this opaque disk is painted on its external surface to match the appearance of the contralateral eye. However, these disks are not optically dynamic, and thus cannot perform the aperture function of a normal iris. They cannot respond to either ambient light or innervation. In addition, these disks limit the field of view of the internal structures of the eye, which can hinder medical examinations and medical treatments such as either the examination or treatment of the peripheral retina. Functionally, these opaque disks can also affect either or both the sensitivity and visual field results of a subjectively administered visual field test.
An alternative technique to replace the iris includes the use of a pupillary cerclage with a purse string suture that can help to decrease the size of the pupil if enough of the iris is intact. However, since all or part of the pupillary sphincter muscle is often damaged in these instances, and due to the restricted diameter of the purse string as it is tied, the pupil is often is also static in these types of iris repairs.
Cosmetically changing the colour of iris has also been sought out as a cosmetic procedure. Currently, this can be achieved by use of an annular disk similar to the disks described above for iris repair, which has the same limitations of being an immobile disk that cannot change the pupil size. There are also surgical methods, including the use of a laser designed to cause cells in the eye to phagocytize melanin and therefore change the colour of a darker (e.g. brown) iris to a blue iris without pigment. This process however is not currently easily reversible, and would likely only be able to conceivably lighten, but not darken the colour of the iris.
SUMMARY
According to some aspects, an intraocular prosthesis system includes (a) an optical device implantable in an eye, the optical device having at least one adjustable optical element operable to vary a depth of field for the eye; and (b) a controller configured to control adjustment of the optical element for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the system further includes one or more environment sensors for detecting environmental conditions and generating environment sensor signals indicative of the environmental conditions, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based at least on the environment sensor signals to provide a suitable depth of field for the environmental conditions.
In some examples, the environmental conditions comprise a distance to one or more objects of interest. In some examples, the one or more sensors include a rangefinder operable to estimate the distance to the one or more objects of interest and generate rangefinder signals indicative of the distance, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based on at least the rangefinder signals to provide the suitable depth of field.
In some examples, the environmental conditions comprise environmental illumination. In some examples, the one or more sensors include at least one illumination sensor operable to measure the environmental illumination and generate illumination signals indicative of the environmental illumination, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based on at least the illumination signals to provide the suitable depth of field.
In some examples, the system further includes one or more intraocular sensors for detecting intraocular conditions and generating intraocular sensor signals indicative of the intraocular conditions, and the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based on the intraocular sensor signals to provide a suitable depth of field for the intraocular conditions. In some examples, the intraocular conditions comprise electrical activity in the eye corresponding to, in some examples, contraction of the ciliary body in the eye.
In some examples, the optical element comprises at least one optical portion and an occlusion mechanism operable by the controller to transition the optical portion between a transparent state in which the optical portion is generally transparent for providing a first depth of field for the eye and an occluded state in which the optical portion is at least partially occluded relative to the transparent state for providing a second depth of field for the eye, the second depth of field different from the first depth of field.
In some examples, the occlusion mechanism is configured to transition the optical portion through at least one of electrochromism and electrodeposition.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises at least one of: (i) one or more diffractive zones and (ii) one or more refractive zones.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises an array of meta-lens wave-guide structures.
In some examples, the occlusion mechanism comprises an adjustable aperture stop operable by the controller to adjust an aperture size for the eye for varying the depth of field. In some examples, the at least one optical element comprises a plurality of the optical portions arranged concentrically, and the occlusion mechanism is configured to reversibly occlude each optical portion independently for adjusting the aperture size.
In some examples, the at least one optical element comprises at least one optical portion having an adjustable morphology, and a morphology adjustment mechanism operable by the controller to transition the optical portion between at least a first morphology for providing a first depth of field for the eye and a second morphology for providing a second depth of field for the eye, the second depth of field different from the first depth of field.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises a lens surface adjustable between the first morphology and the second morphology.
In some examples, the first morphology corresponds to an aspheric shape, and the second morphology corresponds to a spheric shape relative to the aspheric shape.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises one or more diffractive zones adjustable between the first morphology and the second morphology.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises an array of meta-lens wave-guide structures adjustable between the first morphology and the second morphology.
In some examples, the at least one optical element comprises at least one optical portion having an adjustable refractive index and a refraction adjustment mechanism operable by the controller to adjust the refractive index for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the at least one optical portion comprises a lens casing having an internal chamber containing nematic liquid crystal, and the refraction adjustment mechanism comprises one or more electrodes adjacent the chamber and operable by the controller to apply an electric field to the nematic liquid crystal for adjusting the refractive index to change the depth of field for the eye.
In some examples, the lens casing and the nematic liquid crystal have a common first refractive index corresponding to a first depth of field for the eye in absence of the electric field, and wherein the lens casing has the first refractive index and the nematic liquid crystal has a second refractive index different from the first refractive index when the electric field is applied to provide a second depth of field for the eye.
In some examples, the lens casing includes an exterior lens surface having a first lens shape, and an interior lens surface defining at least a portion of the internal chamber and having a second lens shape different from the first lens shape.
In some examples, one of the first lens shape and the second lens shape is spheric relative to the other one of the first lens shape and the second lens shape, and the other one of the first lens shape and the second lens shape is aspheric relative to the one of the first lens shape and the second lens shape.
In some examples, the optic element comprises an adjustable meta-lens assembly operable to vary the depth of field for the eye, and the controller is configured to control adjustment of the meta-lens assembly for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the meta-lens assembly includes at least one array of meta-lens wave-guide structures, and a wave-guide adjustment mechanism for adjusting properties of the wave-guide structures to vary the depth of field.
In some examples, the wave-guide adjustment mechanism comprises an occlusion mechanism configured to reversibly occlude at least a portion of the at least one array for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the occlusion mechanism is configured to reversibly occlude the at least a portion of the array through at least one of electrodeposition and electrochromism.
In some examples, the at least one array comprises at least one first set of wave-guide structures and at least one second set of wave-guide structures, and wherein the occlusion mechanism is configured to reversibly occlude at least one of the first set and the second set of wave-guide structures while the other one of the first set and the second set of wave-guide structures remains unoccluded to vary the depth of field. In some examples, the first set is configured for near vision focus, and the second set is configured for distance vision focus. In some examples, the occlusion mechanism is configured to reversibly occlude the first set of wave-guide structures while the second set remains unoccluded to facilitate distance vision focus. In some examples, each of the first set and the second set is concentric with an axis of the meta-lens assembly, and the second set is radially inward of the first set.
In some examples, each wave-guide structure projects from a substrate along a central axis and has a cross-sectional area normal to the axis, and wherein the cross-sectional area is adjustable for varying the depth of field. In some examples, the wave-guide structures comprise electrodeposition sites, the electrodeposition sites platable with ions from an electrolyte medium to increase the cross-sectional area and strippable of the ions to reduce the cross-sectional area.
In some examples, adjacent wave-guide structures have a wave-guide gap therebetween through which electromagnetic radiation is guided, and a size of the wave-guide gap between at least some of the adjacent wave-guide structures is adjustable for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the wave-guide adjustment mechanism comprises a morphology adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a morphology of the at least one array for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, adjacent wave-guide structures have a center-to-center distance, and the center-to-center distance of at least some of the wave-guide structures is adjustable by the morphology adjustment mechanism for varying the depth of field.
In some examples, the meta-lens assembly comprises a deformable substrate from which the wave-guide structures project, and the morphology adjustment mechanism is configured to deform at least a portion of the substrate for adjusting the center-to-center distance.
According to some aspects, an optical platform system includes (a) a substrate implantable in an eye, the substrate having an aperture stop defining an aperture for the eye; (b) at least one sensor coupled to the substrate for monitoring one or more properties of the eye; (c) an upgrade interface on the substrate for installation of an optical element over the aperture stop; and (d) a controller for controlling operation of the platform system.
In some examples, the upgrade interface comprises a recessed area in the substrate, the recessed area shaped to receive the optical element.
In some examples, the upgrade interface comprises at least one connector configured to connect the optical element when received in the recess for communication between the optical element and platform components.
In some examples, wherein the upgrade interface comprises actuators for moving the optical element into alignment with a specific visual axis.
In some examples, the system further includes at least one coil coupled to the substrate for receiving wireless signals, the coil in communication with the controller.
In some examples, the substrate is flexible to facilitate implantation thereof.
In some examples, the at least one sensor is configured for sensing electrical activity in the eye.
According to some aspects, a method of measuring an analyte in aqueous humour of an eye includes: (a) transmitting electromagnetic radiation through the aqueous humour and onto a prosthetic iris device implanted in the eye posterior of the aqueous humour; (b) detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected from the aqueous humour and the iris device; and (c) determining an analyte value for the analyte based at least in part on the electromagnetic radiation detected in step (b).
In some examples, step (c) includes determining one or more apparent optical properties of the aqueous humor and iris device based on the electromagnetic radiation detected in step (b), and comparing the apparent optical properties to one or more corresponding baseline optical properties for the aqueous humour and iris device.
In some examples, step (c) includes generating at least one image of the aqueous humour and iris device based on the electromagnetic radiation detected in step (b), and identifying a deviation in one or more image properties between the at least one image and one or more baseline images for the aqueous humour and iris device, the deviation corresponding to the analyte value. In some examples, the electromagnetic radiation comprises laser light, and the analyte level is determined at least in part through laser spectroscopy. In some examples, the electromagnetic radiation comprises polarized light, and the analyte value is determined based at least in part through polarimetry.
In some examples, during step (b), the iris device is in a first state, and the method further comprises (d) transitioning the iris device to a second state different from the first state, and (e) detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected from the aqueous humour and the iris device in the second state. In some examples, step (c) includes determining the analyte value based further on the electromagnetic radiation detected in step (e).
In some examples, the first state corresponds to a first value of an optical property of the iris device and the second state corresponds to a second value of the optical property, the second value different from the first value. In some examples, the optical property comprises reflectance.
In some examples, the method further includes applying a charge voltage to transition the iris device from the first state to the second state. In some examples, the charge voltage is applied between a working electrode and a counter electrode of the iris device. In some examples, transitioning the iris device from the first state to the second state comprises at least one of: nanoplating the working electrode with ions from an electrolyte in the iris device, and stripping the working electrode of the ions. In some examples, the charge voltage is applied according to a predetermined polarity, magnitude, and duration.
In some examples, the analyte value corresponds to blood glucose level.
According to some aspects, a dynamic light modulating ocular device with at least one changing light property includes: an optically adjustable element, the adjustable element having at least one sub-component that dynamically modulates light transmission for at least a portion of a spectral range of incoming electromagnetic energy; and a controller that is communicatively coupled to the optically adjustable element to control the modulation of the electromagnetic energy by the optically adjustable element.
In some examples, the device further includes a transparent, biocompatible coating sealing at least the adjustable element.
In some examples, the at least one sub-component is adapted to dynamically modulate light transmission by implementing one of a chemical, electrochemical, mechanical, or electromechanical process.
In some examples, the at least one sub-component comprises one or more of at least one reversible nanoplating electrode, electrochromic material, suspended particles, nanocrystals, and MEMS sheets of metal having a micrometer scale that bend and stretch when receiving an applied voltage.
In some examples, the at least one sub-component is adapted to dynamically modulate light transmission by changing at least one of reflectance, absorbance, and polarization of the incoming electromagnetic energy.
In some examples, the device is designed to be implanted intraocularly or placed outside of a user's eye.
In some examples, the device includes at least one tracking marker that reflects or emits electromagnetic energy, including visible light and radiofrequency energy, to allow for tracking of the visual axis of the eye in which the device is implanted.
In some examples, the device further comprises at least one intraocular lens located at a front, rear, or central portion of the device. In some examples, the at least one intraocular lens comprises a stack of monofocal or multifocal intraocular lenses.
In some examples, the coating comprises a channel to allow for fluid ingress or fluid egress through the device to prevent build-up of fluid and increased pressure when the device is located inside an eye.
In some examples, the coating is water impermeable and transparent. In at least one embodiment, the coating has a hydrophobic external surface.
In some examples, the device further comprises one or more light sources controllable by the controller to project light signals directly onto a retina of the eye in which the device is implanted. In some examples, the light source comprises at least one of an OLED, an LED, and a laser light source. In some examples, the light signals are for communicating information to a person having the eye in which the device is implanted.
In some examples, the device further comprises at least one electrode within the coating and disposed adjacent to the at least one sub-component to control an area thereof that is used to modulate the incoming electromagnetic energy.
In some examples, the device further comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, and at least one charge storage element within the coating, the first and second electrodes coupled to the at least one charge storage element for receiving different amounts of charge during use to provide different voltages to the at least one subcomponent of the optically adjustable element for changing an adjustable light transmission property of the device during operation.
In some examples, the optically adjustable element has at least two sections that are separately controllable by the controller to modulate the incoming electromagnetic energy in different ways to communicate information to a person having an eye in which the device is implanted.
In some examples, the device further comprises a transmitter communicatively coupled to the controller to control at least one portion of the optically adjustable element wirelessly. In some examples, the at least one portion of the optically adjustable element is controlled wirelessly to communicate information to a person having an eye in which the device is implanted.
In some examples, the optically adjustable element is controlled wirelessly to decrease or increase transmission of electromagnetic energy through the device to, for example, communicate with a person having an eye in which the device is implanted.
In some examples, the optically adjustable element comprises multiple elements that are individually controllable to modulate incoming electromagnetic energy for communicating information to a person having an eye in which the device is implanted.
In some examples, the information includes at least one of directional information and coded information.
In some examples, the device further comprises one or more lenses arranged to one another to manipulate a focus of incoming light.
In some examples, the device further comprises one or more micro electromechanical actuators that are coupled to the one or more lenses to adjust at least one of an angle and location of the lenses. In some examples, the device further comprises at least one layer of micro piezo-electric actuators disposed on the outer surface of the coating and configured to at least one of sense and move the device within its implanted space. In some examples, the implanted space includes a lenticular capsular bag.
In some examples, the device further comprises an antenna that is disposed on or within the coating for at least one of receiving a wireless signal from an external device and sending a wireless signal to the external device, the wireless signal for initiating one or more operations associated with the device. The operations comprise at least one of controlling the device, providing energy for the device, transmitting data to the external device, and transmitting data to the ocular device. In some examples, the external device comprises a mobile device. The mobile device can be, for example, a smart phone, an ear bud, and/or another device that can be transported (e.g. held or worn) by a user.
In some examples, the controller is configured to determine whether one or more security conditions are satisfied prior to performing an operation based on an operation request received from the external device, and to perform the operation only if the security conditions are satisfied. In some examples, the one or more security conditions are based on at least one of proximity of the external device to the ocular device and signals emitted from the external device.
In some examples, the optically adjustable element is controllable to change a position of a central optical aperture of the device to optimize a path of incoming light.
In some examples, the device further comprises a rangefinder adapted to provide a signal to control the optically adjustable element to increase a size of an aperture when the distance of a detected object is larger than a distance threshold or to decrease the aperture of the device when the distance of the detected object is smaller than the distance threshold.
According to some aspects, a dynamic light modulating device with at least one adjustable optical property comprises: an optically adjustable element adapted to dynamically modulate incoming electromagnetic energy through nanoplating, the optically adjustable element including at least one stack having: at least one working electrode having a substrate and a plurality of deposition sites that are reversibly nanoplatable through electrodeposition to adjust the optical property; at least one counter electrode; a non-conducting spacer separating the at least one working electrode and the at least one counter electrode; an electrolyte medium between the at least one working electrode and the at least one counter electrode to facilitate the electrodeposition; and an inert coating sealing the device. The working electrodes (or portions thereof) are generally transparent when not plated.
In some examples, the substrate is made of inert material and is structured for providing the deposition sites.
In some examples, the substrate has a surface that faces the electrolyte medium and the plurality of deposition sites are formed on the surface of the substrate.
In some examples, the device is flexible to facilitate implantation into the eye.
In some examples, the device further comprises at least one coil that functions as an antenna for receiving at least one of communication signals, power, and voltage to activate the device wirelessly via induction.
In some examples, the device further comprises an integrated circuit configured to generate and provide control signals to at least one of sensors an actuators on the device, and control power usage, signal reception, and signal transmission for the device.
In some examples, the deposition sites are formed of metallic nanowires. In some examples, the metallic nanowires are made of a noble metal. In some examples the noble metal comprises platinum.
In some examples, the deposition sites are formed on the surface of the at least one transparent electrode and comprise nanowires made of silver or another conductive metal, with platinum or other noble metal coating or seeding.
In some examples, the deposition sites comprise carbon. In some examples the carbon includes at least one of graphene and carbon nano-tubes with a platinum or other noble metal coating or seeding.
In some examples, the deposition sites comprise Tin Oxide with platinum or other noble metal coating or seeding. In some examples, the Tin Oxide comprises at least one of Indium Tin Oxide and Fluorine Tin Oxide.
In some examples, the electrolyte comprises metal ions that are platable onto at least some deposition sites on the at least one transparent electrode during use in a reversible fashion when a charge voltage applied across the at least one working electrode and the counter electrode.
In some examples, the metal ions comprise at least one of gold, copper, silver, and a non-ferromagnetic metal.
In some examples, the counter electrode is made of at least one of gold, silver, copper, and a non-ferromagnetic metal.
In some examples, the device further includes a transparent backplate within the coating, the transparent backplate provided by an additional optical element arranged on a side of the device opposite a first one of the at least one working electrode, wherein the counter electrode is positioned intermediate the first one of the at least one working electrode and the backplate. In some examples, the first one of the at least one working electrode, the backplate, and the spacer at least partially enclose a chamber holding the electrolyte medium.
In some examples, the backplate comprises at least one of clear transparent film and a lens surface.
In some examples, the least one working electrode has a plurality of patterns of deposition sites that are electrically isolated and controllable by separate circuits to achieve different nanoplating patterns. In some examples, the nanoplating patterns comprises at least one of (1) multiple concentric rings for variable pupil size and (2) nasal and temporal portions for directional augmented reality.
In some examples, the at least one working electrode comprises a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode.
In some examples, the first electrode has a first plurality of deposition sites to provide a first pattern when the first electrode is plated and the second electrode has a second plurality of deposition sites to provide a second pattern different from the first pattern when the second transparent electrode is plated.
In some examples, the first and second patterns provide the device with different sized apertures when one of the first or second electrodes receives plating.
In some examples, when the first and second electrodes do not receive plating, a portion of the device covered by the first and second electrodes is transparent.
In some examples, when the first and second electrodes both receive plating at the same time a portion of the device covered by the first and second transparent electrodes is opaque.
In some examples, the first and second aperture patterns each apply a different modulation to incoming electromagnetic energy, wherein when only the first electrode receives plating the incoming electromagnetic energy is modulated to have a first type of polarization and when only the second electrode receives plating the incoming electromagnetic energy is modulated to have a second type of polarization.
In some examples, the device comprises one or more transparent porous electrodes disposed within the electrolyte medium, wherein a given porous electrode is electrically isolated from other electrodes in the device and is selectively platable with ions from the electrolyte medium during use to reversibly modify a transparency of the porous electrode when a charge voltage is applied thereto.
In some examples, reversible plating of ions from the electrolyte medium on the porous electrode is controlled by applying charge voltages to the electrode either independently or together with the at least one working electrode or an additional porous electrode.
In some examples, the porous electrodes have a different plurality of deposition sites to provide the device with at least one of different aperture patterns, different aperture sizes, different modulations of incoming electromagnetic energy, and changes in speed of aperture formation when the additional porous electrodes are nano-plated alone or in combination with other electrodes of the device.
In some examples, the device comprises a reservoir of additional electrolyte medium, the additional electrolyte medium in fluid communication with each electrode to provide additional ions to facilitate faster plating. In some examples, the reservoir of additional electrolyte medium is located outside of a visual axis of the adjustable element.
In some examples, the at least one working electrode has a plurality of deposition sites arranged so that the plating occurs when a charge voltage is applied to the at least one working electrode to form at least one plated pattern. In some examples, the plated pattern provides an aperture having an adjustable shape or size.
In some examples, the device further comprises multiple stacks positioned on top of one another where each stack comprises different working electrodes with respective patterns of deposition sites that are different in each stack to provide different apertures, patterns, or combinations thereof, when the different working electrodes receive charge voltages either independently or together to undergo nanoplating.
In some examples, the electrodeposition sites are arranged to provide microgates when plated, the microgates for adjusting the transparency and reflectivity to specific electromagnetic wavelengths.
In some examples, a plurality of deposition sites have locations, shapes, and periodicities that are predefined to, when plated, reflect a specific portion of the spectral wavelengths of incoming electromagnetic energy, while transmitting and/or absorbing other spectral wavelengths of the incoming electromagnetic energy.
In some examples, the locations, shapes, and periodicities of the deposition sites are arranged to provide a plurality of branches that create a black appearance for at least one portion of the at least one working electrode when plating occurs on the at least one working electrode by reflecting the incoming electromagnetic energy internally and absorbing the incoming electromagnetic energy.
In some examples, the locations of the deposition sites are shaped and spaced to intentionally reflect wavelengths corresponding to a certain visible color of the incoming light while absorbing or intentionally transmitting wavelengths of the other visible colors of the incoming light to allow the device to have a color that is the same as a targeted reflected visible color to allow the user to view wavelengths corresponding to the transmitted wavelengths.
In some examples, the coating is water impermeable and transparent. In at least one embodiment, the coating has a hydrophobic external surface.
According to some aspects, an intraocular optical platform system for powering and controlling an intraocular device wirelessly, the intraocular device being defined according to any one of the embodiments described in accordance with the teachings herein, wherein the platform system comprises at least one coil for receiving wireless signals for communication or power purposes; and a controller that is coupled to the at least one coil and is configured for generating control signals based on the received wireless signals.
In some examples, the platform system further includes at least one energy storage element for storing energy to provide power for the platform system.
In some examples, the at least one energy storage element comprises at least one of a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a battery, an RF energy harvester, and a metamaterial RF energy harvester.
In some examples, the platform system comprises at least one sensor and the controller is coupled with the at least one sensor and the at least one coil to receive data measured by the at least one sensor and transmit the measured data to an external device.
In some examples, the at least one sensor comprises at least one biomarker sensor for monitoring a corresponding biomarker level in an intraocular fluid space of an eye when the platform is implanted in the eye, wherein the at least one biomarker sensor comprises at least one of a glucose sensor, a protein sensor, an enzyme sensor, a cytokinin sensor, a pressure sensor, a spectrometer, and a motion sensor.
In some examples, the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor that is configured to monitor the pressure in a portion of the eye in which the platform is located.
In some examples, the at least one sensor comprises a sensor for sensing, either directly or indirectly, electrical activity corresponding to an intentional innervation or contraction of a ciliary muscle by measuring changes in electrical charge at the position of the sensor, or measuring changes in mechanical force at the position of the sensor.
In some examples, the platform system further comprises a memory chip that is coupled to the controller and configured to store the measured data from the at least one sensor with a time stamp to reduce a frequency of communication between the platform and an external device.
In some examples, the platform system further comprises at least one photovoltaic element or at least one photodiode adapted to supply power to the device.
In some examples, the platform system further comprises self-centering elements that are disposed at peripheral edges of the platform and are configured to center the platform system when implanted in an eye.
In some examples, the self-centering elements include sensors to measure ciliary body contraction or electrical activity at the location of the sensors of the self-centering elements in the eye.
In some examples, the platform system further comprises piezo-electric devices that generate energy when the piezo-electric devices are activated either directly or indirectly by the contraction of the ciliary body muscle and the generated energy for sensing the presence of contractions and/or supply voltage to the platform.
In some examples, the platform system further comprises an upgrade interface module having a port with connectors for connection with upgraded components for upgrading the platform system.
In some examples, the platform system further comprises a communication chip that is configured to relay information from the controller to an external device.
In some examples, the communication chip comprises a Bluetooth low energy chip or an RFID.
In some examples, the device further comprises a plurality of micro-reservoirs of micro-dosed medication releasable to provide the medication to the eye in which the platform system is implanted when a wireless signal is sent to the controller or a condition requiring the medication is sensed.
According to some aspects, a method of measuring accommodation convergence in a person's eye comprises: implanting a device with electromagnetic markers in or on the eye; tracking the electromagnetic markers in 3-dimension space and time, using an observing device having a sensor, where the electromagnetic markers are tracked relative to each other and to a standard position of the observing device to generate a tracked pattern; and determining that accommodation convergence is occurring when the relative positions, torsional movements and 3-dimensional movements of the markers relative to each other over time in the tracked pattern are the same as a pre-defined pattern for the person where the pre-defined pattern is obtained when the person's eye undergoes accommodation convergence.
According to some aspects, a method of compensating for accommodative convergence that occurs in an eye comprises: detecting that accommodative convergence has occurred in the eye; and increasing a depth of field of the eye by decreasing an aperture size of a device that is implanted in or on the eye and the device provides a variable aperture by using an electrochemical, electromechanical, or mechanical mechanism.
According to some aspects, a method of controlling and/or powering a device located in the eye and having an optically adjustable element comprises: sending an electrical, RF, or electromagnetic control signal from an external device; receiving the control signal by a sensor or a receiver at the optically adjustable element; and initiating an electrical, electro-mechanical, electro-chemical or chemical process at the optically adjustable element in response to the received control signal.
In some examples, the method comprises controlling separate sections of the optically adjustable element to modulate incoming light individually or together according to spatial and/or temporal patterns that are encoded in the control signal, to communicate with an individual who uses the optically adjustable element.
In some examples, the device comprises an upgrade interface module and the method further comprises upgrading the device by: connecting a new component to the upgrade interface module while the device is implanted in the eye.
According to some aspects, a method of implanting a device into a user's eye, the device defined according to any one of the appropriate embodiments described herein, comprises: making an incision in the eye; inserting a portion of the device through the incision in the eye; inserting remaining components of the device through the incision; and assembling the components of the device while the components are in the eye.
In some examples, the device comprises an upgrade interface module and the method further comprises upgrading the device by connecting a new component to the upgrade interface module.
According to some aspects, a method of decreasing dysphotopsias and night vision symptoms associated with a multifocal intraocular lens having diffractive elements for a person having an existing intraocular lens and a switchable implanted device that is defined according to any one of the appropriate embodiments described herein, comprises: implanting the device with a specific orientation and positioning to align portions of the device that undergo nanoplating during use with corresponding portions of the multifocal intraocular lens where at least one of the diffractive elements is located such that when nanoplating at the portions of the device occurs to create opaque zones, the corresponding portions of the multifocal intraocular are masked by the opaque zones to decrease night vision symptoms; controlling the device to activate nanoplating either manually with an external device or automatically via a learning predictive algorithm when the person is not interested in reading and wishes to see objects at a distance without stray light and dysphotopsias caused by certain diffractive elements of the multifocal lens; and controlling the device to undergo reverse nanoplating either (1) manually via the external device when the user wishes to read to remove the opaque zones of the device that are in front of certain diffractive components of the lens, or (2) automatically when the learning predictive algorithm predicts a likelihood of reading for the person.
According to some aspects, a method of decreasing dysphotopsias and night vision symptoms associated with a refractive zonal lens having zonal refractive elements for a person having an existing intraocular lens and a switchable device that is defined according to any one of the appropriate embodiments described herein, comprises: implanting the device with a specific orientation and positioning to align portions of the device that undergo nanoplating during use with corresponding portions of the refractive zonal lens where at least one of the refractive elements is located such that when the nanoplating at the portions of the device occurs to create opaque zones, the corresponding portions of the refractive zonal lens are masked by the opaque zones; controlling the device to activate nanoplating either (1) manually with an external device when the person wishes to see objects at a distance without stray light and dysphotopsias caused by the zonal refractive components and the person is not interested in reading, or (2) automatically with a learning predictive algorithm that predicts a likelihood of the person not reading; and controlling the device to undergo reverse nanoplating either (1) manually via the external device when the user wishes to read to remove the opaque zones of the device that are in front of certain zonal refractive components of the lens, or (2) automatically when the learning predictive algorithm predicts a likelihood of reading for the person.
In some examples, the lens comprises two or more refractive zones and the portions of the device are nanoplated to modulate incoming light so light is not transmitted to at least one of the refractive zones and the lens functions as a regular monofocal lens to improve visual comfort and visual function.
In some examples, the lens comprises one or more diffractive optical elements and the portions of the device are nanoplated to modulate incoming light so light is not transmitted to at least one of the one or more diffractive optical elements of the lens to improve visual comfort and visual function when the individual wishes to see distance with minimal stray light or dysphotopsias.
In some examples, the lens comprises one or more phase shift elements and the portions of the device are nanoplated to modulate incoming light so light is not transmitted to at least one of the one or more phase shift elements of the lens to improve visual comfort and visual function when the user wishes to see distance vision with minimal stray light or dysphotopsias.
According to some aspects, a method of improving dark adaptation of a user by controlling an amount of light that enters into an eye of a person when the eye includes a device for modulating incoming light, the device being defined according to any one of the appropriate embodiments described herein, comprises: controlling the device to decrease an aperture of the device to minimize the amount of light transmitted through the device to allow for increased dark adaptation to occur in the eye under ordinary illumination; and controlling the device to rapidly increase the aperture of the device to increase and allow for increased light transmission when the user is suddenly transitioned into a dark environment, wherein the device is controlled either by direct communication from the person to the device and/or is triggered by a sensor that is used to sense when the visual environment of the person is either suddenly darkened or ambient lighting is lowered acutely in a short period of time that is faster than the person is naturally able to dark adapt to ambient illumination in the person's visual environment.
According to some aspects, a method of controlling an amount of light that enters into an eye of a person when the eye includes a device for modulating incoming light, the device being defined according to any one of the appropriate embodiments described herein, comprises: controlling the device to decrease an aperture of the device to increase the depth of field for the person to allow the person to read or view a near object in detail; wherein the device is controlled either by communication with a controller of the device by the person, or the controller is triggered by a sensor or a reading algorithm that is used to predict a likelihood that the person wishes to read something at a near distance wherein the reading algorithm takes into account the person's level of focus, context and visual task.
According to some aspects, a method of optimizing a visual dynamic range of a person by controlling an amount of light that enters into an eye of the person when the eye includes a device for modulating incoming light, the device being defined according to any one of the appropriate embodiments described herein and being configured to provide variable aperture sizes, comprises: determining optimal aperture sizes for a maximum functional dynamic range for performing a given task under different ambient lighting conditions for the person; detecting a change in illumination in an environment of the person; and providing an applied voltage of a predetermined charge, pattern, magnitude and duration when the change in illumination is detected to change the aperture size of the device to one of the optimal aperture sizes for the illumination of the environment of the person to result in the optimal dynamic range for a task for a specific individual.
In another broad aspect, a method is provided of improving regulation of circadian rhythm of a person by controlling an amount of light that enters into an eye of the person when the eye includes a device for modulating incoming light, the device being defined according to any one of the appropriate embodiments described herein, and being configured to provide variable aperture sizes, wherein the method comprises: (a) detecting ambient illumination levels at various time points throughout the day using at least one illumination sensor; (b) determining an effective pupil size based on the detected ambient illumination level at a given time point and the person's circadian rhythm for the given time point; a
CLAIMS
Claims ( 20 )
The invention claimed is:
1. An intraocular prosthesis system, comprising:
a) an intraocular device implantable in an eye, the intraocular device having at least one adjustable optical element operable to vary a depth of field for the eye;
b) a controller configured to control adjustment of the at least one adjustable optical element for varying the depth of field, wherein the at least one adjustable optical element comprises at least one optical portion having an adjustable morphology, and a morphology adjustment mechanism operable by the controller to transition the at least one optical portion between at least a first morphology for providing a first depth of field for the eye and a second morphology for providing a second depth of field for the eye, the second depth of field different from the first depth of field; and
c) one or more environment sensors for detecting environmental conditions and generating environment sensor signals indicative of the environmental conditions, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based at least on the environment sensor signals to provide a suitable depth of field for the environmental conditions,
wherein the optical portion is formed of a deformable material configured to hold the first morphology when at rest and deformable by the morphology adjustment mechanism toward the second morphology,
wherein the morphology adjustment mechanism comprises one or more electrodes coupled to the material, and the material is deformable from the first morphology to the second morphology through application of an electrical current via the electrodes, and
wherein the first morphology corresponds to an aspheric shape, and the second morphology corresponds to a spheric shape relative to the aspheric shape.
2. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one optical portion comprises a lens surface adjustable between the first morphology and the second morphology.
3. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 1 , wherein the deformable material reverts back to the first morphology absent the electrical current.
4. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 1 , wherein the environmental conditions comprise a distance to one or more objects of interest.
5. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 1 , wherein the environmental conditions comprise environmental illumination.
6. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more intraocular sensors for detecting intraocular conditions and generating intraocular sensor signals indicative of the intraocular conditions, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based on the intraocular sensor signals to provide a suitable depth of field for the intraocular conditions.
7. An intraocular prosthesis system, comprising:
a) an intraocular device implantable in an eye, the intraocular device having at least one adjustable optical element operable to vary a depth of field for the eye;
b) a controller configured to control adjustment of the at least one adjustable optical element for varying the depth of field, wherein the at least one adjustable optical element comprises at least one optical portion having an adjustable morphology, and a morphology adjustment mechanism operable by the controller to transition the at least one optical portion between at least a first morphology for providing a first depth of field for the eye and a second morphology for providing a second depth of field for the eye, the second depth of field different from the first depth of field; and
c) one or more environment sensors for detecting environmental conditions and generating environment sensor signals indicative of the environmental conditions, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based at least on the environment sensor signals to provide a suitable depth of field for the environmental conditions,
wherein the optical portion is formed of a deformable material configured to hold the first morphology when at rest and deformable by the morphology adjustment mechanism toward the second morphology,
wherein the morphology adjustment mechanism comprises one or more electrodes coupled to the material, and the material is deformable from the first morphology to the second morphology through application of an electrical current via the electrodes, and
wherein the at least one optical portion comprises one or more diffractive zones adjustable between the first morphology and the second morphology.
8. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 7 , wherein the diffractive zones comprise portions of a diffractive lens surface.
9. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 8 , wherein the diffractive lens surface is deformable by the morphology adjustment mechanism from the first morphology to the second morphology to smoothen the diffractive lens surface for adjusting diffractive properties of the optical portion to vary the depth of field.
10. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 7 , wherein the deformable material reverts back to the first morphology absent the electrical current.
11. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 7 , wherein the environmental conditions comprise a distance to one or more objects of interest.
12. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 7 , wherein the environmental conditions comprise environmental illumination.
13. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 7 , further comprising one or more intraocular sensors for detecting intraocular conditions and generating intraocular sensor signals indicative of the intraocular conditions, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based on the intraocular sensor signals to provide a suitable depth of field for the intraocular conditions.
14. An intraocular prosthesis system, comprising:
a) an intraocular device implantable in an eye, the intraocular device having at least one adjustable optical element operable to vary a depth of field for the eye;
b) a controller configured to control adjustment of the at least one adjustable optical element for varying the depth of field, wherein the at least one adjustable optical element comprises at least one optical portion having an adjustable morphology, and a morphology adjustment mechanism operable by the controller to transition the at least one optical portion between at least a first morphology for providing a first depth of field for the eye and a second morphology for providing a second depth of field for the eye, the second depth of field different from the first depth of field; and
c) one or more intraocular sensors for detecting intraocular conditions and generating intraocular sensor signals indicative of the intraocular conditions, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based on the intraocular sensor signals to provide a suitable depth of field for the intraocular conditions,
wherein the optical portion is formed of a deformable material configured to hold the first morphology when at rest and deformable by the morphology adjustment mechanism toward the second morphology,
wherein the morphology adjustment mechanism comprises one or more electrodes coupled to the material, and the material is deformable from the first morphology to the second morphology through application of an electrical current via the electrodes, and
wherein the first morphology corresponds to an aspheric shape, and the second morphology corresponds to a spheric shape relative to the aspheric shape.
15. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one optical portion comprises a lens surface adjustable between the first morphology and the second morphology.
16. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 14 , wherein the intraocular conditions comprise electrical activity in the eye.
17. An intraocular prosthesis system, comprising:
a) an intraocular device implantable in an eye, the intraocular device having at least one adjustable optical element operable to vary a depth of field for the eye;
b) a controller configured to control adjustment of the at least one adjustable optical element for varying the depth of field, wherein the at least one adjustable optical element comprises at least one optical portion having an adjustable morphology, and a morphology adjustment mechanism operable by the controller to transition the at least one optical portion between at least a first morphology for providing a first depth of field for the eye and a second morphology for providing a second depth of field for the eye, the second depth of field different from the first depth of field; and
c) one or more intraocular sensors for detecting intraocular conditions and generating intraocular sensor signals indicative of the intraocular conditions, and wherein the controller is configured to control adjustment of the optical element based on the intraocular sensor signals to provide a suitable depth of field for the intraocular conditions,
wherein the optical portion is formed of a deformable material configured to hold the first morphology when at rest and deformable by the morphology adjustment mechanism toward the second morphology,
wherein the morphology adjustment mechanism comprises one or more electrodes coupled to the material, and the material is deformable from the first morphology to the second morphology through application of an electrical current via the electrodes, and
wherein the at least one optical portion comprises one or more diffractive zones adjustable between the first morphology and the second morphology.
18. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 17 , wherein the diffractive zones comprise portions of a diffractive lens surface.
19. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 18 , wherein the diffractive lens surface is deformable by the morphology adjustment mechanism from the first morphology to the second morphology to smoothen the diffractive lens surface for adjusting diffractive properties of the optical portion to vary the depth of field.
20. The intraocular prosthesis system of claim 17 , wherein the intraocular conditions comprise electrical activity in the eye.
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US11213383B2
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US20240350257A1
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US10973625B2
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WO2020107127A1
( en )
2020-06-04
US20210353407A1
( en )
2021-11-18
US20210186680A1
( en )
2021-06-24
US12023239B2
( en )
2024-07-02
US20210220119A1
( en )
2021-07-22
US20210286201A1
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2021-09-16
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US20210015604A1
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2021-01-21
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