DYNAMIC MULTIFOCAL CONTACT LENS

• US 20120206691A1
• Filed: 02/10/2012
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Benjamin T. Iwai
• Original Assignee: Benjamin T. Iwai
• Inventors: Iwai, Benjamin T.
• Application Number:
  US13/370,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20120206691A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/159.03
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/041 bifocal; multifocal
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/085 Fluid-filled lenses, e.g. electro-wetting lenses

Abstract

An dynamic multiple focus contact lens has at least one transparent layer with a first annular electromagnet and a second annular electromagnet, a transparent pupil allowing passage of light through the at least one layer, at least one loop antenna in communication with the electromagnets, and a transmitter for activating the electromagnets. The at least one layer has a first shape similar to a circular segment that follows the surface of the cornea. The first shape has a first focal length, or power. Upon initiation by a user, a transmitter sends a signal to the loop antenna which energizes the electromagnets to mutually attract causing the at least one layer to deflect and the central portion of the first layer to deform outwardly forming the layer into a second shape. The second shape has a second power, stronger than the first shape.

Claims

1. A dynamic multiple focus contact lens, said lens being suitable for application upon a human cornea and avoiding damage thereto, and said lens having an initial prescribed strength, comprising:

at least one layer having a generally round shape with a perimeter, front surface, an opposite rear surface, and an outer edge spanning from said front surface to said rear surface upon said perimeter, a pupil through said at least one layer, said at least one layer being transparent, and having a tapering upon said front surface outwardly from said pupil;

at least one annular electromagnet embedded within said at least one layer;

at least one power receiver in said at least one layer and in electrical communication with said at least one electromagnet,

a radio transmitter capable of signaling said power receiver;

wherein said at least one layer provides a first shape to said lens having a first optical characteristic for distance vision correction and wherein said at least one power receiver supplies a maintenance current to said at least one electromagnet; and

,

wherein upon activation of said transmitter, said power receiver energizes and delivers current to said at least one electromagnet providing a second shape to said front surface having a second optical characteristic for near vision correction adding from about +0 diopter to about +3.0 diopters greater than the initial prescription of said lens.

2. The dynamic multiple focus contact lens of claim 1 further comprising:

a first annular electromagnet embedded within said layer proximate said front surface and a power receiver in communication with said first electromagnet;

a second annular electromagnet embedded within said layer proximate said rear surface and a power receiver in communication with said second electromagnet;

said rear surface being adapted to fit upon a portion of a human cornea for vision improvement and said front surface adapted to locate outwardly from a human cornea;

wherein a gap separates said first electromagnet from said second electromagnet in a disengaged position of said lens having the first optical characteristic;

wherein upon activation of said transmitter, each of said power receivers energizes and delivers current to each of said electromagnets attracting said first electromagnet to said second electromagnet wherein a portion of said front surface of said layer swells within said first electromagnet outwardly from said rear surface in an engaged position of said lens having the second optical characteristic; and

,

wherein upon inactivation of said transmitter, said first electromagnet separates from said second electromagnet and said layer returns said lens to the disengaged position.

3. The dynamic multiple focus contact lens of claim 2 further comprising:

said front surface and said rear surface having a generally tapered form proximate said perimeter of said lens adapted to fit comfortably upon a human cornea.

4. The dynamic multiple focus contact lens of claim 2 further comprising:

each of said power receivers including one of a loop antenna for resonant inductive coupling, a loop antenna for resonant transfer, and a photovoltaic cell upon said layer in communication with said electromagnets.

5. The dynamic multiple focus contact lens of claim 2 wherein following activation of said transmitter and mutual attraction of said electromagnets, each of said power receivers delivers a maintenance current of lesser magnitude than said current to each of said electromagnets and maintaining said electromagnets in apposition.

6. The dynamic multiple focus contact lens of claim 2 wherein said layer is soft contact lens material.

7. The dynamic multiple focus contact lens of claim 6 wherein said layer is one of hydrogel or silicone-hydrogel.

8. A dynamic multiple focus contact lens, comprising:

a layer of contact lens material suitable for application upon a human cornea, said layer having a generally round shape with a perimeter, a front surface, an opposite rear surface, and an outer edge spanning from said front surface to said rear surface upon said perimeter, a pupil through said at least one layer, said layer being transparent, and having a tapering upon said front surface outwardly from said pupil;

a first annular electromagnet embedded within said layer proximate said front surface and a power receiver in communication with said first electromagnet;

a second annular electromagnet embedded within said layer proximate said rear surface and a power receiver in communication with said second electromagnet;

a radio transmitter capable of signaling said power receivers;

said rear surface being adapted to fit upon a portion of a human cornea for vision improvement and said front surface adapted to locate outwardly from a human cornea;

wherein said layer provides a first shape to said lens having a first optical characteristic for distance vision correction and a gap separates said first electromagnet from said second electromagnet in a disengaged position of said lens and wherein each of said power receivers supply maintenance current to said electromagnets;

wherein upon activation of said transmitter, each of said power receivers energizes and polarizes each of said electromagnets providing a second shape to said front surface having a second optical characteristic for near vision correction from about +0 diopter to about +3.0 diopters and said first electromagnet attracts to said second electromagnet wherein a portion of said front surface of said layer swells within said first electromagnet outwardly from said rear surface in an engaged position of said lens;

wherein following activation of said transmitter and mutual attraction of said electromagnets, each of said power receivers delivers a maintenance current of lesser magnitude than said current to each of said electromagnets and maintaining said electromagnets in apposition;

wherein upon inactivation of said transmitter, said first electromagnet separates from said second electromagnet and said layer returns said lens to the disengaged position;

said front surface and said rear surface having a generally tapered shape proximate said perimeter of said lens adapted to fit comfortably upon a human cornea; and

,

said layer either hydrogel or silicone-hydrogel.

9. The dynamic multiple focus contact lens of claim 8 further comprising:

each of said power receivers including one of a loop antenna for resonant inductive coupling, a loop antenna for resonant transfer, and a photovoltaic cell upon said layer in communication with said electromagnets.

10. A dynamic multiple focus contact lens, comprising:

a layer of contact lens material suitable for application upon a human cornea, said layer having a generally round shape with a perimeter, a front surface, an opposite rear surface, and an outer edge spanning from said front surface to said rear surface upon said perimeter, a pupil through said at least one layer, said layer being transparent, and having a tapering upon said front surface outwardly from said pupil;

an annular electromagnet embedded within said layer proximate said front surface and a power receiver in communication with said first electromagnet;

an annular ring of ferrous material embedded within said layer proximate said rear surface;

a radio transmitter capable of signaling said power receiver;

said rear surface being adapted to fit upon a portion of a human cornea for vision improvement and said front surface adapted to locate outwardly from a human cornea;

wherein said layer provides a first shape to said lens having a first optical characteristic for distance vision correction and a gap separates said first electromagnet from said ferrous ring in a disengaged position of said lens;

wherein upon activation of said transmitter, said power receiver energizes and polarizes said electromagnet providing a second shape to said front surface having a second optical characteristic for near vision correction from about +0 diopter to about +3.0 diopters and said electromagnet attracts to said ferrous ring wherein a portion of said front surface of said layer swells within said first electromagnet outwardly from said rear surface in an engaged position of said lens;

wherein following activation of said transmitter and mutual attraction of said electromagnet and said ferrous ring, said power receiver delivers a maintenance current of lesser magnitude than said current to said electromagnet and maintaining said electromagnet in apposition to said ferrous ring;

wherein upon inactivation of said transmitter, said electromagnet separates from said ferrous ring and said layer returns said lens to the disengaged position;

said front surface and said rear surface having a generally tapered shape proximate said perimeter of said lens adapted to fit comfortably upon a human cornea;

said layer either hydrogel or silicone-hydrogel; and

,

said power receiver including one of a loop antenna for resonant inductive coupling, a loop antenna for resonant transfer, and a photovoltaic cell upon said layer in communication with said electromagnets.