Multifocal multizone diffractive ophthalmic lenses

• US 5,096,285 A
• Filed: 05/14/1990
• Issued: 03/17/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Iolab Corp. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Iolab Corp. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Silberman, Donn M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US07/523,146
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 351/160 R, 351/160 H, 351/161, 351/162, 623/6
• US Class Current: 351/161
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1618 Multifocal lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1654 Diffractive lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1656 Fresnel lenses, prisms or plates
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1876 Diffractive Fresnel lenses; Zone plates; Kinoforms G02B5/1842, G02B5/1847 take precedence; optical systems having diffractive correction means G02B27/0037; Fresnel lenses operating by refraction G02B3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/188 Plurality of such optical elements formed in or on a supporting substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/20 Diffractive and Fresnel lenses or lens portions
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/042 Simultaneous type
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/044 Annular configuration, e.g. pupil tuned
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/045 Sectorial configuration

Abstract

Multifocal lenses for improving vision are disclosed. The lenses of the present invention use at least one diffractive zone located in a defined portion of the surface of a refractive lens to achieve highly efficient multifocal vision by providing nearly 100% efficiency in the +1 diffractive order. The lenses disclosed may be used for both contact lenses and intraocular lens as well as other vision correcting applications.

Claims

1. A multifocal lens for correcting vision comprising:

a basic lens element having a basic lens power and a basic focal length;

one or more diffractive elements covering one or more zones of said basic lens element arranged as alternate semi-circular area and having a diffractive power,

whereby a portion of the light travelling through said lens is focused at said basic focal length by said basic lens power, and another portion of the light travelling through said lens is focused t a different focal length by the combined power of said basic lens element and said diffractive elements.

2. A multifocal lens for correcting vision comprising:

a basic lens element having a basic lens power and a basic focal length; and

one of more diffractive elements covering one or more zones of said basic lens element arrayed as alternate quarter circular areas and having a diffractive power,

whereby a portion of the light travelling through said lens is focused at said basic focal length by said basic lens power, and another portion of the light travelling through said lens is focused at a different focal length by the combined power of said basic lens element and said diffractive elements.

3. A multifocal lens for correcting vision comprising:

a basic lens element having a basic lens power and a basic focal length;

one or more first diffractive elements covering one or more zones of said basic lens element and having a first diffractive power; and

one or more second diffractive elements covering one or more zones of said basic lens element arranged as alternate semi-circular areas and having a second diffractive power,

whereby a first portion of the light travelling through said lens is focused at a first focal length by the combined power of said basic lens element and said first diffractive elements, and another portion of the light travelling through said lens is focused at a second focal length by the combined power of said basic lens element and said second diffractive elements.

4. A multifocal lens for correcting vision comprising:

a basic lens element having a basic lens power and a basic focal length;

one or more first diffractive elements covering one or more zones of said basic lens element and having a first diffractive power; and

one or more second diffractive elements covering one or more zones of said basic lens element arrayed as alternating quarter circular area and having a second diffractive power,

whereby a first portion of the light travelling through said lens is focused at a first focal length by the combined power of said basic lens element and said first diffractive elements, and another portion of the light travelling through said lens is focused at a second focal length by the combined power of said basic lens element and said second diffractive elements.