Optical element for correcting color blindness

• US 8,845,095 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2012
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
• Inventors: Harding, Brett T., Li, Sheng, Mochizuki, Amane, Sisk, David T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Darryl J
• Application Number:
  US13/565,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20130062564A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 351/159.01, 351/159.02, 351/159.49, 351/159.59, 351/156, 351/159.65, 351/159.61, 359/601, 359/609, 359/614, 359885-892, 252/586
• US Class Current: 351/159.61
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/16 Intraocular lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/1699 Additional features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2201/001 Conductive additives
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/29 Compounds containing one or more carbon-to-nitrogen double bonds
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/315 Compounds containing carbon-to-nitrogen triple bonds
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 101/12 characterised by physical features, e.g. anisotropy, viscosity or electrical conductivity liquid crystal materials or compositions C09K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: C09B 3/20 by halogenation
• CPC Class Codes: C09B 57/00 Other synthetic dyes of known constitution
• CPC Class Codes: C09B 57/008 Triarylamine dyes containing no other chromophores
• CPC Class Codes: C09B 69/102 containing a perylene dye
• CPC Class Codes: C09B 69/103 containing a diaryl- or triarylmethane dye
• CPC Class Codes: C09B 69/109 containing other specific dyes
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/025 non-luminescent particle coatings or suspension media
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/06 containing organic luminescent materials
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1007 Non-condensed systems
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1011 Condensed systems
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1014 bridged by heteroatoms, e.g. N, P, Si or B
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1044 containing two nitrogen atoms as heteroatoms
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1055 with other heteroatoms
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2323/031 Polarizer or dye
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/10 : comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/06 : for filtering out ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 : for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 : Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/04 : made of organic materials, e.g. plastics G02B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/041 : Lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/043 : Contact lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 : Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/049 : Contact lenses having special fitting or structural features achieved by special materials or material structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/104 : having spectral characteristics for purposes other than sun-protection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 : Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/30 : using electroluminescent panels

Abstract

Described herein are devices, compositions, and methods for improving color discernment.

Claims

1. A device for improving color discernment comprising:

an optical element comprising a luminescent compound in a substantially transparent matrix;

wherein the optical element has a peak wavelength of visible absorption of about 540 nm to about 550 nm, wherein the luminescent compound is;

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the peak wavelength of visible absorption is about 545 nm to about 550 nm.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the peak wavelength of visible emission is about 560 nm to about 580 nm.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the peak wavelength of visible emission is about 565 nm to about 575 nm.

5. A method of improving ability to distinguish colors comprising positioning a device of claim 1 so that an image or an object may be viewed by an individual through the optical element.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the individual has normal color vision.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the individual has an impaired ability to distinguish colors.

8. A device for improving ability to distinguish colors comprising:

an optical element comprising a luminescent compound dispersed in a matrix material;

the optical element is configured to absorb and emit visible light so that when an object or an image is viewed through the optical element, a first color having a first set of color coordinates is converted to a second color having a second set of color coordinates to aid in distinguishing colors; and

the distance between the first set of color coordinates and the second set of color coordinates is at least about 0.02 color coordinate units.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is an ocular lens.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is an item of eyewear.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is an electronic device.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the optical element comprises a scratch resistant coating comprising the luminescent compound and the substantially transparent matrix.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the device comprises a touch screen.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein the distance between the first set of color coordinates and the second set of color coordinates in the direction normal to a color confusion line nearest to the first set of color coordinates is at least about 0.02 color coordinate units.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the color confusion line is a deuteronopia color confusion line.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the color confusion line is deuteronopia color confusion line 7.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the color confusion line is deuteronopia color confusion line 8.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the color confusion line is deuteronopia color confusion line 9.

19. A method of improving ability to distinguish colors comprising positioning a device of claim 8 so that an image or an object may be viewed by an individual through the optical element.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the individual has normal color vision.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the individual has an impaired ability to distinguish colors.