Electronic ophthalmic lens with emitter-detector pair sensor

• US 9,323,073 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2013
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Pugh, Randall Braxton, Toner, Adam, Otts, Daniel B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tallman, Robert E
• Application Number:
  US13/780,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20140240657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 351/159.02, 351/159.03, 351/159.04, 351/159.05
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1624 having adjustable focus; power activated variable focus means, e.g. mechanically or electrically by the ciliary muscle or from the outside
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/081 Ophthalmic lenses with variable focal length
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/083 Electrooptic lenses

Abstract

An emitter-detector pair sensor may be incorporated into a powered or electronic ophthalmic lens. The emitter-detector pair sensor may be configured to determine the distance from the sensor to an object in its path. Based upon this information, a system controller of the ophthalmic lens may output a signal to an actuator of the ophthalmic lens to control a variable power optic of the ophthalmic lens.

Claims

1. A powered ophthalmic lens, the powered ophthalmic lens comprising:

a contact lens including an optic zone and a peripheral zone; and

an emitter-detector pair sensor system incorporated into the peripheral zone of the contact lens, the emitter-detector pair sensor system comprising an emitter for sending out a signal, a detector for capturing a reflection of the signal, a controller operatively associated with the emitter and detector configured to determine the distance between the contact lens and an object and output a control signal based on the determined distance, and at least one actuator configured to receive the control signal and implement a predetermined function, the emitter comprising an LED chip having a size of up 150×

150 microns and the detector comprising a CMOS semiconductor.

2. The powered ophthalmic lens according to claim 1, wherein the contact lens comprises a variable-power optic incorporated into the optic zone.

3. The powered ophthalmic lens according to claim 2, wherein the actuator configures the variable-power optic for either near or for distance vision in response to the determined distance.

4. The powered ophthalmic lens according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a microcontroller and associated memory.

5. The powered ophthalmic lens according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply.

6. The powered ophthalmic lens according to claim 5, wherein the power supply comprises a battery.

7. A powered ophthalmic lens, the powered ophthalmic lens comprising:

a contact lens; and

an emitter-detector pair sensor system incorporated into the contact lens, the emitter-detector pair sensor system comprising an emitter for sending out a signal, a detector for capturing a reflection of the signal, a controller operatively associated with the emitter and detector configured to determine the distance between the contact lens and an object and output a control signal based on the determined distance, and at least one actuator configured to receive the control signal and implement a predetermined function, the emitter comprising an LED chip having a size of up 150×

150 microns and the detector comprising a CMOS semiconductor photodiode.

8. The powered ophthalmic lens according to claim 7, wherein the contact lens comprises a variable-power optic incorporated into the optic zone.

9. The powered ophthalmic lens according to claim 8, wherein the actuator configures the variable-power optic for either near or for distance vision in response to the determined distance.

10. The powered ophthalmic lens according to claim 7, wherein the controller comprises a microcontroller and associated memory.

11. The powered ophthalmic lens according to claim 7, further comprising a power supply.

12. The powered ophthalmic lens according to claim 11, wherein the power supply comprises a battery.

13. A powered ophthalmic lens, the powered ophthalmic lens comprising:

an intraocular lens; and

an emitter-detector pair sensor system incorporated into the intraocular lens, the emitter-detector pair sensor system comprising an emitter for sending out a signal, a detector for capturing a reflection of the signal, a controller operatively associated with the emitter and detector configured to determine the distance between the intraocular lens and an object and output a control signal based on the determined distance, and at least one actuator configured to receive the control signal and implement a predetermined function, the emitter comprising an LED chip having a size of up 150×

150 microns and the detector comprising a CMOS semiconductor photodiode.