Patent classifications
B29D11/00461
INJECTION MOLDED MICROOPTICS
A wafer-scale apparatus and method is described for the automation of forming, aligning and attaching two-dimensional arrays of microoptic elements on semiconductor and other image display devices, backplanes, optoelectronic boards, and integrated optical systems. In an ordered fabrication sequence, a mold plate comprised of optically designed cavities is formed by reactive ion etching or alternative processes, optionally coated with a release material layer and filled with optically specified materials by an automated fluid-injection and defect-inspection subsystem. Optical alignment fiducials guide the disclosed transfer and attachment processes to achieve specified tolerances between the microoptic elements and corresponding optoelectronic devices and circuits. The present invention applies to spectral filters, waveguides, fiber-optic mode-transformers, diffraction gratings, refractive lenses, diffractive lens/Fresnel zone plates, reflectors, and to combinations of elements and devices, including microelectromechanical systems and liquid crystal device matrices for adaptive, tunable elements. Preparation of interfacial layer properties and attachment process embodiments are taught.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CHANGING A REFRACTIVE PROPERTY OF AN IMPLANTABLE INTRAOCULAR LENS
A method of altering a refractive property of a crosslinked acrylic polymer material by irradiating the material with a high energy pulsed laser beam to change its refractive index. The method is used to alter the refractive property, and hence the optical power, of an implantable intraocular lens after implantation in the patient's eye. In some examples, the wavelength of the laser beam is in the far red and near IR range and the light is absorbed by the crosslinked acrylic polymer via two-photon absorption at high laser pulse energy. The method also includes designing laser beam scan patterns that compensate for effects of multiphone absorption such as a shift in the depth of the laser pulse absorption location, and compensate for effects caused by high laser pulse energy such as thermal lensing. The method can be used to form a Fresnel lens in the optical zone.
Injection molded microoptics
A wafer-scale apparatus and method is described for the automation of forming, aligning and attaching two-dimensional arrays of microoptic elements on semiconductor and other image display devices, backplanes, optoelectronic boards, and integrated optical systems. In an ordered fabrication sequence, a mold plate comprised of optically designed cavities is formed by reactive ion etching or alternative processes, optionally coated with a release material layer and filled with optically specified materials by an automated fluid-injection and defect-inspection subsystem. Optical alignment fiducials guide the disclosed transfer and attachment processes to achieve specified tolerances between the microoptic elements and corresponding optoelectronic devices and circuits. The present invention applies to spectral filters, waveguides, fiber-optic mode-transformers, diffraction gratings, refractive lenses, diffractive lens/Fresnel zone plates, reflectors, and to combinations of elements and devices, including microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and liquid crystal device (LCD) matrices for adaptive, tunable elements. Preparation of interfacial layer properties and attachment process embodiments are taught.
Systems, articles, and methods for integrating holographic optical elements with eyeglass lenses
Systems, articles, and methods that integrate photopolymer film with eyeglass lenses are described. One or more hologram(s) may be recorded into/onto the photopolymer film to enable the lens to be used as a transparent holographic combiner in a wearable heads-up display employing an image source, such as a microdisplay or a scanning laser projector. The methods of integrating photopolymer film with eyeglass lenses include: positioning photopolymer film in a lens mold and casting the lens around the photopolymer film; sandwiching photopolymer film in between two portions of a lens; applying photopolymer film to a concave surface of a lens; and/or affixing a planar carrier (with photopolymer film thereon) to two points across a length of a concave surface of a lens. Respective lenses manufactured/adapted by each of these processes are also described.
Patient interface for light adjustable intraocular lens irradiation system
In embodiments, a light adjustable lens irradiation system for a light adjustable lens irradiation system, comprises an irradiation light source, for generating a UV light beam; an optical system, for directing the UV light beam towards a light adjustable intraocular lens, implanted into an eye of a patient; and a patient interface, coupled to the optical system, for stabilizing the eye relative to the optical system, to achieve an alignment of the light adjustable intraocular lens and the UV light beam.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CHANGING A REFRACTIVE PROPERTY OF AN IMPLANTABLE INTRAOCULAR LENS
A method of altering a refractive property of a crosslinked acrylic polymer material by irradiating the material with a high energy pulsed laser beam to change its refractive index. The method is used to alter the refractive property, and hence the optical power, of an implantable intraocular lens after implantation in the patient's eye. In some examples, the wavelength of the laser beam is in the far red and near IR range and the light is absorbed by the crosslinked acrylic polymer via two-photon absorption at high laser pulse energy. The method also includes designing laser beam scan patterns that compensate for effects of multiphone absorption such as a shift in the depth of the laser pulse absorption location, and compensate for effects caused by high laser pulse energy such as thermal lensing. The method can be used to form a Fresnel lens in the optical zone.
Adjustable chromophore compounds and materials incorporating such compounds
The present invention is directed to adjustable chromophore compounds and materials (e.g., ophthalmic lens materials) incorporating those compounds. The adjustable chromophore compounds include a chemical moiety that structurally changes upon exposure to predetermined electromagnetic radiation (e.g., two photon radiation) as well as lens materials, particularly intraocular lens materials that incorporate those compounds.
High numerical aperture optomechanical scanner for layered gradient index microlenses, methods, and applications
A high numerical aperture opto-mechanical scanner for writing refractive index modifications includes a fast axis scanner having a fast scanning axis. A waveform generator is electrically coupled to the fast axis scanner, and a waveform is provided by the waveform generator which defines a fast scan of the fast axis scanner. A scanning lens assembly is mechanically coupled to the fast axis scanner, the scanning lens assembly having a NA greater than 0.5 and a scanning lens motion along the fast scanning axis. A femtosecond laser is optically coupled through the scanning lens assembly to a surface of a material, creating a femtosecond laser light scanning pattern to write the refractive index modifications into the material. A method for writing refractive index modifications using a high numerical aperture opto-mechanical scanner is also described.
OPTICAL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MODIFYING THE REFRACTIVE INDEX OF AN OPTICAL MATERIAL
An optical device comprising an optical hydrogel with select regions that have been irradiated with laser light having a pulse energy from 0.01 nJ to 50 nJ and a wavelength from 600 nm to 900 nm. The irradiated regions are characterized by a positive change in refractive index of from 0.01 to 0.06, and exhibit little or no scattering loss. The optical hydrogel is prepared with a hydrophilic monomer.
PATIENT INTERFACE FOR LIGHT ADJUSTABLE INTRAOCULAR LENS IRRADIATION SYSTEM
In embodiments, a light adjustable lens irradiation system for a light adjustable lens irradiation system, comprises an irradiation light source, for generating a UV light beam; an optical system, for directing the UV light beam towards a light adjustable intraocular lens, implanted into an eye of a patient; and a patient interface, coupled to the optical system, for stabilizing the eye relative to the optical system, to achieve an alignment of the light adjustable intraocular lens and the UV light beam.