Patent · US Expired

System and method for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye

US6966648B2 · kind B2 · utility

45Cited by
27References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 2003
Grant dateNov 22, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 5, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02C2202/22
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye is comprised of a lens body, an optic in the lens body configured to produce light interference, and a pinhole-like optical aperture substantially in the center of the optic. The optic may be configured to produce light scattering or composed of a light reflective material. Alternatively, the optic may increase the depth of focus via a combination of light interference, light scattering, light reflection and/or light absorption. The optic may also be configured as a series of concentric circles, a weave, a pattern of particles, or a pattern of curvatures. One method involves screening a patient for an ophthalmic lens using a pinhole screening device in the lens to increase the patient's depth of focus. Another method comprises surgically implanting a mask in the patient's eye to increase the depth of focus.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.