Optical material and method for modifying the refractive index
US7789910B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2007 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02C2202/14
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for modifying the refractive index of an optical, polymeric material. The method comprises irradiating select regions of the optical, polymeric material with a focused, visible or near-IR laser having a pulse energy from 0.05 nJ to 1000 nJ. The irradiation results in the formation of refractive optical structures, characterized by a change in refractive index, exhibit little or no scattering loss, and exhibit no significant differences in the Raman spectrum with respect to the non-irradiated optical, polymeric material. The method can be used to modify the refractive index of an intraocular lens following the surgical implantation of the intraocular lens in a human eye. The invention is also directed to an optical device comprising refractive optical structures, wherein the refractive structures are characterized by a change in refractive index, exhibit little or no scattering loss, and exhibit no significant differences in the Raman spectrum with respect to the non-irradiated optical, polymeric material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.