Methods to extend vision to infrared wavelengths
US8185209B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F9/0008
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In a method for visualizing an object under conditions of low ambient light, the object to be visualized is exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than what can normally be seen by the naked eye. Light reflected from the object is then perceived with an enhanced eye. The enhanced eye contains an up-conversion material optically coupled to the photoreceptors. Up-conversion materials absorb in the infrared and luminesce in the visible. Particles containing such materials are delivered to the eye where they are optically coupled to the retina or photoreceptor cells and nearby tissues. There they provide in-situ up-conversion of infrared frequencies (from about 700 to about 11,000 nm) to the otherwise unaided eye.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.