Adjustable lens system for real-time applications
US8233221B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B3/14
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An adjustable fluid type lens system is provided that allows e.g. ultrasound imaging through the lens during adjustment of the lens. The lens includes a container enclosing two immiscible fluids, e.g. water and oil, being in contact with each other at an interface. Incoming waves are then refracted at this interface. The shape of the interface, and thereby the refraction property, is adjustable by adjusting a voltage applied to the lens. The two fluids are selected such that they together exhibit a mechanical damping which is critical or near critical. A control circuit generates the electric voltage for adjusting the refraction from one value to another, the control circuit being arranged to change the electric voltage such that a rate of voltage change is limited to avoid oscillation of the interface, thereby adjusting refraction of incoming waves at the interface in a continuous manner. This makes it possible to use the lens while it is during adjustment from one refraction value to another, since the interface shape will at all time during the adjustment have a controlled shape. The voltage can be either a continuous voltage or a discrete stepwise (digital) voltage which is jus…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.