SENSOR FOR DETECTING ACCOMMODATIVE TRIGGER
A sensor is provided to detect an accommodative trigger, particularly ion concentration. The sensor can send a signal to an optical component, which in turn can respond by changing optical power to focus on a near object.
1 . A sensor adapted to detect a causative accommodative trigger.
2 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the accommodative trigger is a change in ion concentration.
3 . The sensor of claim 2 , wherein the ion is calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphate, magnesium, or zinc.
4 . The sensor of claim 3 , wherein the ion is calcium.
5 . The sensor of claim 4 , wherein the sensor comprises a calcium ionophore.
6 . The sensor of claim 2 , wherein the accommodative trigger is an ion concentration differential of about 300 nM to about 600 nM.
7 . The sensor of claim 2 , wherein the baseline ion concentration is less than 200 nM.
8 . The sensor of claim 2 , wherein the accommodative trigger is an ion concentration greater than 400 nM.
9 . The sensor of claim 2 , wherein the sensor is adapted for implantation into the eye to be in cytosolic fluid communication with a ciliary muscle, zonule, or iris.
10 . The sensor of claim 2 , further comprising a power supply and a signal transmitter.
11 . A device comprising:
a) the sensor of claim 2 , wherein the sensor further comprises a signal transmitter;
b) an optical component in electrical communication with the sensor, whereby the optical component is capable of changing optical power in response to a signal from the sensor.
12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the signal is a wireless signal.
13 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the distance between the sensor and the optical component is less than 5 mm.
14 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the optical component changes optical power by one or more of: changing location relative to the retina, changing curvature, changing aperture size, and changing refractive index.
15 . The device of claim 14 , wherein the optical component changes optical power by changing refractive index.
16 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the optical component is an intraocular lens or spectacle lens.
17 . A method for optical focusing comprising:
a) detecting an accommodative trigger, wherein the accommodative trigger is a change in ion concentration;
b) transmitting a signal upon detection of the accommodative trigger; and
c) changing the optical power of an optical component upon receipt of the signal.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising implanting a sensor into cytosolic fluid communication with a ciliary muscle, zonule, or iris, wherein the sensor is capable of detecting the accommodative trigger.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein implanting the sensor comprises attaching the sensor to a ciliary muscle or zonule.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the time between detecting the accommodative trigger and changing the optical power is less than 1 second.