IP Library Granted Patent US 9,226,818
Granted Patent B2
US 9,226,818 · App. 14/041,312 · Granted Jan 5, 2016

Sensors for triggering electro-active ophthalmic lenses

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,226,818
App. No.
14/041,312
Granted
Jan 5, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electro-active ophthalmic lens includes an electromyography sensor, a processor, and an electro-active optical element. The electromyography sensor is configured to detect an electric field in a ciliary muscle of the eye that is proportional to a force exerted by the ciliary muscle and to generate a sensor signal indicative of the electric field. The processor is operable to receive the signal from the electromyography sensor and to determine, based on the sensor signal, an adjustment to optical power for an electro-active optical element and to generate a control signal for the electro-active optical element. The electro-active optical element is operable to receive the control signal and to change an optical power of the electro-active optical element in response to the control signal.

Claims (9)

1. An electro-active ophthalmic lens, comprising:

a plurality of electromyography sensors including at least one reference sensor, the plurality of electromyography sensors configured to detect an electric field in a ciliary muscle of the eye that is proportional to a force exerted by the ciliary muscle and to generate a sensor signal indicative of the electric field;

a processor coupled to the electromyography sensor operable to receive the signal from the electromyography sensor and to determine, based on the sensor signal, an adjustment to optical power for an electro-active optical element and to generate a control signal for the electro-active optical element; and

the electro-active optical element coupled to the processor operable to receive the control signal and to change an optical power of the electro-active optical element in response to the control signal.

2. The lens of claim 1 , wherein the lens is an intraocular lens.

3. The lens of claim 1 , wherein the lens is a contact lens.

4. The lens of claim 1 , wherein the at least one reference sensor is operable to provide a reference potential.

5. The lens of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an electrode in contact with the ciliary muscle.

6. The lens of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a non-contact electromagnetic sensor.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY DEED OF ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 8, 2019 Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: NOVARTIS AG
To: ALCON INC.
Reel/Frame 051454/0788 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2013
From: CAMPIN, JOHN ALFRED; PETTIT, GEORGE H.
To: NOVARTIS AG
Reel/Frame 031308/0942 →