# US 10,307,246 B2 · Intraocular lens devices, systems, and related methods

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- Number: US 10,307,246 B2
- Document ID: US10307246B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/807,719
- Filed: 2015-07-23
- Published: 2017-01-26
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-07-23
- Assignees: Elwha LLC
- Applicants: Elwha LLC
- Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde; Jordin T. Kare; John Marshall; Clarence T. Tegreene; Roberto Zaldivar; Roger Zaldivar
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307246B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/1627: {for changing index of refraction, e.g. by external means or by tilting}
- A61F 2/16: Intraocular lenses
- A61F 2/1624: {having adjustable focus; power activated variable focus means, e.g. mechanically or electrically by the ciliary muscle or from the outside}
- A61F 2/1635: {for changing shape}
- A61F 2/1654: {Diffractive lenses}
- A61F 2210/009: magnetic
- A61F 2250/0002: for data transfer
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to intraocular lens devices, systems, and methods that include determining relative tilt and/or vergence rotation of a subject's eyes and focusing one or more intraocular lenses based on the determined vergence rotation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An intraocular lens system, comprising:
a magnetic field source sized and configured to be placed in a first eye of a subject, the magnetic field source configured to establish an identifiable magnetic field having a predetermined orientation relative to the first eye;
an intraocular lens device sized and configured to be placed in a second eye of the subject, the intraocular lens device including:
a switchable lens configured to selectively switch between a first focal length and at least a second focal length that is less than the first focal length;
a sensor disposed in the intraocular lens device, the sensor configured to detect a change in the established identifiable magnetic field corresponding to a vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye, the sensor further configured to generate one or more detection outputs at least partially based on the detected change;
an additional magnetic field source that is distinct from the sensor and configured to establish an additional identifiable magnetic field, the additional magnetic field source disposed in the intraocular lens device; and
a controller operably coupled to the sensor to receive the one or more detection outputs therefrom, the controller configured to detect the vergence rotation by distinguishing a first portion of the rotation due to the vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye from a second portion due to a co-tilt rotation of both the first eye and the second eye, the controller including control electrical circuitry configured to direct the switchable lens to selectively switch between the first focal length and the at least a second focal length responsive to the one or more detection outputs.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, further comprising an additional intraocular lens device configured to be placed in the first eye.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The intraocular lens system of claim 2, wherein the magnetic field source is mounted to or embedded in the additional intraocular lens device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The intraocular lens system of claim 2, further comprising an additional sensor mounted to or embedded in the additional intraocular lens device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The intraocular lens system of claim 4, wherein the additional magnetic field source has a predetermined orientation relative to the second eye, wherein the additional sensor is configured to detect a change in the additional identifiable magnetic field corresponding to the vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye, and the additional sensor is configured to generate one or more additional detection outputs at least partially based on the detected change.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The intraocular lens system of claim 5, wherein the additional magnetic field source is mounted to or embedded in the intraocular lens device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The intraocular lens system of claim 5, further comprising an additional switchable lens mounted to or embedded in the additional intraocular lens device.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The intraocular lens system of claim 7, further comprising an additional controller operably coupled to the additional sensor to receive the one or more additional detection outputs therefrom, the additional controller including additional control electrical circuitry configured to direct the additional switchable lens to selectively switch between a first additional focal length and a second additional focal length responsive to the one or more additional detection outputs.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The intraocular lens system of claim 8, further comprising a communication device configured to operably couple the controller and the additional controller.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The intraocular lens system of claim 9, wherein the communication device is configured to at least one of transmit to the additional controller data associated with the detection output or to transmit to the controller data associated with the additional detection output.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The intraocular lens system of claim 9, wherein the communication device is configured to at least one of transmit to the additional controller data associated the selected focal length of the switchable lens or transmit to the controller data associated with the selected focal length of the additional switchable lens.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the additional identifiable magnetic field generally aligned at a predetermined pitch angle relative to the identifiable magnetic field.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The intraocular lens system of claim 12, wherein the pitch angle is about 90 degrees.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The intraocular lens system of claim 12, wherein the magnetic field source includes a dipole magnetic field component oriented substantially parallel to an optical axis of the first eye, and the additional magnetic field source includes an additional dipole magnetic field component oriented substantially parallel to an axis extending between the first eye and the second eye.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The intraocular lens system of claim 12, further comprising:
an additional sensor is configured to detect a change in the additional identifiable magnetic field corresponding to the vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye, the additional sensor configured to generate one or more additional detection outputs at least partially based on the detected change;
wherein a first detection output of the one or more detection outputs at least partially corresponds to a changed component of the identifiable magnetic field in the direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the dominant component of the identifiable magnetic field;
wherein a second detection output of the one or more additional detection outputs at least partially corresponds to a changed component of the second identifiable magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of a dominant component of the additional identifiable magnetic field; and
wherein the controller is configured to distinguish the first portion of the rotation from the second portion of the rotation at least partially based on a comparison of the first detection output and the second detection output.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a change corresponding to the vergence rotation by detecting a changed component of the identifiable magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of a dominant component of the identifiable magnetic field.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The intraocular lens system of claim 16, wherein the magnetic field source includes a dipole magnetic field component oriented at about 45 degrees from an optical axis of the first eye.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine an apparent object distance from the vergence rotation and to direct the switchable lens to switch to the first focal length or to the at least a second focal length based on the apparent object distance.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is mounted to or embedded in the intraocular lens device.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field source includes a permanent magnet.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field source includes an electromagnet.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The intraocular lens system of claim 21, wherein the electromagnet is coupled to the controller, and the control electrical circuitry is configured to direct the electromagnet to establish a pulsed identifiable magnetic field.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The intraocular lens system of claim 22, wherein the sensor and the controller are configured to distinguish the pulsed identifiable magnetic field from one or more other magnetic fields.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the identifiable magnetic field is oriented at a non-parallel angle relative to an optical axis of the first eye.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the switchable lens includes a switchable diffractive lens.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the switchable lens includes a variable focus refractive lens.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the one or more detection outputs include one or more detection signals.

### Claim 28 (depends on 1)

The intraocular lens system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to distinguish the vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye from a co-tilt rotation of the first eye and the second eye based on the one or more detection outputs.

### Claim 29

An intraocular lens system, comprising:
a magnetic field source sized and configured to be placed in a first eye of a subject, the magnetic field source configured to establish an identifiable magnetic field having a predetermined orientation relative to the first eye, the magnetic field includes a dipole magnetic field component oriented at a first angle relative to an optical axis of the first eye;
an additional magnetic field source sized and configured to be placed in a second eye, the additional magnetic field source configured to establish an additional identifiable magnetic field generally aligned at a predetermined pitch angle relative to the identifiable magnetic field, the additional magnetic field includes an additional dipole magnetic field component oriented at a second angle relative to an optical axis of the second eye, and the first angle is different from the second angle;
at least one sensor configured to detect a rotation in the established identifiable magnetic field and the additional identifiable magnetic field corresponding to a vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye of the subject, the at least one sensor configured to generate one or more detection outputs on the detected change, wherein the at least one sensor is distinct from the additional magnetic field source; and
an intraocular lens device sized and configured to be placed in the second eye of the subject, the intraocular lens including the additional magnetic field source and the at least one sensor disposed therein, the intraocular lens device including,
a switchable lens configured to selectively switch between a first focal length and at least a second focal length that is less than the first focal length; and
a controller operably coupled to the at least one sensor to receive the one or more detection outputs therefrom, the controller configured to detect the vergence rotation by distinguishing a first portion of the rotation due to the vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye from a second portion due to a co-tilt rotation of both the first eye and the second eye, the controller including control electrical circuitry configured to direct the switchable lens to selectively switch between the first focal length and the second focal length responsive to the one or more detection outputs.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The intraocular lens system of claim 29, further comprising a communication device operably coupling the sensor to the controller.

### Claim 31 (depends on 29)

The intraocular lens system of claim 29, at least one addition sensor that is configured to be implanted in the first eye or the second eye of the subject.

### Claim 32 (depends on 29)

The intraocular lens system of claim 29, wherein the sensor is configured to be removably positioned on the subject.

### Claim 33 (depends on 29)

The intraocular lens system of claim 29, further comprising an additional intraocular lens device configured to be placed in the first eye, wherein the magnetic field source is mounted to or embedded in the additional intraocular lens device.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The intraocular lens system of claim 33, wherein the additional magnetic field source is mounted to or embedded in the intraocular lens device.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The intraocular lens system of claim 34, further comprising an additional sensor configured to be positioned externally to the first eye and the second eye and configured to detect a change in the additional established identifiable magnetic field corresponding to a vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye, and to generate one or more additional detection outputs at least partially based on the detected change.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The intraocular lens system of claim 35, further comprising a communication device operably coupling the additional sensor to the controller.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The intraocular lens system of claim 36, wherein the additional intraocular lens device includes an additional switchable lens configured to selectively switch between a first focal length and at least a second focal length that is less than the first focal length.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The intraocular lens system of claim 37, further comprising an additional controller to receive the one or more additional detection outputs, the additional controller including additional control electrical circuitry configured to direct the additional switchable lens to selectively switch between the first focal length and the at least a second focal length responsive to the additional detection output.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The intraocular lens system of claim 38, wherein the communication device or an additional communication device operably couples the additional sensor to the additional controller.

### Claim 40

An intraocular lens system, comprising:
a magnetic field source sized and configured to be placed in a first eye of a subject, the magnetic field source configured to establish an identifiable magnetic field having a predetermined orientation relative to the first eye;
an additional magnetic field source sized and configured to be placed in a second eye, the additional magnetic field source configured to establish an additional identifiable magnetic field generally aligned at a predetermined pitch angle relative to the identifiable magnetic field;
an intraocular lens device sized and configured to be placed in a second eye of the subject, the intraocular lens device including:
the additional magnetic field source;
a switchable lens configured to selectively switch between a first focal length and at least a second focal length that is less than the first focal length;
a sensor configured to detect a rotation in the established identifiable magnetic field corresponding to a vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye, the sensor configured to generate one or more detection outputs at least partially based on the detected change, wherein the sensor is distinct from the additional magnetic field source; and
a controller operably coupled to the sensor to receive the one or more detection outputs therefrom, the controller configured to detect the vergence rotation by distinguishing a first portion of the rotation due to the vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye from a second portion due to a co-tilt rotation of both the first eye and the second eye, the controller including control electrical circuitry configured to direct the switchable lens to selectively switch between the first focal length and the at least a second focal length responsive to the one or more detection outputs; and
wherein at least one of:
the pitch angle is nonzero; or
the magnetic field source includes a dipole magnetic field component oriented substantially parallel to an optical axis of the first eye, and the additional magnetic field source includes an additional dipole magnetic field component oriented substantially parallel to an axis extending between the first eye and the second eye.

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

The intraocular lens system of claim 40, further comprising:
an additional sensor configured to detect a change in the additional identifiable magnetic field corresponding to the vergence rotation between the first eye and the second eye, the additional sensor configured to generate one or more additional detection outputs at least partially based on the detected change.

### Claim 42 (depends on 40)

The intraocular lens system of claim 40, wherein a first detection output of the one or more detection outputs at least partially corresponds to a changed component of the identifiable magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of a dominant component of the identifiable magnetic field.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The intraocular lens system of claim 42, wherein a second detection output of the one or more additional detection outputs at least partially corresponds to a changed component of the second identifiable magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the dominant component of the second identifiable magnetic field.

### Claim 44 (depends on 43)

The intraocular lens system of claim 43, wherein the controller is configured to distinguish the first portion of the rotation from the second portion of the rotation at least partially based on a comparison of the first detection output and the second detection output.

### Claim 45 (depends on 43)

The intraocular lens system of claim 43, wherein the pitch angle is about 90 degrees.
