US 10,869,753 B1Granted

Electrowetting lens comprising phase change fluids

AssigneeVerily Life Sciences LLC

InventorsDaniel Otts, Stein Kuiper

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An eye-implantable device including an electrowetting lens is provided that can be operated to control an overall optical power of an eye in which the device is implanted. A lens chamber of the electrowetting lens contains first and second fluids that are immiscible with each other and that differ with respect to refractive index. By applying a voltage to electrodes of the lens, the optical power of the lens can be controlled by affecting the geometry of the interface between the fluids. One or both of the fluids can have a melting point slightly below body temperature. Freezing such an oil or other fluid of the lens can prevent fouling of internal surfaces of the lens due to folding or other manipulation of the lens during implantation. Once implanted, the fluids are melted by body heat such that the optical power of the lens may be controlled.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An eye-implantable device comprising:

an electrowetting lens, wherein the electrowetting lens comprises:
a lens chamber;
a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material at least partially encloses the lens chamber;
a first substance disposed in the lens chamber, wherein the first substance has a first melting point that is less than 37 degrees Celsius;
a second substance disposed in the lens chamber, wherein the second substance has a second melting point that is between 0 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius, wherein the second substance is immiscible with the first substance when the first substance and the second substance are both fluid, and wherein a refractive index of the second substance differs from a refractive index of the first substance when the first substance and the second substance are both fluid;
a first electrode, wherein the first electrode is disposed on an internal surface of the polymeric material in contact with the first substance;
and
a second electrode, wherein the second electrode is disposed on an internal surface of the polymeric material in contact with at least one of the first substance or the second substance, wherein the second electrode comprises a dielectric coating.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/945,904Filed 5 Apr 2018 · us provisional application
Priority: 5 May 2017
Granted: 22 Dec 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A61F 2/1627
Having adjustable focus; power activated variable focus means, e.g. mechanically or electrically by the ciliary muscle or from the outside: for…
A61F 2/1635
Having adjustable focus; power activated variable focus means, e.g. mechanically or electrically by the ciliary muscle or from the outside: for…
A61L 27/16
Macromolecular materials: obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
A61L 27/18
Macromolecular materials: obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds

Family

Application62/501,828Us provisional application · filed 5 May 2017
US 10,869,753 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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