EP3946009A1

EP3946009A1 - Devices for supplying energy to an active eye implant

Info

Publication number: EP3946009A1
Application number: EP20717819.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Nobis; Tobias Schmitt-Manderbach; Matthias Hillenbrand
Original assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
Current assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
Priority date: 2019-04-03
Filing date: 2020-04-02
Publication date: 2022-02-09
Also published as: US20220203105A1; WO2020201426A1; DE102019108679A1

Abstract

The invention relates to improved devices for supplying energy to an active eye implant by means of a light that comprises at least one diffractive element which is arranged in a spectacle lens.

Description

description

Devices for supplying energy to an active eye implant

The present application relates to devices for supplying an active one

Eye implant with energy by means of light.

Active eye implants are devices that are implanted in a patient's eye in order to perform certain functions there. An example of such active eye implants are retinal implants. Retinal implants are being developed to restore at least some degree of vision to people who have lost sight but who still have a connection from the optic nerve to the brain. Such retinal implants usually include an image sensor, by means of which - if necessary with additional circuits - electrical impulses are generated which are then registered via the optic nerve.

Other examples of active eye implants are actively accommodating intraocular lenses or implanted sensors for measuring parameters in the eye, for example the

Blood sugar level in the aqueous humor. Such active eye implants require im

In contrast to passive implants (e.g. simple lenses) electrical energy in order to be operated.

One way of supplying energy is to supply light, for example infrared radiation, below the visible range of the light spectrum, which is then converted into electrical energy by the active eye implant, essentially by means of a solar cell or similar device. But also a supply with others

Light wavelengths are basically possible.

An interface between this external optical system and the human eye with the relevant implant must meet a number of requirements. These are based, for example, on anatomical features of the human eye, on the usual viewing habits in the application under consideration or on requirements for

health safety of the radiation used. The energy transmitted by the radiation can also be used for communication with the active eye implant, for example by changing the intensity and / or frequency of the

transmitted radiation is modulated.

Devices for supplying the eye implant can be provided, for example, as glasses, possibly with additional components outside the glasses.

Such a device with volume holograms for supplying active eye implants is known from DE 10 2017 107 346 A1. In such conventional devices, the opening angle of the light cone emanating from the device scales with the thickness of the spectacle lens, with a full opening angle of approx. 40 ° being able to be realized with a thickness of approx. 5 mm.

Furthermore, the volume holograms in DE 2017 107 346 A1 are illuminated with a collimated light bundle which runs in the spectacle lens. Therefore it is necessary that the

Provide illuminating light at the full height of the decoupling holograms, which makes the structure comparatively complex and can lead to relatively large space requirements.

Based on DE 2017 107 346 A1, a first object of the invention is

Devices for the energy supply of active eye implants with large

Providing illumination angles even with thin spectacle lenses, allowing more flexible arrangements with respect to the illuminating light and avoiding shaded areas.

This first object is achieved by a device of the first aspect of the invention according to claim 1. Dependent claims define further embodiments.

For the energy supply of active eye implants, it is desirable that the

Ensure energy supply regardless of the direction in which the user is looking. In the case of conventional devices, this can result in high energy consumption, since the lighting has to be set up in such a way that sufficient light is available for the active eye implant for every viewing angle and every pupil size. In other devices, the lighting region is actively controlled, for example by means of “eye tracking”. However, this conventionally requires complex arrangements with significant volumes. It is therefore a second object of the invention to improve the energy efficiency of such devices and improved possibilities for selective lighting of active ones

To offer eye implants from different directions.

The second object is achieved by a device of the second aspect of the invention according to claim 11. The respective dependent claims define further embodiments.

The first and second aspects of the invention can be combined according to claim 17 and the claims dependent thereon.

According to the first aspect of the invention, a device for supplying an active eye implant in an eye of a user with energy is provided.

This comprises a spectacle lens with a first main surface and a second main surface, a light source and an optical arrangement. The optical arrangement is set up to couple light from the light source into the spectacle lens and from that of the first main surface of the

Disengage spectacle lenses to the user.

The optical arrangement here comprises at least one diffractive element which is arranged in the spectacle lens. Each diffractive element of the at least one diffractive element has an associated first end and an associated second end, the associated first end and the associated second end each having a different distance from the first main surface and / or each different distance from the second main surface . In other words, the at least one diffractive element is arranged obliquely in the spectacle lens.

The at least one diffractive element can therefore be at an angle to the first

Main surface and / or the second main surface can be arranged. The angle can be greater than 1 ° and / or greater than 5 ° and / or greater than 10 ° and / or greater than 30 ° and / or greater than 50 ° and / or greater than 70 ° and / or greater than 80 ° and / or greater than 85 °.

The optical arrangement can comprise one or more further optical elements, for example one or more further diffractive elements. The further or the further optical elements can have a different arrangement than the at least one diffractive element. For example, one or more of the optical elements can be arranged parallel or perpendicular to the first and / or the second main surface. The first main surface and the second main surface can each be arranged in such a way that a user of the spectacle lens, when wearing spectacles with the spectacle lens, is more neutral

Looking through the first main surface and the second main surface.

The light source can essentially emit light outside of the area visible to humans, for example an infrared light source. It can be a light-emitting diode, laser radiation or another type of light source.

The at least one diffractive element can be any combination of different diffractive elements. For example, it can be conventional diffractive elements such as cinema shapes or surface grids.

A kinoform is understood here to be a diffractive element with a periodic height profile. The periodic height profile can be a sawtooth profile, for example.

The diffractive element can be a volume hologram.

The fact that the at least one diffractive element is arranged in the spectacle lens is understood to mean that it is at least partially, in particular completely, surrounded by the material of the spectacle lens. This type of arrangement is sometimes referred to as “buried”.

In some cases in which the at least one diffractive element is volume holograms, the volume hologram can be used, for example, by means of

Laser writing has been generated in the lens.

Such volume holograms are taken for example from the

DE 10 2016 115 938 A1 is known, but other volume holograms can also be implemented.

In those cases in which the at least one diffractive element is

conventional diffractive elements are involved, the spectacle lens can be made of at least two different materials with different refractive indices, wherein the at least one diffractive element can be arranged such that it is arranged at the boundary between the at least two materials. The device can be held by a spectacle frame. It can be designed so that it can be worn on the head by a user, for example as glasses.

The at least one diffractive element can comprise a first diffractive element. This can be set up to receive a collimated light beam and to provide it as a divergent light beam.

This has the advantage that a smaller area than before on the spectacle lens is required to couple the light, and yet light can be coupled out to the user over a larger area via the first main surface than would be the case without the inclined first diffractive element .

The at least one diffractive element can comprise a second diffractive element.

This can be set up to receive the divergent light bundle from the first diffractive element and to provide it as an expanded light bundle.

The expanded light bundle can run essentially parallel to the first main surface and / or the second main surface. In cases in which the main surfaces are not planes, for example because the spectacle lens has convex or concave shapes, the light bundle can be essentially parallel to a spectacle lens plane, which can for example run parallel to a lens plane.

The diffractive elements can be set up and arranged in such a way that the expanded light bundle is a further collimated light bundle and is offset from the collimated light bundle. This offset can be essentially perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the collimated light beam along the first main surface. This can have the advantage that the angular deflection required by diffractive elements for

Beam shaping is present. This can improve the efficiency of the system.

In some devices, the at least one diffractive element can comprise a group of diffractive elements which are each set up to receive light from a respective receiving direction and deflect it to a first part in a respective deflecting direction and to forward it to a second part in a respective forwarding direction. Here, a first group element from the group of diffractive elements can be set up to receive light from the light source.

This can make it possible to achieve a compact arrangement for illuminating the eye.

The expanded light bundle can run in at least one of the respective receiving directions.

This can make it possible to “interconnect” the individual group elements in a row and, on the one hand, to transmit the light along the forwarding direction

(for example, along an imaginary x-axis) and in the deflection direction (for example, in the direction of an imaginary y-axis) partially.

The forwarding and deflecting direction defined globally above can, for example, locally for individual deflecting elements, on several forwarding and deflecting directions

to be generalized. This allows tree structures or more complex combinations of tree and row structures to be implemented:

In some devices, the at least one diffractive element can comprise a group of diffractive elements, which are each set up to receive light from a respective receiving direction and to a first part in at least one respective one

Deflect deflection direction and to a second part in at least one respective

Forwarding direction forward. Here, a first group element from the group of diffractive elements can be set up to receive light from the light source.

This can make it possible to forward light in a tree structure in deflection directions and / or forwarding directions. For example, the light can be in two

Forwarding directions are forwarded, with the number of diffractive elements N resulting in a 2 ^N tree structure, but also other numbers of

Forwarding directions and / or deflection directions are possible. Also can

Row connections in which the light is deflected and / or forwarded in exactly one direction are combined with tree structure areas. The group of diffractive elements can comprise a second group element. This can be arranged so that there is light in its forwarding direction to a third

Forward group element in the receiving direction of the third group element.

The device can be set up to couple the light out in the respective deflection direction towards the user.

This allows the light to be distributed over a large area, which can improve the energy supply of the active eye implant.

The group of diffractive elements can be set up in such a way that the respective ratio of the first part to the second part increases with a number of group elements of the group of diffractive elements that the light has traversed in the spectacle lens.

This can have the advantage that the group elements achieve homogeneous illumination by increasing the reflectivity with the number of elements passed through.

The optical arrangement can comprise at least one diffractive decoupling element. This can be set up to receive light from the at least one diffractive element and to couple it out to the user.

The at least one diffractive decoupling element can be set up to couple the light out to the user with an effective focus.

Effective focusing is understood to mean that the light comes from an imaginary

The delivery area is concentrated on an imaginary focus area, the imaginary focus area being smaller than the imaginary output area. The imaginary delivery surface can be, for example, the first main surface of the spectacle lens. The imaginary focus area can be arranged in the direction of the active eye implant, for example an imaginary area in front of the pupil of the user's eye.

This can be achieved, for example, by focusing on one point. It can also be done, for example, by focusing on a large number of adjacent

Focus points can be reached. It can also be achieved by plane waves running from different starting points towards a center. Also a combination different variants are possible, for example from different areas of the

Glasses off.

The effective focusing, starting from a large emission area through the first main surface, improves the supply of the eye because, for example, for larger angles of rotation of the eye, the effectively focused light can reach the active eye implant through the pupil opening. For this purpose, the light can, for example, be effectively focused on the pupil or on the pivot point of the eye or on a point on the connecting line between the pupil and the pivot point of the eye. But others too

Focusing is conceivable.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a device for supplying an active eye implant in an eye of a user with energy is provided. This comprises a spectacle lens with a first main surface and a second main surface, a light source and an optical arrangement.

The optical arrangement is set up, light from the light source into the spectacle lens

to be coupled in and out of the first main surface of the spectacle lens to the user. The optical arrangement includes:

at least one diffractive deflecting element which is set up to receive a light beam from a first direction and to forward it in a second direction from a number of possible directions.

The second direction depends on:

an angle of incidence between the light bundle and the at least one diffractive deflecting element, and / or

a wavelength of the light beam and / or

a switching state of the at least one diffractive deflecting element.

The switching state is understood here to mean that the diffractive deflecting element has different states that can be actively influenced, for example controlled.

For example, switching can be switched by means of an electro-optical process, it being possible to choose between different deflection behaviors by applying a voltage to the diffractive element. Switching can take place continuously or discretely. In cases in which the at least one diffractive deflecting element is a volume hologram, the highly pronounced wavelength selectivity and angle of incidence selectivity of

Volume holograms are used. But these effects can also be present in other diffractive elements, possibly to different degrees, and likewise

be exploited.

The device according to the second aspect of the invention can be arranged like the device according to the first aspect of the invention.

The number of possible directions can be a finite number, for example due to diffraction orders in the form of angles of these diffraction orders up to one

Blur be defined. This can take advantage of the fact that diffractive elements

can have different mapping functions as a function of wavelength and angle of the incident light.

The at least one diffractive deflecting element can be a multiply exposed one

Volume hologram include. Here, the number of possible directions can be based on the number of multiple exposures of the multiple exposed volume hologram.

Deflection elements of this type can be produced by varying the light source, for example by means of scanning mirrors or by means of different, switchable light sources

Illuminate solid angles, be used in a targeted manner.

The at least one diffractive deflecting element can comprise a first and a second diffractive deflecting element, wherein the first and the second diffractive deflecting element can be arranged at least partially separately in the spectacle lens and can each be set up to forward light to the at least one diffractive decoupling element.

This can have the advantage, for example, that light from different light sources and / or from different directions can be provided to the same decoupling elements.

The at least one diffractive coupling-out element can comprise a first coupling-out element and a second coupling-out element. The number of possible directions can include: a direction from the at least one diffractive deflecting element to the first decoupling element and

a direction from the at least one diffractive deflecting element to the second decoupling element.

For example, the first decoupling element can be arranged in the upper area of a spectacle lens, the second decoupling element in the lower area. If the user now looks up, the deflecting element can be controlled in such a way that the light only reaches the first (upper) decoupling element and the active eye implant is supplied in the user's eye. If the user now looks down, a switch can be made so that the second decoupling element transmits light to the active eye implant. The energy requirement of the device can thus be reduced.

The at least one diffractive deflecting element can be at least one volume hologram arranged in the spectacle lens.

A first deflecting element of the at least one diffractive deflecting element can be set up to convert the light beam into a divergent deflected light beam. In this way, the optical arrangement can be set up to emit the divergent deflected light bundle in the second direction.

This allows the light beam to be expanded. This can make it possible, nevertheless, to illuminate a large part of the spectacle lens with a small, compact coupling optics attached, for example, in a spectacle hinge. As a result, the required size of the light from the light source can be reduced, which can lead to the weight of the device being able to be reduced, for example by making a possible collimator prism for beam shaping of the light source smaller.

According to the combination of the first and second aspect of the invention, a device for supplying an active eye implant in an eye of a user is provided. The device is designed according to the first aspect of the invention and according to the second aspect of the invention.

Here, the at least one diffractive element of the first aspect of the invention is arranged in at least one of the number of possible directions. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one diffractive deflecting element comprises or is the at least one diffractive element. In other words, the at least one diffractive deflecting element of the second aspect of the invention can be implemented by one or more diffractive elements according to the first aspect of the invention.

This combination of the first aspect of the invention and the second aspect of the invention allows various advantageous devices to be provided. So can the first

Invention aspect used to different diffractive elements in the second

To provide aspect of the invention.

At least one of the diffractive elements can be a volume hologram.

Diffractive elements can for example be: the at least one diffractive element, the at least one diffractive decoupling element, the at least one diffractive deflecting element. However, other diffractive elements described above and below can also be designed as volume holograms, unless explicitly described otherwise.

At least two of the diffractive elements can each be a volume hologram. Here, one of the two diffractive elements can be a transmissive volume hologram and the other of the two diffractive elements can be a reflective volume hologram.

Such combinations of transmissive and reflective volume holograms can make it possible to make the device more compact.

The first main surface and / or the second main surface can have at least one curvature.

This can have the advantage that the spectacle lens can be used for optical correction in the visible range, comparable to classic glasses. For example, the spectacle lens can have a convex or a concave shape. But more complex shapes are also possible, for example a free form or shapes like those of multifocal or

Varifocal lenses are known.

The light source can comprise at least one of the following elements:

two individual light sources that are set up to light in different directions and / or in different wavelength ranges and / or at different To provide lighting positions of at least one coupling element of the optical arrangement,

a beam splitter,

a scanning mirror,

a switchable element.

In this way, between different light distributions of the light, for example a light distribution for supplying the eye implant with energy and a

Light distribution for other purposes, or between different light distribution for supplying the eye implant with energy, can be switched by the

Individual light sources, the beam splitter, the scanning mirror and / or the switchable element can be controlled accordingly.

In this case, the switchover preferably takes place as a function of a viewing direction of the eye, which is detected by an eye tracker, for example. In this way, the eye implant can be efficiently supplied with energy in the respective direction of view. As a result, the eye implant can also be supplied over a large field of view.

The spectacle lens can have a cutout. This allows some examinations of the eye with glasses being worn.

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using exemplary embodiments. Show it:

FIG. 1A shows a device known from the prior art,

Figure 1 B shows a device according to an embodiment,

Figure 2 different devices according to different embodiments,

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a device known from the prior art,

Figure 3C and 3D a device according to an embodiment,

FIG. 4 shows a device according to an exemplary embodiment with a deflection element, Figure 5 and 6 further embodiments with deflection elements,

Figures 7, 8, 9 various devices known from the prior art,

FIGS. 10 and 11 different devices according to different exemplary embodiments with groups of diffractive elements,

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 different devices according to different exemplary embodiments with groups of diffractive elements, decoupling elements and a beam expansion optics.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a tree structure in some

Embodiments.

FIG. 16 shows devices in accordance with various exemplary embodiments that are multi-channel and / or switchable.

17A shows a side view of a device that enables an examination modality.

Figure 17B shows a front view of the device of Figure 17A.

Fig. 18 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus that has a

Examination modality allows.

Various exemplary embodiments are explained in detail below. This

Exemplary embodiments serve only for illustration and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. For example, a description of an exemplary embodiment with a multiplicity of elements or components should not be interpreted to the effect that all of these elements or components are necessary for implementation. Rather, others can

Embodiments also contain alternative elements or components, fewer elements or components or also additional elements or components. Elements or components of different exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another, unless otherwise stated. Modifications and alterations which are described for one of the exemplary embodiments can also be applicable to other exemplary embodiments. To avoid repetition, elements that are the same or that correspond to one another are denoted by the same reference symbols in different figures and are not explained more than once.

The figures aim to illustrate the underlying principles. For example, surface shapes and refractions can therefore be indicated schematically. Refractions can be exaggerated or neglected, for example.

The techniques described are active for a variety of different

Eye implants, as mentioned above, applicable.

In the following, various devices for supplying a

Eye implant described with energy. In particular, known

Devices according to the invention compared with devices.

FIG. 1A shows a device 10A known from the prior art. The device 10A comprises a spectacle lens 100 with a first main surface 110. The main surface 110 here faces a user of the device 10A when the user is using the device

can for example be built into an eyeglass frame, carries. The spectacle lens 100 is set up to emit a collimated light bundle 210 in a direction 710A

To conduct decoupling hologram 470A. The coupling-out hologram 470A provides the light to the user who is wearing an active eye implant in the eye associated with the spectacle lens 100.

Figure 1 B shows a device 10 according to an embodiment, which a

Further development of the device 10A of FIG. 1A shows. The spectacle lens 100 of FIG. 1B is also set up to receive a collimated light bundle 201. In contrast to the collimated light bundle of FIG. 1A, the collimated light bundle 201 of FIG. 1B can be significantly narrower. The light bundle is received by a first diffractive element 401.

The first diffractive element 401 can be arranged obliquely in the spectacle lens 100.

The diffractive element 401 is set up to receive the collimated light bundle and to provide it as a divergent light bundle 220. The divergent light bundle 220 is now passed on to a second diffractive element 402. The second diffractive element 402 receives the divergent light bundle 220 and provides a widened light bundle. In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the second diffractive element 402 is a diffractive decoupling element 470, which decouples the expanded light bundle from the spectacle lens 100 and makes it available to a user.

FIG. 2 shows various devices according to various exemplary embodiments. Figures (A), (B) and (C) of Figure 2 each show a side view of the lens 100. This lens can be the lens of Figure 1B. The spectacle lenses 100 shown have a first main surface 110 facing the user 600 and a second main surface 120 facing away from the user 600. A light source 200 provides light 201 to a diffractive element 400.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C show different exemplary embodiments of devices 10 for supplying an active eye implant in an eye of a user 600 with energy, which devices comprise different optical arrangements 300.

2A shows a diffractive element 400 with a first end 410 and a second end 420. The diffractive element 400 is buried obliquely in the spectacle lens 100, so that the first end 410 has a different distance from the first main surface 110 than the second end 420. In the example shown, the spectacle lens 100 is a planar spectacle lens, that is to say a spectacle lens without refractive power. In other exemplary embodiments, the spectacle lens can also have one or more curved main surfaces and the diffractive element 400 can be arranged correspondingly obliquely with respect to the curved surfaces, for example a selected curved surface.

FIG. 2B shows an extended light source 200. This is indicated schematically by two different light sources 200a and 200b. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2B, the diffractive element 400 is a diffractive deflecting element 480. Due to the expansion of the light source 200, the respective light beams of the light source 200a and 200b reach the diffractive one

Deflection element 480 at different angles of incidence between the light bundle 270a, 270b and the diffractive deflection element 480. The diffractive deflection element 480 is set up to forward the light in a second direction 502a, 502b, the second direction in the example of Figure 2B depending on the angle of incidence and accordingly is different for the two light sources 200a, 200b.

FIG. 2C shows a light source 200 which is set up to provide light with different wavelengths. Two different wavelengths are shown as an example, one as a solid line, the other as a dotted line. This is also shown in FIG. 2C by the Light bundle 270 provided by the light source is received from a first direction 501 by the diffractive element 400. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2C, the diffractive element 400 is also a diffractive deflecting element 480 which is set up to forward the light bundle 270 in a respective second direction 502a, 502b as a function of a wavelength of the light bundle 270.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a device 10A known from the prior art for supplying an active eye implant in an eye of a user with energy. FIG. 3A shows a side view, and FIG. 3B shows a plan view of an optical arrangement 300A of the device 10A. A light source 200 emits light which is converted by a collimator prism 700A into a collimated light bundle 210A. The collimated light bundle 210A enters a spectacle lens 100 and experiences total reflection on the second main surface 120 of the spectacle lens 100 and thus reaches a decoupling element 470A, which is designed as a surface hologram. The second main surface 120 can also be designed as a hologram. The decoupling element 470A provides a focused light beam for the user with a

Ready focus point 705A. The focal point 705A can lie in a pupil plane of a user, for example. The extent of the beam for the user is determined by the height of the surface hologram.

Figures 3C and 3D show a further development of the device of Figures 3A and 3B according to various embodiments. FIG. 3C also shows a side view of an optical arrangement 300 of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention, which can be part of a device 10 according to the invention for supplying an active eye implant in an eye of a user with energy, and FIG. 3D shows a side view.

The device of FIGS. 3C and 3D also has a collimator prism 700, but this is significantly smaller than the collimator prism 700A of FIG. 3A. Accordingly, the collimated light bundle 210 provided by the collimator prism 700 is narrower than the collimated light bundle 210A of FIG. 3A. In the spectacle lens 100, the collimated light bundle 210 strikes a diffractive element 400 which is embedded in the spectacle lens 100 and which can be designed as a volume hologram. The diffractive element 400 expands the light bundle and provides a widened light bundle 230, which from the second main surface 120 of the

Spectacle lens 100 is totally reflected and is passed to a diffractive decoupling element 470. This focuses the light in a focal point 705. The focal point can also lie in FIG. 3C, as in the example in FIG. 3A, for example in a pupil plane of the user. The optical arrangement 300 of FIGS. 3C and 3D can have various advantages. Thanks to the volume hologram embedded obliquely in the lens, it is possible, despite one

Collimator prism 700, which in comparison with the collimator prism 700A of FIG. 3A has a smaller volume, an equally extended one, in some cases even larger

extended beam to make available to the user. As a result, the required volume of a device for supplying an active eye implant can be reduced, which can improve wearing comfort and aesthetics.

By designing the diffractive element 400 as a buried diffractive element 400, eye safety against excessive brilliance from the light source, for example in cases in which the light source 200 is a laser light source, can be more easily ensured. The entire optical structure 300 or parts thereof, for example the spectacle lens 100 and the collimator prism 700, can be manufactured in one piece, which can be advantageous for eye safety, for example because scattered light is present

Material transition points can be avoided and / or because gluing minimizes the risk of the different optical parts separating.

Further possible configurations of devices with diffractive elements which are arranged in a spectacle lens are explained below in connection with FIGS. 4-6. FIGS. 4-6 each show a spectacle lens 100 according to various

Embodiments of the device 10 that receive light 201 from a light source 200. In the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 4-6, the light 201 is received by at least one diffractive deflecting element 480, 481, 482 from a first direction 501 and passed on in a second direction 502.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4, the diffractive deflecting element 480 is designed as a switchable diffractive deflecting element. In the example shown, the diffractive element 480 has three different discrete states. In each of the three states, the light bundle 270 is received by the deflecting element 480 from a first direction 501 and forwarded in a respective second direction 502 that is dependent on the switching state. The optical arrangement 300 comprises three diffractive decoupling elements 470, 471, 472. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, these are arranged with an overlap in the volume of the spectacle lens 100. The decoupling elements 470, 471, 472 pass the light on to the active eye implant of the user. If the user looks upwards, for example, this can be detected by a controller of the device 10, and the switchable deflecting element 480 can be switched such that the second direction 502 is in the direction of the first decoupling element 471. As a result, when the user looks up, the light can easily reach the active eye implant. If the user looks down, the deflecting element 480 can be switched accordingly so that the deflected light bundle reaches the decoupling element 472, and as a result the light can easily reach the active eye implant through the pupil. If the user is looking in a neutral viewing direction, the diffractive deflecting element 480 can be switched in such a way that the light reaches the decoupling element 470 and can thus easily reach the active eye implant in the user's eye. This can have the advantage that less light cannot pass through the pupil opening, for example less light is shaded by the iris. In other words, light can be prevented from “wasting” by not even reaching the active eye implant.

As a result, the light power that has to be provided at a point in time can be reduced, which can improve the energy efficiency of the device 10.

In FIG. 5, the light source 201 provides the light collimated in different directions to different deflection elements 480, 481, 482. These deflection elements 480, 481, 482 can be in the same volume or at least partially overlapping in the volume of the

Spectacle lenses 100 can be arranged. The deflecting elements 480, 481, 482 are angle-selective.

Therefore, depending on the direction of the light 201A, 201B, 201C from the light source 200, the light is in a narrow acceptance range from only one of the deflection elements 480, 481, 482 to one of the decoupling elements 470, 471, 472 in the respective second direction 502

forwarded. This makes it possible, by controlling the angle of incidence,

for example, by means of an optical system between the light source 200 and the spectacle lens 100, to specifically supply only one or even several of the decoupling elements 470, 471, 472 with light. In this way, the energy efficiency of the device can also be increased and / or other light sources with different collimation characteristics can be used, which can likewise increase the energy efficiency and / or reduce the installation space requirements.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment. In the example in FIG. 6, the light source 200 provides light in different wavelength ranges in different directions 501. The respective light is guided by the diffractive deflecting elements 480 in the direction of an individual decoupling element 470 in the respective direction 502. This can have the advantage that different light sources 200 can be used and compact coupling optics can be provided, since the diffractive deflecting elements 480 can at least partially overlap in the volume of the spectacle lens 100. Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate conventional devices for supplying active eye implants. Apart from the details described, this device can correspond to the device 10A from FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In order to enable the user to look around as freely as possible, it is necessary for light to reach the active eye implant even when the eye is in different rotational positions. For this it is advantageous if the light reaches the focal point 705 from as large an angle range a, a ', a "as possible. This angle range is sometimes also referred to as the opening angle of the device.

At the same time, it is desirable to keep the thickness 703, 704, 709 of the spectacle lens 100 low.

FIG. 7 shows a device 10B from the prior art, this can for example be the device 10A of FIG. 3A. Here, the collimated light beam 210 is after

Total reflection on the second main surface 120 of the spectacle lens 100 from a diffractive surface element 701 to the focus point 705. For a given thickness 703 of the spectacle lens 100, only a certain angle a can be achieved here, due to the principle.

FIG. 8 shows a device 10C from the prior art. This device 10C makes it possible to enlarge the angle α of the device 10C of FIG. 7 to a larger angle α '. For this it is necessary to increase the diameter of the collimated light bundle 210. In the device 10A, this necessarily has the consequence that the thickness 704 of the spectacle lens 100 must be increased compared to the thickness 703 in order to be able to ensure a larger angle α '. In the prior art, a spectacle lens with a thickness of 4 to 5 mm 703, 704 is required in order to achieve opening angles of 40 °.

FIG. 9 shows a further device 10D according to the prior art. This is based on a collimated light bundle 210 with a smaller diameter and a thinner spectacle lens 709, but at the same time offers a larger opening angle a ″ at the focal point 705. This is achieved in that the spectacle lens 100 is used in multiple total reflection as an optical waveguide through a diffractive

Surface element which is arranged along the first main surface 110 of the spectacle lens 100. Due to the geometric restriction when coupling into the lens 100, however, in the prior art, gaps 706 necessarily occur undesirably along the multiple outcoupling.

Another challenge is that in devices for supplying active eye implants it is often necessary to provide the collimated light bundles 210 from a fixed angular range. Since the outcoupling diffractive elements 702 only have a very small angle acceptance range, the resulting gaps 706 can be even more problematic, since they increase in the case of implants with small dimensions

Supply problems and, in the worst case, can lead to functional failure.

Figures 10 and 11 show two different exemplary embodiments of devices according to different exemplary embodiments. As can be seen from the figures, a collimated light bundle 210 is also coupled into the spectacle lens 100. This has a thickness 101, 102 which is less than the thickness 704.

In each case a group of diffractive elements 530 is buried in the spectacle lens 100 and arranged at an angle with respect to the spectacle lens. A first group element 440 is each set up to receive the collimated light 210 from the light source.

Each of the diffractive elements from the group of diffractive elements 430 is set up to receive the light 201 from a first direction 510 and to deflect it to a first part in a respective deflection direction 520 and to a second part in a respective one

Forwarding direction 530 forward. Here, the light is forwarded in total reflection in the respective forwarding direction 530. This arrangement allows in some

Embodiments, a large angle β can be achieved without gaps 706 occurring in the deflected light 240 or these gaps are at least reduced. In FIG. 10, the group of diffractive elements 430 is made up of buried transmissives

Volume holograms executed. An arrangement similar to FIG. 10 is shown in FIG. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 11, however, the group of diffractive elements 430 is designed as buried reflection volume holograms.

The respective diffractive elements of the group of diffractive elements 430 can be designed along the light path in such a way that the ratio of transmission and deflection changes in each case in such a way that the same light intensity is achieved over the illumination angle β and β '. This principle can also be used in other arrangements, for example in cases with more than one light source, for example one light source per side, the ratio of transmission and deflection towards the center of the spectacle lens 100 can be changed element by element along the respective transmission light path.

Also the - not shown - combination of buried reflection and

Transmission holograms are possible.

Such groups of diffractive elements can also form a tree structure. Such a device 1100 is illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 15 shows a detailed view of a device 1100 which, as for the above

Embodiments described is arranged in a spectacle lens serving as an optical waveguide. A plurality of diffractive elements 1500 are shown schematically, with a first diffractive element receiving light from a light source 1440. The further elements of the multiplicity of diffractive elements 1500 have a tree structure 1530.

The diffractive elements 1500 can be set up both for forwarding light in the spectacle lens to a next diffractive element 1500 in the tree structure and for coupling out light from the spectacle lens in order to direct light to an eye. The tree structure further increases the degree of freedom in the design of a luminous distribution of the light that can be generated by the device 1100.

Further exemplary embodiments are shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14. The sub-figures (A) each show a top view of a spectacle lens 100. The sub-figures (B) each show a side view. In the exemplary embodiments, light is coupled into the spectacle lens from a light source 200 and directed to a focal point 705 by a group of diffractive elements 430 as described above.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 10 and 11, the light in the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 12-14 is not guided in total resection, but rather as an expanded light bundle 230 parallel to a lens plane 150. For this purpose a

Beam expansion optics 490 comprising a first diffractive element 401 and a second diffractive element 402 are used. The group of diffractive elements 430 is set up to receive the divergent light bundle 220 from the first diffractive element 401 and to provide it as an expanded light bundle 230. In contrast to the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 10 and 11, the light in the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 12 to 14 is not guided in total reflection but as an expanded light bundle 230 parallel to a lens plane 150. For this purpose a

Beam expansion optics 490 comprising a first diffractive element 401 and a second diffractive element 402 are used.

The beam expansion optics 490 can serve, similar to the operating principle of a Galilean telescope, for expansion and subsequent collimation into the interior of the spectacle lens. The group of diffractive elements 430 can include several diffractive decoupling elements 470, for example first and second diffractive decoupling elements 471, 472.

The group of diffractive elements 430 can also be called transmissive

Volume holograms, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, or as reflective volume holograms, as shown in FIG. 14, or as a combination thereof. For the

Expansion optics, the devices and optical arrangements 300 described in connection with FIGS. 1B, 2 and 4 to 6 can also be used.

In some examples, the diffractive elements for beam shaping require a

Angular deflection. This can be the case, for example, when volume holograms are used as diffractive elements 401, 402. In these cases, an arrangement of first and second diffractive elements 401, 402, as shown in FIG. 12, can be suboptimal, since the bundle center ray 560 is not deflected. This can be improved by a lateral offset of the light source 200 in relation to the desired bundle center beam 560, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The offset 570 can also be chosen to be even larger (not shown), so that not only the center beam 560 is deflected, but all light of the expanded light bundle 230 by increasing the offset 570 until the light source is above the area of the expanded light bundle, for example 230 is arranged in the plan view (A) of FIGS. 12 to 14.

16 shows devices in accordance with various exemplary embodiments that are multi-channel and / or switchable. For example, light from two different light sources can be used here. Light from one light source can serve, for example, to supply an eye implant with energy as described above, while light from another light source serves other purposes, for example for illuminating or projecting information. In other embodiments, different wavelengths can be used Supply of eye implants can be provided. Again with others

Embodiments can provide light with different light distributions for supplying eye implants. For example, an eye tracker can be used to record a viewing direction of the eye and, depending on the viewing direction, one

Light distribution can be selected in order to efficiently supply the eye implant with energy in the respective viewing direction. As a result, the eye implant can also be supplied over a large field of view. For example, a

The viewing direction of the eye can be monitored with a so-called eye tracker and the light distribution can be selected depending on the viewing direction

To optimize the energy supply of the implant and / or to ensure that the largest possible part of the radiated energy reaches the eye implant.

The sub-figures FIGS. 16 (a) to 16 (g) show different examples of multi-channel or switchable devices which are set up to provide different light distributions, for example for supplying an eye implant with energy.

Various concepts of multichannel waveguide systems are described below with the aid of devices 1100 at (a) to (g). The concepts can have high spectral and / or angular selectivity from diffractive elements as already with the above

Embodiments explained, for example, make use of volume holograms or other microstructured optical elements, in order to be able to transmit several bundles of rays independently of one another within the same volume of a spectacle lens serving as a light guide 1400. With a high spectral selectivity, the decrease in the efficiency of the element, for example by 50% half width, sometimes also as width at half height (English: Full Width at Half Maximum, FWHM) with wavelength deviations from the design wavelength, for example <40 nm, for example <10 nm understood.

With a high angular selectivity, a decrease in the efficiency of the element by 50% FWHM in the event of a deviation of the beam incidence angle from a design angle for which the respective optical element is designed, for example by an associated one

To receive incoming light bundles from this angle, for example <10 °,

understood for example <2 °. In such cases, but not limited to, multiple bundles of rays with different directions and / or wavelengths can propagate within the same volume of the optical waveguide 1400 and can selectively from assigned optical elements, sometimes also described as "matching", are coupled and forwarded. In other words, within an identical volume of the light guide 1400, selectively acting replication regions can be provided, which can be provided by buried diffractive elements. Replication areas are set up to receive at least one associated input light bundle with an input beam profile and a plurality of associated output light bundles with respective ones

To provide output beam profiles, for example, to couple a light bundle out of a spectacle lens and to pass on another light bundle in the spectacle lens. This

Replication areas can work in superposition and convert the light into different light distributions for different characteristics, for example angles of incidence. This is sometimes also described as multiplexing, for example as spectral multiplexing, if the optical elements, for example volume holograms, are set up in such a way that they have different coupling behavior for different spectral properties of the light. Other types of multiplexing are also possible, for example angle-dependent or polarization-dependent multiplexing, and combinations thereof.

This basic idea is briefly explained below using the example of side views of device 1100 in FIG. Only a maximum of two light sources are shown here by way of example; this is of course not to be interpreted as limiting, more complex systems, for example with more than two light sources, are also possible.

The device at (a) shows a device 1100 which is set up to receive light from a first light source 1203 with a first wavelength A1 and light of a second wavelength K2 from a second light source 1204, and to a light distribution 1200 for each received wavelength produce. In the example shown, the light distribution 1200 comprises a light distribution, which is made up of the light distribution 1200, e.g. for supplying an eye implant with energy and a light distribution of fixation marks 1230. Such a structure can have the advantage that it is possible to provide different light distributions with the same optical waveguide 1400 in different wavelength ranges for different purposes, in the example shown, for example, the fixation marks 230 at a wavelength K2 of the second light source 1204 in the visible range and infrared light at one wavelength A1 of the first light source 1203 in the infrared. It can also send both light sources in the infrared at different wavelengths, in particular to generate different light distributions to supply the

Eye implant with energy. FIG. 16 (b) shows an alternative implementation of the device of FIG. 16 (a) with a differently configured coupling element 1440. Described with reference to FIG

Coupling elements can be implemented with diffractive elements, in particular buried diffractive elements. In this embodiment, this includes

Coupling element 1440 two different areas, a first coupling area 1440A being set up to couple the light from the first light source 1203, and a second coupling area 1440B being set up to couple the light from the second light source 1203 into the optical waveguide 1400.

FIGS. 16 (c) to 16 (g) show various possibilities for realizing switchable systems and / or systems that allow multiple light distributions in superposition, sometimes also referred to as superposition.

In the example of FIG. 16 (c), the light sources 1203, 1204 are arranged laterally offset and are coupled by coupling elements 1440A, 1440B at different points in the

Optical fiber 4100 coupled.

The respective associated coupling elements 1440A, 1440B can in this way

be designed so that even with light sources 1203, 1204 of the same type, different coupling-in into the optical waveguide 1400 is achieved, for example different coupling-in angles. Thus, the device 1100 can be configured to have two

Light distributions, in the example shown, a respective light distribution per light source to be provided. In some examples, these light distributions can be selected independently of one another, for example on the basis of those described above

Angular selectivity and / or wavelength selectivity of the optical elements used.

FIG. 16 (d) shows a variation of FIG. 16 (c), the two light sources 1204, 1203 impinging on a coupling element 1440 at different angles. This is set up to couple the two light sources into the optical waveguide 1400 independently of one another. In the example of FIG. 16 (e), only one light source 1203 is present. The angle of incidence of the light from the light source 1203 is varied by a scanning mirror 1460, which results in a switchable light distribution. In the example of FIG. 16 (f), a switchable optical element 1470, for example a switchable hologram, is present in the optical waveguide 1400. This also allows a superposition of different light distributions to be achieved. In the example of Fig. 16 (g), a polarization changing element 1480 changes the

Polarization properties of the light from the light source 203. The optical elements of the Device 1100 can have polarization-dependent properties, so that a variation of the polarization of the incident light on device 1100

different light distributions can be brought about.

The examples shown in FIGS. 16 (a) to 16 (g) can also be combined with one another. For example, different light sources with different

Polarization directions - corresponding to the example in FIG. 16 (g) - can be combined with a scanning mirror - as shown in FIG. 16 (e). Any other combinations of the elements and procedures shown are also possible.

In some exemplary embodiments, an opening in the spectacle lens may be desirable, for example in order to be able to carry out examinations of the eye with an examination modality. In order to nevertheless provide a suitable luminous distribution of light for supplying an eye implant with energy, such a device can then be configured as explained with reference to FIGS. 17A, 17B and 18.

17A shows a side view of a device 1100 according to an embodiment. 17B shows a front view of the device 1100.

With the device 1100, a light distribution 1200 for supplying a

Eye implant of an eye 1800 provided with energy, wherein buried diffractive elements are used as explained above. With a switchable device as explained with reference to FIG. 16, in some exemplary embodiments switchable to a light distribution for illuminating the eye for an examination, for example for a keratometric measurement of the cornea of the eye 800. The eye can also be examined through a recess 1420 in a spectacle lens serving as an optical waveguide 1400. For example, in the case of the above-mentioned keratometric

Examination of the light reflected from the cornea of the eye 1800 is performed by a

Detection device 1900 detected along a detection beam path 1905 and can then be analyzed in order to infer the topology of the cornea. As mentioned, the optical waveguide 1400 of the device 1100 has the recess 1420. In order to achieve a light distribution 1200 suitable for supplying an eye implant with energy or possibly also for lighting such as keratometry, despite the recess 1420, which covers an entire field of view of the eye 800 or illuminates the entire eye to be examined, the light from two light sources 1203 , 1204 provided and by two coupling elements 1440, 1441, each of which comprises buried diffractive elements can, coupled. Starting from the respective coupling-in elements 1440, 1441, the light is replicated over a multiplicity of replication areas and is coupled out in the direction of the eye 1800 as a light distribution 1200. In the example of the device shown, the surface normal of the optical waveguide 1400 is arranged parallel to a main visual axis of the eye 8100. In other

In embodiments, however, the normal of the optical waveguide can also just not be arranged parallel to the main visual axis of the eye 1800. In this way, for example, reflections can be reduced or avoided.

18 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a device 1100 as a modification of the device in FIGS. 17A, 17B.

In the device 1100 of FIG. 18, there are four coupling elements 1440 to 1443, which in turn can be implemented with buried diffractive elements, as explained above. The multiplicity of replication regions 1500 are coupled to one another in such a way that a luminous distribution like the luminous distribution 1200 of FIG. 7A through the multiplicity of

Replication areas 1500 can be provided. The exemplary embodiments shown here can provide an improved device for

Supply of active eye implants with energy.

Claims

A device (10; 1100) for supplying an active eye implant in an eye of a user with energy, comprising:

a spectacle lens (100) with a first main surface (110) and a second main surface

(120),

a light source (200),

an optical arrangement (300) which is set up to couple light (201) from the light source (200) into the spectacle lens (100) and from that of the first main surface (110) of the

Uncoupling spectacle lenses (100) towards the user,

wherein the optical arrangement (300) comprises at least one diffractive element (400) which is arranged in the spectacle lens (100), each of the at least one diffractive element (400) having an associated first end (410) and an associated second end ( 420), where

the associated first end (410) and the associated second end (420) each have a different distance from the first main surface (110) and / or each have a different distance from the second main surface (120).

2. Device (10; 1100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one diffractive element (400) comprises a first diffractive element (401) which is set up to receive a collimated light bundle (210) and as a divergent light bundle (220) to provide.

3. The device (10; 1100) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one diffractive element (400) comprises a second diffractive element (402) which is set up to receive the divergent light bundle (220) from the first diffractive element (401) and to be provided as an expanded light beam (230).

4. Device (10; 1100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one diffractive element (400) comprises a group of diffractive elements (430) which are each set up to receive light (201) from a respective receiving direction (510) receive and redirect to a first part (240) in a respective deflection direction (520) and forward to a second part (250) in a respective forwarding direction (530),

wherein a first group element (440) from the group of diffractive elements (430) is set up to receive light from the light source (200).

5. The device (10; 1100) according to claim 3 and claim 4, wherein the expanded light bundle (230) runs in at least one of the respective receiving directions (510).

6. The device (10; 1100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the group of diffractive elements (430) comprises a second group element (450) which is arranged such that it sends light in its forwarding direction (530) to a third group element ( 460) in the receiving direction (510) of the third group element (460).

7. Device (10; 1100) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the device (10; 1100) is set up to couple out the light in the respective deflection direction (520) towards the user.

8. Device (10; 1100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the group of diffractive elements (430) is set up so that the respective ratio of the first part (240) to the second part (250) with a number of group elements the group of diffractive elements (430) which the light has traversed in the spectacle lens (100) increases.

9. Device (10; 1100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical arrangement (300) comprises at least one diffractive decoupling element (470) which is set up to receive light from the at least one diffractive element 400 and to decouple it to the user.

10. The device (10; 1100) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one diffractive

Outcoupling element (470) is set up to couple out the light with an effective focus to the user.

11. Apparatus (10; 1100) for energizing an active eye implant in an eye of a user, comprising:

(120),

a light source (200),

an optical arrangement (300) which is set up to couple light from the light source (200) into the spectacle lens (100) and out of the first main surface (110) of the spectacle lens (100) towards the user, the optical arrangement ( 300) includes:

at least one diffractive deflecting element (480) which is set up

Receiving light bundles (270) from a first direction (501) and in a second direction (502) from a number of possible directions, the second direction (502) depending on:

an angle of incidence between the light bundle (270) and the at least one diffractive deflecting element (480), and / or

a wavelength of the light beam (270) and / or

a switching state of the at least one diffractive deflecting element (480).

12. The device (10; 1100) according to claim 11, wherein the at least one diffractive deflection element (480) comprises a multiple-exposed volume hologram, the number of possible directions being based on the number of multiple exposures of the multiple-exposed volume hologram.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 and claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one diffractive deflecting element (480) comprises a first diffractive deflecting element (483) and a second diffractive deflecting element (484), the first and the second diffractive

Deflection elements (483, 484) are arranged at least partially separately in the spectacle lens (100) and are each set up to forward light to the at least one diffractive decoupling element (470).

14. Device (10; 1100) according to claim 9 and claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one diffractive coupling-out element (470) comprises a first coupling-out element (471) and a second coupling-out element (472) and wherein

the number of possible directions includes:

a direction from the at least one diffractive deflecting element (480) to the first decoupling element (471) and

a direction from the at least one diffractive deflecting element (480) to the second decoupling element (472).

15. Device (10; 1100) according to one of claims 11-14, wherein the at least one diffractive deflecting element (480) is at least one arranged in the spectacle lens (100)

Volume hologram is.

16. Device (10; 1100) according to one of claims 11-15, wherein a first

Deflection element (481) of the at least one diffractive deflection element (480) is set up to convert the light bundle (270) into a divergent deflected light bundle (260), so that the optical arrangement (300) is set up to emit the divergent deflected light bundle (260) in the second direction (502).

17. Device (10; 1100) for supplying an active eye implant in an eye of a user with energy, the device being designed according to one of claims 1-10 and according to one of claims 11-16,

wherein the at least one diffractive element (400) is arranged in at least one of the number of possible directions and / or wherein the at least one diffractive element

Deflection element (480) which comprises or is at least one diffractive element (400).

18. Device (10; 1100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the diffractive elements (400, 401, 402, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 41, 472) is a

Volume hologram is.

19. The device (10; 1100) according to claim 18, wherein at least two of the diffractive elements (400, 401, 402, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 41, 472) are each a volume hologram, and wherein one of the two diffractive Elements is a transmissive volume hologram and the other of the two diffractive elements is a reflective volume hologram.

20. Device (10; 1100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first

Main surface (110) and / or the second main surface (120) has at least one curvature.

21. Device (1100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source comprises at least one of the following elements:

two individual light sources (1203, 1204) which are set up to provide light in different directions and / or in different wavelength ranges and / or at different lighting positions of at least one coupling element (1440; 1441-1443) of the optical arrangement (300),

a beam splitter (1450),

a scanning mirror (1460),

a switchable element (1470).

22. The device (1100) according to claim 21, wherein the device is set up in

To switch between at least two different luminous distributions of the light (201) as a function of a viewing direction of the eye.

23. Device (1100) according to one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the spectacle lens (100) has a recess (1420).