Vision Prosthesis

Abstract

A vision prosthesis includes an intra-ocular lens system having a variable focal length; and a controller that causes a change in the focal length thereof.

Having described the invention, and a preferred embodiment thereof, what I claim as new and secured by letters patent is: 
     
         1 . A vision prosthesis comprising:
 an intra-ocular lens system having a variable focal length; and   a controller for causing a change in the focal length thereof   
     
     
         2 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising a rangefinder for providing the controller with an estimate of a distance to an object-of-regard. 
     
     
         3 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator for receiving a signal from the controller to cause a change in the focal length of the intra-ocular lens system. 
     
     
         4 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator for changing an index of refraction of the intra-ocular lens system in response to a signal from the controller. 
     
     
         5 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator for mechanically changing the focal length of the intra-ocular lens system in response to a signal from the controller. 
     
     
         6 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the intra-ocular lens system comprises a chamber containing nematic liquid crystal. 
     
     
         7 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the intra-ocular lens system comprises:
 a first lens element;   a second lens element moveable relative to the first lens element; and   a motor coupled to the second lens element for moving the second lens element relative to the first lens element.   
     
     
         8 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 2 , further comprising a transducer for detecting a stimulus from an anatomic structure within the eye and providing a signal indicative of the stimulus to the rangefinder. 
     
     
         9 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 7 , further comprising a manual focusing control for enabling a patient to fine tune focusing of the lens. 
     
     
         10 . A vision-prosthesis comprising:
 an intra-ocular lens system having a variable focal length; and   an actuator coupled to the intra-ocular lens system for causing a change in the focal length thereof   
     
     
         11 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 10 , further comprising a controller coupled to the actuator for causing the actuator to cause the change in the focal length. 
     
     
         12 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 10 , further comprising a rangefinder for providing an estimate of a distance to an object of regard, the estimate forming a basis for determining an extent to which to vary the focal length. 
     
     
         13 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 10 , further comprising a transducer for coupling to an anatomic structure within the eye, the transducer generating a signal indicative of a distance to an object-of-reguard, the signal providing information to be used in determing an extent to which to vary the focal length. 
     
     
         14 . A vision prosthesis comprising:
 an intra-ocular lens system having a variable focal length; and   a rangefinder for providing an estimate of an extent to which to vary the focal length.   
     
     
         15 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 14 , wherein the rangefinder is configured to provide an estimate at least in part on the basis of activity of an anatomic structure within the eye. 
     
     
         16 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 15 , further comprising a transducer coupled to the anatomic structure and to the rangefinder for providing the rangefinder with information indicative of activity of the anatomic structure. 
     
     
         17 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 14 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the intra-ocular lens system for causing a change to the focal length thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The vision prosthesis of  claim 14 , further comprising a controller for receiving information from the rangefinder and causing a change to the focal length of the intra-ocular lens system at least in past on the basis thereof