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Electronic Contact Lens promises bionic capabilities for everyone
Gizmag.com ^ | 01/22/08 | Gizmag.com

Posted on 01/22/2008 6:34:54 AM PST by Reaganesque

January 22, 2008 It’s not often in this era of rampant technological innovation that a fundamentally new concept surfaces – with almost no limitations to what can be achieved with the myriad new technologies coming to market over the last few years, fundamentally new ideas of this magnitude are becoming increasingly rare, much less technologies with groundbreaking societal implications. Such a technology emerged this week when it was announced that engineers at the University of Washington have used microscopic scale manufacturing techniques to combine a flexible contact lens with an imprinted electronic circuit and lights.

Though in its infancy, the combination of a wearable contact lens with embedded optoelectronic and electronic devices promises many things, most notably this could well be the beginning of the Computer Human Interface of the future.

The trend towards miniaturization of computers has now reached a roadblock due to our inability to adequately display the information they provide on smaller screens – the main limiting factor in relation to the ever-shrinking size of computers and telephones has become the size of the display – if it gets any smaller, we can’t read it.

Currently, the most obvious solutions for further reduction in size of wearable computer-based devices are miniature projectors and externally worn heads up displays. ...

...continued

(Excerpt) Read more at gizmag.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Technical
KEYWORDS: bionic; contact; eyes; lense
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The article goes on for several more pages. Very interesting stuff. Of course, I've tried wearing contacts and had an awful time getting them in and out. Oh well.

So, if in the future you see someone crawling around on the floor in your office you can ask them "Loose your Heads Up Display"?

1 posted on 01/22/2008 6:34:56 AM PST by Reaganesque
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To: Reaganesque

Okay, bionics are done. Now we just need to me some terminator armor, a power fist, and a storm bolter and I’ll be ready to take on the genestealers.


2 posted on 01/22/2008 6:36:24 AM PST by domenad (In all things, in all ways, at all times, let honor guide me.)
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To: Reaganesque

Call me when they invent x-ray contacts.


3 posted on 01/22/2008 6:36:46 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (Ron Paul put the cuckoo in my Cocoa Puffs)
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To: Reaganesque

My hi-tech contacts give me a great heads-up display -- but these cooling fans are a hassle!

4 posted on 01/22/2008 6:39:27 AM PST by ClearCase_guy (The broken wall, the burning roof and tower. And Agamemnon dead.)
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To: Reaganesque
Although it doesn't have a computer interface, the Crystalens implant can provide near, intermediate and distant vision without glasses. I've had both eyes implanted in the last 2 months and my visual acuity is better than 20/20 at all distances. Before, without glasses, I was about 20/200.


5 posted on 01/22/2008 6:43:11 AM PST by CholeraJoe (Not to discount the sexual prowess of the rabbit, BUT, there's a reason it's not called BUNNY STYLE.)
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To: Reaganesque
What we really need from this technology is a self-finding contact lens.
6 posted on 01/22/2008 6:45:48 AM PST by BlazingArizona
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To: domenad

In the Name of the Emperor!


7 posted on 01/22/2008 6:46:20 AM PST by agere_contra
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To: Reaganesque

bump .... and for those of us that hate contact lenses?


8 posted on 01/22/2008 6:47:54 AM PST by Centurion2000 (It's only arrogance if you can't back it up.)
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To: Reaganesque
Being the proud possessor of two accommodating lens implants (focusing lenses), I find this concept incredibly intriguing. I would love to try even early versions.
9 posted on 01/22/2008 7:00:41 AM PST by Truth29
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To: CholeraJoe

Was this for post-cataract removal surgery? Did your doc say anything about the regrowth of tissue around the perimeter, eventually interferring with the intermediate/near vision?

I have even worse visual acuity than you did and very early cataracts (still see fine with glasses), but had been told last summer that the variable focus lenses are still subject to the tissue encroachment around their perimeter, over time. So, I am watching the technology and waiting.


10 posted on 01/22/2008 7:01:38 AM PST by reformedliberal
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To: CholeraJoe

Based on my experience, you sir, have had an UNUSUALLY good result.

Congratulations.


11 posted on 01/22/2008 7:07:13 AM PST by EyeGuy
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To: Reaganesque

Perhaps the best application for this wouldn’t be to look at a computer screen, but to use the contacts for overlays.

For example, say a doctor looks at a person. If they have contacts that can show an infrared overlay, they might notice that, for some reason, the lower right part of their abdomen is hot. With just a brief inspection, they might not even notice that with their fingertips, but now they can see it.

Another example, let’s say you are not familiar with your car’s engine. But with a schematic overlay, you look at it, and are shown lines indicating different parts, what they are, and how to fix them.

The trick is that the contacts are just the display, they don’t contain the sensor or computer itself. So you would need some other device to look at things from your perspective. Perhaps on a headband, or over an ear.


12 posted on 01/22/2008 7:16:16 AM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: Truth29

what are you talking about?
crystalens, or something else?


13 posted on 01/22/2008 7:17:50 AM PST by patch789
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To: Reaganesque

Can you look at a woman and see her with her clothes off? That would be a technology advancement worth waiting for.


14 posted on 01/22/2008 7:18:13 AM PST by Nonstatist
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To: reformedliberal
I was an early adopter of accommodating lenses (October and November, 2004) and I am still very pleased. I was so nearsighted (11 diopters) along with cataracts, that these lenses restored my vision to what it was 30 years ago. I am not 20/20 because my nearsigntedness exceeded the maximum specs of what was then manufactured, but at 20/40 I would do it again today.

Regarding tissue encroachment, there has been no appreciable problem. In fact a little occlusion of the lens' edge is desirable because it stopped the stray reflection of light off of the lens edge.

In summary, I would recommend them for anyone found medically suitable.

15 posted on 01/22/2008 7:20:43 AM PST by Truth29
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Sounds like this would be good for me.

My left eye is my dominant eye...


16 posted on 01/22/2008 7:21:01 AM PST by wastedyears (This is my BOOMSTICK)
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To: EyeGuy; reformedliberal

This was refractive lens replacement, not post cataract, but the operation is the same. It requires complete removal of the lens and replacement with the Crystalens.

I was informed that there may be opacification of the capsule at some point requiring additional laser procedures.

For the time being, I am very satisfied with the results thus far.


17 posted on 01/22/2008 7:26:03 AM PST by CholeraJoe (Not to discount the sexual prowess of the rabbit, BUT, there's a reason it's not called BUNNY STYLE.)
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To: patch789

Early Crystalens. I am not sure the design is exactly the same as shown up thread, but the concept is the same.


18 posted on 01/22/2008 7:26:29 AM PST by Truth29
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To: Reaganesque

19 posted on 01/22/2008 7:28:01 AM PST by Corin Stormhands (**insert witty tagline here**)
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To: Reaganesque
I wonder if they make that D..D..D..D..d..d.. sound when they zoom in.
20 posted on 01/22/2008 7:30:22 AM PST by Telepathic Intruder
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