Intraocular lens with curvature changing device and treatment device with the intraocular lens

Abstract

The invention relates to an intraocular lens (1) having an optical body (2) which has an optical axis (3), a circumferential direction (25) relative to the optical axis, a radial direction (26) relative to the optical axis, an axial direction (27) relative to the optical axis, a first wall (4) through which light for optical imaging in the axial direction (27) is to enter the optical body (2), a second wall (5) through which the light for optical imaging in the axial direction (27) is to exit the optical body (2), and an interior space (6) delimited by the first wall (4) and the second wall (5), and a curvature-changing device (10) which contacts the optical body (2), as well as a plurality of shape memory elements (11) which are arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction (25) and comprise a shape memory material with a transition temperature, and at least one connector (12).which connects two adjacent shape memory elements (11) to one another, wherein the shape memory elements (11) are configured to change the length of the shape memory elements (11) in the circumferential direction (25) when the shape memory elements (11) are heated to a temperature above the transition temperature and thus to bring about a change in the curvature of the first wall (4) and / or a change in the curvature of the second wall (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an intraocular lens with a curvature changing device and a treatment device with the intraocular lens.

[0002] During cataract treatment, the natural lens of an eye is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. For this purpose, an approximately 2 mm incision is made in the eye. The natural lens is broken up through the incision, for example using phacoemulsification, and then suctioned out. The intraocular lens is then inserted into the eye through the incision. Before cataract treatment, the eye is measured to determine the properties of the intraocular lens to be inserted, such as its refractive power. In particular, the process of making the incision in the eye and suctioning out the natural lens changes the eye during cataract treatment. As a result, the eye measured before cataract treatment no longer corresponds to the eye during cataract treatment. This can lead to an intraocular lens being inserted that does not have optimal properties for the eye and, in particular, does not have optimal refractive power.It would therefore be desirable to be able to change the refractive power of the intraocular lens after the intraocular lens has been inserted into the eye.

[0003] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an intraocular lens with which the refractive power of the intraocular lens can be changed after the intraocular lens has been inserted into an eye. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a treatment device using the intraocular lens.

[0004] The intraocular lens according to the invention comprises an optical body and a curvature-changing device. The optical body has an optical axis, a circumferential direction relative to the optical axis, a radial direction relative to the optical axis, and an axial direction relative to the optical axis. Furthermore, the optical body has a first wall through which light for optical imaging is to enter the optical body in the axial direction, a second wall through which the light for optical imaging is to exit the optical body in the axial direction, and an interior space delimited by the first wall and the second wall. The curvature-changing device contacts the optical body.In addition, the curvature-changing device comprises a plurality of shape memory elements arranged adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction and comprising a shape memory material with a transition temperature, and at least one connector that connects two adjacent shape memory elements to one another. The shape memory elements are configured to change the length of the shape memory elements in the circumferential direction when the shape memory elements are heated to a temperature above the transition temperature, thus causing a change in the curvature of the first wall and / or a change in the curvature of the second wall.

[0005] The intraocular lens can be inserted into the capsular bag of an eye during cataract treatment. If, following cataract treatment, it is determined that the refractive power of the optic body is not optimal, selected shape-memory elements can be irradiated with electromagnetic radiation using a radiation source, such as a laser, and thereby heated to a temperature above the transition temperature. This changes the curvature of the first wall and / or the curvature of the second wall, thereby changing the refractive power of the optic body. Thus, the intraocular lens can be used to change the refractive power of the intraocular lens once the intraocular lens is inserted into the eye.

[0006] The shape memory elements are preferably alternately an expansion element in the circumferential direction, which is configured to lengthen the length of the expansion element in the circumferential direction when the expansion element is heated to a temperature above the transition temperature, and a contraction element, which is configured to shorten the length of the contraction element in the circumferential direction when the contraction element is heated to a temperature above the transition temperature. The expansion elements reduce the curvature of the first wall and / or the second wall, thereby lowering the refractive power, and the contraction elements increase the curvature of the first wall and / or the second wall, thereby increasing the refractive power. By providing both the expansion elements and the contraction elements, a change in the refractive power that has been made can also be reversed.

[0007] It is preferred that the curvature-changing device completely surrounds the optic body in the circumferential direction. This allows the curvature of the first wall and / or the curvature of the second wall to be changed particularly uniformly. Alternatively, it is preferred that the curvature-changing device is not formed in a section in the circumferential direction. This allows the curvature-changing device to be attached to the optic body particularly easily. This applies in particular when the curvature-changing device is attached to the optic body in the eye.

[0008] The optical body preferably has an outer wall that delimits the interior in the radial direction. It is conceivable that the curvature-changing device contacts the outer wall outside the optical body. The outer wall can, for example, have a circumferential groove in which the curvature-changing device is incorporated. The circumferential groove can, for example, extend completely in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, to the curvature-changing device contacting the outer wall outside the optical body, it is conceivable that the curvature-changing device is incorporated into the outer wall. The curvature-changing device can be arranged entirely or partially in the outer wall.

[0009] It is preferred that the optical body has at least one axial groove, which is introduced into an outer end of the optical body in the radial direction and is accessible in the axial direction and / or counter to the axial direction. If the axial groove is accessible in the axial direction, the axial groove can deform when the curvature of the first wall changes, thus reducing mechanical stresses in the first wall. Similarly, if the axial groove is accessible in the axial direction, the axial groove can deform when the curvature of the second wall changes, thus reducing mechanical stresses in the second wall.

[0010] It is preferred that the intraocular lens has a plurality of curvature-changing devices and, for each of the curvature-changing devices, a respective associated eccentric mounted on the outside of the optical body. For each of the curvature-changing devices, the curvature-changing device is guided past the side of the associated eccentric facing away from the optical axis, and the curvature-changing devices other than the curvature-changing device are guided past the side of the associated eccentric facing the optical axis. This allows the curvature of the first wall and / or the curvature of the second wall to be changed asymmetrically. This makes it possible to correct astigmatism with the intraocular lens.

[0011] The intraocular lens preferably has a respective waveguide for each of the shape memory elements, which is configured to guide electromagnetic radiation to the shape memory element.

[0012] It is preferred that the shape of the shape memory element is selected from the group: sphere, ellipsoid, cuboid, eyelet, arc.

[0013] The transition temperature is preferably in a range of 40°C to 90°C, or 45°C to 90°C, or 55°C to 90°C. This prevents the transition temperature from being exceeded in the event of fever and the fluid surrounding the intraocular lens from boiling in the eye.

[0014] The treatment device according to the invention comprises the intraocular lens according to the invention or a preferred embodiment thereof and a radiation source configured to heat one of the shape memory elements to a temperature above the transition temperature by irradiating it with electromagnetic radiation. The radiation source can be, for example, a laser.

[0015] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached schematic drawings. Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of an intraocular lens according to the invention with a partially cut-away optical body, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the first embodiment at a first time, Fig. 3 the longitudinal section Fig. 2 at a second time, Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of a first embodiment of a curvature changing device of the intraocular lens at a first time, Fig. 5 the top view Fig. 4 at a second time, Fig. 6 a plan view of a second embodiment of the curvature changing device, Fig. 7 a longitudinal section through a portion of a second embodiment of the intraocular lens arranged in a capsular bag of an eye, Fig. 8 a cross-section through a third embodiment of the intraocular lens, Fig. 9 a longitudinal section through a portion of a fourth embodiment of the intraocular lens and Fig. 10 a longitudinal section through a portion of a fifth embodiment of the intraocular lens.

[0016] How it looks Fig. 1 to 3 and 7 to 10, an intraocular lens 1 comprises an optical body 2 and a curvature-changing device 10. The optical body 2 has an optical axis 3, a circumferential direction 25 related to the optical axis, a radial direction 26 related to the optical axis, and an axial direction 27 related to the optical axis (see Fig. 1 to 3 and 7). In addition, the optical body has a first wall 4 through which light can enter the optical body 2 for optical imaging in the axial direction 27, a second wall 5 through which the light can exit the optical body 2 for optical imaging in the axial direction 27, and an interior space 6 delimited by the first wall 4 and the second wall 5. The curvature-changing device 10 contacts the optical body 2. In addition, the curvature-changing device 10 has a plurality of shape memory elements 11 arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction 25 and comprising a shape memory material with a transition temperature, and at least one connector 12 that connects two adjacent shape memory elements 11 to one another.The shape memory elements 11 are configured to change the length of the shape memory elements 11 in the circumferential direction 25 when heated to a temperature above the transition temperature, thus causing a change in the curvature of the first wall 4 and / or a change in the curvature of the second wall 5. The optical body 2 can be a lens. The interior space 6 can be filled with a liquid and / or gaseous substance.

[0017] The shape memory material can be configured to change its phase from a martensite phase to an austenite phase when the shape memory element 11 is heated to a temperature above the transition temperature. For this purpose, the shape memory material can comprise iron. It is also conceivable that the shape memory material is nitinol. The shape memory element 11 can be made of the shape memory material. The connector 12 and the shape memory element 11 can be made of the same material.

[0018] Fig. 4 to 6 show that the shape memory elements 11 can be an expansion element 11a or a plurality of expansion elements 11a and / or a contraction element 11b or a plurality of contraction elements 11b. The expansion elements 11a are configured to lengthen the length of the expansion element 11a in the circumferential direction 25 when the expansion element 11a is heated to the temperature above the transition temperature. The contraction elements 11b are configured to shorten the length of the expansion element 11b in the circumferential direction 25 when the contraction element 11b is heated to the temperature above the transition temperature. Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows a section of a first embodiment of the curvature-changing device 10. Two shape memory elements 11 are shown, one of the shape memory elements 11 being an expansion element 11a. Fig. 4 shows the curvature changing device 10 at a first time point in time at which the expansion element 11a has not yet been heated above the transition temperature. Fig. Figure 5 shows the curvature-changing device 10 at a second time, after the expansion element 11a has been heated to a temperature above the transition temperature. As a result, the length of the curvature-changing device 10 in the circumferential direction 25 has increased by Δx. Fig. Figure 6 shows a section of a second embodiment of the curvature-changing device 10, in which three shape memory elements 11 are shown. From left to right, these shape memory elements 11 are an expansion element 11a before heating to the temperature above the transition temperature, a contraction element 11b before heating to the temperature above the transition temperature, and a shape memory element 11, which can be either an expansion element 11a or a contraction element 11b, after heating to the temperature above the transition temperature.

[0019] In the first embodiment of the curvature changing device 10 according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shows that the shape of the shape memory elements 11 can be, for example, an arc 15. By reducing the curvature of the arc 15, the length of the expansion element 11a in the circumferential direction 25 can be extended, and by increasing the curvature of the arc 15, the length of the contraction element 11b in the circumferential direction 25 can be shortened. In the second embodiment of the curvature changing device 10 according to Fig. 6 shows that the shape of the shape memory elements 11 can be, for example, an eyelet 14. The eyelet 14 can be formed, for example, by means of a closed wire comprising the shape memory material. By changing the shape of the eyelet 14, the curvature device 10 can become longer or shorter in the circumferential direction 25. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the shape of the shape memory element 11 could be a sphere 13 (cf. Fig. 1), an ellipsoid, a cuboid or a similar shape.

[0020] Fig. 1 and Fig. 7 show that the curvature-changing device 10 can completely enclose the optical body 2 in the circumferential direction 25. It is conceivable that the number of shape memory elements 11 is equal to the number of connectors 12. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the curvature-changing device 10 is not formed in a section in the circumferential direction 25. The curvature-changing device 10 can be attached to the optical body 2 before cataract treatment. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the optical body 2 and the curvature-changing device 10 are inserted into an eye one after the other, and the curvature-changing device 10 is attached to the capsular bag in the eye.

[0021] How it looks Fig. 1 to 3, 7, 9 and 10, the optical body 2 can have an outer wall 7 which delimits the interior space 6 in the radial direction 26. In particular, the outer wall 7 can delimit the interior space 7 completely in the circumferential direction 25. The curvature-changing device 10 can contact the outer wall 7 outside the optical body 2. For example, the shape memory elements 11 can contact the outer wall 7. It is also conceivable for the curvature-changing device 10 to be incorporated into the outer wall 7. In particular, the curvature-changing device 10 can be completely enclosed by the outer wall 7. Fig. 1 to 3 and 7 to 10 show that the outer wall 7 can have a circumferential groove 20 in which the curvature-changing device 10 is incorporated. It is conceivable that the circumferential groove 20 extends completely in the circumferential direction 25. The intraocular lens 1 can have one tab 24 or several of the tabs 24 that fasten the curvature-changing device 10 externally to the optical body 2, cf. Fig. 10.

[0022] The intraocular lens 1 can have a haptic 30, cf. Fig. 7 and Fig. 9. The curvature changing device 10 can be guided in the radial direction 26 between the optical body 2 and the haptic 30, cf. Fig. 7. It is conceivable that a gap 23 is formed between the optical body 2 and the curvature-changing device 10 and / or between the haptic 30 and the curvature-changing device 10. In particular, the gap 23 can have the shape of an annular gap. The haptic 30 can, for example, be C-shaped or J-shaped. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the haptic 30 is a plate haptic 31, see. Fig. 7. In the case of the plate haptic 31, it is conceivable that the curvature changing device 10 rests on the plate haptic 31. Fig. Figure 7 shows that the intraocular lens 1 with the plate haptic 31 was placed in the capsular bag 40 after a capsulorhexis 42 was performed in the capsular bag 40. The plate haptic 31 stretches the capsular bag 40 suspended by zonular fibers 41.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows that the optical body 2 can have at least one axial groove 21, which is introduced into an outer end of the optical body 2 in the radial direction 26 and is accessible in the axial direction 27 and opposite to the axial direction 27. The optical body 2 has a first surface that delimits the optical body 2 opposite to the axial direction 27, and a second surface that delimits the optical body 2 in the axial direction 27. Viewed in the direction of the axial direction 27, the first surface can have a shape that represents a circle that is perforated from the outside by the axial groove 21. Analogously, viewed in the direction opposite to the axial direction 27, the second surface can have a shape that represents a circle that is perforated from the outside by the axial groove 21. The axial groove 21 can have a curved cross-section, as shown in Fig. 1. Alternatively, the axial groove 21 can have a square cross-section. The optical body 2 can also have several axial grooves 21 arranged evenly next to one another in the circumferential direction 25.

[0024] Fig. 8 shows that the intraocular lens 1 can have a plurality of curvature-changing devices 10 and, for each of the curvature-changing devices 10, a respective associated eccentric 22 which is attached externally to the optical body 2, wherein for each of the curvature-changing devices 10, the curvature-changing device 10 is guided past the side of the associated eccentric 22 facing away from the optical axis 3 and the curvature-changing devices 10 different from the curvature-changing device 10 are guided past the side of the associated eccentric 22 facing the optical axis 3. Fig. 8 shows that the eccentrics 22 can be arranged in the circumferential groove 20, either partially, as shown in Fig. 8, or completely.

[0025] How it looks Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the intraocular lens 1 can have a respective waveguide 8 for each of the shape memory elements 11, which is configured to guide electromagnetic radiation to the shape memory element 11. One end of the waveguide 8 can be arranged in the first surface, whereas the other end of the waveguide 8 is directed towards the shape memory element 11. The waveguide 8 can, for example, extend through the first wall 4 and / or the outer wall 7.

[0026] A treatment device comprises the intraocular lens 1 and a radiation source configured to heat one of the shape memory elements 11 to a temperature above the transition temperature by irradiating it with electromagnetic radiation. The radiation source may be a laser. List of reference symbols 1 intraocular lens 2 optical bodies 3 optical axis 4 first wall 5 second wall 6 Interior 7 Exterior wall 8 waveguides 10 Curvature changing device 11 Shape memory element 11a Expansion element 11b Contraction element 12 connectors 13 balls 14 eyelet 15 sheets 20 circumferential groove 21 Axial groove 22 eccentric 23 gap 24 tab 25 Circumferential direction 26 Radial direction 27 Axial direction 30 Haptics 31 Plate haptics 40 capsular bag 41 zonular fibers 42 Capsulorhexis Δx change in length

Claims

[1] An intraocular lens comprising an optical body (2) having an optical axis (3), a circumferential direction (25) relative to the optical axis, a radial direction (26) relative to the optical axis, an axial direction (27) relative to the optical axis, a first wall (4) through which light for optical imaging in the axial direction (27) is to enter the optical body (2), a second wall (5) through which the light for optical imaging in the axial direction (27) is to exit the optical body (2), and an interior space (6) delimited by the first wall (4) and the second wall (5), and a curvature-changing device (10) contacting the optical body (2), as well as a plurality of shape memory elements (11) arranged side by side in the circumferential direction (25) and comprising a shape memory material with a transition temperature, and at least one connector (12),which connects two adjacent shape memory elements (11) to one another, wherein the shape memory elements (11) are configured to change the length of the shape memory elements (11) in the circumferential direction (25) when the shape memory elements (11) are heated to a temperature above the transition temperature and thus to effect a change in the curvature of the first wall (4) and / or a change in the curvature of the second wall (5). [2] Intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory elements (11) in the circumferential direction (25) are alternately an expansion element (11a) which is configured to lengthen the length of the expansion element (11a) in the circumferential direction (25) when the expansion element (11a) is heated to the temperature above the transition temperature, and a contraction element (11b) which is configured to shorten the length of the contraction element (11b) in the circumferential direction (25) when the contraction element (11b) is heated to the temperature above the transition temperature. [3] Intraocular lens according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the curvature changing device (10) completely encloses the optical body (2) in the circumferential direction (25). [4] Intraocular lens according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical body (2) has an outer wall (7) which delimits the interior space (6) in the radial direction (26), and the curvature changing device (10) contacts the outer wall (7) outside the optical body (2) and / or is introduced into the outer wall (7). [5] Intraocular lens according to claim 4, wherein the outer wall (7) has a circumferential groove (20) in which the curvature changing device (10) is introduced. [6] Intraocular lens according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the optical body (2) has at least one axial groove (21) which is introduced into an outer end of the optical body (2) in the radial direction (26) and is accessible in the axial direction (27) and / or counter to the axial direction (27). [7] Intraocular lens according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the intraocular lens (1) has a plurality of curvature-changing devices (10) and, for each of the curvature-changing devices (10), a respective associated eccentric (22) which is attached to the outside of the optical body (2), wherein for each of the curvature-changing devices (10), the curvature-changing device (10) is guided past the side of the associated eccentric (22) facing away from the optical axis (3) and the curvature-changing devices (10) different from the curvature-changing device (10) are guided past the side of the associated eccentric (22) facing the optical axis (3). [8] Intraocular lens according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the intraocular lens (1) has for each of the shape memory elements (11) a respective waveguide (8) which is arranged to guide electromagnetic radiation to the shape memory element (11). [9] Intraocular lens according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the shape of the shape memory element (11) is selected from the group: sphere (13), ellipsoid, cuboid, eyelet (14), arc (15). [10] Treatment device with the intraocular lens (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a radiation source which is arranged to heat one of the shape memory elements (11) to the temperature above the transition temperature by irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, wherein the radiation source is in particular a laser.

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