Accommodating Intra-ocular Lens with Ciliary Muscle Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intra-ocular lenses (IOLs) implanted to treat presbyopia and cataracts lack the ability to adequately accommodate and focus on nearby objects due to reduced flexibility, failing to mimic the natural crystalline lens's accommodative capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a compressible IOL with an external membrane and an annular support ring system, coupled with sensors to detect ciliary muscle signals, a signal processor, and micromotors to generate forces that mimic natural accommodative efforts, allowing the IOL to change shape and focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional IOLs are implanted to treat presbyopia and cataracts, then vision restoration is achieved, but the ability to accommodate and focus on nearby objects is lost due to reduced flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the IOL adjustable and responsive to neural signals from the ciliary muscle. The IOL transitions from a fixed, conventional design to a dynamic system that can change its optical properties in real-time based on muscle contraction signals, enabling accommodation functionality while maintaining vision restoration reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flexibility approach with a neural control system. Instead of relying on the IOL's physical flexibility to accommodate (which conventional IOLs lack), the system uses neural signal detection and actuation to dynamically adjust the IOL's optical properties, substituting mechanical adaptation with neuro-controlled adjustment
2Reliability
If synthetic IOLs are used to replace the crystalline lens, then cataract treatment is achieved, but the IOL cannot change shape like the natural lens, resulting in continued presbyopia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the synthetic IOL dynamically adjustable by coupling it to ciliary muscle signal detection and actuation systems. The IOL transitions from a static, fixed-shape synthetic lens to a dynamic system that can change its optical configuration in response to neural signals, enabling shape adaptation similar to the natural lens while maintaining the benefits of synthetic material stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by detecting neural signals from the ciliary muscle and using this information to control IOL actuation. The system continuously monitors muscle contraction states and adjusts the IOL accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains appropriate lens shape changes based on real-time physiological feedback
3Adaptability or versatility
If micromotors are used to change IOL shape, then accommodative ability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical accommodation mechanisms with a neural control-based system. Instead of using purely mechanical linkages or springs to achieve lens shape changes, the system uses neural signal detection and direct actuation, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining accommodative functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the IOL system to be self-regulating by directly coupling it to the body's own ciliary muscle neural signals. The system uses the body's natural physiological signals to control accommodation, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms or complex user interfaces, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining adaptability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the accommodative capacity of implanted IOLs by accurately and reliably focusing on demand, mimicking the natural lens's accommodative forces, and providing improved vision at various distances.
Implementation Method 1
The IOL is coupled to a sensor, such as an electromyographic (EMG) receiver (or a series of EMG receivers), which detects a signal created by the ciliary muscle around the eye
Implementation Method 2
at least one micromotor for receiving the transmitted electrical signal and causing a change in shape of the IOL
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable, compressible, accommodating intra-ocular lens (IOL) coupled to at least one sensor which detects a signal created by the ciliary muscle. A ciliary sulcus ring can house the at least one sensor, and the sensor can include miniaturized electrodes (ciliary muscle probes) for implanting into the ciliary muscle of the subject. A potentiometer/microcomputer can modulate the ciliary muscle signal detected by the sensor(s) into an electrical signal, and a transmitter sends this electrical signal to a micromotor, which causes compression of the IOL via an annular support ring system, causing a change in the IOL shape. The IOL can be part of an IOL complex including a compressible, accommodating IOL, an external lens membrane, and an annular support ring system. The annular support ring system provides a foundation for the micromotor to compress the IOL.