Accommodating Intraocular Lens with Deformable Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intraocular lenses (IOLs) primarily designed for distance vision fail to correct presbyopia, requiring patients to use reading glasses, and existing surgical interventions do not effectively address the need for accommodating vision from near to far and intermediate distances, particularly in the growing aging population with cataracts and presbyopia.
Innovation Solution
The development of an accommodating intraocular lens device with a deformable lens chamber and a base lens, where the deformable lens chamber changes shape in response to ciliary muscle contraction and relaxation, and the base lens provides refractive power without deforming, utilizing a gel with a high refractive index and low Young's modulus, and a circumferential haptic to transfer compressive forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional IOL is used for distance vision, then distance vision is corrected, but presbyopia cannot be corrected and reading glasses are still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lens chamber deformable rather than rigid. The lens chamber can dynamically change its shape and volume in response to ciliary muscle contraction and relaxation, enabling the lens to accommodate for near, intermediate, and distance vision. This dynamic transformation allows a single lens to perform multiple functions that previously required separate corrective devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lens chamber is made deformable to enable accommodation, then accommodation power is provided, but the lens may deform unintentionally without sufficient structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dual-structure lens system with distinct regions having different mechanical properties. The deformable lens chamber is designed with specific wall thickness and material characteristics to allow controlled deformation, while the rigid base lens provides structural support and maintains optical stability. This localized differentiation of material properties enables the lens to deform only where needed while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining a deformable lens chamber (made of elastomeric material with specific Young's modulus) with a rigid base lens. This composite structure allows the lens chamber to change shape for accommodation while the base lens provides stable optical correction, resolving the contradiction between deformability and stability.
3Power
If radial compressive forces are applied to the lens periphery for accommodation, then the lens chamber compresses to provide accommodation power, but the base lens may also deform unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the lens chamber with specific geometric features (such as reduced wall thickness in certain regions) that concentrate the radial compressive forces on the lens chamber rather than the base lens. This localized structural design ensures that the deformation forces are directed to the deformable portion while the rigid base lens maintains its shape and optical properties.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the lens chamber is made highly deformable with low Young's modulus, then accommodation range is increased, but the lens may become too soft and difficult to implant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining a soft, highly deformable lens chamber (with low Young's modulus for high accommodation range) with a rigid base lens that provides structural strength. This composite construction allows the lens chamber to achieve the desired softness and deformability for wide accommodation while the base lens compensates for the reduced structural strength, making the overall device implantable and durable.
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
Enables a wide range of accommodation, allowing patients to focus on various distances without the need for corrective eyewear, providing up to 15 diopters of refractive power and maintaining optical clarity with minimal resistance to deformation.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a gel with a high refractive index and low Young's modulus
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a gel with a high refractive index and low Young's modulus
Implementation Method 3
a circumferential haptic to transfer compressive forces effectively
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An intraocular lens (IOL) device comprising a first lens, a second lens and a circumferential haptic. The first lens comprises a pair of opposing and deformable surfaces and a cavity defined therebetween. The first lens has a first lens diameter. The second lens has a second lens diameter. The circumferential haptic has an outer peripheral edge and couples the first lens and the second lens. A main IOL cavity is defined by the circumferential haptic, the first lens and the second lens. The IOL device is resiliently biased to an unaccommodated state, characterized by the IOL device having a first diameter d 1 in the absence of radial compressive forces exerted on the outer peripheral edge. The IOL device actuates to an accommodated state being characterized by a second diameter d 2 in response to radial compressive forces exerted on the outer peripheral edge, wherein d 1 > d 2 .