Adjustable Intraocular Lens Composite for Post-Operative Power Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intraocular lens (IOL) surgery often results in unsatisfactory refractive outcomes due to incorrect pre-operative biometry measurements or post-operative changes in the eye, necessitating a solution for post-implant adjustment without additional surgery.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable intraocular lens with a composite material comprising an energy-absorbing constituent and expandable components, allowing for power adjustments via external energy, such as laser light, to compensate for changes in the eye without being responsive to capsular bag forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current IOL surgery is performed with fixed lens power, then the surgical procedure is simple and cost-effective, but the refractive outcomes are unsatisfactory due to measurement errors or post-operative changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefractive outcome accuracyVSAvoidIOL structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL incorporates a variable power mechanism that allows the lens power to be adjusted dynamically after implantation. The optic portion can change its refractive power in response to external energy (such as laser energy) applied to the composite material, enabling post-operative refinement of refractive outcomes without requiring additional surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the optical parameter (lens power) of the IOL after implantation by applying external energy to the composite material. This allows the refractive power to be modified from a fixed value to a variable value, addressing measurement errors or anatomical changes that occur after surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If additional surgery is performed to adjust IOL power, then refractive errors can be corrected, but the patient undergoes multiple surgical interventions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefractive outcome accuracyVSAvoidadjustment procedure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical surgical adjustment method with a non-mechanical energy-based adjustment method. Instead of performing additional surgery to physically reshape or replace the lens, external energy (such as laser energy) is applied to the composite material to induce optical property changes, eliminating the need for repeat surgical interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the IOL is made responsive to capsular bag forces, then the lens can accommodate naturally, but the base power cannot be precisely adjusted for refractive errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to capsular bag forcesVSAvoidbase power precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL is divided into functionally distinct portions: the peripheral portion containing the composite material with expandable components that respond to external energy, and the optic portion that provides the base refractive power. This segmentation allows the peripheral portion to be energy-responsive for precise power adjustment while the optic portion maintains stable, precise base power characteristics that are not affected by capsular bag forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 precise and non-invasive adjustment of IOL power within a range of ±0.05 D to ±2.0 D, addressing refractive errors without the need for further surgical intervention.

Implementation Method 1

The composite material can comprise an energy absorbing constituent and a plurality of expandable components. A base power of the optic portion can be configured to change in response to an external energy directed at the composite material.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

Each of the expandable microspheres can comprise a blowing agent contained within a thermoplastic shell. A thickness of the thermoplastic shell can be configured to change in response to the external energy directed at the composite material. The diameter of at least one of the expandable microspheres can be configured to increase between about 2× to about 4× in response to the external energy.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS12370040B2Adjustable intraocular lenses and methods of post-operatively adjusting intraocular lenses

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 ALCON INC

AI summary

Disclosed are adjustable intraocular lenses and methods of adjusting intraocular lenses post-operatively. In one embodiment, an adjustable intraocular lens can comprise an optic portion and a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion can comprise a composite material comprising an energy absorbing constituent and a plurality of expandable components. A base power of the optic portion can be configured to change in response to an external energy directed at the composite material.