Buttressed Haptic Design for Accommodating Intraocular Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cataract surgery often results in a fixed focal distance, requiring separate glasses for different activities, as existing intraocular lenses (IOLs) fail to restore the eye's accommodation ability, and conventional haptics require invasive procedures with tissue penetration to maintain the lens's position.
Innovation Solution
The development of haptics that utilize a foldable, dome-shaped or butterfly-shaped design with flanges to exert a sustainable counter force, preventing migration of the IOL within the eye without penetrating eye tissue, using biocompatible materials like acrylic or silicone to ensure stability and adhesion to the ciliary sulcus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional haptics are used to support the IOL, then the lens position can be maintained, but invasive procedures with tissue penetration are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capsular support structure as an intermediary element that distributes the anchoring force across the capsular bag rather than penetrating the eye wall. This mediator structure provides reliable lens positioning while avoiding direct tissue penetration, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and tissue damage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical penetration-based anchoring system with a capsular-based support system that utilizes the existing capsular bag structure. This substitution eliminates the need for scleral or iris penetration while maintaining lens position stability through capsular engagement
2Adaptability or versatility
If discrete focal distance lenses are used, then multiple focal distances are achieved, but the overall quality of vision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic accommodation mechanism where the IOL can change its focal distance continuously in response to ciliary muscle contraction, rather than being fixed at discrete focal points. This dynamic adjustment maintains high vision quality across multiple focal distances by providing smooth, natural-like focusing
3Ease of operation
If a fixed focal distance lens is used, then the individual can function in activities such as driving without glasses, but separate glasses are needed for activities such as computer work or reading
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodating IOL provides multi-functional vision by enabling focus at multiple distances through a single lens. The lens can dynamically adjust its power to serve both distance activities (driving) and near activities (reading, computer work), eliminating the need for separate corrective glasses for different tasks
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
The haptic design allows for sustainable counter forces that prevent IOL migration, maintaining the lens's position and enabling accommodation without invasive procedures, thus enhancing vision flexibility and reducing the need for multiple glasses.
Implementation Method 1
the haptic is kept in place in the eye substantially without migration by adhesive force between the two flanges and eye tissue in contact with the haptic
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic supporting an intraocular lens (IOL) in the eye permits radial tension from ciliary muscle relaxation rather than contraction to alter the lens power. The IOL is supported by the overlying tissue in the eye such as iris root, sclera and ciliary process, so that anterior and posterior forces on IOL are balanced, and buckling or displacement of lens in the eye or haptic is reduced or prevented. The haptic is of a thickness so as to increase stiffness and to reduce or prevent IOL buckling or displacement.