Capsular Ring IOL Inhibiting Opacification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is a frequent complication of cataract surgery, leading to visual impairment and the need for additional surgeries, as existing treatments like Nd/YAG laser capsulotomy pose risks of severe complications and damage to intraocular lenses (IOLs).
Innovation Solution
An intraocular lens (IOL) system with a capsular ring that has a concave exterior surface engaging the equatorial region of the capsular bag, featuring flaps on both anterior and posterior surfaces to inhibit the migration of lens epithelial cells, thereby preventing PCO and reducing the need for post-operative procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If Nd/YAG laser capsulotomy is used to treat posterior capsule opacification, then visual axis clarity is restored, but the risk of severe complications and damage to intraocular lenses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsular ring is implanted during the initial cataract surgery to prevent posterior capsule opacification before it occurs. The ring's flaps create a barrier that blocks lens epithelial cell migration in advance, eliminating the need for later laser intervention and its associated risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful contact between the IOL and posterior capsule into a beneficial arrangement by using the capsular ring's flaps to create a controlled interface. This prevents direct IOL-capsule contact that could lead to opacification while avoiding the harmful effects of laser treatment.
2Reliability
If posterior capsule opacification occurs, then additional surgery is required, but this increases patient trauma, cost, and risk of complications
Solution Approach 1:
The capsular ring is implanted during the initial cataract surgery to prevent posterior capsule opacification before it occurs. The ring's flaps create a barrier that blocks lens epithelial cell migration in advance, eliminating the need for later laser intervention and its associated risks.
3Ease of operation
If the IOL contacts the posterior capsule surface, then positioning is simplified, but lens epithelial cell proliferation and capsular opacification occur
Solution Approach 1:
The capsular ring serves as an intermediary structure between the IOL and the posterior capsule. Its flaps create a barrier that prevents direct contact between the IOL and capsule surface, blocking cell proliferation while maintaining proper IOL positioning within the capsular bag.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsular ring divides the capsular bag into functional zones: the flaps create a barrier zone that blocks cell migration, while the central opening maintains the optical zone for the IOL. This segmentation prevents opacification without compromising positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An IOL system includes a capsular ring having a concave exterior surface extending around its circumference that is configured, upon insertion into a capsular bag of a patient's eye, to engage an equatorial region of the capsular bag. The concave exterior surface extends between an anterior surface and a posterior surface of the capsular ring. A first one or more flaps are arranged on the anterior surface such that at least a portion of each of the first one or more flaps, upon insertion into the capsular bag of a patient's eye, engages an anterior portion of the capsular bag. Similarly, a second one or more flaps are arranged on the posterior surface such that at least a portion of each of the second one or more flaps, upon insertion into a capsular bag of a patient's eye, engages a posterior portion of the capsular bag.