Amplifying Ciliary Muscle Signals for Accommodative IOL Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current accommodative intraocular lenses lack the ability to mimic the focusing mechanism of natural lenses, as they cannot be adjusted to focus on objects at varying distances like the human eye, due to the absence of a control system that harnesses and utilizes the electrical signals from ciliary muscle movements.
Innovation Solution
A control system comprising a sensing circuit to detect and an amplifier circuit to enhance the electrical signals controlling ciliary muscles, allowing these signals to control an accommodative intraocular lens, utilizing electrodes near cranial nerve III, the ciliary ganglion, or the ciliary muscles to simulate the natural lens's focusing ability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an accommodative IOL is implanted to replace the natural lens, then the lens transparency is improved and cataract is treated, but the focusing ability is lost because the IOL cannot be adjusted for near and distant vision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ciliary muscle-lens capsule system with an electronic control system. Electromyographic sensors detect electrical signals from the ciliary muscles, and an artificial muscle or mechanical actuator adjusts the IOL position or shape accordingly, enabling an artificial lens to achieve focusing functionality that would otherwise be impossible with a static implant
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by using electromyographic sensors to continuously monitor the electrical activity of the ciliary muscles. This feedback signal is processed and used to dynamically adjust the IOL position, creating a closed-loop control system that replicates the natural eye's focusing mechanism
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrodes are placed near cranial nerve III or ciliary muscles to detect control signals, then the focusing control capability is improved, but the surgical complexity and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the electrical signals from cranial nerve III or ciliary muscles as an intermediary carrier of control information. Rather than directly manipulating the lens, the system detects these natural neural signals and uses them to control the IOL, leveraging the body's existing control mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies the natural neural control signals that normally control the ciliary muscles and uses these copied signals to drive the artificial lens adjustment mechanism, replicating the natural control pathway
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 the accommodative intraocular lens to adjust focus based on the brain's natural image processing signals, effectively replicating the human eye's focusing mechanism, enhancing vision by allowing the lens to change shape for both near and distant vision.
Implementation Method 1
At least one electrode located in the vicinity of cranial nerve III, the ciliary ganglion, or the ciliary muscles is used to receive the signal that controls the ciliary muscles
Implementation Method 2
an amplifier circuit for amplifying the sensed signal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A control system (100) for an accommodative intraocular lens includes a sensing circuit (110) for sensing a signal that controls a ciliary muscle of an eye and an amplifier circuit (130) for amplifying the sensed signal. The output of the amplifier circuit is used to control an accommodative IOL. At least one electrode located in the vicinity of cranial nerve III, the ciliary ganglion, or the ciliary muscles is used to receive the signal that controls the ciliary muscles. A filter may also be included.