Collapsible Cavities in IOL Suspension Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspension systems for accommodating intraocular lenses are often too bulky and exhibit slow recovery times, making them unsuitable for small incisions and ineffective in re-establishing the natural kinetic connection between ciliary muscles and the lens capsule complex.

Innovation Solution

The integration of collapsible cavities within a support element, which communicate with the external environment through openings, allowing fluid transfer and utilizing elastic walls that return to their original shape after compression, facilitating controlled shape recovery and kinetic energy transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If suspension systems use traditional structural designs to maintain structural strength, then reliability is improved, but recovery time becomes excessively slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is divided into multiple segments including a body portion and one or more legs, with collapsible cavities integrated within these segments. This segmentation allows different regions to perform specialized functions - the cavities provide rapid structural recovery through fluid dynamics while the overall segmented structure maintains strength during compression and expansion cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collapsible cavities utilize fluid dynamics principles where ocular fluid enters and exits the cavities through openings in the support element. The fluid pressure changes during compression and expansion, enabling the cavities to rapidly adjust their volume and provide structural support during the expansion phase while minimizing recovery time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Strength

If suspension systems are designed with larger dimensions to ensure structural integrity, then strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to fit through small incisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidinsertability through small incisions

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support element features dynamic collapsible cavities that can transition between compressed and expanded states. During insertion, the cavities are compressed to reduce the profile of the support element, allowing it to pass through small corneo-scleral incisions. Once positioned within the lens capsule, the cavities expand to their functional size to provide adequate structural support and re-establish the geometric configuration of the lens capsule-suspensory ligament complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If suspension systems are made compact to fit through small incisions, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertability through small incisionsVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible cavities are integrated within the support element structure itself, with the cavities nested within the body portion and legs of the support element. This nesting arrangement allows the cavities to be compact during insertion while maintaining their structural function during expansion, effectively combining the benefits of compact size and structural strength in different operational phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This solution enables a more efficient and controlled recovery of structural strength in suspension systems, allowing for precise transmission of ciliary force to the intraocular lens, enhancing focus adjustment and potentially harnessing kinetic energy for mechanical or electrical adaptations within the eye.

Implementation Method 1

the walls lining the cavities exhibit sufficient structural elasticity that they return toward their habitual shapes after being compressed by external force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a hollow cavity, or a plurality of hollow cavities, having at least one opening communicating the cavity with fluid of its external environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid transfer through openings:

Implementation Method 3

The collapsible cavity may be integrated within a supporting element comprising one or a plurality of legs for supporting the intra-ocular lens against an interior surface of said lens capsule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy transfer through elastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10939994B2Collapsible cavities within suspension systems for intra-ocular lenses

Publication Date: 2021.03.09 OCUMETICS TECH CORP

AI summary

A suspension system for suspending an intra-ocular lens in the lens capsule of an eye has one or more collapsible cavities formed in the suspension system, each having at least one opening communicating the interior of the cavity with fluid from the interior of the eye, wherein the walls of the cavity exhibit sufficient structural elasticity that they return to their habitual shapes after being compressed by external force.