Implantable Corneal Ring for Presbyopia Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for presbyopia, such as glasses and contact lenses, provide only temporary solutions for the loss of accommodation in the eye, and there is a need for a more long-lasting correction of adverse eye conditions by altering the shape of the cornea.
Innovation Solution
An implantable ring made of ionic-polymeric material, magnetically coupled to an external induction generator, which changes the curvature of the cornea by applying a magnetic field, thereby altering the dioptric power of the eye, allowing for controlled contraction or relaxation to compensate for the loss of accommodation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glasses or contact lenses are used to correct presbyopia, then vision correction is achieved, but the solution is only temporary and requires continuous external assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the corrective function from external devices (glasses, contacts) and implants it directly into the eye through a corneal ring device. The ring is positioned within the corneal stroma and provides continuous refractive correction without requiring external components, thereby converting a temporary external solution into a permanent internal solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted corneal ring serves itself by maintaining its position and optical function within the cornea without requiring external power sources, controls, or adjustments. The device passively alters the corneal refractive profile to correct presbyopia continuously, eliminating the need for user intervention or external assistance.
2Ease of operation
If laser refractive surgery is performed to alter corneal shape, then dependence on glasses or contacts is reduced, but the ability to accommodate for different distances is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The corneal ring is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to different viewing distances. The ring's positioning and optical properties enable the cornea to maintain appropriate refractive power for both distance and near vision, providing a dynamic solution rather than a static correction. This allows the eye to accommodate for different distances while remaining independent from external optical aids.
3Reliability
If the cornea shape is altered to correct presbyopia, then accommodation is restored, but the structural integrity of the cornea must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The corneal ring alters the refractive properties of the cornea locally rather than uniformly across the entire corneal structure. By positioning the ring specifically within the corneal stroma and designing it with particular optical characteristics, the invention achieves accommodation correction in the targeted region while preserving the overall structural integrity and strength of the cornea.
Solution Approach 2:
The corneal ring appears to utilize composite material construction that combines optical functionality with structural durability. The device is designed to integrate with the corneal tissue while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength to withstand corneal stresses, thereby achieving both functional restoration and structural preservation.
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 solution effectively restores accommodation by changing the curvature of the cornea, enabling the eye to focus on objects at varying distances, providing a more viable and long-term solution for presbyopia.
Implementation Method 1
An implantable ring made of ionic-polymeric material, magnetically coupled to an external induction generator, which changes the curvature of the cornea by applying a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
magnetically coupled to an external induction generator, which changes the curvature of the cornea by applying a magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
An implantable ring made of ionic-polymeric material, magnetically coupled to an external induction generator, which changes the curvature of the cornea
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system and method for constricting a cornea of a human eye are disclosed. A control device external to the subject eye, such as an induction generator, may be configured to create a stimulus, such as a magnetic field, for an implanted ring that, when stimulated, may change the curvature, and thus the dioptric power, of the eye, thereby approximating natural accommodation.