Elastic Electrode Intraocular Lens for Dynamic Accommodation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conductors used in intraocular lenses (IOLs) for dynamic accommodation face reliability issues due to stress-induced delamination, cracking, and buckling when rolled or folded for implantation, necessitating the development of elastic electrodes that can withstand deformation without inelastic deformation.

Innovation Solution

The use of elastic electrodes formed from materials with high yield strain, such as spring steel or shape memory alloys, encapsulated in dielectric layers, which are integrated into a support structure that can be rolled or folded for implantation, ensuring the electrodes return to their original shape without kinking or cracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional conductors are used in intraocular lenses, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to stress-induced delamination, cracking, and buckling during rolling or folding for implantation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode reliabilityVSAvoidimplantation process difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional rigid conductors to elastic materials with high yield strain (such as spring steel or shape memory alloys), enabling the electrode to withstand deformation during implantation without permanent damage or failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite construction by encapsulating the elastic electrode material within dielectric layers, creating a composite structure that provides both electrical functionality and mechanical protection against stress-induced failure during rolling and folding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If elastic electrodes with high yield strain materials are used, then reliability during deformation is improved, but device complexity increases due to encapsulation in dielectric layers and integration into support structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode deformation resistanceVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin dielectric film encapsulation that provides necessary protection and structural integration while maintaining flexibility, allowing the electrode to be rolled or folded without adding excessive complexity to the overall device architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If the support structure is rolled or folded for implantation, then ease of implantation is improved, but the conventional conductors suffer from stress-induced damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation easeVSAvoidconductor integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanical properties of the conductor from rigid to elastic with high yield strain, enabling the material to undergo the rolling and folding deformations required for easy implantation through smaller incisions without suffering stress-induced damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The dielectric encapsulation acts as a protective cushion before the electrode undergoes deformation during implantation, preventing direct stress concentration on the conductive material and avoiding cracking or delamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 elastic electrodes provide reliable dynamic accommodation by maintaining electrical and mechanical properties during deformation, enabling successful implantation through smaller incisions and effective electrowetting-based lensing behavior.

Implementation Method 1

elastic electrodes formed from materials with high yield strain, such as spring steel or shape memory alloys

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

effective electrowetting-based lensing behavior

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrowetting: Electrowetting

Data Source

PatentUS12121432B2Electrowetting ophthalmic devices including an elastic electrode

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 VERILY LIFE SCIENCES LLC

AI summary

Ophthalmic devices having elastic electrodes are disclosed herein. An example ophthalmic device may be an intraocular lens that includes a support structure, two optical windows, two immiscible fluids, and an elastic electrode. The support structure may have an inner surface defining an aperture with first and second optical windows disposed on opposite sides of the support structure and spanning the aperture. The two immiscible liquids may be disposed in a cavity formed by the aperture and the first and second optical windows, and the elastic electrode may be disposed on the inner surface. The elastic electrode may be formed from an elastic metal alloy having a minimum yield strain of 0.25%.