Exocapsular Ring Stabilizer for Lens Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular lens (IOL) implantation techniques face challenges in stabilizing the lens during and after surgery, especially in cases with capsular tears, leading to unstable position and potential repositioning, which affects vision.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a radially compressible ring with internal supports, such as spokes or chords, is implanted in the ciliary sulcus to stabilize and centralize the IOL, using biocompatible materials like polymethylmethacrylate, to provide long-term stabilization and minimize repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IOL is implanted in the anterior chamber or sutured to iris/sclera, then lens can be placed when capsular bag is ruptured, but long-term complications increase and lens stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A stabilizing device with a ring and internal supports acts as an intermediary between the IOL and the damaged capsular bag. The ring engages with the capsular bag while the supports extend to provide additional stabilization, mediating the connection and preventing direct contact between the IOL and compromised structures, thereby reducing long-term complications while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing device is segmented into distinct functional components: a ring structure for engagement with the capsular bag and internal supports for additional stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the ring provides circumferential support while the supports prevent lens displacement, collectively achieving stable IOL positioning without sutures.
2Ease of operation
If IOL is implanted in the sulcus over the annular anterior capsule, then lens positioning is simplified, but this becomes untenable when the annular anterior capsule is also ruptured
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing device is implanted into the sulcus before the IOL, creating a pre-positioned support structure. The ring engages with the capsular bag and the supports are positioned to provide stabilization points, preparing the environment for subsequent IOL implantation and ensuring stable positioning even when the anterior capsule is ruptured.
3Device complexity
If capsular bag is left intact during extracapsular cataract extraction, then surgical complexity is reduced, but lens stabilization becomes challenging when zonules are damaged or missing
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing device applies localized support to specific critical areas where zonule attachment occurs. The internal supports are positioned to provide stabilization at key points around the capsular bag, reinforcing areas with compromised zonular function while leaving the rest of the capsular bag structure intact and unchanged.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for implantation into an eye for supporting an intraocular lens during and following surgery. The device may include a ring and at least one support. The ring may have an open portion defined between a first eyelet on a first end and a second eyelet on a second end, the ring being radially compressible. The at least one support may be defined internally of the ring and have a position on which a lens is nestably engaged with the at least one support above a tear in the capsular bag of the eye.