Fluid-Filled Intraocular Lens Assembly for Restored Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lenses (IOLs) fail to effectively mimic the natural youthful lens's accommodation capabilities and are hindered by the loss of capsular elasticity and fibrosis post-cataract surgery, leading to limited dioptric power change and visual quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing an integral fluid-filled IOL with a shape-changing optic that applies radial tension to the anterior face anterior to the equator, utilizing components with varying resistance to deformational change, mimicking the gradient elastic properties of a natural youthful human lens, allowing for greater dioptric power change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed-focus or multifocal IOLs are used, then surgical simplicity is maintained, but accommodation capability and visual quality are lost due to inability to mimic natural lens elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The IOL is divided into multiple segments or zones with different elastic properties. The lens includes a central optic region and peripheral regions with varying material compositions, allowing different parts to deform at different rates and magnitudes, thereby mimicking the gradient elasticity of the natural youthful lens while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the IOL are assigned different material properties to replicate the non-uniform elastic gradient of the natural lens. The central region has different elastic modulus compared to peripheral regions, enabling localized deformation patterns that restore accommodation function without requiring complete structural redesign of the entire lens
2Adaptability or versatility
If uniform elastic material is used throughout the IOL, then manufacturing is simplified, but the gradient elastic properties of the natural youthful lens cannot be mimicked, limiting dioptric power change
Solution Approach 1:
The IOL incorporates a radial gradient in material elasticity, where the central optic region has different elastic properties than the peripheral zones. This gradient structure enables the lens to deform more readily in the central region during accommodation while maintaining structural integrity at the periphery, achieving natural-like dioptric power change through controlled non-uniform deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The IOL is constructed using composite materials with varying elastic moduli arranged in a gradient pattern. Different polymer compositions or cross-linking densities are used in different regions to create the desired elastic gradient, allowing the lens to mimic the complex mechanical behavior of the natural youthful lens while maintaining a single-piece construction for surgical ease
3Adaptability or versatility
If the IOL relies on lens capsule elasticity for accommodation, then the natural accommodation mechanism is preserved, but post-cataract fibrosis and loss of capsular elasticity limit the dioptric power change
Solution Approach 1:
The IOL is designed to generate its own accommodation mechanism through intrinsic material properties rather than relying on external structures like the lens capsule. The gradient elastic material within the IOL itself deforms in response to ciliary muscle contraction, enabling the lens to accommodate independently of capsular elasticity and overcoming the limitations of post-cataract fibrosis
Solution Approach 2:
The IOL utilizes changes in material stiffness parameters across different regions to enable accommodation. By designing the elastic modulus gradient, the lens allows greater deformation in softer central regions while maintaining rigidity in peripheral regions, achieving reliable dioptric power change that is independent of the degraded capsular environment
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 IOL achieves enhanced accommodation capabilities by mimicking the natural lens's elastic properties, providing improved focus adjustment and visual quality, even with reduced capsular elasticity, through a shape-changing optic design.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a bonding agent into a trough of the posterior part of the IOL... mechanically drawing the first and second nests together
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing an intraocular lens (IOL). Method includes mounting the anterior part of the IOL on a first nest where the anterior part defines a receptacle and has a haptic extending from an anterior face. A pre-determined desired amount of fluid is introduced in the receptacle. A bonding agent can be introduced into a trough of posterior part of the IOL and the posterior part can be mounted on a second nest. Force can be applied to draw the first nest towards the second nest (or vice versa) or the first and second nests can be placed in a vacuum sealed chamber and the first and second nest can be mechanically drawn together. Alternatively, the first and second nests can be placed in an inert gas chamber such that the posterior part and the anterior part are mechanically join together to form a fluid filled integral IOL.