Foldable Intraocular Lens Structure With Fixed Refractive Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lenses (IOLs) require large access incisions during implantation, leading to complications and instability, and their refractive powers can be affected by the ciliary muscle, causing undesired focal shifts and astigmatism.
Innovation Solution
A novel intraocular lens design featuring a front and back lens element with a fixed distance and refractive power, connected by an intermediate element forming a cavity, allowing for a compact structure that can be folded for small incisions and stabilized by haptics, with a cavity that fills with aqueous humor to maintain fixed dimensions post-implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the intraocular lens is made rigid to maintain stable refractive power, then the refractive power stability is improved, but the lens cannot be folded for small incision implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple rigid segments (front lens element, back lens element, and intermediate element with haptics) connected by flexible hinges. Each segment maintains rigid optical surfaces for stable refractive power, while the flexible connections enable folding for implantation through small incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens combines rigid optical materials for the lens elements with flexible materials for the connections and hinges. This composite structure allows the optical portions to remain rigid for stable refractive power while the connecting portions are flexible enough to enable folding and insertion through small incisions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the access incision width is reduced to maintain eye stability, then the eye stability is improved, but the lens cannot be inserted without folding
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into multiple elements connected by flexible hinges, allowing the overall structure to be folded for insertion through small incisions while maintaining stability once implanted. The segmentation enables the lens to adapt to the constraints of small incision surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens transitions from a folded dynamic state during insertion to a stable fixed state after implantation. The flexible connections allow dynamic folding for insertion through small incisions, while the rigid optical elements maintain stable refractive power once positioned in the eye.
3Manufacturing precision
If the lens elements are connected rigidly to maintain fixed distance, then the refractive power precision is improved, but the lens cannot be compressed for small incision insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into rigid optical elements connected by flexible portions, allowing compression during insertion while maintaining precise optical geometry when deployed. The segmentation enables volume reduction for insertion without compromising the precision of the optical element spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between lens elements transitions from a compressed variable state during insertion to a fixed precise state after deployment. The flexible connections allow dynamic compression for small incision insertion, while the rigid optical elements ensure precise fixed distance is maintained once implanted.
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
Reduces the width of access incisions, stabilizes the lens, maintains precise refractive power, and corrects aberrations, while allowing for a thinner lens design with higher refractive power and reduced risk of complications.
Implementation Method 1
The intermediate element is connected to the front lens element outside the first optical region and to the back lens element outside the second optical region
Implementation Method 2
a front lens element having a first optical region and a first positive refractive power, a back lens element having a second optical region and a second positive refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
An eye lens having a front lens element and a rear lens element, which each have a positive optical power and an optical region, and an intermediate element, which is connected to the lens elements outside the optical regions so that the lens elements and the intermediate element form a cavity. The eye lens allows the width of an access incision necessary for implantation to be reduced. The eye lens includes the lens elements and the intermediate element that are shaped such that, in the implanted state, a distance between the front lens element and the rear lens element is fixed and the cavity has an opening which allows liquid to flow into the cavity. Embodiments of the invention include a method for producing such an eye lens and a method for implantation.