Foldable IOL with Rigid Haptics for Stable Positioning

Solution Overview

Problem

Intraocular lenses with flexible haptics often experience deformation due to the action of the ciliary muscle and fibrosis post-implantation, leading to unpredictable and inaccurate uncorrected distant vision without glasses or contacts, as the haptic loops can shift and change the lens position along the visual axis.

Innovation Solution

The development of intraocular lenses with rigid haptics connected to a foldable optic, which are resistant to deformation and maintain the lens position along the visual axis, ensuring consistent placement and reducing post-operative complications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flexible haptics are used in intraocular lenses, then the lens can be folded for insertion through small incisions, but the haptics deform due to ciliary muscle action and fibrosis, leading to unpredictable lens position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoldability for insertionVSAvoidlens position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The haptic is divided into two distinct segments: a flexible proximal portion that allows folding for insertion, and a rigid distal portion that maintains lens position. This segmentation enables each part to fulfill its specific function - the flexible part enables surgical insertion while the rigid part ensures long-term positional stability against ciliary muscle action and fibrosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the haptic are given different mechanical properties - the proximal portion is made flexible to enable folding, while the distal portion is made rigid to resist deformation. This local differentiation of material properties allows the single haptic structure to simultaneously achieve both foldability for insertion and stability for position maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If rigid haptics are used in intraocular lenses, then lens position stability is improved, but the lens cannot be folded for insertion through small incisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens position stabilityVSAvoidfoldability for insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The haptic is divided into two distinct segments: a flexible proximal portion that allows folding for insertion, and a rigid distal portion that maintains lens position. This segmentation enables each part to fulfill its specific function - the flexible part enables surgical insertion while the rigid part ensures long-term positional stability against ciliary muscle action and fibrosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the haptic are given different mechanical properties - the proximal portion is made flexible to enable folding, while the distal portion is made rigid to resist deformation. This local differentiation of material properties allows the single haptic structure to simultaneously achieve both foldability for insertion and stability for position maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If haptic loops shift due to deformation, then the lens position becomes unpredictable, but maintaining fixed position requires resistance to ciliary muscle action and fibrosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens placement accuracyVSAvoidresistance to deformation forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The haptic is divided into two distinct segments: a flexible proximal portion that allows folding for insertion, and a rigid distal portion that maintains lens position. This segmentation enables each part to fulfill its specific function - the flexible part enables surgical insertion while the rigid part ensures long-term positional stability against ciliary muscle action and fibrosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the haptic are given different mechanical properties - the proximal portion is made flexible to enable folding, while the distal portion is made rigid to resist deformation. This local differentiation of material properties allows the single haptic structure to simultaneously achieve both foldability for insertion and stability for position maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9918830B2Foldable intraocular lens with rigid haptics

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 CUMMING JAMES STUART

AI summary

An intraocular lens comprises a flexible optic and at least one haptic connected to the optic. The at least one haptic comprises a rigid structure.