Four-Haptic Intraocular Lens for Rotational Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for intraocular lenses with improved stability, particularly rotational stability, within the capsular bag of the eye, especially for toric lenses.
Innovation Solution
An intraocular lens design featuring four haptics with a specific configuration, including a first and second pair of haptics that curve towards each other, with distal ends designed to engage with the lacunae of the capsular bag, formed from a resilient foldable material with memory, allowing for improved rotational and overall stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional haptic designs are used, then the lens can be implanted, but rotational stability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The haptics are designed with asymmetric features including hooks at distal ends and variable cross-sections that engage with the lacunae of the capsular bag in a non-symmetric manner, preventing rotational movement of the lens while maintaining stable positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The haptics incorporate curved and arcuate geometries with specific radii of curvature that allow them to engage with the natural lacunae structures of the capsular bag, providing rotational stability through geometric interlocking rather than flat or linear designs
2Stability of the object's composition
If haptics are made rigid to improve stability, then rotational stability improves, but the lens cannot be folded for implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic material properties are optimized to exhibit superelasticity and shape memory characteristics, allowing the haptics to be compressed and folded during implantation then return to their original stable configuration once implanted, achieving both foldability and post-implantation stability
Solution Approach 2:
The lens incorporates materials with combined properties of flexibility for implantation and rigidity for stability, using polymers or alloys that exhibit superelasticity and shape memory to transition between soft foldable state and rigid stable state
3Stability of the object's composition
If external forces on the capsular bag are increased to stabilize the lens, then lens positioning improves, but the capsular bag may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The haptics act as intermediaries that engage with the natural lacunae of the capsular bag, distributing forces through these natural structures rather than applying concentrated loads, thereby stabilizing the lens without causing damage to the capsular bag
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 design enhances rotational and overall stability of the intraocular lens within the capsular bag, minimizing external forces on the bag and maintaining the lens in a central position, suitable for multifocal and toric lenses.
Implementation Method 1
formed from a resilient foldable material with memory
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An intraocular lens comprising an optic and four haptics extending from the optic, each haptic having a proximal end meeting with the optic at differing points about a periphery of the optic. The four haptics are arranged into a first pair comprising two arcuate haptics with curvature orientated toward each other such that a distal end of each of the two haptics of the first pair are in nearer relation than their proximal ends; and, a second pair comprising two arcuate haptics with curvature orientated toward each other such that a distal end of each of the two haptics of the second pair are in nearer relation than their proximal end.