Gas-Filled Intraocular Lens Membrane for Near-Far Accommodation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artificial intraocular lenses fail to correct near vision issues and often cause muscle overuse leading to headaches and blurry vision due to limited dioptric shifts and complexity, as they mimic the refractive index of the natural crystalline lens and rely on translational motion of high-index optical elements.

Innovation Solution

An intraocular lens design featuring a flexible membrane with an internal cavity filled with a gas, allowing for shape changes to accommodate near and far vision by mimicking the natural lens's elasticity, with optical elements and a gas that separates the membrane faces, providing a range of accommodation up to 15 diopters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If artificial intraocular lenses use translational motion of two high-index optical elements to correct near and far focal points, then the lens can provide multiple focal corrections, but the separation distance between optical elements is limited by the finite capsular bag space and weak ciliary body, restricting the range of dioptric shifts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocal correction rangeVSAvoidseparation distance between optical elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is divided into two separate high-index optical elements that can move independently relative to each other, allowing each element to be optimized for specific focal corrections while maintaining a compact overall structure that fits within the capsular bag

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lens incorporates a dynamic mechanism that allows the two optical elements to change their separation distance through ciliary body contraction, enabling the lens to shift between different dioptric powers and correct both near and far vision dynamically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If artificial intraocular lenses attempt to mimic the refractive index of the natural crystalline lens, then the optical performance can be improved, but the device complexity increases making widespread use difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidlens structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lens uses composite construction with two different high-index optical elements made from materials optimized for specific wavelength ranges, allowing the lens to mimic the chromatic aberration characteristics of the natural crystalline lens and improve overall optical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The lens design incorporates variable refractive index gradients within each optical element, allowing the optical properties to be tuned to match the natural lens more closely while maintaining manufacturability through controlled material composition variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the ciliary body contracts to focus the lens for distance vision, then the lens can provide distance correction, but this causes overuse of eye muscles leading to perpetual headaches and blurry vision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance vision correctionVSAvoidmuscle overuse symptoms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lens replaces the natural ciliary muscle contraction mechanism with a passive mechanical system where the optical elements are positioned by zonular fibers that respond to ciliary body relaxation rather than contraction, inverting the physiological trigger and eliminating the need for sustained muscle contraction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables patients to switch between near and far vision without corrective glasses by using a neutrally buoyant, flexible intraocular lens that mimics the natural lens's elasticity, reducing muscle strain and improving visual comfort.

Implementation Method 1

The intraocular lens may be neutrally buoyant within the capsular bag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

The membrane may include at least one optical element associated therewith

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS20250339262A1Artificial intraocular lens

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 ROGERS BRIAN

AI summary

An intraocular lens for implantation in a capsular bag of an eye comprising a membrane, an internal cavity, and a gas. The membrane may include an anterior face and a posterior face. The anterior and posterior faces may be joined together at a periphery of the membrane. The membrane may include at least one optical element associated therewith. The internal cavity may be defined within the membrane. The gas may be positioned within the internal cavity. The gas may be operable to separate the anterior and posterior faces of the membrane. The intraocular lens may be neutrally buoyant within the capsular bag.