Hinged Haptic Intraocular Lens Reducing Capsular Striae
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) may cause striae in the posterior capsular bag, leading to posterior capsular opacification (PCO), due to the structure of their haptics, which can exacerbate the formation of striae.
Innovation Solution
The ophthalmic device features a haptic structure with an inner ring comprising a plurality of hinges, a first loop, and a second loop oriented opposite the first loop, which reduces striae and PCO while maintaining desired mechanical characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional haptic arms are used to hold the IOL in place, then the IOL can be retained within the capsular bag, but striae and folds are formed in the posterior capsular bag leading to PCO
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic structure is segmented into multiple discrete elements (first haptic element, second haptic element, third haptic element, fourth haptic element) rather than continuous arms. These segmented elements are positioned at different locations around the optic, distributing the contact points with the capsular bag to reduce localized stress and striae formation while maintaining IOL retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic elements are positioned asymmetrically at different radii from the optic axis. The first and second haptic elements are at a first radius while the third and fourth haptic elements are at a second radius greater than the first radius. This asymmetric positioning allows optimized contact distribution with the capsular bag to minimize striae formation while maintaining effective IOL retention.
2Device complexity
If haptic arms contact the capsular bag at a small angle, then the IOL structure can be simplified, but more striae are formed in the capsular bag
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic elements extend in multiple dimensions rather than simple radial arms. The elements have complex three-dimensional configurations with portions at different radii from the optic axis, allowing them to contact the capsular bag at optimized angles and distributions that reduce striae formation while maintaining structural simplicity through the repetitive modular design.
3Volume of moving object
If the IOL is folded for implantation, then the incision size can be reduced, but the mechanical properties and vaulting may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic elements are designed with dynamic flexibility allowing the entire IOL assembly to be folded or collapsed into a compact configuration for implantation through small incisions. After implantation, the haptic elements naturally unfold and expand to their functional three-dimensional configurations, restoring the desired mechanical properties and vaulting characteristics without permanent deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic device includes an optic including an optic axis and a haptic structure coupled with the optic. The haptic structure includes an inner ring comprising a plurality of hinges such that portions of the inner ring reside at different radii from the optic axis. The haptic structure further includes a first loop extending from the inner ring and having two points of connection to the inner ring and a second loop extending from the inner ring and having two points of connection to the inner ring. The second loop is oriented opposite the first loop.