Injectable Intraocular Lens with Self-Sealing Elastomeric Patch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular lenses, particularly those for cataract replacement and presbyopia treatment, face challenges such as posterior and anterior capsular opacification, limited focusing ability, and visual disturbances like halos or glare, especially with multifocal lenses, and require invasive procedures with lengthy recovery times.
Innovation Solution
Development of an injectable accommodating intraocular lens with a biocompatible polymer balloon and an elastomeric patch that self-seals, allowing for adjustment of lens power and air bubble capture, along with a shape-memory alloy for wireless curvature adjustment, and adhesive to prevent cell migration, facilitating minimally invasive procedures and improved focusing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an intraocular lens is designed with a square edge to prevent lens epithelial cells from migrating, then posterior capsular opacification is prevented, but the lens design becomes more complex and may cause visual disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple segments or zones with different edge geometries. The square edge design is applied selectively to specific portions of the lens circumference where cell migration prevention is most critical, while other portions maintain smoother edges to reduce visual disturbances and simplify manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multifocal intraocular lenses are used to provide simultaneous focus at near and far distances, then presbyopia is treated, but patients experience visual disturbances such as halos or glare
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the multifocal lens are designed with optimized optical properties. The lens incorporates varying refractive indices, surface curvatures, or aspheric profiles in different zones to enhance focusing capability while minimizing the generation of halos and glare artifacts that commonly affect multifocal lens performance.
3Reliability
If traditional surgical procedures for lens replacement are performed with larger incisions, then complete lens removal and implantation is achieved, but postoperative recovery time increases and astigmatism risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens delivery system incorporates dynamic compression and expansion mechanisms. The lens is compressed to a compact configuration for insertion through small incisions, then dynamically expanded to its full functional size within the capsular bag, enabling minimally invasive surgery with rapid recovery while ensuring complete lens deployment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the lens is made thinner to avoid contact with posterior iris, then safety is improved, but the lens may lack sufficient structural strength
Solution Approach 1:
The lens employs composite material construction combining multiple polymers or material layers with complementary properties. This allows the lens to achieve adequate structural strength and durability while maintaining a thin overall profile that prevents contact with the posterior iris and other ocular structures.
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 solution enables rapid recovery, reduced surgical complications, and enhanced focusing ability, making the intraocular lens suitable for broader applications including presbyopia treatment with reduced visual disturbances and improved optical clarity.
Implementation Method 1
one or more valve areas consisting of an elastomeric patch. The elastomeric patch is sized such that it self-seals after a needle puncture
Implementation Method 2
along with a shape-memory alloy for wireless curvature adjustment
Implementation Method 3
adhesive to prevent cell migration
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods are presented for a prosthetic injectable intraocular lens. One or more silicone elastomeric patches located outside the optical path on the anterior side but away from the equator can be accessed by surgical needles in order to fill or adjust optically clear fluid within the lens. The fluid can be adjusted in order to set a base dioptric power of the lens and otherwise adjust a lens after its initial insertion. The elastomeric patches are sized so that they self-seal after a needle is withdrawn. A straight or stepped slit in the patch can allow a blunt needle to more easily access the interior of the lens.