Intracapsular Ophthalmic Implant Layout for Lens Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic devices implanted in the eye face issues such as device migration, leading to tissue injury, anterior capsular opacification, loss of capsule integrity, and lens deformation, among other undesirable effects.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic implant comprising a primary intracapsular device coupled to a secondary device, where the primary device is held in place by the capsular bag and the secondary device is secured by the primary device, providing stability and minimizing tissue damage. The secondary device can be positioned inside or outside the capsular bag, with the anterior capsule sandwiched between them, stabilizing the lens and preventing friction-related discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single intraocular device is implanted to correct vision, then vision correction is achieved, but device migration occurs causing tissue injury and lens instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the intraocular device into two separate components: a primary intracapsular device positioned within the capsular bag for vision correction, and a secondary extracapsular device positioned outside the capsular bag to provide stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, preventing the migration issues that plague single-device designs while maintaining vision correction efficacy.
2Ease of manufacture
If the capsular bag is left open for device implantation, then device insertion is simplified, but capsular integrity is compromised leading to anterior capsular opacification
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary extracapsular device is designed to be positioned and secured to the anterior capsule before the primary intracapsular device is inserted. This preliminary action creates a stable framework that maintains capsular integrity throughout the implantation process and afterward, preventing the capsular bag from collapsing or becoming opacified while still allowing for straightforward device insertion.
3Reliability
If a larger device is used to stabilize the lens, then lens stability improves, but friction with ocular tissues increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization function is moved from the intracapsular space to the extracapsular space by positioning the secondary device outside the capsular bag. This dimensional change allows the stabilization mechanism to operate in a different spatial plane, providing effective lens stability through anatomical positioning and mechanical support without the secondary device contacting and frictioning against sensitive ocular tissues within the capsular bag.
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic implant for drug delivery. The implant includes a primary intracapsular device coupled to a secondary device, wherein, when implanted in a patient's eye, the primary intracapsular device is held in place by the patient's capsular bag and the secondary device is held in place by the primary intracapsular device. The implant may be inserted in the eye by injecting the primary intracapsular device into the eye either before or after attaching the secondary device to the primary intracapsular device, and subsequently positioning the joined secondary device and primary intracapsular device with the primary intracapsular device held in place by the patient's capsular bag and the secondary device held in place by the primary intracapsular device. The secondary device may be designed to hold a tertiary device that can be implanted and attached at the time of surgery or anytime postoperatively.