Intraocular Lens Evaluation via Simulated Eye Model

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development and evaluation of intraocular lenses (IOLs) are costly and time-consuming due to the need for multiple clinical trials, especially for multifocal IOLs, which require invasive surgical implantation to assess visual performance.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for evaluating IOL performance by capturing images through the lens at different focus positions using an image capturing system that mimics the human eye, allowing for the determination of lens performance through test subject feedback, thereby reducing the need for multiple clinical trials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple clinical trials with surgical implantation are conducted to evaluate IOL designs, then measurement precision of visual performance is improved, but loss of time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual performance measurementVSAvoidevaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simulated eye model that copies the optical properties of a human eye, allowing IOL evaluation without actual surgical implantation. The simulation includes a retinal sensor, lens holder, and optical components that replicate human eye behavior, enabling multiple design iterations to be tested on the same model rather than requiring multiple clinical trials on different patients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The simulated eye model acts as an intermediary between the IOL design and final visual performance assessment. Instead of directly implanting IOLs in human eyes for testing, the model serves as a intermediate testing platform that can evaluate multiple designs before clinical trials, reducing the number of invasive procedures needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple clinical trials with surgical implantation are conducted to evaluate IOL designs, then measurement precision of visual performance is improved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual performance measurementVSAvoiddevelopment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The simulated eye model replicates human eye optical properties, allowing cost-effective testing of multiple IOL designs without repeated surgical implantations. The model can be used indefinitely for evaluating different lens designs, significantly reducing the cost per evaluation compared to clinical trials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The simulation allows preliminary evaluation of IOL designs before committing to expensive clinical trials. Multiple design iterations can be screened and optimized in the simulated environment first, ensuring that only the most promising designs proceed to costly clinical testing, thereby reducing overall development costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If an extended range of focus positions is evaluated, then adaptability of the evaluation system is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus range evaluationVSAvoidevaluation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a movable retinal sensor that can be dynamically repositioned along the optical axis to simulate different focus positions. This dynamic adjustment allows the same physical device to evaluate IOL performance across an extended range of focal points without requiring multiple fixed cameras or complex optical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The simulated eye model is designed as a universal platform that can evaluate multiple types of IOLs (monofocal, multifocal, accommodating) across various focus positions using the same hardware configuration. The system's adaptability comes from software control and sensor positioning rather than physical reconfiguration, maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach enables efficient evaluation of IOL designs, reducing the need for invasive clinical trials and providing a more cost-effective method to assess lens performance across an extended range of focal points, aligning with the results of human clinical trials.

Implementation Method 1

capturing images through the intraocular lens at different focus positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2928358B1System and method for evaluating intraocular lens performance
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 JOHNSON & JOHNSON SURGICAL VISION INC
  • EP2928358B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2928358B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2928358B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Systems and methods for providing improved techniques for evaluating performance of intraocular lenses. Such techniques can be used to evaluate lens designs and can help reduce the need for multiple clinical trials that may otherwise be needed to evaluate multiple design iterations. In one embodiment, a method is provided for method for evaluating performance of an intraocular lens, where the method comprises capturing a plurality of images through the intraocular lens at different focus positions; displaying at least one selected image from the plurality of images to a test subject; receiving input from the test subject indicative of perceived acuity of the at least one selected image; and determining a measure of intraocular lens performance from the received input.