Fluid-Actuated Intraocular Lens Centering After Capsular Bag Insertion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraocular lenses may be incorrectly positioned in the capsular bag after insertion, leading to imaging aberrations, particularly with toric optical bodies, necessitating surgical interventions for correction.

Innovation Solution

An intraocular lens design featuring a separation plane dividing it into two halves, with haptic elements and reservoirs containing fluids that can be adjusted in density via temperature or electromagnetic radiation to center the optical body within the capsular bag, using shutoff devices and photochemical reactions to control fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the intraocular lens is inserted into the capsular bag, then the lens is positioned in the eye, but the lens may be disposed in an incorrect position leading to imaging aberrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcorrectability after insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The haptic elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable in stiffness through fluid density changes. By changing the density of the fluid in the reservoirs, the haptic elements can transition between flexible and stiff states, enabling the optical body to be repositioned from an incorrect position to the correct central position within the capsular bag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes parameter changes in fluid density (through temperature variation or phase transitions) to modify the mechanical properties of the haptic elements. This allows the intraocular lens to be repositioned by adjusting the physical state of the fluid, providing a mechanism to correct positioning errors after insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the haptic element stiffness is increased to stabilize the optical body, then positional stability is improved, but the ability to reposition the lens is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidrepositioning capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The haptic elements incorporate fluid-filled reservoirs that allow dynamic adjustment of stiffness. The fluid can be heated or subjected to phase transitions to reduce its density, thereby reducing haptic element stiffness for repositioning, and then cooled or condensed to increase stiffness for stabilization, providing both repositioning capability and positional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs phase transitions of the fluid (e.g., from liquid to gas or between different liquid phases) to dramatically change the density and thus the stiffness of the haptic elements. This enables the system to switch between a compliant state for repositioning and a rigid state for stable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 independent centering and stabilization of the intraocular lens within the capsular bag, minimizing imaging aberrations without requiring additional surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

Reducing the density of the first fluid and/or of the second fluid are caused by an increase in temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

Reducing the density of the first fluid and/or of the second fluid are caused by an increase in temperature and/or by a phase transition of the first fluid and/or the second fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

The density can be reduced by impinging the first fluid and/or the second fluid with electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochemical reaction: Photo-oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4213764B1Intraocular lens
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
  • EP4213764B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4213764B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4213764B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an intraocular lens (1) comprising an optical body (2), the latter having an optical axis (24), comprising a separation plane (25), in which the optical axis (24) is located and which divides the intraocular lens (1) into a first half (26) and a second half (27), comprising a first haptic element (3), the majority of which is disposed in the first half (26) and which has a first conduit (7), comprising a second haptic element (4), the majority of which is disposed in the second half (27) and which has a second conduit (8), comprising a first reservoir (5), in which a first fluid is disposed and which is disposed in the region of the optical body (2) or in a region adjoining the optical body (2) and the majority of which is disposed in the second half (27) and which is connected to the first conduit (7), and comprising a second reservoir (6), in which a second fluid is disposed and which is disposed in the region of the optical body (2) or in a region adjoining the optical body (2) and the majority of which is disposed in the first half (26) and which is connected to the second conduit (7).