Intraocular Lens with Haptic Levers for Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular lenses fail to provide effective accommodation for near vision after cataract surgery, as they either require attachment to the ciliary body, which leads to scarring and distortion, or rely on complex assembly procedures that risk damaging the capsular bag, and none offer a safe and reliable method for long-term focus adjustment.
Innovation Solution
An intraocular lens design featuring an optic with haptic levers that alter axial position and shape to change optical power, utilizing a pre-bias mechanism and a dissolvable restraining element to ensure safe and effective accommodation without ciliary body attachment, allowing for reversible optical power adjustment in response to eye-induced stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If intraocular lenses are attached to the ciliary body to achieve accommodation, then focusing power adjustment is enabled, but tissue scarring and distortion occur leading to long-term failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the haptic-ciliary body attachment mechanism from the system. Instead of connecting haptics to the ciliary body, the lens is held within the capsular bag, extracting the harmful interaction between implant components and ciliary body tissue while preserving accommodation through optical power change mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the capsular bag as an intermediary structure that holds the lens without requiring direct ciliary body attachment. The capsular bag serves as a mediator that enables lens positioning and accommodation function while avoiding direct mechanical interaction with the ciliary body that causes scarring
2Manufacturing precision
If complex assembly procedures are used to implant intraocular lenses, then precise positioning is achieved, but risk of capsular bag damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is pre-assembled with haptics and optical elements in the correct configuration before implantation. The capsular bag is prepared with a capsulorrhexis opening of appropriate size beforehand, allowing the pre-assembled lens to be inserted as a complete unit, eliminating intraoperative assembly steps that could damage the capsular bag
3Ease of manufacture
If single-layer optic design is used for intraocular lenses, then manufacturing is simplified, but accommodation range and optical performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optic is divided into multiple layers (anterior and posterior optic layers) with different optical properties. Each layer contributes to the overall optical power and accommodation range, allowing the lens to achieve greater versatility in focusing capability while maintaining manufacturability through layer-by-layer construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite optic structure with multiple layers of different materials or properties. The anterior and posterior optic layers are made from materials with different durometers and optical characteristics, creating a composite structure that enhances accommodation range while remaining manufacturable
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 lens enables significant increases in optical power, ensuring safe and effective accommodation by changing shape and axial position, avoiding tissue irritation and vision impairment, and is compatible with modern cataract surgery techniques.
Implementation Method 1
the resistance arms stretch at least the anterior surface of the second optic layer. This results in deformation of the second optic layer as the second optic layer bends about the smaller diameter central portion on the anterior surface of the first optic layer to thereby decrease its radius of curvature
Implementation Method 2
The haptic levers include a fulcrum attached at the periphery of the first optic layer, a resistance arm coupled to the anterior surface of the second optic layer, and a force arm haptic
Implementation Method 3
A restraining element is preferably provided to the IOL for temporarily retaining the IOL in a stressed, planar, non-accommodating configuration during implantation and a post-operative period
Data Source
AI summary
An intraocular lens has a polymeric optic defined by a harder posterior layer and a softer anterior layer. Haptics having a fulcrum attached to the posterior layer and a resistance arm attached to the anterior layer are provided. A bias is provided to the haptic to rotate the haptics about the fulcrum and cause the resistance arm to deform the softer anterior layer about the harder posterior layer to increase the optical power of the lens. As the haptic rotates, it axially displaces the optic anteriorly to additionally increase the optical power. The optical power is adjustable in response to stresses induced by the eye. The haptics are subject to a pre-bias that urges the haptics to rotate or bend about the fulcrum. Temporary restraints are provided to the haptics to retain a stressed shape of the lens against the bias during a post-implantation healing period.