Intraocular Lens Haptics with Graded Thickness to Reduce Striae
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lenses (IOLs) cause striae in the posterior capsular bag due to uneven force distribution, which can lead to increased posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and require larger incisions, affecting patient recovery and stability.
Innovation Solution
An IOL design with haptics featuring a gusset region that monotonically increases in thickness and a distal region that monotonically decreases in thickness, providing a greater angle of contact and uniform force distribution, reducing striae while maintaining axial and rotational stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing IOL haptic designs are used, then the IOL can be implanted, but they cause striae in the posterior capsular bag due to uneven force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic design incorporates a gusset region with monotonically increasing thickness and a distal region with monotonically decreasing thickness, creating localized variations in haptic properties. This non-uniform thickness distribution optimizes force application at specific contact points with the capsular bag, ensuring uniform force distribution while maintaining implantability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the haptics by defining specific thickness profiles along their length. The gusset region thickness monotonically increases from the optic periphery outward, while the distal region thickness monotonically decreases toward the free end. These parameter changes optimize the angle of contact and force distribution to prevent striae formation
2Device complexity
If haptics have a small angle of contact with the capsular bag, then the IOL structure is simpler, but uneven force distribution causes striae
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic design incorporates a gusset region with monotonically increasing thickness and a distal region with monotonically decreasing thickness, creating localized variations in haptic properties. This non-uniform thickness distribution optimizes force application at specific contact points with the capsular bag, ensuring uniform force distribution while maintaining implantability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the haptics by defining specific thickness profiles along their length. The gusset region thickness monotonically increases from the optic periphery outward, while the distal region thickness monotonically decreases toward the free end. These parameter changes optimize the angle of contact and force distribution to prevent striae formation
3Ease of operation
If larger incisions are used for IOL implantation, then implantation is easier, but patient recovery is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The IOL is designed to be folded into a compact configuration that can be inserted through a small corneal incision. The haptics are positioned and oriented to allow the lens to be collapsed into a delivery device, then expanded once implanted in the capsular bag, eliminating the need for large incisions while maintaining ease of implantation
Solution Approach 2:
The IOL transitions from a folded, compact state during insertion to an expanded, functional state after implantation. The haptics are designed to unfold and assume their final configuration once the lens is positioned in the capsular bag, allowing small incision access while achieving proper implantation
Data Source
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AI summary
An ophthalmic lens includes an optic comprising an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and an optic edge extending between the anterior surface and the posterior surface, the optic having an optical axis. The ophthalmic lens further includes a plurality of haptics extending from a periphery of the optic, each of the plurality of haptics including a gusset region, a distal region, and an elbow region connecting the gusset region to the distal region. The gusset region of each of the plurality of haptics extends from the periphery of the optic and spans a portion of the periphery of the optic. In addition, the gusset region of each of the plurality of haptics monotonically increases in thickness with increased distance from the periphery of the optic, while the distal region of each of the plurality of haptics monotonically decreases in thickness with increased distance from the elbow region.