Accommodating Intraocular Lens With Combined Axial and Lateral Power Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accommodating intraocular lenses do not effectively combine lateral and axial movements of optical elements to provide variable optical power, limiting their focus adjustment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An accommodating intraocular lens construction with two optical elements, each having two surfaces - one partially cubic and one partially spherical - coupled by an elastic haptic, allowing for combined lateral and axial movements to achieve variable optical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing accommodating intraocular lenses use only lateral or only axial movements of optical elements, then the structure is simpler, but the variable optical power capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both lateral and axial movement mechanisms within a single lens construction. The optical element is configured to perform both types of movement simultaneously or independently, merging the functionality of separate lateral-variable and axial-variable lenses into one integrated system, thereby enhancing variable optical power capability without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic structures including elastic haptics that can deform and mechanical construction elements that enable dual-directional movement. The optical elements are designed with dynamic characteristics allowing them to shift laterally and move axially in response to ciliary muscle action, providing adaptive focus adjustment across multiple dimensions
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical elements are used to provide variable optical power, then the focus adjustment capability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface geometries to different regions of the optical element. Specifically, one surface features a cubic function shape while another surface has a spherical shape. This local differentiation of optical properties allows each surface to contribute specifically to focus adjustment, with the cubic surface providing lateral movement capability and the spherical surface supporting axial movement, thereby distributing manufacturing precision requirements across specialized zones rather than requiring uniform high precision across the entire element
3Ease of operation
If elastic haptics are used to couple optical elements, then the lateral and axial movements are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic haptics are designed to automatically respond to physiological changes in the ciliary muscle without requiring external control mechanisms. When the ciliary muscle contracts or relaxes, the elastic haptics passively translate this action into the appropriate lateral and axial movements of the optical elements through their inherent elastic deformation, eliminating the need for complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes elastic haptics as flexible structural elements that couple the optical components. These haptics can deform elastically to accommodate the dual-directional movements while maintaining structural integrity, providing a compact and integrated solution that reduces overall device complexity compared to rigid mechanical coupling systems
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 construction provides enhanced focus adjustment by combining lateral and axial movements, improving the variable optical power and correcting aberrations such as astigmatism and coma.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic haptic is configured to provide, at compression of the lens construction in a lateral direction, a combination of lateral movements in lateral direction and axial movements in axial direction of the optical elements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Accommodating intraocular lens comprising a combination of variable lenses including, firstly, a variable lens comprising two spherical lenses (6a, 7a) fitted onto two optical elements (6,7) to provide variable optical power of which the degree depends on the degree of movement of at least one of spherical lens along the optical axis and, secondly, a variable lens comprising at least two cubic surfaces (10, 11) fitted onto the same two optical elements (6, 7) which provides a lens of variable optical power of which the degree depends on the degree of movement of at least one of the optical elements in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The combination of variable lenses is fitted into a mechanical construction providing said movements of the optical elements.