Intraocular Lens Accommodative Response Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular lenses (IOLs) lack accommodating ability, which is essential for restoring focus after cataract surgery, and there is a need for a method to test the accommodative response of IOLs to applied forces or simulated external actuation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for testing the accommodative response of intraocular lenses by applying a force, such as a radially compressive force, and measuring the resulting deflection or change in configuration using a force effector and accommodative response measuring element, allowing for the assessment of IOL performance outside the lens capsule.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a force is applied to the intraocular lens to test accommodative response, then the lens's ability to change power can be measured, but the lens must be tested outside the lens capsule which removes it from its natural physiological environment
Solution Approach 1:
A force effector is introduced as an intermediary device to apply controlled forces to the intraocular lens during testing. This mediator allows precise force application and measurement without requiring the lens to be implanted in the eye, enabling accommodative response measurement while maintaining testability outside the physiological environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system creates a simulated physiological environment using a force effector that replicates the forces normally applied by ciliary muscles through zonules. By copying the essential mechanical interactions rather than requiring the complete physiological system, the lens accommodative response can be measured in vitro with sufficient fidelity.
2Ease of operation
If the intraocular lens is tested outside the lens capsule, then the testing process can be simplified and performed more easily, but the lens cannot be tested in its actual implanted position where it interacts with ciliary muscles and zonules
Solution Approach 1:
The force effector is designed with multi-functionality to both apply forces and measure responses. This universal device can replicate various physiological conditions (different force magnitudes, directions, and patterns) while maintaining a simple testing setup, thus achieving both ease of operation and physiological interaction simulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system allows for parameter changes in the applied forces (magnitude, direction, duration) to simulate different physiological states such as accommodation at various distances. By varying these parameters, the simplified in vitro testing setup can adapt to test different aspects of lens accommodative response without requiring actual implantation.
3Device complexity
If the lens is tested without the lens capsule and supporting structures, then the testing setup becomes less complex, but the lens cannot experience the normal forces from ciliary muscles via zonules that cause shape change
Solution Approach 1:
The complex biological mechanical system of ciliary muscles and zonules is replaced with a simplified mechanical force effector. This substitution maintains the essential force application function while dramatically reducing device complexity, allowing the lens to be tested with controlled forces without requiring the complete physiological support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens is extracted from the lens capsule and supporting structures for testing purposes. By taking out only the essential component (the intraocular lens) while removing the complex capsule and muscle system, the testing setup complexity is reduced while the force effector compensates for the missing force application mechanism.
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 the measurement and evaluation of IOL accommodative responses to forces, simulating ciliary muscle movement, thereby assessing the lens's ability to change power and accommodate, which is crucial for restoring focus and improving vision post-surgery.
Implementation Method 1
applying a force, such as a radially compressive force
Implementation Method 2
measuring the resulting deflection or change in configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and their methods of use for testing intraocular lenses outside of the lens capsule. In some embodiments the systems measure an accommodative response based on a force applied to the intraocular lens.