Intraocular Lens Gusset Design for Large Optic Diameter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intraocular lenses (IOLs) with larger diameters face challenges in being inserted through small incisions due to increased volume, leading to visual disturbances and difficulties in delivery through capsular bags.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates gussets that connect the optic to the haptics on the anterior or posterior surface, allowing for a larger optic diameter without significantly increasing the overall volume, and optionally uses a ring structure around the optic edge for additional support, enabling insertion through small incisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the optic diameter of the IOL is increased to reduce visual disturbances, then visual quality is improved, but the IOL volume increases making insertion through small incisions difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The IOL is divided into distinct functional components: a thin optic element for visual quality and separate haptic elements for structural support and capsular bag engagement. This segmentation allows the optic to have a large diameter without proportionally increasing the overall IOL volume, as the haptics provide the necessary structural integrity independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional three-dimensional bulky structure to a planar, two-dimensional optic configuration. The optic is designed as a thin element with minimal thickness, effectively utilizing the lateral dimensions for diameter while maintaining minimal volumetric presence, thereby enabling large optic diameter with small IOL volume.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the IOL volume is increased to accommodate larger optic diameter, then visual quality improves, but the IOL cannot be inserted through sufficiently small incisions
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the optic from the haptics and designing them as distinct elements that can be independently optimized, the IOL can be inserted through small incisions with the haptics providing the necessary structural support while the thin optic delivers high visual quality without increasing the overall profile size that would hinder insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The optic is designed as a thin film or shell-like structure with minimal thickness, allowing it to be folded or contoured for insertion through small incisions. This thin-film configuration enables the optic to achieve large diameter for visual quality while maintaining a compact profile that can pass through small capsular bag incisions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the optic edge thickness is increased to provide structural support, then IOL stability improves, but the optically active area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The IOL is segmented into an optic element and separate haptic elements, allowing the optic edge thickness to be minimized for maximum optical clarity while the haptics provide the necessary structural support and stability. This separation eliminates the need for thick optic edges to maintain IOL stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic elements serve as intermediary structures that bridge the optic and the capsular bag, providing mechanical support and stability without requiring the optic itself to have thick edges. The haptics mediate the structural requirements, allowing the optic to be optimized for visual quality with minimal edge thickness.
Data Source
AI summary
Intraocular lens (IOL) designs include having an optic with an anterior surface and a posterior surface surrounded by an optic edge. In some examples, the IOL has a plurality of haptics, each attached to the optic at a gusset, where each gusset extends beyond the optic edge toward an optic center such that the gusset at least partially overlaps with the anterior surface of the optic. In some examples, the IOL includes a ring structure integral with the optic and surrounding the perimeter of the optic edge, the ring structure having a thickness and the optic edge having a thickness, the ring structure thickness greater than the optic edge thickness.