Intraocular Lens Haptics with High-Contrast Color Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular lenses face challenges in determining correct anterior-posterior orientation during implantation, leading to potential misplacement and harmful interactions with ocular tissues, due to small and difficult-to-see design features on transparent lenses.
Innovation Solution
Intraocular lenses with haptics featuring contrasting colors, patterns, or textures created using titanium dioxide and FDA-approved pigments like copper phthalocyanine and D&C Violet No. 2, allowing for improved visual differentiation of anterior and posterior sides, facilitating correct orientation detection and prevention of misplacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If design features such as holes, notches, and tabs are used to signal proper orientation, then orientation identification is possible, but these features become difficult to see and use due to the transparent and colorless material of the lens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies coloration to the haptics of the intraocular lens to create high-contrast visual features for orientation identification. Specifically, the haptics are colored using FDA-approved pigments (copper phthalocyanine, D&C Green No. 6, and D&C Violet No. 2) to create distinguishable color patterns that indicate proper anterior-posterior orientation. This directly addresses the visibility problem by adding strong color contrast to the previously transparent and colorless lens material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines transparent lens material with colored haptic materials to create a composite structure. The lens optic remains transparent while the haptics are made from colored materials containing specific pigments. This composite approach allows the lens to maintain its optical properties while providing visible orientation cues through the colored haptics.
2Reliability
If the lens is made from highly transparent and colorless material, then optical quality is improved, but orientation features become even more difficult to discern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the intraocular lens into two functional parts: a transparent lens optic for optical quality and colored haptics for orientation identification. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without compromising the other - the optic remains clear for vision while the haptics provide visible orientation cues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies coloration specifically to the haptic portions while keeping the lens optic transparent. The colored haptics contain FDA-approved pigments that create high-contrast visual features, allowing orientation identification without interfering with the optical properties of the clear lens material.
3Reliability
If the intraocular lens is implanted in reverse orientation, then the design intention for tissue interaction is not realized, but potential harmful interactions with iris or ciliary body may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded haptics with contrasting color patterns to provide unambiguous visual cues for correct anterior-posterior orientation. The colored features are visible during implantation, allowing the surgeon to confirm proper orientation before completing the procedure, thereby preventing harmful reverse implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The colored orientation features provide immediate visual feedback during the implantation process. The surgeon can observe the color patterns on the haptics to determine whether the lens is oriented correctly, allowing for real-time correction if misorientation is detected before the lens is fully implanted.
4Reliability
If haptics are colored using FDA-approved pigments, then safety is maintained, but creating strong and high contrast color difference is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a specific combination of FDA-approved pigments (copper phthalocyanine, D&C Green No. 6, and D&C Violet No. 2) in particular proportions to achieve high color contrast. By carefully selecting and combining these approved colorants, the patent achieves both regulatory compliance and sufficient visual differentiation for orientation identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite colored haptics by combining multiple FDA-approved pigments within the haptic material. This composite coloring approach allows the use of restricted pigments while achieving strong color contrast through the synergistic combination of different colorants in specific ratios.
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 solution enhances the visibility of haptic orientation, reducing the risk of misplacement and tissue damage by providing a clear and distinct visual guide for correct positioning, even in small pupils, thus ensuring proper intraocular lens placement and function.
Implementation Method 1
the haptic comprises at least one first layer comprising greater than 1 wt % titanium dioxide or at least about 2 wt % titanium dioxide
Implementation Method 2
the first layer may comprise one or more colorants, including, but not limited to copper phthalocyanine, D&C Violet No. 2, or D&C Green No. 6
Data Source
AI summary
Intraocular lenses with high contrast haptics, materials and methods for making optical blanks and lenses, and methods of use are disclosed and claimed. Such lenses may provide easily recognizable visual cues that may be used to detect and correct misorientation of lenses prior to and during use.