Intraocular Lens Haptic Thickness Gradients to Reduce Striae
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lenses (IOLs) cause striae in the posterior capsular bag due to uneven haptic force distribution, which can lead to increased posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and complicate implantation, particularly through larger incisions.
Innovation Solution
An intraocular lens design featuring haptics with a gusset region that monotonically increases in thickness from the optic periphery and a distal region that monotonically decreases in thickness, providing a greater angle of contact (>50 degrees) to enhance uniform force distribution and stability, while maintaining axial and rotational stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
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 from the optic periphery and a distal region with monotonically decreasing thickness. This non-uniform thickness distribution creates varying local stiffness along the haptic length, allowing different sections to flex and contact the capsular bag at optimal points, thereby distributing force more uniformly across the capsular bag periphery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the haptic by introducing specific thickness variations along its length. The gusset region thickness monotonically increases from the optic periphery while the distal region thickness monotonically decreases from the elbow region, creating a controlled parameter gradient that optimizes force distribution and contact angle (>50 degrees) with the capsular bag.
2Reliability
If haptics with greater angle of contact are used to reduce striae, then force distribution improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic is segmented into three distinct functional regions: a gusset region extending from the optic periphery, an elbow region connecting to the distal region, and the distal region itself. Each region has a specific thickness profile (monotonically increasing, connecting, and monotonically decreasing respectively), allowing the complex force distribution requirement to be met through modular regional design rather than overall complexity.
3Ease of operation
If larger incisions are made for IOL implantation, then ease of insertion improves, but patient recovery is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The IOL is designed to be folded for insertion into the capsular bag via a corneal incision and then unfolded once in place. The haptic's specific thickness profile (increasing in the gusset region, decreasing in the distal region) enables this folding/unfolding mechanism while maintaining structural integrity, allowing implantation through smaller incisions without compromising the haptic's ability to provide stable support and uniform force distribution.
Data Source
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.