Adjustable Intraocular Lens Haptics for Post-Op Power Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional intraocular lenses (IOLs) require additional surgery for post-implant adjustment, and there is a need for a solution that allows for effective positive or negative tuning of optical power without further surgical intervention.
Innovation Solution
Intraocular lenses with a composite material containing energy-absorbing constituents and microspheres that can change shape in response to external energy, such as laser light, allowing for post-operative adjustment of optical power through shrinkable and/or burstable microspheres or fluid displacement within the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional IOLs are used, then the lens provides stable optical power, but the optical power cannot be adjusted post-implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic is segmented into multiple composite material layers, with shrinkable microspheres embedded within. This segmentation allows the lens to maintain structural integrity while enabling localized volume adjustment through microsphere collapse, achieving optical power adjustment without complicating the overall lens design.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic is constructed as a composite material containing shrinkable microspheres embedded in a polymer matrix. This composite structure combines the mechanical strength of the polymer with the volume-changing capability of the microspheres, enabling post-implantation adjustment while maintaining structural stability.
2Ease of repair
If additional surgery is performed to adjust IOL optical power, then the optical power can be corrected, but the patient undergoes additional surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/surgical adjustment methods with a non-invasive optical adjustment method. Laser energy is used to trigger the collapse of shrinkable microspheres in the haptic, changing the lens optical power without requiring additional surgery or mechanical manipulation inside the eye.
3Measurement precision
If preoperative biometry measurements are taken, then the IOL power can be calculated, but errors in measurement lead to incorrect optical power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual optical performance of the implanted lens is evaluated post-implantation, and if adjustment is needed, laser energy is applied to the haptic to modify the optical power. This closed-loop approach compensates for initial measurement errors and achieves the desired optical outcome.
4Adaptability or versatility
If accommodating IOLs are used to regain focusing ability, then the eye can refocus on distant or near targets, but aggressive healing responses may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic lens system where the haptic can change its volume in response to laser energy application. This dynamic capability allows the lens to adjust its optical power on demand, providing focusing ability similar to accommodating IOLs but through a different mechanism that may reduce healing responses.
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 non-invasive adjustment of IOLs to correct for errors in pre-operative biometry or changes in the eye, such as healing responses or age-related changes, maintaining effective vision without additional surgery.
Implementation Method 1
The composite material can comprise an energy absorbing constituent and a plurality of shrinkable and/or burstable microspheres
Implementation Method 2
Each of the shrinkable and/or burstable microspheres can comprise an inner phase and one or more vacuum voids contained within a thermoplastic shell
Implementation Method 3
The thermoplastic shell can be configured to soften at a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic shell
Implementation Method 4
The inner phase can be configured to undergo a phase change from a vapor into a liquid phase at a temperature below a boiling point of the inner phase. The vacuum voids can be formed when the inner phase condenses into the liquid phase within the thermoplastic shell
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are adjustable intraocular lenses and methods of adjusting intraocular lenses post-operatively. In one embodiment, an adjustable accommodating intraocular lens comprises an optic portion and at least one haptic. At least part of the haptic can be made in part of a composite material comprising an energy absorbing constituent and a plurality of shrinkable and/or burstable microspheres. At least one of a base power of the optic portion can be configured to change in response to an external energy directed at the composite material.