Intraocular Lens Refractive Index Writing for Misalignment Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lenses (IOLs) often result in negative post-surgical visual outcomes due to factors like incorrect power calculations, astigmatism, and photic phenomena, making replacement risky and complicated.
Innovation Solution
Refractive index writing (RIW) using short pulses of focused radiation to modify the refractive index of IOLs, creating corrective patterns to improve vision without replacing the IOL.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an intraocular lens is implanted in the wrong position or orientation, then vision quality deteriorates, but removing and re-implanting the lens increases surgical complexity and risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating alignment markers and orientation features directly into the IOL design before implantation. These pre-integrated features enable the surgeon to verify correct lens positioning and orientation immediately during surgery, allowing for real-time correction without requiring lens removal and re-implantation, thus reducing surgical complexity while maintaining high positioning accuracy
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional IOL designs are used without orientation features, then manufacturing is simpler, but post-implantation vision correction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding specific orientation features (alignment markers, asymmetric designs) only to specific regions of the IOL where they are most needed for positioning and orientation verification. This localized approach maintains relatively simple overall manufacturing while providing enhanced adaptability for post-implantation vision correction through the strategic placement of these functional features
3Measurement precision
If IOL alignment markers are added to improve positioning, then lens orientation accuracy improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using manufacturing techniques that modify physical or chemical parameters of the IOL material during the base manufacturing process itself, rather than adding separate components. For example, incorporating alignment markers through material composition changes, asymmetric zone refraction patterns, or density variations that can be integrated into the lens fabrication process using existing equipment and methods, thereby improving orientation accuracy while minimizing manufacturing complexity
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
Corrects visual issues such as astigmatism and spectacle dependence by altering the IOL's optical performance, enhancing visual acuity and reducing the need for spectacles.
Implementation Method 1
an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in the eye to correct for refractive error
Implementation Method 2
a pattern of optical zones may be written into the polymer by changing the refractive index of the polymer with a femtosecond laser
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods for improving vision of a subject implanted with an intraocular lens (IOL). In some embodiments, a method includes determining a deviation in position of at least one optical element from a reference line corresponding to alignment of the apex of the cornea, center of the pupil, center of the IOL, and fovea, and/or determining a tilt of at least one of the optical elements relative to the reference line. The method can further include applying a plurality of focused laser pulses to a selected area of the implanted IOL to produce, through refractive index writing, a phase change pattern on the IOL that is configured to compensate for the deviation(s) and/or tilt to improve the foveal vision of the subject.