Interfacial Refraction Accommodating Lens for Intraocular Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intraocular lenses (IOLs) have a fixed refractive power and are unable to change focus in response to varying focal distance needs, requiring external power sources and complex systems that are costly, difficult to manufacture, and provide limited accommodating power.
Innovation Solution
A novel refraction system using immiscible fluids within a lenticular chamber, where the interface between the fluids provides a refractive surface that changes curvature in response to minute forces from the ciliary muscle, allowing significant diopter changes without moving the lens along the optical axis, using hollow haptics and flexible chamber walls to enhance accommodation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional IOLs with fixed refractive power are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but accommodating power is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple zones with different refractive powers (central optical zone, intermediate zone, peripheral zone), each contributing to different focal distances. This segmentation allows the single lens to provide multiple focal points without requiring complex mechanical moving parts or external power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens are assigned different optical properties - the central zone has one refractive power for distance vision, while the peripheral zones have different refractive powers for near and intermediate vision. This local differentiation of optical quality enables multifocality while maintaining a simple overall lens structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex accommodating lens systems with external power sources are used, then accommodating power is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lens utilizes the eye's natural accommodative mechanisms (ciliary muscle contraction, zonular tension changes, capsular bag deformation) to dynamically adjust the optical path and activate different focal zones. No external power source or active control system is required - the lens passively responds to physiological signals already present in the eye.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical actuation systems (motors, pumps, artificial muscles) with a passive optical design that leverages the natural biomechanics of the eye. The accommodative response is achieved through optical zone activation rather than mechanical lens movement or shape change.
3Adaptability or versatility
If continuous flow loops are used to position the lens and change focus, then accommodating function is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous flow loop structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for lens positioning, enables focus adjustment through fluid flow, and maintains lens stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens employs fluid-filled continuous flow loops that use hydraulic principles to transmit forces and adjust focus. The fluid flow within the loops allows for smooth, continuous accommodation while the loops themselves provide structural support, combining mechanical and hydraulic functions in a single integrated system.
4Reliability
If the lens is made insensitive to intraocular environment changes by using a rigid shell, then reliability improves, but accommodating power decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens incorporates flexible, dynamic elements (continuous flow loops, deformable membranes) that can adapt their shape and position in response to intraocular pressure changes and ciliary muscle activity. This dynamic design maintains reliability by accommodating environmental variations while preserving accommodating function through controlled deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens uses flexible membranes and thin-walled structures that can deform in response to physiological forces. These flexible elements are designed to maintain structural integrity and optical performance while allowing the necessary shape changes for accommodation, thus providing both reliability and adaptability.
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
This solution achieves stable and significant diopter changes, mimicking natural lens accommodation with increased accommodating power, up to 10 diopters or more, using simple and cost-effective designs that do not require external power sources, and are less affected by capsular opacification and fibrosis.
Implementation Method 1
The lens comprises two immiscible liquids, each having a different refractive index... the interface between the two liquids provides a refractive surface which changes curvature in response to pressure applied to the periphery of the lens
Implementation Method 2
The focal length of the lens is changed by applying pressure on the periphery of the lens
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to intraocular lenses. More particularly, this invention relates to intraocular lenses that have the ability to alter the light refractive power in response to changes in the tension of the ciliary muscle or ciliary body of the eye or any other accommodative forces. Lenses of this invention are generally referred to as interfacial, i.e., lens properties being defined as the interface of two liquids having different refractive indices, refractive accommodating lenses (IRAL).