Iris Attachment Mechanism for Intraocular Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in attaching intraocular devices, such as pressure sensors, to the eye with precise lateral and angular alignment, while also ensuring minimally invasive surgical methods are used, as traditional barbs may not be suitable and manufacturing three-dimensional features like barbs can be costly and infeasible for small devices.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves an intraocular implant system that includes an intraocular device coupled with an attachment mechanism capable of transitioning between a compressed and extended configuration to securely attach to the iris. This attachment mechanism may include a deployable leg with a torsional spring and hooked end, or a planar substrate with gripping portions that open and close to grip the iris tissue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If barbs are used to hold the intraocular device in place, then the device can be secured to the eye, but the manufacturing cost increases and three-dimensional features become infeasible for small device sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice retentionVSAvoidmanufacturing feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is divided into separate planar gripping portions that can be independently formed on the device body, eliminating the need for complex three-dimensional barb structures. This segmentation allows each gripping portion to be manufactured using standard planar fabrication processes suitable for small-scale devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment function is extracted from the main device body as a separate mechanism with distinct gripping portions. This extraction allows the attachment mechanism to be optimized independently, using simple planar structures rather than integrating complex three-dimensional barbs into the small device body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If precise positioning of the intraocular implant is required, then barbs may not be suitable, but alternative attachment mechanisms must be developed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism uses deployable legs that can transition between compressed and extended configurations, allowing dynamic adjustment during implantation. This dynamic capability enables precise positioning control without requiring complex static structures, as the mechanism can be actively manipulated to achieve the desired position and orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism utilizes torsional springs to enable rotational movement and configuration changes. By changing the mechanical state (compressed vs. extended) and orientation parameters of the deployable legs, precise positioning is achieved through controlled parameter transitions rather than complex structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally invasive surgical methods are used for implantation, then the surgical procedure is less invasive, but the delivery and attachment of the device becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical invasivenessVSAvoidimplantation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is designed to be nested within a delivery device during the implantation process. The deployable legs are contained in a compressed state within the delivery system, allowing minimally invasive insertion. Once positioned, the mechanism is deployed from the nested configuration to the extended attachment state, enabling simple operation after insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism is pre-configured in a compressed state within the delivery device, with the torsional springs pre-loaded. This preliminary preparation allows the device to be inserted minimally invasively, and the attachment action is then activated simply by releasing the constraint, making the overall procedure easier to perform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach allows for precise and secure attachment of intraocular devices to the iris, enabling accurate measurement and minimizing invasive surgical procedures, while also being cost-effective and feasible for small device sizes.

Implementation Method 1

The deployable leg includes a torsional spring that rotates along an axis during the transition to the second configuration to thread the leg through the iris

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsional spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentUS20250195207A1System for attaching intraocular devices to iris tissue

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 VERILY HEALTH INC

AI summary

An intraocular implant and system comprising: an intraocular device coupled to an attachment mechanism operable to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration to secure the intraocular device to the eye; and a delivery device operable to deliver the intraocular device to the eye and manipulate the attachment mechanism to transition between the first configuration and the second configuration.