Laser Lens Modification for Presbyopia Accommodation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for presbyopia, refractive errors, and cataracts are limited in effectiveness, with existing methods focusing on material properties rather than structural changes in the natural crystalline lens, and face challenges such as invasive surgical risks and limitations in achieving sufficient accommodative amplitude or depth of field.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for delivering laser beams to the lens in specific patterns that follow the structure and geometry of the lens, including nested shells and annular patterns, to increase flexibility and depth of field, while avoiding the central portion of the lens to minimize risks and enhance accommodative amplitude.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If invasive surgical methods are used to treat presbyopia, refractive errors, or cataracts, then treatment effectiveness may be improved, but surgical risks and invasiveness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/surgical intervention with a laser-based optical system. The laser delivers energy non-invasively through the cornea to treat the lens, substituting traditional surgical mechanics with optical energy delivery. This resolves the contradiction by achieving treatment effectiveness through non-contact laser ablation or modification of lens tissue, eliminating surgical risks associated with incisions and mechanical manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the cornea as an intermediary medium to deliver laser energy to the lens. The laser beam passes through the cornea and aqueous humor to reach the lens without requiring direct surgical access. This intermediary approach allows non-invasive treatment while maintaining effectiveness, as the natural ocular media serve as the delivery path for the therapeutic energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If laser patterns treat the central portion of the lens, then refractive power may be increased, but accommodative amplitude improvement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefractive powerVSAvoidaccommodative amplitude

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different laser treatment patterns to different regions of the lens. The peripheral zones receive laser treatment to increase flexibility and accommodative amplitude, while the central optical zone is preserved to maintain refractive power. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function: peripheral flexibility enhancement without compromising central visual quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the lens treatment into distinct zones: a treated peripheral region for flexibility enhancement and an untreated central region for optical clarity. This segmentation allows independent optimization of accommodative function in the periphery and refractive function in the center, resolving the trade-off between these two visual parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If existing treatments focus on material properties of the lens, then some effectiveness is achieved, but sufficient accommodative amplitude or depth of field is not attained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidaccommodative amplitude

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the lens tissue through controlled laser energy delivery. The laser induces subtle modifications in the protein structure and hydration state of the lens, altering its mechanical properties to enhance flexibility. This parameter change approach resolves the contradiction by achieving greater accommodative amplitude than current material-focused treatments, while maintaining treatment effectiveness through precise energy control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The approach effectively increases the flexibility of the lens and depth of field, potentially offering improved visual acuity and accommodative amplitude with reduced surgical invasiveness and risk, addressing the limitations of existing treatments.

Implementation Method 1

A system and method for delivering laser beams to the lens in specific patterns

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

delivering laser beams to the lens in specific patterns that follow the structure and geometry of the lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS9545338B2System and method for improving the accommodative amplitude and increasing the refractive power of the human lens with a laser

Publication Date: 2017.01.17 LENSAR INC

AI summary

A system and method for increasing the amplitude of accommodation and/or changing the refractive power of lens material of a natural crystalline lens is provided. Generally, there is provided methods and systems for delivering a laser beam to a lens of an eye in a plurality of patterns results in the increased accommodative amplitude and/or refractive power of the lens. There is further provided a system and method of treating presbyopia by increasing both the flexibility of the human lens and the depth of field of the eye.