Femtosecond Laser Peripheral Lens Volume Shrinkage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for presbyopia, such as multifocal intraocular lenses and femtosecond laser surgery, fail to restore the full 3D accommodative range required for near vision, and existing lens capsule refill technologies struggle to accurately adjust refractive power and dimensions, leading to issues with contrast sensitivity and posterior lens capsule opacification.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive femtosecond laser treatment that shrinks the peripheral lens volume outside the optical zone using pulsed laser radiation, based on the Coleman catenary theory, to restore hydraulic lens movement and increase accommodative amplitude, with optional thermal coagulation and navigation using OCT or ultrasound for precise refractive power adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multifocal intraocular lenses are used to extend depth of focus, then near vision is improved, but contrast sensitivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenear visionVSAvoidcontrast sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lens treatment into two distinct zones: an optical zone that remains untreated to maintain high-quality image formation and contrast sensitivity, and a peripheral zone that undergoes laser treatment to induce softening and improve accommodation. This spatial segmentation allows the optical zone to preserve contrast sensitivity while the peripheral zone contributes to near vision improvement through accommodative changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If lens capsule refill technologies are used to adjust refractive power, then refractive correction is achieved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to accurately adjust dimensions and refractive power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefractive power adjustmentVSAvoiddimensional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical injection system of lens capsule refill technologies with a laser-based treatment approach. By using laser radiation to induce controlled softening and volume changes in the peripheral lens tissue, the system achieves precise refractive power adjustment without the dimensional control limitations of mechanical gel injection methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If femtosecond laser is used to cut and remove intra-stromal lenticule, then refractive correction is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefractive correctionVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the need for complex lenticule cutting and extraction procedures by directly treating the lens in situ. Instead of creating and removing a separate lenticule structure, the laser directly induces softening and volume reduction in the peripheral lens tissue, simplifying the surgical procedure while achieving the same refractive correction outcome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If accommodating artificial intraocular lenses are used to recreate accommodative response, then near vision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to negligible forward movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodative rangeVSAvoidlens movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the natural lens itself by inducing controlled softening and volume reduction in the peripheral lens tissue. This transforms the lens from a rigid, non-accommodating state to a softer, more compliant state that can undergo natural shape changes and forward movement, thereby achieving reliable accommodative response without relying on artificial lens mechanisms.

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

This approach effectively increases accommodative amplitude and refractive power, allowing for improved near vision without inducing cataracts, and can also correct static refractive errors by tuning the lens geometry and refractive power, maintaining emmetropia.

Implementation Method 1

Femtosecond (or other) laser technology uses the phenomenon of photodisruption to create microbubbles within the cornea to separate tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodisruption: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 2

with optional thermal coagulation and navigation using OCT or ultrasound for precise refractive power adjustment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal coagulation: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentUS10548771B2Device and procedure to treat presbyopia

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG

AI summary

A treatment apparatus for surgical correction of presbyopia or defective eyesight in an eye of a patient. The treatment apparatus includes a laser device configured to treat lens tissue of the eye by irradiation of pulsed laser radiation with the laser radiation being focused on target points arranged in a pattern within the lens. An interface supplies measurement data on parameters of the eye and/or defective-eyesight data on the eyesight defect to be corrected in the eye, and defines a volume located within the lens using the supplied measurement data and defective-eyesight data, the volume being defined so as to achieve the desired correction of presbyopia or defective eyesight when removed.