Laser-Created Presbyopia Lenticule with Zoned Vision Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for presbyopia, such as lenses, implants, and surgery, fail to provide satisfactory results in certain situations, particularly in addressing the age-related loss of near-vision ability due to a rigid lens that cannot change shape easily.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic surgical system using a laser source, scanner, and computer to create a lenticule in the cornea by forming a design with a major and minor lenslet, where the minor lenslet is subtracted from the major lenslet to yield a central concave portion for near-vision correction, and a peripheral portion for far-vision correction, using ultrashort laser pulses and precise photodisruption techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current treatments (lenses, implants, surgery) are used for presbyopia, then near-vision ability can be improved, but they fail to provide satisfactory results in certain situations and may cause tissue damage or have limited adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The lenticule is segmented into multiple functional zones: a central region for near-vision correction and a peripheral region for distance-vision correction. This segmentation allows the single corneal structure to provide multiple vision corrections simultaneously, improving adaptability across different viewing distances and presbyopia cases while maintaining reliable near-vision correction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lenticule have different optical properties tailored to specific functions. The central portion has specific curvature and thickness characteristics for near-vision, while the peripheral portion has different characteristics for distance-vision. This local differentiation of quality enables the treatment to address multiple vision needs within a single corneal modification.
2Reliability
If traditional surgical methods are used, then near-vision can be restored, but significant tissue destruction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical surgical methods (knives, scalpels, mechanical lenticule removal) with a laser-based system. The laser creates the lenticule through photodisruption and photovaporization, allowing precise corneal modification without mechanical contact. This substitution significantly reduces tissue trauma, bleeding, and infection risk while maintaining effective near-vision restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser system uses ultrashort pulses with specific energy parameters to modify corneal tissue. By controlling pulse duration, energy density, and focal depth, the system achieves precise tissue modification with minimal thermal damage. This parameter control allows creation of the lenticule with clean edges and minimal surrounding tissue destruction, restoring near-vision while preserving corneal integrity.
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 system effectively reshapes the cornea to restore near-vision by creating a lenticule that provides near-vision correction through a concave central portion and far-vision correction through a peripheral portion, enhancing visual acuity without significant tissue destruction.
Implementation Method 1
The laser source generates a laser beam having ultrashort pulses... create the posterior side of the lenticule according to the lenticule design; and create the anterior side of the lenticule according to the lenticule design
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic surgical system for creating a lenticule in the cornea of an eye comprises controllable components (including a laser source and a scanner) and a computer. The laser source generates a laser beam, and the scanner directs the focal point of the laser beam. The computer determines a lenticule design for the lenticule having a posterior side and an anterior side. Either the posterior side or the anterior side has a central portion and a peripheral portion. The lenticule design is formed using a major lenslet and a minor lenslet, where the major lenslet is designed to correct to emmetropia. The lenticule design is formed by subtracting the minor lenslet from the major lenslet, where the subtraction of the minor lenslet yields the central portion. The computer instructs one or more of the controllable components to create the lenticule.