Modular Intraocular Lens Base for Capsular Bag Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraocular lenses (IOLs) experience post-operative movement in the capsular bag, leading to refractive surprises due to changes in Effective Lens Position (ELP), which can result in significant shifts in visual power.

Innovation Solution

Designing IOLs with increased anterior-posterior stiffness, larger dimensions, and enhanced contact area with the equator of the capsular bag to resist movement and stabilize the lens within the capsular bag, using modular or non-modular designs that include a base and optic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing IOL designs are used, then the procedure is simple, but the lens moves post-operatively causing refractive surprises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens stabilityVSAvoidIOL structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL is divided into two separate components: a base portion that remains in the capsular bag and an optic portion that can be independently positioned. The base includes a front surface and a rear surface with haptics, while the optic is a separate element that interfaces with the base. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the base for stability and anchoring, and the optic for optical performance - thereby improving lens stability without requiring a completely complex new design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optic portion is designed to nest within or interface with the base portion. The optic has a front surface and rear surface that mate with corresponding surfaces on the base, creating a nested configuration where the optic is positioned within the confines of the base structure. This nesting arrangement ensures proper positioning and stability of the lens while maintaining a compact overall structure that does not excessively increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If IOL dimensions are increased to improve stability, then the lens resists movement better, but the surgical incision size must be larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens stabilityVSAvoidIOL dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the IOL into a base and optic portion, the design allows the base to provide stability through its haptics and anchoring features while the optic portion can be optimized for optical performance. The base includes a front surface and rear surface with haptics that extend into the capsular bag, providing stable positioning without requiring the entire lens to be oversized. This segmentation enables stability to be achieved through the base structure rather than increasing overall lens dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention addresses the dimensionality challenge by using a modular design where the base and optic can be delivered separately or as a compact assembly. The base includes haptics that extend in multiple dimensions to engage with the capsular bag, providing stability without requiring a large single-piece lens. The optic portion interfaces with the base in a way that allows the combination to fit through standard surgical incisions while providing the stability of a larger, more complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3451970B1A base for a modular intraocular lens system
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 ALCON INC
  • EP3451970B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3451970B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3451970B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Intraocular lenses (lOLs) (300) that improve lens stability by, for example, increasing anterior-posterior stiffness of the lOL, increasing anterior-posterior dimensions of the lOL and/or increasing contact area with the equator of the bag to resist movement of the lOL as the bag collapses over time. These lOLs may be non-modular (single component) or modular (multiple component). In modular embodiments, the lOL system may include intraocular base and optic components, which, when combined, form a modular lOL.