Modular Intraocular Lens with Interlocking Secondary Component

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intraocular lens (IOL) systems face challenges in modifying or correcting optical results post-implantation without requiring manipulation of the capsular bag, which can lead to complications such as damage to the capsular bag or surrounding tissue.

Innovation Solution

A modular IOL system comprising a primary and secondary component, where the secondary component can be attached to the primary component within the capsular bag without disturbing the capsular bag, allowing for adjustment or exchange of the secondary component to correct optical errors without removing the primary component or manipulating the capsular bag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secondary lens is placed in the ciliary sulcus to avoid capsular bag manipulation, then the risk of capsular bag damage is reduced, but the risk of injury to the ciliary sulcus and associated complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapsular bag integrityVSAvoidciliary sulcus injury
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third component (attachment mechanism) as an intermediary between the primary lens and secondary lens. This attachment mechanism is specifically designed to engage with the primary lens without requiring manipulation of the capsular bag or engagement of the ciliary sulcus. The attachment mechanism serves as a mediator that enables secure connection of the secondary lens while avoiding harmful interactions with the ciliary sulcus, thus resolving the contradiction between protecting capsular bag integrity and preventing ciliary sulcus injury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the secondary lens is attached to the primary lens within the capsular bag, then the optical result can be corrected without engaging the ciliary sulcus, but manipulation of the capsular bag is required to access the attachment site

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveciliary sulcus injuryVSAvoidcapsular bag integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism acts as an intermediary structure that enables connection between the primary and secondary lenses without requiring direct manipulation of the capsular bag. The attachment mechanism includes features such as grooves, slots, or magnetic elements that can be accessed and engaged through the pupil without disturbing the capsular bag, thus allowing correction of optical results while maintaining capsular bag integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the optical axis dimension to enable attachment and adjustment of the secondary lens. The attachment mechanism is designed to be accessible from the anterior direction through the pupil, allowing engagement and adjustment without lateral or posterior manipulation that would disturb the capsular bag. This dimensional approach enables safe attachment by approaching the problem from a different spatial direction.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If the primary lens is removed and replaced with a new IOL to correct refractive errors, then the optical result can be improved, but the risk of capsular bag damage increases due to repeated manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefractive correction accuracyVSAvoidcapsular bag integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the IOL system into two separate components: a primary lens that remains permanently implanted in the capsular bag, and a secondary lens that can be independently attached, adjusted, or removed. This segmentation allows the secondary lens to be exchanged to correct refractive errors without requiring removal of the primary lens or manipulation of the capsular bag, thus improving refractive correction accuracy while maintaining capsular bag integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism between the primary and secondary lenses is designed to be dynamic and reversible, allowing the secondary lens to be attached, adjusted, or removed as needed. This dynamic connection enables correction of refractive errors by simply detaching and reattaching the secondary lens, without the need for invasive surgical intervention that would compromise the capsular bag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3782584A1Modular intraocular lens designs and methods
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 ALCON INC
  • EP3782584A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3782584A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3782584A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4D

AI summary

A modular IOL system including intraocular primary and secondary components, which, when combined, form an intraocular optical correction device, wherein the secondary component is placed on the primary component within the perimeter of the capsulorhexis, thus avoiding the need to touch or otherwise manipulate the capsular bag. The secondary component may be manipulated, removed, and/or exchanged for a different secondary component for correction or modification of the optical result, on an intra-operative or post-operative basis, without the need to remove the primary component and without the need to manipulate the capsular bag. The primary component may have haptics extending therefrom for centration in the capsular bag, and the secondary component may exclude haptics, relying instead on attachment to the primary component for stability. Such attachment may include actuatable interlocking members.