Multielement Intraocular Lens Nested Folding for Small Incisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inserting multielement intraocular lenses (IOLs) into the eye require new, specifically designed injector devices and lack effective techniques for folding and loading these lenses, making the process inefficient and requiring larger incisions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves folding techniques for multielement IOLs, where one lens element is partially surrounded by the other, allowing them to be aligned along the optical axis, and using a hinged or hingeless apparatus to facilitate insertion, reducing the IOL's profile for smaller incisions and utilizing an IOL inserter to compress and insert the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional IOL insertion methods are used, then the lens can be inserted into the eye, but larger incisions are required and the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The multielement IOL is configured with one lens element partially surrounding the other, creating a nested arrangement that reduces the overall profile of the lens. This nesting allows the IOL to pass through smaller incisions while maintaining the multielement structure necessary for accommodating vision.
Solution Approach 2:
The IOL is divided into multiple lens elements that can be separated. The multielement design allows the lens to be segmented during insertion and then separated within the capsular bag, enabling insertion through smaller incisions while maintaining the functional multielement structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multielement IOLs are used, then accommodating vision is achieved, but the lens structure becomes more complex and difficult to insert
Solution Approach 1:
The multielement IOL employs a nested configuration where one lens element is partially surrounded by the other, reducing the overall profile and simplifying the insertion process while maintaining the complex multielement structure necessary for accommodating vision.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptics are designed to be flexible and dynamic, allowing them to be compressed during insertion and then expand within the capsular bag. This dynamic behavior simplifies the insertion process while maintaining the structural integrity and functional complexity of the multielement design.
3Length of moving object
If the IOL is compressed for smaller incisions, then insertion is facilitated, but tissue trauma may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multielement IOL structure allows segmentation of the lens elements, which can be compressed independently or together during insertion. This segmentation enables controlled compression that reduces incision size requirements while minimizing stress concentration and tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The IOL materials are selected to have specific elastic and viscoelastic properties that allow reversible compression. The lens elements can be compressed to a smaller profile for insertion and then naturally expand to their functional shape within the capsular bag, minimizing tissue trauma while facilitating small incision insertion.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of folding a multiple element IOL comprising folding the first lens element and second lens element such that the second lens element at least partially surrounds the first lens element and such that, after folding, both the first lens element and the second lens element are substantially aligned along the optical axis. A hinged apparatus such as a cartridge may be used to cause the second lens element to be folded. A method of loading a multielement IOL comprising folding the haptics such that a portion of the haptics contacts an exterior side of one of the first lens element and the second lens element.