Preloaded Intraocular Lens Coplanar Haptic Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraocular lens (IOL) systems require manual manipulation by surgeons to ensure proper orientation during implantation, which increases the risk of damage and surgical trauma, and do not allow manufacturers to control the placement of IOLs, leading to potential errors in delivery.

Innovation Solution

A preloaded IOL system where the IOL is packaged and stored with its haptic bodies in a compressed state, wrapped around the optic body in a coplanar manner, allowing for predictable orientation and elimination of manual manipulation, with the haptics recovering to their initial state within minutes after implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the IOL is manually manipulated by the surgeon during placement, then the IOL can be positioned in the eye, but the risk of damage to the IOL and surgical trauma increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIOL placement accuracyVSAvoidsurgical trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL is pre-loaded into the injector device with haptics compressed against the optic body in a coplanar manner during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the IOL is injected into the eye, it is delivered in the correct orientation without requiring manual manipulation by the surgeon, thereby reducing surgical trauma while maintaining placement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the IOL is stored in a relaxed state without compression, then the lens remains undamaged during storage, but the manufacturer cannot control the placement orientation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement controlVSAvoidlens configuration stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL is pre-positioned in the injector with haptics compressed against the optic body in a specific coplanar orientation during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows the manufacturer to control the placement orientation while the IOL remains stable in this compressed configuration during storage, as evidenced by experimental data showing no irreversible deformation after extended storage periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the IOL is compressed during storage, then the manufacturer can control placement orientation, but the lens may be irreversibly deformed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement predictabilityVSAvoidlens structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL is compressed to specific parameters during loading into the injector, with haptics positioned against the optic body in a coplanar manner. Experimental data demonstrates that when stored at controlled temperatures (e.g., 65°C for 56 days equivalent to 2.5 years at 25°C), the IOL maintains its structural integrity and shows no irreversible deformation, indicating that the compression parameters are within safe limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the IOL is placed manually by the surgeon, then flexibility in handling is maintained, but the surgery time increases and errors may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgeon controlVSAvoidsurgical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The IOL is pre-loaded into the injector device with haptics compressed against the optic body in the correct orientation during manufacturing. This self-service approach allows the IOL to be automatically positioned correctly upon injection into the eye, eliminating the need for manual manipulation by the surgeon, reducing surgery time, and preventing placement errors while maintaining ease of operation through the simple injection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures consistent and predictable IOL orientation, reduces the risk of damage during implantation, and allows manufacturers to control the placement, thereby enhancing surgical efficiency and reducing trauma.

Implementation Method 1

the haptics are in a compressed state... wrapped around the optic body in a coplanar manner... allowing for predictable orientation and elimination of manual manipulation, with the haptics recovering to their initial state within minutes after implantation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentEP2892466B1Preloaded intraocular lens (IOL) system
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 CARL ZEISS MEDITEC PRODN LLC
  • EP2892466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2892466B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2892466B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A preloaded intraocular lens (IOL) system/method utilizing haptic compression is disclosed. The disclosed system/method utilizes an IOL packaged in a compressed state that is inserted into a patient using a cartridge and lumen through which the IOL is advanced. Within this context the haptics to the IOL are wrapped around the IOL in a coplanar fashion during the loading of the IOL to permit the IOL to be shipped and stored in a compressed state. This compressed state is achieve by wrapping the haptics of the IOL during the manufacturing process to ensure that the IOL is properly aligned and thus delivered in a predetermined orientation within the patient's eye. This compressed packaging of the IOL permits a more uniform and consistent placement of the IOL in the patient and eliminates the potential for physician error during the critical IOL placement procedure.