Segmented Foldable Intraocular Lens for Refractive Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refractive surgical procedures, such as cataract extraction and corneal refractive surgeries, face limitations in post-operative refractive accuracy, require invasive methods, and are challenging for conditions like presbyopia and eye trauma, with high skill demands and potential for complications due to complex intraocular lens insertion and extraction processes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component intraocular lens system with foldable components that allows for minimally invasive insertion and easy exchange of optical elements, enabling precise refractive adjustments and corrections without direct visualization, using a base lens with haptics and removable top and mid lenses that can be assembled outside the eye and locked into place with flanges, allowing for pharmacological agent delivery and adjustable optical aberration correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current refractive surgical procedures are used, then surgical treatment can be provided, but post-operative refractive accuracy is insufficient (±0.75 to ±1.00 D range)
Solution Approach 1:
The intraocular lens is divided into multiple separable components: a base lens that remains in the eye and removable top/mid lenses that can be exchanged. This segmentation allows independent optimization and adjustment of each component's optical properties, enabling refractive accuracy of ±0.25 D or better by selecting precise lens combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens system transitions from a static, fixed-power lens to a dynamic, adjustable system where the optical power can be changed by exchanging lens components. This dynamic capability allows post-operative refractive adjustments without requiring additional surgery, achieving and maintaining high refractive accuracy over time.
2Ease of operation
If traditional intraocular lens insertion methods are used, then lens implantation can be performed, but surgical trauma and complexity increase due to requirements for direct visualization and high skill level
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the lens into a base component with haptics and separate top/mid lens components, the system simplifies insertion. The base lens provides structural support and stability, while the removable components can be inserted separately without requiring complex manipulation or direct visualization, reducing surgical skill requirements and procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base lens with haptics serves as an intermediary structure that simplifies the insertion process. The haptics engage with the capsular bag to provide stable positioning, eliminating the need for complex fixation mechanisms or direct visualization during insertion, thereby reducing surgical trauma and procedural complexity.
3Measurement precision
If invasive refractive surgical procedures are used, then refractive correction can be achieved, but surgical trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented lens design allows for a smaller initial incision since the base lens with haptics can be inserted first to provide structural support, followed by separate insertion of the removable top/mid components. This reduces the size of the surgical wound, minimizing trauma to ocular tissues and accelerating recovery while maintaining the ability to achieve ±0.25 D refractive accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional intraocular lens systems are used, then basic refractive correction is provided, but adaptability to changing visual needs and presbyopia treatment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system evolves from a static lens to a dynamic, exchangeable system where the top and mid lens components can be removed and replaced to address changing visual needs, including presbyopia. This allows the same base lens to support multiple optical configurations over time, enhancing adaptability while maintaining reliable visual correction through proven base lens positioning.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention discloses a multi-component intraocular lens implanted in an optical system of a human eye, including one or more foldable removable components, each component being foldable. One component acts as a base lens, including a flange with an aperture or a slot. Another component acts as a mid lens and a third component acts as a top lens, which engages the mid lens. The top lens and mid lens may be joined to or integrated to form an optical assembly. The top lens, the mid lens or the optical assembly may include at least one projection that engages the slot of the base lens. A medical adhesive may be applied to an outer circumferential surface of the top lens to join the top lens to the mid lens or may be applied to a top surface of the top lens opposing a bottom surface of the mid lens. Because the lens components are foldable, they may be inserted into the eye using an incision smaller than the diameter of the unfolded lens. The removable components may be used to correct various medical conditions of the eye, as well as to improve and enhance vision, and for cosmetic purposes.