Shape-Changing Intraocular Lens with Elastic Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular lenses (IOLs) fail to effectively mimic the natural human lens's accommodation mechanism, particularly in transitioning between accommodated and dis-accommodated states, due to reliance on capsular elasticity which diminishes post-cataract surgery, leading to limited dioptric power change and visual quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A shape-changing IOL design featuring an elastic anterior face more resistant to deformation than the chamber contents, with a posterior face and side wall that can accommodate radial tension, allowing for greater dioptric power change by mimicking the natural lens's elastic gradient, using poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomers and silicone oils with specific viscosity and molecular weight for enhanced flexibility and optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the IOL relies on capsular elasticity to achieve accommodation, then the lens can change focus, but the accommodation ability diminishes over time due to capsular fibrosis and stiffening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the lens components, using elastomers with specific durometer values (30-50 Shore A for the anterior face, 10-30 Shore A for the posterior face) to create a permanent elastic gradient that maintains accommodation ability without relying on capsular elasticity that degrades over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction with different elastomer types in different regions of the lens - the anterior face uses a stiffer elastomer while the posterior face uses a more compliant elastomer, creating a composite structure that mimics the natural lens's elastic gradient and provides sustained accommodation functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If the IOL uses a flexible design to achieve shape changing, then dioptric power change is enabled, but visual quality deteriorates due to optical aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the anterior face more resistant to deformational change than the posterior face, creating a localized elastic gradient that enables shape changing for accommodation while maintaining optical quality in the posterior region to minimize aberrations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic lens design where the anterior face can deform in response to capsular tension changes during accommodation, while the posterior face remains relatively stable, allowing the lens to transition between accommodated and dis-accommodated states with controlled shape changes that preserve optical quality
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the anterior face is made more resistant to deformation to maintain shape stability, then optical quality is improved, but accommodation range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality through differential material stiffness - the anterior face uses a stiffer elastomer (30-50 Shore A) to maintain optical quality and shape stability, while the posterior face uses a more compliant elastomer (10-30 Shore A) to allow sufficient deformation for accommodation range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the contradiction by moving to another dimension - creating a three-dimensional elastic gradient where the anterior face resists deformation in the optical dimension to maintain quality, while the posterior face allows deformation in the axial dimension to provide accommodation range, effectively decoupling the two requirements
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 IOL achieves greater dioptric power change with minimal diameter alteration, maintaining accommodation ability over time by mimicking the natural lens's elastic properties, providing improved visual acuity and accommodating/dis-accommodating functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic anterior face located anterior to the equator... having an anterior surface and a posterior surface
Implementation Method 2
A chamber containing material that is located between the anterior face and the posterior face
Data Source
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AI summary
An intraocular lens (IOL) with a shape-changing optic is provided. The IOL includes an anterior face and/or a posterior face that is fabricated from a poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomer having a durometer between about 30 Shore A to about 50 Shore A. A chamber is located between the anterior face and the posterior face and includes a silicone oil including diphenyl siloxane and dimethyl siloxane units. The silicone oil has a maximum viscosity of about 700 mm2/s at 25°C and has a mean molecular weight of less than about 3,000 Daltons. An IOL is also provided that includes an anterior face and/or posterior face that is fabricated from a polysiloxane that is at least 99% poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomer.