Sutureless Artificial Lens Capsule With Transcleral Anchors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraocular lens (IOL) implantation methods face challenges in securing the lens without compromising the native capsular or zonular support, leading to complications such as corneal decompensation, glaucoma, and iris bleeding, especially in cases of trauma, disease, or surgical complications.

Innovation Solution

An implantable artificial capsule with a ring and orthogonal haptic arms, featuring transcleral anchors for sutureless scleral fixation, allowing secure and stable IOL placement without sutures, replicating natural anatomy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional sutured fixation methods are used, then secure lens positioning is achieved, but surgical complexity and risk of complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens positioning securityVSAvoidsurgical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the suture component from the fixation system, replacing it with a sutureless scleral fixation mechanism where haptic arms are embedded directly into the sclera through transcleral anchors, thereby reducing surgical complexity while maintaining secure lens positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical suture fixation system with a direct scleral embedding mechanism, where the haptic arms are anchored into the scleral tissue through transcleral anchors, eliminating the need for sutures and reducing surgical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If sutured fixation is used, then lens stability is improved, but risk of suture breakage and infection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens stabilityVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the suture element that creates pathways for infection, replacing it with a sutureless fixation system where haptic arms are directly embedded in the sclera through transcleral anchors, thereby eliminating the harmful factor of suture-related infection while maintaining lens stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of suture breakage and infection into a benefit by using a sutureless design where the haptic arms are directly anchored in the sclera, eliminating the harmful factors while maintaining the stability function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If anterior chamber lens placement is used, then lens positioning is achieved, but corneal decompensation and glaucoma risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens positioningVSAvoidcorneal damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the lens positioning mechanism from the anterior chamber (two-dimensional plane) to the posterior chamber with scleral fixation (three-dimensional structure), allowing the lens to be positioned securely without compromising the cornea or iris, thereby eliminating the harmful effects while maintaining positioning reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If iris sutured lenses are used, then lens fixation is achieved, but iris pigment loss and glaucoma risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens fixationVSAvoidiris damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the suture fixation method that causes iris damage and replaces it with a scleral fixation system where haptic arms are embedded in the sclera through transcleral anchors, thereby eliminating iris pigment loss and glaucoma risk while maintaining secure lens fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the sclera as an intermediary structure for fixation, replacing direct iris suturing with scleral embedding, thereby protecting the iris from damage while achieving secure lens fixation through the intermediate scleral tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12458487B2Intraocular artificial lens capsule

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AI summary

An implantable artificial capsule and a method of implantation are provided. The implantable artificial capsule has a ring with a central opening to accommodate an intraocular lens and at least three haptic arms extending substantially orthogonal from the outer surface of the ring. Each arm has transcleral anchors for sutureless scleral fixation. Upon implantation of the implantable artificial capsule the arms are externalized trans-sclerally and atraumatically. The arms sit subconjunctivally. The implantable artificial capsule does not have any sutures for fixation and is suturelessly implanted in an eye, which is a major advantage as it significantly reduces complications during surgery and recovery.