Tapered Flange Intraocular Lens Axial to Lateral Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lenses fail to effectively translate axial movement of the ciliary muscle into lateral movement of lens components during accommodation, limiting their ability to provide variable optical power and accommodate the eye's changing focus needs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a rigid tapered flange positioned in the sulcus or capsular bag, which tapers towards its peripheral end, translates axial movement of the ciliary muscle into lateral movement of the lens driver, thereby changing the radius and optical power of the lens, allowing for variable optical power and accommodation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional intraocular lens design is used with optical elements positioned inside the capsular bag driven by capsular bag movement, then the lens can be positioned within the capsular bag, but the lens fails to effectively translate axial ciliary muscle movement into lateral movement of lens components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism consisting of a lens driver with a flange that couples the ciliary muscle to the optical element. The flange acts as a mediator that translates axial muscle contraction into lateral lens movement, solving the inefficiency of direct capsular bag-driven designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimension of movement translation by using a flange structure positioned at the sulcus plane that converts axial movement (along the optical axis) into lateral movement (perpendicular to the optical axis), enabling effective accommodation through dimensional transformation of the driving force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inflatable haptics are used that are partially filled with fluid, then the haptics can be coupled to inflatable optics, but the haptics do not move in a lateral direction during accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible flange structure made of elastomeric material that can deform and move laterally in response to ciliary muscle contraction. This flexible shell design enables lateral movement of the optical element while maintaining the inflatable nature of the haptic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the flange transitions from a static support structure to an active movement-transmitting component. The flange's ability to change shape and position dynamically enables lateral lens movement during accommodation, overcoming the static nature of conventional inflatable haptics.
3Ease of operation
If direct lateral movement of the ciliary muscle is used to move lens components, then lateral movement can be achieved, but axial movement of the ciliary muscle cannot be effectively translated into lateral movement of lens components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lens system into distinct functional components: the optical element, the flange, and the haptic. This segmentation allows the flange to specifically handle the movement translation function, simplifying the overall design while achieving effective lateral lens movement through axial muscle contraction.
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
This design enables the intraocular lens to provide both refractive correction and accommodation by varying its optical power in response to ciliary muscle movement, enhancing the eye's ability to focus on both near and far objects.
Implementation Method 1
The tapered flange is a wedge shaped tapered flange, which flange tapers towards its peripheral free end
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are accommodating intraocular lenses with a variable power lens and a lens driver coupled to the variable power lens. The driver is arranged to be, at least partially, positioned in an accommodative structure of the eye, for example the sulcus of the eye or the capsular bag of the eye with the driver including a tapered flange which tapers towards its peripheral free end to provide translation of constrictive movement of the accommodative structure in an axial direction into movement onto the variable power lens in a lateral direction.