Two-Optic Accommodative Lens With Spring-Like Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current accommodative intraocular lenses (IOLs) lack sufficient accommodation range, stability, and resistance to posterior capsule opacification, requiring additional treatments and precise sizing, and often necessitate larger incisions for implantation.
Innovation Solution
A two-optic accommodative lens system with a spring-like attachment structure and interlocking features between anterior and posterior lenses, allowing for flexible haptics and a ring-like support to stabilize the lenses within the capsular bag, minimizing posterior capsule opacification and enabling implantation through smaller incisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single optic lens with flexible haptics is used to allow optic movement for accommodation, then the lens can respond to ciliary muscle movement, but the amount of movement is insufficient to provide a useful range of accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
The single lens is divided into two separate optics (first optic and second optic) connected by a hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows each optic to move independently, significantly increasing the total accommodation range while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
2Ease of operation
If hydrogel or silicone materials are used for accommodative IOLs, then the lenses can be flexible and movable, but these materials are not inherently resistive to posterior capsule opacification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses acrylic materials (specifically hydrophobic or hydrophilic acrylic) instead of hydrogel or silicone. These acrylic materials provide both the necessary flexibility for accommodation while being inherently resistive to posterior capsule opacification, eliminating the need for compromise between flexibility and PCO resistance
3Reliability
If precise lens sizing is required for proper function over a range of capsular bag sizes, then accommodation performance can be optimized, but the implantation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The lens system is designed with universal features including adjustable inter-optic distance and adaptable haptic configurations that can accommodate various capsular bag sizes. This universality allows the same lens design to function properly across different patient anatomies without requiring precise pre-surgical sizing calculations, simplifying the implantation process while maintaining reliable accommodation performance
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the capsular bag is destroyed by Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy to treat PCO, then posterior capsule opacification can be removed, but the mechanism of accommodation of the lens is destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent takes preliminary action by using PCO-resistant acrylic materials in the lens construction, preventing PCO formation in the first place. This preventive approach eliminates the need for future capsulotomy procedures that would damage the accommodation mechanism, thereby preserving long-term accommodative function
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 provides extended depth of focus and stable accommodation, reduces the risk of posterior capsule opacification, and allows for easier implantation through smaller incisions, ensuring long-term stability and biocompatibility.
Implementation Method 1
The first optic can be attached to the ring-like support structure by a spring-like attachment structure
Implementation Method 2
The second lens can comprise a plurality of haptics... capsular contraction forces operating on the haptics of the second lens, which can extend beyond the ring-like structure, are transferred to the ring-like structure
Data Source
AI summary
A two-optic accommodative lens system is disclosed. Two coupled lenses are located within the capsular bag to extend depth of focus and/or restore accommodation following extraction of a natural lens. The first lens comprises a spring-like structure attaching an optic to a ring-like support structure. The optic can be a monofocal or multifocal optical element having a positive or negative power. The first lens further comprises features designed to couple the ring-like structure to a second lens. The first lens can be located anteriorly within the capsular bag. The second lens is located posteriorly to the first lens within the capsular bag and can have an opposite or supplementary power to that of the first lens. The second lens can also be a monofocal or multifocal lens and comprises a plurality of haptics which can be used to size the lens system over a range of capsular bag sizes. The second lens further comprises features for coupling the second lens to the ring-like structure of the first lens. The haptics of the second lens are relatively firm, yet still flexible and can be configured to interlock with features of the ring-like structure.