INTRAOCULAR LENS SYSTEM, INTRAOCULAR LENS AND CILIAR BODY IMPLANT

Abstract

An intraocular lens system for implantation in an eye is provided. The intraocular lens system has a ciliary body implant with a ciliary magnet element, the ciliary body implant being implantable in the eye such that the ciliary magnet element at least partially follows the movements of the ciliary body of the eye. The intraocular lens system also includes an intraocular lens with a lens magnet element. The ciliary body implant and the intraocular lens are formed separately from each other and the intraocular lens system is adapted to control a refractive effect of the intraocular lens via an interaction between the ciliary magnet element and the lens magnet element in the eye. The disclosure also relates to a ciliary body implant and an intraocular lens.

Claims

1. An intraocular lens system for implantation in an eye, the intraocular lens system comprising: a ciliary body implant having a ciliary magnet element, the ciliary body implant being implantable into the eye such that the ciliary magnet element at least partly follows a movement of the ciliary body of the eye; and an intraocular lens having a magnetic lens element, the ciliary body implant and the intraocular lens being formed separately from one another and the intraocular lens system being configured to control a refractive power of the intraocular lens via an interaction between the ciliary magnet element and the magnetic lens element in the eye.

2. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refractive power of the intraocular lens is controlled via an interaction between the ciliary magnet element and the magnetic lens element moving two or more Alvarez plates in the intraocular lens relative to one another.

3. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 2, wherein a cylindrical power of the intraocular lens is adjustable by way of relative positioning of the Alvarez plates in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the Alvarez plates and/or is provided by a further optical element of the intraocular lens.

4. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein an alignment of a cylinder axis of the cylindrical power of the intraocular lens is definable by a fixed orientation of the intraocular lens relative to the eye.

5. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refractive power of the intraocular lens is controlled by: changing a shape of a membrane in the intraocular lens; and/or changing a distance between two optical components of an optical doublet in the intraocular lens; and/or changing the shape of the intraocular lens.

6. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ciliary body implant is implantable into the eye such that the ciliary magnet element is in mechanical contact with a ciliary body and/or with a sulcus.

7. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intraocular lens is implantable into the capsular bag of the eye.

8. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ciliary body implant comprises a plurality of ciliary magnet elements which are arranged spaced apart from one another and in mechanical contact with the ciliary body and/or with the sulcus.

9. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of ciliary magnet elements is elastically interconnected and is arranged in the ciliary body implant in ring-shaped or circular segment-shaped fashion and/or opposite one another relative to the optical axis of the intraocular lens.

10. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ciliary body implant is configured in a ring-shape or in circular segments and a diameter and/or a radius of curvature of the ciliary body implant is configured to be changeable by elastic connections between the ciliary magnet elements.

11. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ciliary body implant is implantable into the eye in such a way that there is no direct mechanical contact between the ciliary body implant and the iris of the eye.

12. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ciliary body implant and the intraocular lens are implantable into the eye such that the at least one ciliary magnet element and the at least one magnetic lens element are arranged adjacently in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the intraocular lens.

13. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intraocular lens comprises a plurality of magnetic lens elements.

14. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intraocular lens comprises an optically transparent lens body and at least one extension comprising a haptic, the at least one magnetic lens element being arranged on and/or in the extension.

15. A ciliary body implant for an intraocular lens system, the ciliary body implant comprising a ciliary magnet element and being designed to control a refractive power of the intraocular lens by means of an interaction between the ciliary magnet element and a magnetic lens element of an intraocular lens of the intraocular lens system.

16. An intraocular lens for an intraocular lens system, the intraocular lens comprising a magnetic lens element and being designed to control a refractive power of the intraocular lens by means of an interaction between the magnetic lens element and a ciliary magnet element of a ciliary body implant of the intraocular lens system.

17. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ciliary body implant is configured to be adaptable to match the ciliary body.

18. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the magnetic dipoles of the ciliary magnet element and of the magnetic lens element are aligned opposite to one another.

19. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 13, wherein a respective ciliary magnet element in the ciliary body implant is assigned to each magnetic lens element.

20. A method for implanting an intraocular lens system into an eye, the method comprising: implanting an intraocular lens into the eye, the intraocular lens comprising a magnetic lens element, implanting a ciliary body implant with a ciliary magnet element into the eye, in such a way that the ciliary body implant at least partly follows a movement of the ciliary body, the ciliary body implant and the intraocular lens being formed separately from one another and the intraocular lens system being configured to control a refractive power of the intraocular lens via an interaction between the ciliary magnet element and the magnetic lens element in the eye.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an intraocular lens system implanted into an eye, both in a longitudinal sectional view and in a transverse sectional view;

[0045] FIGS. 2A and 2B show an intraocular lens system according to an exemplary embodiment in various states of arrangement;

[0046] FIG. 3 shows an intraocular lens system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0047] FIGS. 4A and 4B show an intraocular lens system according to an exemplary embodiment with Alvarez surfaces;

[0048] FIGS. 5A and 5B show an intraocular lens system according to an exemplary embodiment with a fluid-filled lens;

[0049] FIG. 6A to 6C show various exemplary embodiments of ciliary body implants;

[0050] FIG. 7 shows an intraocular lens according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0051] FIGS. 8A to 8C show schematic representations of Alvarez plates; and

[0052] FIG. 9 shows the relative position of an optional cylindrical power relative to the Alvarez plates.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0053] The same or similar elements in the various exemplary embodiments are denoted by the same reference signs in the drawings for reasons of simplicity.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an eye 10 with an implanted intraocular lens system 30 (IOL system) according to an exemplary embodiment, in a longitudinal sectional view (left) along a sectional plane in which the optical axis 100 of the eye 10 runs, and in a transverse sectional plane (right) perpendicular to the optical axis 100.

[0055] The longitudinal sectional view of the eye 10 allows identification of the cornea 12 and the iris 14 of the eye 10, and the ciliary body 16 located therebehind, the zonular fibers 18 and the empty capsular bag 22, and the space where the crystalline lens 20 was arranged, the latter however having already been removed from the eye in the exemplary embodiment shown.

[0056] FIG. 1 is also divided in two in the vertical direction, the upper part of the longitudinal sectional view and of the cross-sectional view in each case showing the eye 10 in a first accommodated state and the lower part showing the eye 10 in a second accommodated state. By way of example, the state shown in the upper image half may represent a disaccommodated state of the eye. In exemplary fashion below, the first accommodated state should be considered to be a weakly accommodated state for distance accommodation, while the second accommodated state is considered to be a more strongly accommodated state for near accommodation.

[0057] Further, FIG. 1 shows the implanted intraocular lens system 30, which is of multi-part design and which comprises a ciliary body implant 32 and an intraocular lens (IOL) 34, the ciliary body implant 32 and the IOL 34 being formed separately from one another.

[0058] According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the ciliary body implant 32 comprises six ciliary magnet elements 36, which are elastically interconnected and arranged in such a way that the ciliary body implant 32 is designed as a ring-shaped structure. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the ciliary magnet elements 36 are connected by means of mechanical spring elements 38. In this case, the elastic connection of the ciliary magnet elements 36 is designed in such a way that a compression and strain of the ciliary body implant 32 is rendered possible in the radial direction such that the ciliary body implant 32 can follow the movements of the ciliary body 16 when the eye 10 accommodates or transitions into a non-accommodated state.

[0059] In this case, the ciliary magnet elements 36 are arranged in such a way that all ciliary magnet elements 36 are poled in the same way in the radial direction. By way of example, all ciliary magnet elements can be arranged in such a way that their magnetic south poles point radially inward and their north poles point outward. According to other exemplary embodiments, the ciliary magnet elements 36 can also be arranged in such a way that their magnetic north poles point radially inward and the south poles point radially outward.

[0060] In this case, the ciliary body implant 32 is implanted with direct mechanical contact with the ciliary body 16 into the sulcus of the eye or on the sulcus of the eye outside of the capsular bag 22 such that a movement of the ciliary body 16 is transferred directly to the ciliary body implant 32 and the ciliary body implant accordingly follows the movements of the ciliary body 16 by way of a strain or compression. When following the movements of the ciliary body 16, the ciliary body implant 32 can be compressed or strained in such a way by the ciliary body 16 that the diameter of the ciliary body implant 32 increases or reduces, and so the ciliary body implant 32 rests against the inner side of the ciliary body 16 or against the sulcus.

[0061] The IOL 34 is arranged within the capsular bag 22 and comprises a lens body 40 as well as two extensions or haptics 42. A respective magnetic lens element 44 is arranged in the two extensions 42. According to other exemplary embodiments, the IOL 34 may also comprise only one or more than two extensions or haptics 42, in each of which one or more magnetic lens elements 44 are arranged.

[0062] In this case, the magnetic lens elements 44 and the ciliary magnet elements 36 are formed as permanent magnets or comprise one or more permanent magnets. The ciliary body implant 32 and the IOL 40 are arranged in such a way that each magnetic lens element 44 is arranged adjacently with a ciliary magnet element 36 in the radial direction in order to achieve the greatest possible interaction between the magnetic lens element 44 and the adjacent ciliary magnet element 36. In this case, it is typical if, like in the exemplary embodiment shown, the ciliary body implant 36 comprises a plurality of ciliary magnet elements 36, in particular more than two ciliary magnet elements 32, since this eases the arrangement of the ciliary body implant 32 and the IOL 34 relative to one another during the implantation, in such a way that a ciliary magnet element 36 is arranged adjacent to the respective magnetic lens elements 44 in each case, and hence this simplifies the implantation process. In this case, the magnetic fields of the respectively adjacent ciliary magnet elements 36 and magnetic lens elements 44 are aligned opposite to one another such that these repel.

[0063] In this case, the IOL system 30 facilitates a force transfer from the ciliary body 16 to the IOL 34 via the ciliary body implant 32. In particular, the force exerted by the ciliary body 16 on the ciliary body implant 32 in the process is transferred from the ciliary magnet elements 36 to the magnetic lens elements 44 of the IOL 34 by way of a magnetic interaction such that the force exerted by the ciliary body 16 acts on the magnetic lens elements 44 and this in turn changes the refractive power of the lens body 40 or of the IOL 34. Consequently, the implanted IOL system 30 offers the option of changing the refractive power of the IOL 34 by way of movements of the ciliary body 16, and of accommodating the eye in this way.

[0064] In the upper part of FIG. 1, the eye 10 is respectively shown in a weakly accommodated or disaccommodated state. In this case, the ciliary muscle 16 is relaxed and the IOL 34 is present in the state of distance refractive power or disaccommodation. The ciliary body implant 32 is likewise stretched or relaxed in the process and adjusts to the internal diameter of the ciliary body 16, and so the ciliary body implant 32 also has a large diameter (relative to the diameter in the accommodated state of the eye).

[0065] In the lower part of FIG. 1, the eye 10 is depicted in a second accommodated state in each case, with stronger accommodation being present in this state than in the upper half of the drawing. In this case, the ciliary muscle is more tensioned, as a result of which a radially inwardly directed force indirectly is exerted on the ciliary body implant 32 and, via the ciliary body implant 32, on the IOL 34. The interaction between the ciliary magnet elements 36 and the magnetic lens elements 44 in this case transfers the force at least in part to the IOL 34, as a result of which the IOL 34 is compressed in the radial direction and, as a result, the refractive power of the IOL 34 is increased so that the eye 10 accommodates more strongly.

[0066] The movement of the ciliary body implant 32 and the resultant movement of the IOL 34 are explained on the basis of FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A shows a schematic representation of a ciliary body implant 32 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. On the left-hand side, the ciliary body implant 32 is shown in a radially compressed form, for example in an accommodated state. The right-hand side shows the ciliary body implant in a relaxed or stretched form, for example in a weakly accommodated state. FIGS. 2A and 2B likewise show the magnetic lens elements 44 which are located radially within the ciliary body implant 32 and which are repelled by the adjacent ciliary magnet elements 36 on account of magnetic interaction. Accordingly, the magnetic lens elements 44 also follow a radial movement of the ciliary magnet elements 36 and are pressed radially inward by the ciliary magnet elements 36 when the ciliary body implant 32 transitions into the compressed state, and are pushed radially outward again by a restoring force of the IOL 34 when the ciliary body implant 32 transitions back into the stretched state in the case of a relaxed eye 10. FIG. 2B elucidates the movement of the ciliary body implant 32 and the movement of the magnetic lens elements 44 caused thereby and the resultant application of force on the IOL 34 on the basis of an overlaid representation of the IOL system in the compressed state (inside) and in the relaxed state (outside).

[0067] FIG. 3 shows an IOL system 30 according to a further exemplary embodiment which has a ciliary body implant 32 having twelve ciliary magnet elements 36. Like in the previous exemplary embodiment, too, the ciliary magnet elements 36 are elastically interconnected by means of mechanical spring elements 38. On account of the greater number of twelve ciliary magnet elements 36 (in comparison with six ciliary magnet elements 36 in the previous exemplary embodiment), these have a shorter form in the circumferential direction since the maximum diameter and circumference of the ciliary body implant 32 is specified by the internal diameter of the ciliary body 16. In order to obtain the greatest possible magnetic interaction between the magnetic lens elements 44 and the respective adjacent ciliary magnet elements 36, accurate radially adjacent positioning of one of the ciliary magnet elements 36 with respect to the respective magnetic lens elements 44 is typical. When implanting the IOL system 30, such accurate positioning can for example be achieved by virtue of the fact that the ciliary body implant 36 is turned or rotated into the desired alignment around the center of the ring-shaped ciliary body implant 32 such that one of the ciliary magnet elements 36 is positioned adjacently to one of the magnetic lens elements 44 in the radial direction. The use of a large number of ciliary magnet elements 36 arranged along the circumferential direction moreover offers the advantage that the requirement of accurate relative positioning of a ciliary magnet element 36 with respect to a respective magnetic lens element 44 is reduced or dispensed with entirely since the magnetic field between the individual ciliary magnet elements 36 generated from the totality of the ciliary magnetic elements 36 is not attenuated, or only attenuated to a very small extent, in comparison with positions that directly adjoin a ciliary magnet element 36.

[0068] FIGS. 4A and 4B show an IOL system 30 according to an exemplary embodiment, in which the refractive power of the IOL is changeable by means of two displaceable Alvarez surfaces 46a and 46b. FIG. 4a shows, in a schematic longitudinal sectional view (left) and in a schematic cross-sectional view (right), the IOL system 30 in a relaxed state, for example when the eye 10 is relaxed and only weakly accommodated, for example in distance accommodation. FIG. 4B accordingly shows the IOL system 30 in a compressed state, for instance if the eye is accommodated for the near region.

[0069] In this case, the IOL 34 comprises two Alvarez surfaces 46a and 46b, each of which is connected to a magnetic lens element 44 by means of an extension comprising a haptic. If the ciliary body 16 does not exert a force on the IOL 34 by the ciliary body implant 32, the Alvarez surfaces 46a and 46b are pushed radially to the outside such that the IOL 34 has the lowest refractive power, for example for distance accommodation. By contrast, if the ciliary body 16 exerts a force on the IOL 34 via the ciliary body implant 32, the Alvarez surfaces 46a and 46b are pushed over one another in the radially inward direction, as a result of which there is an increase in the refractive power of the IOL 34 and near accommodation can be achieved.

[0070] FIGS. 5A and 5B shown an IOL system according to a further exemplary embodiment, in which the change in the refractive power is achieved by a change in the shape of the IOL 34. The IOL 34 is typically formed as an elastic, fluid-filled lens or comprises the latter. In particular, the IOL typically comprises a membrane, by means of which the shape of the fluid-filled lens is changeable. The membrane can be deformed by the ciliary body applying a force on the IOL 34 via the ciliary body implant 32, in such a way that the IOL is compressed in the radial direction and thereupon increases its refractive power. FIG. 5A shows the IOL system in a relaxed state in which the IOL has a low refractive power, while FIG. 5B shows the IOL system in a compressed state, in which the IOL 34 has a significant refractive power.

[0071] FIGS. 6A to 6C show exemplary embodiments of ciliary body implants 32 in exemplary fashion. FIG. 6A shows an exemplary embodiment in which the ciliary body implant comprises only one ciliary magnet element 36, which is attachable to the ciliary body, for example in and/or on the sulcus. FIG. 6B shows a circular segment-shaped ciliary body implant 32, which comprises three ciliary magnet elements 36 that are elastically connected by two mechanical spring elements 38. By way of example, the circular segment-shaped ciliary body implant can be arranged in and/or on the sulcus in such a way that the ciliary body implant 32 contacts a part of the ciliary body or its inner surface. FIG. 6C shows a further exemplary embodiment, according to which the ciliary body implant has a ring-shaped form and comprises six ciliary magnet elements 36 connected by way of elastic spring elements 38. By way of example, this ring-shaped ciliary body implant 32 can be arranged in and/or on the sulcus such that the ciliary body implant completely runs around the inner surface of the ciliary body 16.

[0072] FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an IOL 34 in a schematic representation. According to this exemplary embodiment, the IOL 34 comprises an inner lens body 40, which is surrounded along its entire perimeter by an extension 42 comprising a haptic. Six magnetic lens elements 44 are arranged in the circumferential direction within the extension 42. In particular, this exemplary embodiment facilitates a simplified alignment of the IOL 34 relative to the ciliary body implant since the alignment of the magnetic lens elements 44 in relation to the ciliary magnet elements 36 is simplified on account of the large number of magnetic lens elements 44.

[0073] FIGS. 8A to 8C show the principle of action of an intraocular lens on the basis of Alvarez plates 46a and 46b in schematic representations. The relative positioning of the Alvarez plates 46a, 46b in the displacement direction 104 leads to a change in the refractive power of the Alvarez plate pair and consequently of the intraocular lens. In this case, increased overlap of the Alvarez plates 46a and 46b leads to an increased spherical, refractive power. By way of example, the intraocular lens can be set in such a way that the latter has positive refractive power in the position shown in FIG. 8A, no refractive power in the position shown in FIG. 8B and negative refractive power in the position shown in FIG. 8C. In this case, the Alvarez plates 46a, 46b are formed adjacent to the iris 14 and may optionally be integrated into the capsular bag and/or integrated into another, possibly fluid-filled membrane (not shown).

[0074] An optional, static, cylindrical power can for example be provided by an optional further optical element (not shown) of the intraocular lens 34 if desired. FIG. 9 shows the relative position of the cylindrical power, symbolized by a cylinder 106.

[0075] In this case, it is possible to identify that the cylinder axis 106a extends parallel to the displacement direction 104 of the Alvarez plates 46a, 46b. What this achieves is that the cylindrical power remains unchanged when the Alvarez plates 46a, 46b are displaced for the purposes of changing the spherical power.

[0076] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical power can be formed by an offset of the Alvarez plates 46a, 46b relative to one another perpendicular to the displacement direction 104 and perpendicular to the optical axis 100, that is to say out of the plane of the drawing or into the plane of the drawing, as an alternative or in addition to a further optical element. In the process, this may lead to a different manifestation of the cylindrical power of the intraocular lens, and so the cylindrical power can be set by way of the offset of the Alvarez plates before the intraocular lens is inserted.

[0077] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure illustrates and describes the present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only the exemplary embodiments but, as mentioned above, it is to be understood that the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings and/or the skill or knowledge of the relevant art.

[0078] The term “comprising” (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of “having” or “including” and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of.” The terms “a” and “the” as used herein are understood to encompass the plural as well as the singular.

[0079] All publications, patents and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference, and for any and all purposes, as if each individual publication, patent or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In the case of inconsistencies, the present disclosure will prevail.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0080] 10 Eye [0081] 12 Cornea [0082] 14 Iris [0083] 16 Ciliary body [0084] 18 Zonular fibers [0085] 20 Crystalline lens [0086] 22 Capsular bag [0087] 30 Intraocular lens system (IOL system) [0088] 32 Ciliary body implant [0089] 34 Intraocular lens (IOL) [0090] 36 Ciliary magnet element [0091] 38 Mechanical spring element [0092] 40 Lens body [0093] 42 Extension [0094] 44 Magnetic lens element [0095] 46a, 46b Alvarez surface or Alvarez plate [0096] 100 Optical axis of the eye [0097] 102 Rotational direction for aligning the IOL system [0098] 104 Displacement direction of the Alvarez plates [0099] 106 Cylinder for representing the cylindrical power [0100] 106a Cylinder axis