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 includes a ciliary body implant having a passive ciliary signal element, the ciliary body implant being implantable in the eye such that the ciliary signal element provides a ciliary signal in response to a movement of the ciliary muscle of the eye. The intraocular lens system also includes an intraocular lens having a sensor element for receiving the ciliary signal. The ciliary body implant and the intraocular lens are formed separately from each other and the intraocular system is configured to control a refractive effect of the intraocular lens that is dependent on the ciliary signal received from the sensor element.

Claims

1. An intraocular lens system for implantation in an eye, the intraocular lens system comprising: a ciliary body implant being implantable into the eye and having a passive ciliary signal element, the ciliary body implant being configured such that the passive ciliary signal element provides a ciliary signal based on a movement of a ciliary muscle of the eye; and an intraocular lens having a sensor element for receiving the ciliary signal, the ciliary body implant and the intraocular lens being formed separately from one another and the intraocular system being configured to control a refractive power of the intraocular lens based on the ciliary signal received by the sensor element.

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

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

4. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ciliary signal element comprises a permanent magnet or is formed as the permanent magnet.

5. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ciliary signal element comprises an electrode or is formed as the electrode.

6. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ciliary signal element comprises one or more surface wave structures and is configured to change a characteristic property of the one or more surface wave structures based on a mechanical action on the ciliary signal element.

7. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ciliary signal element comprises an optical element or is formed as the optical element.

8. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor element comprises a solenoid and/or an electrode and/or an electromagnetic resonant circuit and/or an optical sensor.

9. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refractive power of the intraocular lens is controlled based on a change in the ciliary signal at a position of the sensor element in the eye.

10. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ciliary body implant comprises a plurality of passive ciliary signal elements which are arrangeable so as to be spaced apart from one another and in mechanical contact with the ciliary body and/or with the sulcus.

11. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of ciliary signal 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.

12. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the ciliary body implant is configured in ring-shaped or circular segment-shaped fashion and a diameter and/or radius of curvature of the ciliary body implant is changeable via the elastic connections between the ciliary signal elements and is optionally adaptable to match the ciliary body.

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

14. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refractive power of the intraocular lens is controlled in response to the ciliary signal by virtue of the intraocular lens system: at least partly changing the refractive index of the intraocular lens; moving two or more Alvarez plates in the intraocular lens relative to one another; changing a shape of a membrane in the intraocular lens; changing a distance between two optical components of an optical doublet in the intraocular lens; and/or changing a shape of the intraocular lens.

15. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ciliary signal element is configured to provide the ciliary signal at the position of the sensor element in the eye via a magnetic field.

16. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ciliary signal element is configured to provide the ciliary signal at the position of the sensor element in the eye via an electric field.

17. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the optical element is typically configured to provide the ciliary signal at the position of the sensor element in the eye via an optical signal.

18. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the optical element comprises a mirror and/or a diffractive structure and/or a holographic structure.

19. The intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensor element is configured to receive the ciliary signal inductively and/or capacitively and/or as an echo of a radio signal.

20. A ciliary body implant for an intraocular lens system for implantation into an eye, the ciliary body implant comprising: a passive ciliary signal element, the ciliary body implant being configured to provide, via the passive ciliary signal element, a ciliary signal based on a movement of a ciliary muscle of the eye.

21. An intraocular lens for an intraocular lens system for implantation into an eye, the intraocular lens comprising a sensor element for receiving a ciliary signal and being configured to control a refractive power of the eye based on the received ciliary signal.

22. A method for implanting an intraocular lens system into an eye, the method comprising: implanting a ciliary body implant having a passive ciliary signal element into the eye such that the passive ciliary signal element provides a ciliary signal based on a movement of a ciliary muscle of the eye; and implanting an intraocular lens into the eye, the intraocular lens having a sensor element for receiving the ciliary signal, the ciliary body implant and the intraocular lens being formed separately from one another, and the intraocular system being configured to control a refractive power of the intraocular lens based on the ciliary signal received by the sensor element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

[0045] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a ciliary body implant according to an exemplary embodiment in various states of accommodation;

[0046] FIG. 3 shows the intraocular lens system according to the exemplary embodiment explained in the previous figures, in two different rotational orientations or relative angular positions in relation to the intraocular lens;

[0047] FIG. 4 shows an intraocular lens system according to a further exemplary embodiment; and

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a ciliary body implant according to an exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0049] The same or similar elements in the various embodiments are denoted by the same reference signs in the drawings for reasons of simplicity.

[0050] 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 view (right) perpendicular to the optical axis 100.

[0051] 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 muscle or ciliary body 16 located therebehind, the zonula fibers 18 and the empty capsular bag 22, and the space of the removed crystalline lens 20 of the eye 10.

[0052] 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. In this case, the first accommodated state can be for example a disaccommodated state of the eye, for example for distance accommodation. By way of example, the second accommodated state can be a significantly accommodated state of the eye 10, for example for near accommodation.

[0053] 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.

[0054] According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the ciliary body implant 32 comprises six ciliary signal 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 embodiment shown, the ciliary signal elements 36 are connected by means of mechanical spring elements 38. In this case, the elastic connection of the ciliary signal 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 muscle 16 when the eye 10 accommodates or transitions into a non-accommodated state.

[0055] According to the embodiment shown, the ciliary signal elements 36 are in the form of permanent magnets and, in this case, arranged in such a way that the magnetic fields of all ciliary signal elements 36 are oriented in the same way in the radial direction. By way of example, all ciliary signal elements 36 can be arranged in such a way that their magnetic south poles point radially inward and their north poles point radially outward. According to other embodiments, the ciliary signal 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.

[0056] In this case, the ciliary body implant 32 is implanted with direct mechanical contact with the ciliary body into the sulcus of the eye 10 or on the sulcus of the eye 10 outside of the capsular bag 22 such that a movement of the ciliary muscle 16 is transferred to the ciliary body implant 32 via the ciliary body and the ciliary body implant accordingly follows the movements of the ciliary muscle 16 by way of a strain or compression. When the following the movements of the ciliary muscle 16, the ciliary body implant 32 can be compressed or strained in such a way by the ciliary muscle 16 or the ciliary body that the diameter of the ciliary body implant 32 increases or reduces, and so the ciliary body implant 32 always rests against the inner side of the ciliary body or against the sulcus.

[0057] The IOL 34 is arranged within the capsular bag 22 and comprises a lens body 40 as well as two extensions 42 which contain a haptic. A respective sensor element 44 is arranged in each extension 42. According to other exemplary embodiments, the IOL 34 may also comprise only one or more than two extensions 42, in each of which one or more sensor elements 44 are arranged. The plurality of extensions 42 typically form a haptic.

[0058] In this case, the sensor elements 44 each have a solenoid, in which an electric current or any other electric signal can be induced by the magnetic field provided by a respective adjacent ciliary signal element 32, the electric current or other electrical signal then being detectable as ciliary signal by means of the sensor element 44. If the position of the adjacent ciliary signal element 32 changes relative to the sensor element 44, in particular as a result of a movement of the ciliary muscle and/or of the ciliary body, this leads to change in the current induced in the sensor element 44 by the magnetic field of the ciliary signal element 32 and accordingly leads to a change in the ciliary signal.

[0059] The ciliary body implant 32 and the IOL 40 are typically arranged in such a way that each sensor element 44 is arranged adjacent to a ciliary signal element 36 in the radial direction in order thus to achieve the greatest possible interaction between the sensor element 44 and the adjacent ciliary signal element 36. In this case, it is advantageous if, like in the embodiment shown, the ciliary body implant 36 comprises a plurality of ciliary signal elements 36, in particular more than two ciliary signal 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 signal element 36 is arranged adjacent to the respective sensor elements 44 in each case, and hence this simplifies the implantation process.

[0060] In this case, the IOL system 30 facilitates a change in the refractive power of the eye 10 on the basis of the ciliary signal. Typically, the IOL system is designed in such a way here that the latter can change the refractive power of the IOL 34 on the basis of the ciliary signal, in such a way that this corresponds to the identified desire to accommodate, which is ascribed to the detected movement of the ciliary muscle 16. Consequently, the implanted IOL system 30 offers the option of changing the refractive power of the IOL 34 by way of the movements of the ciliary muscle 16 and/or the ciliary body, and of accommodating or disaccommodating the eye in this way.

[0061] In the upper part of FIG. 1, the eye 10 is depicted in a first accommodated state in each case, which state represents a weak accommodation for distance accommodation. In this case, the ciliary muscle 16 is relaxed and accordingly only a small force is applied to the IOL 34 by the ciliary muscle 16 via the ciliary body, and so the IOL 34 is diametrically relaxed and has a lower refractive power than in a strongly accommodated state. The ciliary body implant 32 is likewise stretched or relaxed in the process and adjusts to the internal diameter of the ciliary body, and so the ciliary body implant 32 also has a larger diameter (relative to the diameter in the unaccommodated state of the eye).

[0062] In the lower part of FIG. 1, the eye 10 is depicted in a second accommodated state in each case, which state represents a strong accommodation, for example for near accommodation. In this case, the ciliary muscle 16 is tensioned, as a result of which a radially inwardly directed force indirectly acts on the ciliary body implant 32 and, via the ciliary body implant 32, on the IOL 34. On the basis of the ciliary signal, the IOL system 30 indirectly applies a force at least on the IOL 34, as a result of which the refractive power of the IOL 34 is increased such that the eye 10 accommodates more strongly.

[0063] The movement of the ciliary body implant 32 and the resultant change in the relative position of the ciliary signal elements 36 in relation to the sensor elements 44 are shown on the basis of FIGS. 2A and 2B. For a better overview, only the sensor elements 44, and not the other elements of the IOL 34, are depicted. FIG. 2A shows a schematic representation of a ciliary body implant 32 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. On the right-hand side of FIG. 2A, the ciliary body implant 32 is shown in a radially compressed form, for example in an accommodated state. The left-hand side shows the ciliary body implant 32 in a relaxed or stretched form, for example in a weakly accommodated state of the eye 10. FIG. 2A likewise shows the sensor elements 44 which are located radially within the ciliary body implant 32 and which receive the ciliary signal provided by the respective adjacent ciliary signal element. On account of the compression or relaxation of the ciliary body implant 32, the ciliary signal provided at the position of the sensor element 44 changes, and so the sensor element 44 or the IOL system 40 can on the basis of the respective changes in the ciliary signal determine a movement of the ciliary muscle and accordingly a desire of the eye 10 to accommodate. FIG. 2B elucidates the movement of the ciliary body implant 32 and the change in the relative position of the ciliary signal elements 32 in relation to the sensor elements 44 caused thereby and the resultant change in the ciliary signal on the basis of an overlaid representation of the IOL system in the compressed state (inside) and in the relaxed state (outside).

[0064] FIG. 3 shows the IOL system 30 according to the exemplary embodiment explained in the previous figures, in two different rotational orientations or relative angular positions in relation to the IOL 34. In order to obtain the greatest possible interaction between the sensor elements 44 and the respective adjacent ciliary signal elements 36 and, accordingly, in order to maximize an amplitude of the ciliary signal, accurate radially adjacent positioning of one of the ciliary signal elements 36 with respect to the respective sensor elements 44 is advantageous. The use of a large number of ciliary signal elements 34 arranged along the circumferential direction moreover offers the advantage that the requirement of accurate relative positioning of a ciliary signal element 34 with respect to respective sensor element 44 is reduced or dispensed with entirely since the signal field between the individual ciliary signal elements 34 generated from the totality of the ciliary signal elements 34 is not attenuated, or only attenuated to a very small extent, in comparison with positions that directly join a ciliary signal element 36.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows an IOL system 30 according to a further exemplary embodiment. According to this embodiment, the ciliary body implant comprises a ciliary signal element 32 formed as an optical element. The sensor element 44 formed in the IOL 34 behind the iris is designed as an optical sensor. Further, the IOL 34 comprises a plurality of volume hologram elements 48, which are arranged and designed in such a way that these reflect a (small) part of the light incident in the eye 10 toward the ciliary signal element 36. According to the embodiment shown, reflecting the light by the volume hologram elements 48 is implemented by way of a further reflector element 50 formed in or on the IOL 34.

[0066] The ciliary body implant 36 may for example be designed as a mirror or comprise the latter. By way of example, the sensor element 44 may comprise a photodetector, for instance a CCD and/or a CMOS detector and/or a photodiode, the photodetector being designed to detect light from the light reflected by the volume hologram elements 48 and the reflective element 50 and typically being designed to convert the light into an electrical signal. By way of example, the volume hologram elements 48 can be designed as a variation of the refractive index of the IOL 34 and be integrated in the lens body 40 of the IOL. In this case, the volume hologram elements 48 are typically designed to reflect light very efficiently in a very tight wavelength range and to transmit light in other wavelength ranges. Typically, the volume hologram elements 48 are designed to reflect light in a spectral range or light with such a wavelength that it is not visible to the eye, that is to say to the retina, in any case, for example light in the infrared spectral range. A reflection of light in the ultraviolet spectral range can typically also be used, provided the lens 20 and the IOL 34 are transparent to the wavelength of the ultraviolet light. Although only one ciliary signal element 36, one sensor element 44, one reflector element 50, and two volume hologram elements 48 are shown, the respective elements may also be present in a different number according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0067] Should the ciliary signal element 36 be designed as a mirror or comprise the latter, it may be advantageous to arrange the mirror on the upper side of the ciliary body such that it is directed downward for an upright human. This can reduce or avoid the emergence of deposits on the mirror and an impairment of the functionality accompanying this, in comparison with an arrangement of the mirror on the lower side of the ciliary body with an upward alignment.

[0068] The functionality of the IOL system 30 according to this embodiment is based on the fact that a change in distance of the ciliary signal element 36 relative to the sensor element and/or any other change in position of the ciliary signal element 36 caused on account of a movement of the ciliary muscle leads to a change in the luminous flux reaching the sensor element, and this change can be used as a ciliary signal. By way of example, the ciliary signal or its change may consist in a change in the position at which the reflected light strikes the sensor element or the photodetector when the ciliary signal element 36 is moved. By way of example, the sensor element 44 may comprise a position-sensitive photodetector or a two-dimensional detector array to this end. Alternatively or in addition, the intensity or the luminous energy of the light striking the sensor element 44 may change as a result of the change in position of the ciliary signal element 36, and a ciliary signal can be provided on the basis thereof.

[0069] FIG. 4 further shows two exemplary beam paths 104 of light incident in the eye. It is evident from these that the light incident into the eye 10 through the pupil in for example collimated fashion is reflected toward the reflector element 50 by the volume hologram elements 48 and is reflected onward to the ciliary signal element 36 from the reflector element. The ciliary signal element 36 in turn reflects light toward the sensor element 44, which then detects the light and determines a ciliary signal therefrom. As a result of the sensor element 44 being arranged behind the iris 14, it is possible to avoid the direct incidence of light on the sensor element 44, that is to say of light that was not reflected by the volume hologram 48 and by the reflector element 50, and a falsification of the ciliary signal caused thereby can accordingly be avoided.

[0070] FIG. 5 shows a ciliary body implant 32 according to an exemplary embodiment. The ciliary body implant 32 comprises a total of seven ciliary signal elements 36, each of which is embodied as a mirror element. The ciliary body implant 32 is shown in a stretched state, for example in the case of a relaxed ciliary muscle, on the left-hand side of FIG. 5 and shown in a compressed state, for example in the case of a tensioned ciliary muscle, on the right-hand side. The compression and relaxation of the ciliary body implant 32 can be implemented under compression and relaxation of the mechanical spring elements 38, by means of which the ciliary signal elements 36 are interconnected.

[0071] In this case, the ciliary body implant 32 is embodied in such a way that the latter is arrangeable on the inner surface of the ciliary body and/or on the sulcus such that the reflective surfaces are directed inward, that is to say toward the optical axis of the eye.

[0072] In this case, the ciliary body implant 32 is embodied in such a way that, in the stretched state, the incident light as represented by the exemplary beam paths 104 partly strikes the ciliary signal elements 36 and is reflected by the latter, while another part of the incident light is incident in the regions between the ciliary signal elements 36 and is accordingly not reflected. As a result of the regions between the ciliary signal elements 36 being greater in the stretched state of the ciliary body implant (to the left in FIG. 5) than in the compressed state (to the right in FIG. 5), a smaller component of the incident light is reflected on the sensor element 44 in the stretched state in comparison with the compressed state. In this way, a change in the intensity of the reflected light can be provided as a ciliary signal. It is understood that the ciliary body implant 32 according to other embodiments may also have a different number of ciliary signal elements 36 and/or in that the ciliary body implant may be designed in a different shape, for example in ring-shaped fashion.

[0073] It may be particularly advantageous to combine a ciliary body implant designed in this way and as described in relation to FIG. 5 with an IOL system 30 as described in relation to FIG. 4.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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

[0077] 10 Eye [0078] 12 Cornea [0079] 14 Iris [0080] 16 Ciliary muscle [0081] 18 Zonular fibers [0082] 20 Space of the removed crystalline lens of the eye [0083] 22 Capsular bag [0084] 30 Intraocular lens system (IOL system) [0085] 32 Ciliary body implant [0086] 34 Intraocular lens (IOL) [0087] 36 Ciliary signal element [0088] 38 Mechanical spring element [0089] 40 Lens body [0090] 42 Extension [0091] 44 Sensor element [0092] 48 Volume hologram element [0093] 50 Reflector element [0094] 100 Optical axis of the eye [0095] 102 Rotational direction for aligning the IOL system [0096] 104 Exemplary beam path