Intraocular lens with shape changing capability to provide enhanced accomodation and visual acuity

Abstract

An intraocular lens for providing a range of accommodative vision, an extended depth of focus, or enhanced performance through the asymmetric transfer of ocular forces to the lens. The intraocular lens contains an optic and a haptic. The shape and/or material of the haptic results in the transmission of ocular forces to particular regions in the optic. Greater forces applied to particular regions result in deformation of that region and increased power.

1 . An intraocular lens, comprising:
 an optic adapted to focus light on the retina when disposed in the eye, the optic having a first zone having a distance vision power and a second zone being adjustable through a range of powers greater than the distance vision power, the first zone being intersected by the central optical axis, the second zone being off-set from the first zone; and   a haptic, comprising:
 an outer annular member; 
 an inner annular member disposed inside at least the second zone of the optic; and 
 a plurality of arms extending between the inner and outer annular members; 
   wherein the intraocular lens is adapted to respond to ocular forces to adjust the power of the second zone.   
     
     
         2 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the inner annular member comprises a ring segment subtending an arc of 180 degrees or less between first and second ends, the first and second ends being connected by a transverse member extending across the optical area, the second zone being disposed between the ring segment and the transverse member. 
     
     
         3 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the inner annular member comprises a first arcuate portion having a first stiffness and a second annular portion having a second stiffness, the second annular portion bounding a portion of the second zone. 
     
     
         4 . The intraocular lens of  claim 3 , wherein the second annular portion has a radial thickness that is less than that of the first annular portion. 
     
     
         5 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the intraocular lens is reinforced in the first zone such that power increasing deformation is concentrated in the second zone. 
     
     
         6 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first zone bordering the second zone maintains the distance vision power when the power of the second zone is increased. 
     
     
         7 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the outer annular member comprises a first portion disposed about a distance power region and a second portion disposed around a near power region, the first portion adapted to transfer a lesser amount of ocular force to the optic than the second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the outer annular member is configured to transfer ocular forces in a manner that induces the power in at least the second zone toward a near vision power. 
     
     
         9 . The intraocular lens of  claim 8 , wherein the optic comprises a third zone having a range of powers greater than the distance vision power and including a maximum power less than a near vision power, the outer annular member configured to induce at least the maximum power in the third zone and the near vision power in the second zone. 
     
     
         10 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein some of the plurality of arms include voids. 
     
     
         11 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the outer annular member is spaced apart from the optic by the plurality of arms along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. 
     
     
         12 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the outer annular member comprises a continuous ring adapted to be disposed at the equator of a capsular bag and the inner annular member comprises a continuous ring adapted to be disposed inside the optic. 
     
     
         13 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the second zone is adapted to provide at least 2 Diopters of add power. 
     
     
         14 . An intraocular lens, comprising:
 an optic comprising a fixed power region and an add power region;   a haptic comprising:
 an inner portion having a stiff region disposed inside the fixed power region and a force transfer portion disposed inside the add power region; and 
 a plurality of arms extending radially away from the force transfer portion toward an outer periphery of the intraocular lens; 
   wherein the intraocular lens is adapted to respond to ocular forces to alter the add power region the increase the power of the add power region.   
     
     
         15 . The intraocular lens of  claim 14 , wherein the haptic further comprises a plurality of arms extending radially away from the stiff region toward the outer periphery of the intraocular lens and an outer ring coupled with outer ends of the arms. 
     
     
         16 . The intraocular lens of  claim 14 , wherein the haptic includes a plurality of arms having proximal ends coupled with an inner arcuate member and distal ends disposed adjacent an outer periphery of the intraocular lens, the add power region being disposed between the inner arcuate member and the fixed power region. 
     
     
         17 . The intraocular lens of  claim 16 , wherein the haptic includes an intermediate arcuate member disposed between the inner arcuate member and the distal ends of the arms, the add power region including an arcuate band disposed between the inner and intermediate arcuate members. 
     
     
         18 . The intraocular lens of  claim 17 , wherein the arcuate band deforms to provide an intermediate power when an ocular force is applied to the haptic and wherein the region between the inner arcuate member and the fixed power region deforms to provide a near power when the same ocular force is applied to the haptic. 
     
     
         19 . The intraocular lens of  claim 16 , wherein the fixed power region comprises a continuous expanse of a majority of the area of the optic including a central axis of the optic and the add power region comprises a region off-set from the central axis of the optic. 
     
     
         20 . An intraocular lens, comprising:
 an optic adapted to be deformed when subjected to a compressive ocular force;   a haptic adapted to apply, in response to a uniform annular compressive ocular force, a first compressive force to a first portion of the optic and a second compressive force to a second portion of the optic, the second ocular force being different from the first ocular force;   wherein the first and second portions of the optic change power when subjected to the compressive ocular force; and   wherein the first portion of the optic changes power by an amount greater than the second portion.   
     
     
         21 . The intraocular lens of  claim 20 , wherein the haptic comprises a first plurality of arms configured to cooperate to apply the first compressive force and a second plurality of arms configured to cooperate to apply the second compressive force. 
     
     
         22 . The intraocular lens of  claim 20 , wherein the haptic comprises an annular structure comprising a first segment disposed about a first portion of the optic and a second segment disposed about a second portion of the optic, the first segment being adapted to apply the first compressive force and the second segment being adapted to apply the second compressive force. 
     
     
         23 . The intraocular lens of  claim 22 , wherein the first segment is stiffer than the second segment. 
     
     
         24 . The intraocular lens of  claim 22 , wherein the first segment has a first radius of curvature and the second segment has a second radius of curvature. 
     
     
         25 . The intraocular lens of  claim 20 , wherein the haptic comprises an oval structure configured to transmit a greater force to the optic along a minor axis thereof and a lesser force to the optic along a major axis thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The intraocular lens of  claim 20 , wherein change in power of the second portion compensates for an optical aberration of an ocular system such that the ocular system and intraocular lens together focus light in both the first and second portions of the optic to the same point simultaneously. 
     
     
         27 . The intraocular lens of  claim 20 , wherein change in power of the second portion induces an optical aberration of an ocular system such that the ocular system and intraocular lens together produce enhanced depth of focus. 
     
     
         28 - 36 . (canceled)