Intraocular lens system with folding features

Abstract

A method of folding and unfolding an active accommodating intraocular lens system includes folding an active lens element along at least one folding line. The at least one folding line is defined by mechanical indentations disposed on a perimeter of the active lens element, and a first pair of the mechanical indentations define terminal ends of a first folding line extending between the first pair of the mechanical indentations. The active lens element is then unfolded.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of folding and unfolding an active accommodating intraocular lens system, the method comprising:
 folding an active lens element along at least one folding line, wherein the at least one folding line is defined by mechanical indentations disposed on a perimeter of the active lens element, wherein a first pair of the mechanical indentations define terminal ends of a first folding line extending between the first pair of the mechanical indentations; and   unfolding the active lens element.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein folding the active lens element along the at least one folding line includes folding the active lens element into two sections. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first pair of the mechanical indentations are positioned along the perimeter of the active lens element so that the first folding line symmetrically bisects the active lens element in half. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein folding the active lens element along at least one folding line includes folding the active lens element into three sections. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein folding the active lens element includes folding the active lens element along a second folding line, wherein a second pair of the mechanical indentations define terminal ends of the second folding line extending between the second pair of the mechanical indentations, wherein the second pair of the mechanical indentations promote folding of the active lens element along the second folding line. 
     
     
         6 . The method  claim 5 , wherein a length along the perimeter of the active lens element between all adjacent mechanical indentations is equal. 
     
     
         7 . The method  claim 5 , wherein at least one mechanical indentation is disposed along the perimeter of the active lens element between the terminal ends of the first folding line and between the terminal ends of the second folding line. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a third pair of the mechanical indentations are disposed on the active lens element to provide symmetry of mechanical indentations. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising charging the active accommodating intraocular lens system, wherein a charging system receives electromagnetic radiation and converts the electromagnetic radiation into charge via induction. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a dynamic optical power of an optical device disposed proximate to a center of the active lens element after unfolding the active lens element, wherein the optical device is coupled to control circuitry to adjust the dynamic optical power. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein folding the active lens element includes folding an encapsulation layer surrounding the optical device. 
     
     
         12 . An intraocular lens (IOL) system, comprising:
 an active lens element including an optical device disposed proximate to a center of the active lens element to provide dynamic optical power;   one or more mechanical indentations disposed on the active lens element, wherein at least one of the one or more mechanical indentations forms a structurally weakened location in the active lens element to promote folding of the active lens element; and   control circuitry coupled to the active lens element to control the active lens element.   
     
     
         13 . The IOL system of  claim 12 , wherein a first pair of mechanical indentations included in the one or more mechanical indentations define a first folding line extending at least between the first pair of mechanical indentations, and wherein the first pair of mechanical indentations promote folding of the active lens element along the first folding line. 
     
     
         14 . The IOL system of  claim 13 , wherein the first pair of mechanical indentations are positioned on the active lens element so that the first folding line symmetrically bisects the active lens element in half. 
     
     
         15 . The IOL system of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the one or more mechanical indentations is offset from the optical device and extends partially from a perimeter of the active lens element towards the center of the active lens element. 
     
     
         16 . The IOL system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more mechanical indentations include a plurality of mechanical indentations that are arranged symmetrically around the optical device.