Electro-active intraocular lens using power generated by ciliary muscle contraction

摘要

An implantable device for converting mechanical forces produced by ciliary muscle contraction into power is disclosed. The preferred device uses an intraocular implant, which has outer support structures 30 cradling ciliary muscle 5b and supporting magnets 35, and inner ring 25 supporting coils 40. During ciliary muscle contraction, the magnets move within the coils and create an electric potential. This can be used to power changes in the optical power of an electro-active lens (which may be located inside the converter device), or can be stored in a battery. At least one of the magnet/coil combinations may be a variable resistor which monitors the movement of the ciliary muscle in order to indicate an accommodation demand. Alternatives to the magnet/coil transducer include piezoelectric strips, nanowires and hydraulic pistons. The change in optical power can be triggered by transmitters (e.g. on a users fingers) wirelessly communicating with the IOL.