# US 11,304,796 B2 · Reinforcement ring for intraocular lens > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,304,796 B2 - Document ID: US11304796B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/134,776 - Filed: 2018-09-18 - Published: 2019-03-28 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-25 - Assignees: Verily Life Sciences LLC - Applicants: Verily Life Sciences LLC - Inventors: Stein Kuiper; Daniel B. Otts - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304796B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/1624: {having adjustable focus; power activated variable focus means, e.g. mechanically or electrically by the ciliary muscle or from the outside} - A61F 2/1635: {for changing shape} - A61F 2/482: {Electrical means} - A61F 2210/0014: using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol - A61F 2250/0002: for data transfer - G02C 7/04: Contact lenses for the eyes (disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00) - G02C 7/085: {Fluid-filled lenses, e.g. electro-wetting lenses} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - G02C: SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES (trial frames for testing the eyes A61B3/04; goggles or eyeshields not having the same features as spectacles A61F9/00) ## Abstract An example reinforcement ring for intraocular lenses may include at least include a support structure, first and second optical windows disposed on opposing sides of the support structure, and a reinforcement ring included in the apparatus to strengthen the support structure and the first and second optical windows. In some examples, the reinforcement ring is formed from a shape memory alloy, such as Nitinol. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a support structure defining an opening in which a dynamic optic is disposed; first and second optical windows disposed on opposing sides of the support structure and each extending across the opening, wherein the first and second optical windows are distinct elements from the dynamic optic; and a reinforcement ring included in the apparatus to strengthen the support structure and the first and second optical windows, wherein the reinforcement ring is embedded in the first or second optical window. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement ring is embedded in the first optical window, the apparatus further comprising: an additional reinforcement ring embedded in one of the support structure or the second optical window. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure is annular shaped. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the reinforcement ring is disposed adjacent an electrode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the reinforcement ring is an electrode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second reinforcement ring disposed in the support structure adjacent to the first optical window, and wherein the reinforcement ring is disposed in the first optical window. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the reinforcement ring and the second reinforcement ring are coupled together. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein one or more clamps couple the reinforcement ring and the second reinforcement ring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement ring is formed from a superelastic alloy. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the super elastic alloy is selected from one of Nitinol, copper-zinc-aluminum, copper-aluminum, copper-aluminum-nickel, and copper-aluminum-beryllium. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement ring is formed from one of polyimide, polyetherimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyether ether ketone, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure is annular shaped forming an aperture in the opening, and wherein the the dynamic optic is arranged in the aperture and coupled to provide dynamic accommodation in response to a control signal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: control electronics disposed in or on the support structure and electrically coupled to control the dynamic optic, wherein the control electronics are coupled to the dynamic optic via at least one conductor to provide the control signal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an antenna. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the antenna is disposed on the reinforcement ring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the reinforcement ring is the antenna. ### Claim 17 An apparatus, comprising: a support structure having an aperture defined by a sidewall of the support structure; a first optical window extending across the aperture; a reinforcement ring included in the first optical window to strengthen the support structure and the first optical window, wherein the reinforcement ring is formed from a shape memory alloy; a dynamic optic arranged in the aperture, and coupled to provide dynamic accommodation in response to a control signal; and control electronics disposed in or on the support structure and electrically coupled to control the dynamic optic, wherein the control electronics are coupled to the dynamic optic via at least one conductor to provide the control signal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the reinforcement ring is disposed adjacent to an electrode disposed in or on the support structure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the reinforcement ring is an electrode. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a second reinforcement ring disposed in the support structure adjacent to the first optical window. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the reinforcement ring and the second reinforcement ring are coupled together. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the shape memory alloy is Nitinol. ### Claim 23 An intraocular lens comprising: a support structure having an aperture; a dynamic optic disposed within the aperture of the support structure; an electrode surrounding the dynamic optic; an antenna disposed in or on the support structure and surrounding the dynamic optic; at least one optical window spanning the aperture of the support structure; and a reinforcement ring disposed in or on the support structure and surrounding the dynamic optic to strengthen the support structure and the at least one optical window, wherein the reinforcement ring is a distinct element from the electrode and the antenna and wherein the reinforcement ring is disposed in direct contact with one of the electrode or the antenna. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The intraocular lens of claim 23, wherein the support structure is annular shaped and includes an internal sidewall, and wherein the reinforcement ring is disposed in the internal sidewall. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The intraocular lens of claim 23, wherein the antenna or the electrode is disposed directly on the reinforcement ring.