Lens delivery system

[0001] This invention relates to intraocular lenses (IntraOcular Lens - IOL), and more particularly to devices for introducing IOL into the eye.

Background of the invention [0002] In simplified terms, the human eye works to provide vision by passing and refracting light through a transparent outer part called the cornea and then focusing the image with a lens on the retina at the back of the eye. The quality of the focused image depends on many factors, including the size, shape and length of the eye, as well as the shape and transparency of the lens cornea.

[0003] When trauma, age or disease cause the lens to become less transparent, vision deteriorates due to the reduced amount of light that can be transmitted to the retina. This eye lens failure is known in medicine as cataracts. Treatment of this condition involves surgical removal of the lens and implantation of an artificial lens or IOL.

[0004] Although the first IOLs were made of hard plastic, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), soft, bending IOLs made of silicone, soft acrylic or hydrogel are becoming increasingly popular due to the ability to bend and roll these soft lenses and inserting them through a smaller incision. Several methods of rolling or folding the lenses are used. One popular method is the use of an injection assembly that folds the lenses and allows a relatively small diameter clearance through which the lens can be pushed into the eye, usually with a soft-tip plunger. The most commonly used design of an injection assembly is illustrated in US Patent No. 4,681,102 (Bartell), and includes a split longitudinally hinged assembly. Similar designs are illustrated in US Patent 5,444,484 and US 5,499,987 (Feingold) and US 5,616,148 and US 5,622,450 (Eagles, et al.). To avoid the solutions of the claims of US Patent 4,681,102, a number of solid assemblies were analyzed, see for example US Patent 5,275,604 (Rheinish, et al.) And US 5,653,715 (Reich, et al.).

[0005] These devices are designed to implant a single element or uniform lens. The IOLs currently under development contain multi-element lenses, such as a lens system comprising a separate lens and stabilizing ring. Both of these components must be implanted inside the lens capsule and assembled into a complete system. None of the prior art injection assemblies is suitable for introducing all components of a multi-component lens system into a lens bag.

[0006] Document EP-A-1481652 discloses features according to the preamble of claim 1.

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[0007] Accordingly, there is still a need for a lens delivery system capable of introducing all components of a multi-component lens system into the lens bag.

Brief Summary of the Invention [0008] The present invention is an improvement over the prior art by using a lens delivery system having two folding mechanisms. The first mechanism is constructed for folding the intraocular lens stabilizing ring, while the second mechanism is constructed for folding the intraocular lens.

[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lens delivery system capable of storing, transporting and introducing the lens into the eye without the need for any additional devices.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a lens introduction system that is suitable for folding lenses made of soft acrylic material.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a lens delivery system having two folding mechanisms.

[0012] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reference to the drawings, as well as the following description of the drawings and the claims.

Brief description of the drawings [0013]

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the lens delivery system of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the lens delivery system of the present invention in an open position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lens delivery system of the present invention in a closed position ready for assembly of the lens;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the lens delivery system of the present invention in a closed position, with the front or distal folding mechanism having an assembled stabilizing ring being part of the intraocular lens system;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a handle that can be used with the lens delivery system of the present invention;

Fig. 6, an enlarged elevational view of the distal end of the handle shown in the circle 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a handle that can be used with a lens insertion system according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the lens delivery system of the present invention inserted into the distal end of the handle illustrated in Fig. 5.

Detailed description of the invention [0014] As can best be seen in Fig. 1, the lens delivery system 10 of the present invention generally includes the body 12 of the assembly, the ring follower 14, the piston 16

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And transport lock 18. Body 12 generally includes distal nozzle 20, ring assembly platform 22, and lens assembly platform 24. The annular portion 26 of the multi-element intraocular lens is placed on the ring folding platform 22 and is fixed there by the ring pusher 14 and by the lid of the ring folding platform 28 above the ring folding platform 22, the lid 28 being secured in place by the clamps 36 , thereby closing the annular portion 26 within the boundaries of the ring assembly platform 22, as can be seen in Fig. 3. The lens part 30 of the multi-element intraocular lens is placed on the lens folding platform 24 and secured by a stop 32 on the transport lock 18 and through the lens folding platform lid 34 above the lens folding platform 24, as can be seen in Fig. 3. The lid 34 is held in place in the folded position by clamp 38.

[0015] The nozzle 20 is preferably hollow and has a size suitable for inserting the annular portion 26 and the lens portion 30 through a relatively small (e.g., about 2 mm or smaller) incision. Lid 28 and lid 34 may include apertures 40 and 42, respectively, for allowing the viscoelastic material to be introduced on the ring folding platform 22 and on the lens folding platform 24, as well as around the annular portion 26 and the lens portion 30.

[0016] As can best be seen in Figs. 5 and 6, the handle 100, which can be used as part of the lens introduction system 10, generally consists of a tubular body 102, a piston rod 104 and a finger ring 106. As shown in Fig. 6, the distal end 108 of the body 102 includes a cutout 110 dimensioned and shaped to receive and hold the body 12, for example, using locking tabs 50 on the body 12. The distal end 108 also includes a stop 112, the function of which is described below. The piston rod 104 is reciprocating inside the body 102 by pressing on the finger ring 106. The piston rod 104 may be spring mounted inside the body 102 (not shown) to provide tactile resistance.

In use, the transport lock 18 and the piston 16 are installed on the body 12 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The annular part 26 and the lens part 30 are placed in the body 12, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the lids 28 and 34 are closed as illustrated in Fig. 3. The transport lock 18 prevents the ring pusher 14 from moving during transport, while the tab 60 on the ring pusher 14 prevents the piston 16 from moving forward. The stop 32 and the piston rod guide 70 prevent the lens part 30 from moving during transport. In preparation for use, the transport lock 18 is removed and the ring pusher 14 is pushed inward as illustrated in Fig. 4 and also locked in place by the clamp 19. Such displacement of the ring pusher 14 causes the annular portion 26 to collapse or fold, which allows the annular portion 26 to adapt to pass through the nozzle 20. This displacement also aligns the notch 62 in the tab 60 with piston 16, enabling piston 16 to move forward. The viscoelastic material is injected through the holes 40 and 42 into the nozzle 20. The body 12 is installed inside the cut-out portion 110 of the distal end 108 of the handle 100, as illustrated in Fig. 8. This installation causes the piston rod 16 to contact the stopper 112 and is slightly pushed forward by it. these

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Displacement pushes the lens part 30 slightly forward, starting to assemble this lens part 30. The piston rod 104 is moved further and is brought into contact with the lens part 30 through the stem guide 70. Further displacement of the piston rod 104 causes the lens portion 30 to be pushed through the inner opening 80 in the body 12 until the compressed annular portion 26 and the annular portion 26 and then the lens portion 30 are pushed out of the nozzle in a serial manner.

[0018] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these descriptions have been given for illustrative and explanatory purposes. Variations, changes, modifications, and deviations from these systems and methods disclosed above may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

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