CA2057228A1 - Method and apparatus for filing a resilient intraocular lens - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for filing a resilient intraocular lensInfo
- Publication number
- CA2057228A1 CA2057228A1 CA002057228A CA2057228A CA2057228A1 CA 2057228 A1 CA2057228 A1 CA 2057228A1 CA 002057228 A CA002057228 A CA 002057228A CA 2057228 A CA2057228 A CA 2057228A CA 2057228 A1 CA2057228 A1 CA 2057228A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lens
- support surface
- folded
- tube member
- hold
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- 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
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/14—Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
- A61F2/16—Intraocular lenses
- A61F2/1662—Instruments for inserting intraocular lenses into the eye
- A61F2/1664—Instruments for inserting intraocular lenses into the eye for manual insertion during surgery, e.g. forceps-like instruments
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- 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
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/14—Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
- A61F2/16—Intraocular lenses
- A61F2/1613—Intraocular lenses having special lens configurations, e.g. multipart lenses; having particular optical properties, e.g. pseudo-accommodative lenses, lenses having aberration corrections, diffractive lenses, lenses for variably absorbing electromagnetic radiation, lenses having variable focus
- A61F2/1616—Pseudo-accommodative, e.g. multifocal or enabling monovision
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
In a method and apparatus for folding a resilient intraocular lens, the lens is fixed on a support surface and then folded by means of two pressing members which are moved synchronously towards each other in such a way that the intraocular lens conforms on a slightly reduced scale to the interior of a tube member of a lens implantation instrument. The lens is then released from its support surface and pressed into the interior of the implantation instrument tube member.
In a method and apparatus for folding a resilient intraocular lens, the lens is fixed on a support surface and then folded by means of two pressing members which are moved synchronously towards each other in such a way that the intraocular lens conforms on a slightly reduced scale to the interior of a tube member of a lens implantation instrument. The lens is then released from its support surface and pressed into the interior of the implantation instrument tube member.
Description
20~7228 The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for folding a resilient intraocular lens.
When a cataract operation i9 performed, an intraocular lens comprising a resilient material such as more particularly silicone is inserted in a folded condition into the natural eye capsule ~hich has remained in the eye. In that respect the operation of putting the intraocular lens into a folded condition is often a really troublesome procedure as, during the folding operation the resilience of the lens means that the lens frequently jumps out from between the two gripping elements of the implantation instrument which is normally in the form of a tweezer-like instrument. That occuxs whenever the resilient lens bcdy is not exactly positioned between the gripping elements of the implantation instrument.
More specifically, various forn~ of a surgical device for the implantation of deformable intraocular lenses are to be found in Genman patent specification No 3 348 066. In one embodiment of such a device, two elongate jaws which are movable in opposite relationship to each other co-operate to form a closed cavity which serves to receive the compressed or folded intraocular lens. With that device, the intraocular lens is clamped in widely varying forms between the elongate jaws, with the lens being disposed therebetween in a somewhat random fashion. It is not possible to exclude the possibility of damage occurring when the intraocular lenses are handled in that way. In addition problems occur upon operative intervention in the eye as the lens ccmes out of the device in a relatively uncontrolled fashion, depending on the way on which it was randoTly disposed between the tw~ jaws. Furthermore, the fact that the lens has to be manually introduced into the device means that the medical personnel carrying out that operation have to meet relatively high demands in terms of their skill in carrying out that operation.
20~7228 Another device described in the above-indicated patent specification has a chamber for receiving the undeformed intraocular lens, and the intraocular lens can be pressed into the eye by means of a pressure agent through an outlet opening o very small cross-section Wi-th that device the lens is also pressed through the outlet opening in an arbitrary fashion for, depending on the way in which the lens comes to lie in front of the outlet opening in a random configuration, it will tend to be folded together in an undefined fashion. It will be appreciated that that means that the lens cannot issue from the instrument and pass into the eye in a defined uniform fashion. Damage to the sensitive intraocular lens when it is being pressed through the narrow outlet opening is also a possibility which cannot be excluded.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of folding a resilient intraocular lens ccmprising holding the intraocular lens on a support surface, folding the lens by means of first and second feed pressing members which are rnoved synchronously towards each other in such a way that the lens reproduces in a slightly reduced fashion the internal contour of a tube member of an implantation instr~ment for subsequent implantation of the lens, releasing the folded lens from the support surface, and pressing the folded lens by means of an insertion member into the interior of a said tube member.
According to the present invention,for carrying out the method of the invention, there is also provided apparatus for folding a resilient intraocular lens comprising a support surface for supporting the lens to be folded, a Iens holding means for holding the lens on the support surface, first and second feed pressing members which have faces facing towards each other frGm opposite sides of the support surface and which are synchronously movable in mutually opposite relationship to a position of being brought together at which said faces thereof which are in contact with the lens on the support surface fold same to reproduce in a slightly reduced fashion the internal contour of a tube member of an 20~722~
implantation instrument for subsequent implantation of the lens, and an insertion press member movable to inser-t the folded lens into the interior of a said implanta-tion instrument tube member.
It will be seen by the following description of a preferred Eorm oE
the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention that the intraocular lens is folded in a defined and regular fashion, possibly using mechanical means while nonetheless ensuring that the lens is handled in a careful fashion and is folded in a specifically defined manner so that it can be exactly positioned in a lens implantation instrument. The apparatus components co-operate with ech other and with the text to afford controlled folding of the lens in a positively defined and careful fashion, and then to cause the folded lens to be carefully inserted into the receiving tube member of the implantation instrument.
As will further be seen in greater detail hereinafter with reference to a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the feed pressing members have end faces which face towards and are adapted to co-operate with the intraocular lens edge, being of a concavely rounded configuration so that their shape approximately corresponds to the internal ~0 contour of the tube member of the implantation mstr~ment.
Prior to the folding operation being effected, the tube member is secured to the folding apparatus by a suitable clamping device, with the tube member being disposed in orthogonal relationship to the movement of the two feed pressing members. The configuration of the end faces of the , . . .. ,~ . , - .: ~ : , ` 2~57228 feed pressing mernbers which rnove towards each other and thus towards the intraocular lens to be folded causes the haptic of the intraocular lens to rnove along the concave configurations of the end faces of the feed pressing rnernbers, thus beginning the operation of folding the intraocular 5 lens on to itself . In the final posi tion of the feed pressing mernbers, that is to say when the lens folding operation is concluded, the lens support surface and the end faces of the feed pressing rnernbers reproduce the internal contour of the tube rr~ber, on a slightly srnaller scale, so that the intraocular lens which is now in a folded condition can be 10 pushed into the interior of the tube rr~nber of the implantation instrunent, by means of an insertion rnernber, in a direction which is perpendicular to the folded cross-section of the lens.
In a preferred feature of the invention the support surface of the apparatus is recessed in a conical configuration in the region on which 15 the optical part of the intraocular lens is supported, with the depth of the conical recess being for example about 0 . 3 mn. That improves positioning of the lens, in conjunction with the fixing means. The fixing means can be a mechanical fixing means ~n the form of a hold-down means for holding the intraocular lens down against the fixing surface, the 20 hold-down means being movable towards the support surface to hold the lens thereagain3t. The hold-down means prevents the optical part of the lens fran lifting when the feed pressing members move towards each other to engage the lens. It i5 also possible however to use pneumatic fixing means with which the intraocular lens is held against the lens support 25 surface by a slight suction effect. Prior to the folded intraocular lens being inserted into the interior of the tube member of the implantation instrument, the operative effect of the fixing means is removed by withdrawal of the mechanical hold-down means or by switching of f the suction effect.
Preferably, a mechanical abutment means is provided for limiting the movement of a mechanical hold-down means so that the hold-down means is stopped in a position in which it bears against the optical part of :. , , . :
, ' , . . ~ ----` 2~72~8 the intraocular lens practically without applying a force thereto. The abutment means is preferably adjustable in dependence on the thickness of the respective lens being folded. As indicated the function of the hold-down means is to prevent the optical part of the lens from lifting off the support surface in the folding operation.
Depending on the shape of the internal contour of the tube member of the implantation instr~ment, the final shape of the intraocular lens in the folded condition may be from round to that of a flat ellipse.
The folding operation in the method according to the invention ensures that the intraocular lens is handled in an extremely careful fashion as bending of the resilient material thereof occurs for the major part in the non-optical portion of the lens and the transitional radii forming the bent conflguration of the lens in the folded condition are relatively generous.
Preferably, the folding apparatu according to the invention is used when inserting a folded intraocular lens into an implantation instrument as is described in German patent application No P 40 30 492.2 (patent No ) to which reference is hereby directed as incorporation thereof.
The use of a sterile liquid which provides for a better sliding movement of the lens in the folding operation and when it is inserted into the interior of the tube member of the implantation instrument is desirable, The method according to the invention and the apparatus according to the invention for carrying out the method can be used for folding many different intraocular lenses into a defined shape. As a result it is possible for the lenses always to be adapted to the cross-sectional size and configuration of the interior of the tube member o the implantation tool, into which they are to be inserted. That uniformity of folding and insertion ensures that the intraocular lens always exhibits the same unfolding behaviour and characteristics when being inserted into the eye in the course of surgical intervention.
20~7228 A method and apparatus according to the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of a par-t of a pxeferred embodiment o:f an apparatus according to the invention, with an inserted intraocular lens in a non-folded condition therein, Figure 2 is a front view of the part of the structure shown in Figure l, and Figure 3 shows the same view as that shown in Figure 2, after the folding operation has been concluded.
Referring firstly to Figures l and 2, shown therein is a part of an apparatus for carrying out a method according to the invention for folding a resilient intraocular lens. Reference numeral 3 in Figures l and 2 sho~s a support member having a support surface for supporting an intraocular lens which is indicated at 7. After the intraocular lens 7 has been fitted into position in the apparatus, resting on the support surface of the support m~mber 3, a lens fixing member in the form of a hold-down member diagrammatically indicated at 1 is moved downwardly until it is stopped in its downward movement by reaching a mechanical a~utment indicated at 12 in Figure 2. When the hold-down mem~er 1 is in that position, it lies on the optical part of the lens which is indicated at 9 in Figure l, practically without applying a force thereto. When the lens is held in that position, first and second feed pressing members which are shown at reference 2 in Figure 2 and which are movable synchronously in opposite relationship to each other then move towards each other and thus towards the lens 7 which is disposed therebetween. It will be seen from Figure 2 that the end faces of the feed pressing members 2 which face towards the intraocular lens 7 are of a concavely rounded configuration so that their shape approximately corresponds to the inside contour of a tube member as indicated at 4 in Figure 1 of an '. ' '. " ' ~ ~ ', ': -2~57228 implantation instrument. It will be noted at this point that the tube member 4 is fixed to the lens folding apparatus by a clamping device indicated at 6 in Figure 1, prior to the lens folding operation beginning. The tube member 4 is disposed in orthogonal relationship to the feed movement of the feed pressing members 2. When the end faces of the feed pressing members 2 come into contact with the haptic as indicated at lO of the intraocular lens 7, the rounded configuration of the end faces of the feed pressing members 2 means that the haptic is bent or curved thereagainst and moves along the concavely rounded end faces, so that the lens folding operation then begins. The hold-down member l prevents the optical part of the lens 9 from lifting off the support surface 3, during the folding operation.
After termination of the movement of the feed pressing members 2 towards each other, the end faces thereof and the support surface 3 `co-operate to define a contour which corresponds to the contour of theinterior of the tube member 4 of the implantation instr~ment, while however being slightly smaller than same, as shown by the broken-line view in Figure 3 wherein the broken line indicates the configuration of the tube member 4 of the implantation instrument. In this embodiment the internal contour of the tube member 4 is of an oval shape but it is also possible to use an approximately circular contour.
Looking now at Figures 2 and 3 the feed pressing members 2 have recesses 13 and 14 whlch are matched to the cross-section of the hold-down member l. For the purposes of effecting the lens folding operation, it is advantageous for the cross-section of the hold-down member l to be elongate, more specifically being elongate in the direction indicated at E in Figure l in which the folded lens is to be inserted into the tube member 4 of the implantation instrument, that is to say, elongate perpendicularly to the folding direction visible in Figures 2 and 3.
After termination of the lens folding operation, an insertion pressing member 5 whose direction of movement is in orthogonal relationship to the movement of the feed pressing members 2 is moved 20~7~28 towards the folded intraocular lens a indicated at 8 in Figure 3, and the folded lens is thus inserted into the interior of the tube member 4 of the implantation tool. It will be seen therefore that the lens i~
inserted mto the tube member 3 in a direction which is perpendicular to its folded cross-section.
As noted above, prior to the beginning of the lens folding operation, the tube member 4 of the implantation instrument is secured to the lens folding apparatus by the clamping device 6 in such a way that the internal contour of the tube member 4 is aligned with an ejection passage formed by the co-operation of the rounded end faces of the two feed pressing members 2. In that way the folded lens 8 can be pushed into the interior of the tube member 4 of the implantation instrument by the insertion pressing member 5, without the lens suffering damage in that operation. Therefore, the lenses 8 which are always folded in a unifonm fashion by operation of the above-described apparatus are always positioned in the same defined position in the tube member 4 of the implantation tool.
The above-described apparatus can be further improved in a simple fashion by the support surface 3 for supporting the optical part of the lens 9 ha~ing a conical recess of a depth of for example about 0.3 mm. In that way the lens can be positioned in a better defined fashion.
Furthermore, the recess, in conjunction with the hold-down member 1, can provide that the haptic 10 of the lens is lifted slightly away from the support surface 3, thus providing an improved preliminary bent configuration to enable the actual lens folding procedure to be initiated more readily. The same effect can also be achieved when using a lens fixing device which operates on the basis of a suction effect for holding ; the lens against the support surface 3.
So that the hold-down member 1 bears as far as possible practically without applying a force against the intraocular lens to be folded, the hold-down member 1 comes to bear against an abutment 12 when the hold-, .
` 20~7228 down ~mber 1 is in its position of beir,lg applied to the intraoculælens. In the illustrated ernbodirnent, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the abutrnent 12 is forrned by a screw nut 16 which can be displac~d on the hold-down rnember 1. The screw nut 16 co-operates with a main plate rn~r 5 15 of the folding apparatus, thereby to for,rn the abutrnent as indicated at 12, as shown in Figure 2. The screw nut 16 is adju~ted on the hold-down rn~r~er 1, depending on the thickness of the respective intraocular lens 7 to be folded, thereby to ensure that, even when dealing with lenses of different thicknesses, the hold-down rnember 1 bears against the lens 7 to 10 be folded practically without applying a force thereto.
It will be appreciated that the above-described rnethod and apparatus have been set forth solely by way of exa~le and illustration of the present invention and that various other rnodifications and alterations rnay be made therein without departing frorn the scope of the 15 invention.
: ~ : . . : : ,: . ~ , :
When a cataract operation i9 performed, an intraocular lens comprising a resilient material such as more particularly silicone is inserted in a folded condition into the natural eye capsule ~hich has remained in the eye. In that respect the operation of putting the intraocular lens into a folded condition is often a really troublesome procedure as, during the folding operation the resilience of the lens means that the lens frequently jumps out from between the two gripping elements of the implantation instrument which is normally in the form of a tweezer-like instrument. That occuxs whenever the resilient lens bcdy is not exactly positioned between the gripping elements of the implantation instrument.
More specifically, various forn~ of a surgical device for the implantation of deformable intraocular lenses are to be found in Genman patent specification No 3 348 066. In one embodiment of such a device, two elongate jaws which are movable in opposite relationship to each other co-operate to form a closed cavity which serves to receive the compressed or folded intraocular lens. With that device, the intraocular lens is clamped in widely varying forms between the elongate jaws, with the lens being disposed therebetween in a somewhat random fashion. It is not possible to exclude the possibility of damage occurring when the intraocular lenses are handled in that way. In addition problems occur upon operative intervention in the eye as the lens ccmes out of the device in a relatively uncontrolled fashion, depending on the way on which it was randoTly disposed between the tw~ jaws. Furthermore, the fact that the lens has to be manually introduced into the device means that the medical personnel carrying out that operation have to meet relatively high demands in terms of their skill in carrying out that operation.
20~7228 Another device described in the above-indicated patent specification has a chamber for receiving the undeformed intraocular lens, and the intraocular lens can be pressed into the eye by means of a pressure agent through an outlet opening o very small cross-section Wi-th that device the lens is also pressed through the outlet opening in an arbitrary fashion for, depending on the way in which the lens comes to lie in front of the outlet opening in a random configuration, it will tend to be folded together in an undefined fashion. It will be appreciated that that means that the lens cannot issue from the instrument and pass into the eye in a defined uniform fashion. Damage to the sensitive intraocular lens when it is being pressed through the narrow outlet opening is also a possibility which cannot be excluded.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of folding a resilient intraocular lens ccmprising holding the intraocular lens on a support surface, folding the lens by means of first and second feed pressing members which are rnoved synchronously towards each other in such a way that the lens reproduces in a slightly reduced fashion the internal contour of a tube member of an implantation instr~ment for subsequent implantation of the lens, releasing the folded lens from the support surface, and pressing the folded lens by means of an insertion member into the interior of a said tube member.
According to the present invention,for carrying out the method of the invention, there is also provided apparatus for folding a resilient intraocular lens comprising a support surface for supporting the lens to be folded, a Iens holding means for holding the lens on the support surface, first and second feed pressing members which have faces facing towards each other frGm opposite sides of the support surface and which are synchronously movable in mutually opposite relationship to a position of being brought together at which said faces thereof which are in contact with the lens on the support surface fold same to reproduce in a slightly reduced fashion the internal contour of a tube member of an 20~722~
implantation instrument for subsequent implantation of the lens, and an insertion press member movable to inser-t the folded lens into the interior of a said implanta-tion instrument tube member.
It will be seen by the following description of a preferred Eorm oE
the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention that the intraocular lens is folded in a defined and regular fashion, possibly using mechanical means while nonetheless ensuring that the lens is handled in a careful fashion and is folded in a specifically defined manner so that it can be exactly positioned in a lens implantation instrument. The apparatus components co-operate with ech other and with the text to afford controlled folding of the lens in a positively defined and careful fashion, and then to cause the folded lens to be carefully inserted into the receiving tube member of the implantation instrument.
As will further be seen in greater detail hereinafter with reference to a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the feed pressing members have end faces which face towards and are adapted to co-operate with the intraocular lens edge, being of a concavely rounded configuration so that their shape approximately corresponds to the internal ~0 contour of the tube member of the implantation mstr~ment.
Prior to the folding operation being effected, the tube member is secured to the folding apparatus by a suitable clamping device, with the tube member being disposed in orthogonal relationship to the movement of the two feed pressing members. The configuration of the end faces of the , . . .. ,~ . , - .: ~ : , ` 2~57228 feed pressing mernbers which rnove towards each other and thus towards the intraocular lens to be folded causes the haptic of the intraocular lens to rnove along the concave configurations of the end faces of the feed pressing rnernbers, thus beginning the operation of folding the intraocular 5 lens on to itself . In the final posi tion of the feed pressing mernbers, that is to say when the lens folding operation is concluded, the lens support surface and the end faces of the feed pressing rnernbers reproduce the internal contour of the tube rr~ber, on a slightly srnaller scale, so that the intraocular lens which is now in a folded condition can be 10 pushed into the interior of the tube rr~nber of the implantation instrunent, by means of an insertion rnernber, in a direction which is perpendicular to the folded cross-section of the lens.
In a preferred feature of the invention the support surface of the apparatus is recessed in a conical configuration in the region on which 15 the optical part of the intraocular lens is supported, with the depth of the conical recess being for example about 0 . 3 mn. That improves positioning of the lens, in conjunction with the fixing means. The fixing means can be a mechanical fixing means ~n the form of a hold-down means for holding the intraocular lens down against the fixing surface, the 20 hold-down means being movable towards the support surface to hold the lens thereagain3t. The hold-down means prevents the optical part of the lens fran lifting when the feed pressing members move towards each other to engage the lens. It i5 also possible however to use pneumatic fixing means with which the intraocular lens is held against the lens support 25 surface by a slight suction effect. Prior to the folded intraocular lens being inserted into the interior of the tube member of the implantation instrument, the operative effect of the fixing means is removed by withdrawal of the mechanical hold-down means or by switching of f the suction effect.
Preferably, a mechanical abutment means is provided for limiting the movement of a mechanical hold-down means so that the hold-down means is stopped in a position in which it bears against the optical part of :. , , . :
, ' , . . ~ ----` 2~72~8 the intraocular lens practically without applying a force thereto. The abutment means is preferably adjustable in dependence on the thickness of the respective lens being folded. As indicated the function of the hold-down means is to prevent the optical part of the lens from lifting off the support surface in the folding operation.
Depending on the shape of the internal contour of the tube member of the implantation instr~ment, the final shape of the intraocular lens in the folded condition may be from round to that of a flat ellipse.
The folding operation in the method according to the invention ensures that the intraocular lens is handled in an extremely careful fashion as bending of the resilient material thereof occurs for the major part in the non-optical portion of the lens and the transitional radii forming the bent conflguration of the lens in the folded condition are relatively generous.
Preferably, the folding apparatu according to the invention is used when inserting a folded intraocular lens into an implantation instrument as is described in German patent application No P 40 30 492.2 (patent No ) to which reference is hereby directed as incorporation thereof.
The use of a sterile liquid which provides for a better sliding movement of the lens in the folding operation and when it is inserted into the interior of the tube member of the implantation instrument is desirable, The method according to the invention and the apparatus according to the invention for carrying out the method can be used for folding many different intraocular lenses into a defined shape. As a result it is possible for the lenses always to be adapted to the cross-sectional size and configuration of the interior of the tube member o the implantation tool, into which they are to be inserted. That uniformity of folding and insertion ensures that the intraocular lens always exhibits the same unfolding behaviour and characteristics when being inserted into the eye in the course of surgical intervention.
20~7228 A method and apparatus according to the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of a par-t of a pxeferred embodiment o:f an apparatus according to the invention, with an inserted intraocular lens in a non-folded condition therein, Figure 2 is a front view of the part of the structure shown in Figure l, and Figure 3 shows the same view as that shown in Figure 2, after the folding operation has been concluded.
Referring firstly to Figures l and 2, shown therein is a part of an apparatus for carrying out a method according to the invention for folding a resilient intraocular lens. Reference numeral 3 in Figures l and 2 sho~s a support member having a support surface for supporting an intraocular lens which is indicated at 7. After the intraocular lens 7 has been fitted into position in the apparatus, resting on the support surface of the support m~mber 3, a lens fixing member in the form of a hold-down member diagrammatically indicated at 1 is moved downwardly until it is stopped in its downward movement by reaching a mechanical a~utment indicated at 12 in Figure 2. When the hold-down mem~er 1 is in that position, it lies on the optical part of the lens which is indicated at 9 in Figure l, practically without applying a force thereto. When the lens is held in that position, first and second feed pressing members which are shown at reference 2 in Figure 2 and which are movable synchronously in opposite relationship to each other then move towards each other and thus towards the lens 7 which is disposed therebetween. It will be seen from Figure 2 that the end faces of the feed pressing members 2 which face towards the intraocular lens 7 are of a concavely rounded configuration so that their shape approximately corresponds to the inside contour of a tube member as indicated at 4 in Figure 1 of an '. ' '. " ' ~ ~ ', ': -2~57228 implantation instrument. It will be noted at this point that the tube member 4 is fixed to the lens folding apparatus by a clamping device indicated at 6 in Figure 1, prior to the lens folding operation beginning. The tube member 4 is disposed in orthogonal relationship to the feed movement of the feed pressing members 2. When the end faces of the feed pressing members 2 come into contact with the haptic as indicated at lO of the intraocular lens 7, the rounded configuration of the end faces of the feed pressing members 2 means that the haptic is bent or curved thereagainst and moves along the concavely rounded end faces, so that the lens folding operation then begins. The hold-down member l prevents the optical part of the lens 9 from lifting off the support surface 3, during the folding operation.
After termination of the movement of the feed pressing members 2 towards each other, the end faces thereof and the support surface 3 `co-operate to define a contour which corresponds to the contour of theinterior of the tube member 4 of the implantation instr~ment, while however being slightly smaller than same, as shown by the broken-line view in Figure 3 wherein the broken line indicates the configuration of the tube member 4 of the implantation instrument. In this embodiment the internal contour of the tube member 4 is of an oval shape but it is also possible to use an approximately circular contour.
Looking now at Figures 2 and 3 the feed pressing members 2 have recesses 13 and 14 whlch are matched to the cross-section of the hold-down member l. For the purposes of effecting the lens folding operation, it is advantageous for the cross-section of the hold-down member l to be elongate, more specifically being elongate in the direction indicated at E in Figure l in which the folded lens is to be inserted into the tube member 4 of the implantation instrument, that is to say, elongate perpendicularly to the folding direction visible in Figures 2 and 3.
After termination of the lens folding operation, an insertion pressing member 5 whose direction of movement is in orthogonal relationship to the movement of the feed pressing members 2 is moved 20~7~28 towards the folded intraocular lens a indicated at 8 in Figure 3, and the folded lens is thus inserted into the interior of the tube member 4 of the implantation tool. It will be seen therefore that the lens i~
inserted mto the tube member 3 in a direction which is perpendicular to its folded cross-section.
As noted above, prior to the beginning of the lens folding operation, the tube member 4 of the implantation instrument is secured to the lens folding apparatus by the clamping device 6 in such a way that the internal contour of the tube member 4 is aligned with an ejection passage formed by the co-operation of the rounded end faces of the two feed pressing members 2. In that way the folded lens 8 can be pushed into the interior of the tube member 4 of the implantation instrument by the insertion pressing member 5, without the lens suffering damage in that operation. Therefore, the lenses 8 which are always folded in a unifonm fashion by operation of the above-described apparatus are always positioned in the same defined position in the tube member 4 of the implantation tool.
The above-described apparatus can be further improved in a simple fashion by the support surface 3 for supporting the optical part of the lens 9 ha~ing a conical recess of a depth of for example about 0.3 mm. In that way the lens can be positioned in a better defined fashion.
Furthermore, the recess, in conjunction with the hold-down member 1, can provide that the haptic 10 of the lens is lifted slightly away from the support surface 3, thus providing an improved preliminary bent configuration to enable the actual lens folding procedure to be initiated more readily. The same effect can also be achieved when using a lens fixing device which operates on the basis of a suction effect for holding ; the lens against the support surface 3.
So that the hold-down member 1 bears as far as possible practically without applying a force against the intraocular lens to be folded, the hold-down member 1 comes to bear against an abutment 12 when the hold-, .
` 20~7228 down ~mber 1 is in its position of beir,lg applied to the intraoculælens. In the illustrated ernbodirnent, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the abutrnent 12 is forrned by a screw nut 16 which can be displac~d on the hold-down rnember 1. The screw nut 16 co-operates with a main plate rn~r 5 15 of the folding apparatus, thereby to for,rn the abutrnent as indicated at 12, as shown in Figure 2. The screw nut 16 is adju~ted on the hold-down rn~r~er 1, depending on the thickness of the respective intraocular lens 7 to be folded, thereby to ensure that, even when dealing with lenses of different thicknesses, the hold-down rnember 1 bears against the lens 7 to 10 be folded practically without applying a force thereto.
It will be appreciated that the above-described rnethod and apparatus have been set forth solely by way of exa~le and illustration of the present invention and that various other rnodifications and alterations rnay be made therein without departing frorn the scope of the 15 invention.
: ~ : . . : : ,: . ~ , :
Claims (9)
1. A method of folding a resilient intraocular lens comprising holding the intraocular lens on a support surface, folding the lens by means of first and second feed pressing members which are moved synchronously towards each other in such a way that the lens reproduces in a slightly reduced fashion the internal contour of a tube member of an implantation instrument for subsequent implantation of the lens, releasing the folded lens from the support surface, and pressing the folded lens by means of an insertion member into the interior of a said tube member.
2. Apparatus for folding a resilient intraocular lens comprising a support surface for supporting the lens to be folded, a lens holding means for holding the lens on the support surface, first and second feed pressing members which have faces facing towards each other from opposite sides of the support surface and which are synchronously movable in mutually opposite relationship to a position of being brought together at which said faces thereof which are in contact with the lens on the support surface fold same to reproduce in a slightly reduced fashion the internal contour of a tube member of an implantation instrument for subsequent implantation of the lens, and an insertion press member movable to insert the folded lens into the interior of a said implantation instrument tube member.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said support surface is recessed in a conical configuration to receive the lens to be folded.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lens holding means is a hold-down member movable towards said support surface to hold the lens thereon.
5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lens holding means is a means for producing a reduced pressure operable to draw the lens against the support surface.
6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 and further including an abutment means for defining the lens holding position of the hold-down member, in which position the hold-down member contacts the lens practically without applying a force thereto.
7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said hold-down member is of an elongate cross-section in the direction of movement of said insertion member.
8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the direction of movement of the insertion member is at least substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the pressing members.
9. A method of folding a resilient intraocular lens and inserting same into a tube member of a lens implantation instrument, comprising:
holding the lens on a support surface in an at least substantially planar condition; applying forces to said lens at respective oppositely disposed sides thereof, thereby to cause said sides to move towards each other by bending of said lens out of said planar condition, the lens being folded to a configuration which at least substantially reproduces the internal configuration of said implantation instrument tube member while being slightly smaller than said internal configuration of said tube member;
releasing the folded lens from the support surface; and moving the lens in the folded condition into the interior of said tube member.
holding the lens on a support surface in an at least substantially planar condition; applying forces to said lens at respective oppositely disposed sides thereof, thereby to cause said sides to move towards each other by bending of said lens out of said planar condition, the lens being folded to a configuration which at least substantially reproduces the internal configuration of said implantation instrument tube member while being slightly smaller than said internal configuration of said tube member;
releasing the folded lens from the support surface; and moving the lens in the folded condition into the interior of said tube member.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP4108303.2 | 1991-03-14 | ||
| DE4108303A DE4108303C2 (en) | 1991-03-14 | 1991-03-14 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INSERTING A RUBBER-ELASTIC INTRAOCULAR LENS IN AN IMPLANTATION TOOL |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2057228A1 true CA2057228A1 (en) | 1992-09-15 |
Family
ID=6427292
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002057228A Abandoned CA2057228A1 (en) | 1991-03-14 | 1991-12-06 | Method and apparatus for filing a resilient intraocular lens |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5190553A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0503136B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0556993A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2057228A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4108303C2 (en) |
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| US5304182A (en) * | 1992-09-23 | 1994-04-19 | Kabi Pharmacia Ophthalmics, Inc. | Apparatus and method for curling and inserting flexible intraocular lenses |
| US5281227A (en) * | 1992-11-09 | 1994-01-25 | Allergan, Inc. | Lens case with IOL folding device |
| WO1994010949A1 (en) * | 1992-11-10 | 1994-05-26 | Joseph Devenuto | Method and apparatus for inserting an intraocular lens |
| US5571112A (en) * | 1992-11-10 | 1996-11-05 | Joseph DeVenuto | Method and apparatus for inserting an intraocular lens |
| US5549614A (en) * | 1993-03-18 | 1996-08-27 | Tunis; Scott W. | Apparatus for folding flexible intraocular lenses |
| US5290293A (en) * | 1993-06-21 | 1994-03-01 | Alcon Surgical, Inc. | Intraocular lens folder |
| US5425734A (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1995-06-20 | Iovision, Inc. | Intraocular lens injector |
| US5468246A (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1995-11-21 | Iovision, Inc. | Intraocular lens injector |
| WO1995021594A1 (en) * | 1994-02-09 | 1995-08-17 | Kabi Pharmacia Ophthalmics, Inc. | Rapid implantation of shape transformable optical lenses |
| US5454818A (en) * | 1994-07-26 | 1995-10-03 | Alcon Laboratories, Inc. | Intraocular lens folder |
| US5585049A (en) * | 1994-09-02 | 1996-12-17 | Allergan | Method for forming fixation members after optic attachment |
| ATE245012T1 (en) * | 1994-11-18 | 2003-08-15 | Vladimir Feingold | DISPOSABLE INTRAOCULAR LENS INTRODUCTION SYSTEM |
| US5556400A (en) * | 1994-12-27 | 1996-09-17 | Tunis; Scott W. | Methods of preparing and inserting flexible intraocular lenses and a configuration for flexible intraocular lenses |
| DE19538951C2 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1998-04-30 | Detlef H Dr Holzwig | Device for spreading an eye iris |
| US5693057A (en) * | 1995-10-27 | 1997-12-02 | Dusek; Vaclav | Instrument for implanting foldable intraocular lenses |
| FR2747564B1 (en) * | 1996-04-22 | 1999-01-29 | W K Et Associes | PACKAGING FOR FOLDING INTRAOCULAR IMPLANTS |
| US5711317A (en) * | 1996-07-17 | 1998-01-27 | Henry H. McDonald | Multiple folding of optical lens unit and placement in the eye |
| WO1999021513A1 (en) | 1997-10-24 | 1999-05-06 | Tekia, Inc. | Ophthalmologic insertor apparatus and methods of use |
| US6605093B1 (en) | 1997-10-24 | 2003-08-12 | Tekia, Inc. | Device and method for use with an ophthalmologic insertor apparatus |
| DE19904220C2 (en) | 1999-02-03 | 2001-08-30 | Helmut Binder | Injector for folding and inserting an intraocular lens, and containers for storing and transporting the injector |
| US6858040B2 (en) | 2001-01-25 | 2005-02-22 | Visiogen, Inc. | Hydraulic configuration for intraocular lens system |
| US6884261B2 (en) * | 2001-01-25 | 2005-04-26 | Visiogen, Inc. | Method of preparing an intraocular lens for implantation |
| FR2833154B1 (en) | 2001-12-12 | 2004-11-19 | Ioltechnologie Production | CASSETTE AND FLEXIBLE INTRAOCULAR LENS INJECTOR AND METHOD FOR INJECTING SUCH LENSES |
| US7615056B2 (en) * | 2003-02-14 | 2009-11-10 | Visiogen, Inc. | Method and device for compacting an intraocular lens |
| US7645300B2 (en) * | 2004-02-02 | 2010-01-12 | Visiogen, Inc. | Injector for intraocular lens system |
| JP2007523706A (en) * | 2004-02-27 | 2007-08-23 | アドヴァンスド ビジョン サイエンス， インコーポレイテッド | Deformable intraocular lens insertion device |
| ATE428375T1 (en) * | 2004-02-27 | 2009-05-15 | Advanced Vision Science Inc | LENS HOLDER FOR A DEVICE FOR INSERTING DEFORMABLE INTRAOCULAR LENSES |
| US8377123B2 (en) * | 2004-11-10 | 2013-02-19 | Visiogen, Inc. | Method of implanting an intraocular lens |
| WO2006070628A1 (en) * | 2004-12-27 | 2006-07-06 | Hoya Corporation | Intraocular lens implanting device |
| US8545512B2 (en) | 2005-01-26 | 2013-10-01 | Hoya Corporation | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| JP4836046B2 (en) | 2005-02-24 | 2011-12-14 | Ｈｏｙａ株式会社 | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| US8574239B2 (en) * | 2005-09-28 | 2013-11-05 | Hoya Corporation | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| JP4877643B2 (en) | 2005-12-08 | 2012-02-15 | Ｈｏｙａ株式会社 | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| US8403984B2 (en) | 2006-11-29 | 2013-03-26 | Visiogen, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for compacting an intraocular lens |
| EP2161005B1 (en) | 2007-05-30 | 2016-12-28 | Hoya Corporation | Intraocular lens inserting tool |
| JP5236637B2 (en) | 2007-05-30 | 2013-07-17 | Ｈｏｙａ株式会社 | Intraocular lens insertion device and intraocular lens insertion device |
| JP5086713B2 (en) * | 2007-07-11 | 2012-11-28 | Ｈｏｙａ株式会社 | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| US8425595B2 (en) | 2008-03-12 | 2013-04-23 | Visiogen, Inc. | Method for inserting an intraocular lens |
| JP5254669B2 (en) * | 2008-06-05 | 2013-08-07 | Ｈｏｙａ株式会社 | Intraocular lens insertion device and cartridge |
| JP5470753B2 (en) * | 2008-06-17 | 2014-04-16 | Ｈｏｙａ株式会社 | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| JP5323420B2 (en) | 2008-08-21 | 2013-10-23 | Ｈｏｙａ株式会社 | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| JP5416379B2 (en) | 2008-09-04 | 2014-02-12 | Ｈｏｙａ株式会社 | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| CN102307543B (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2015-10-21 | Hoya株式会社 | Intraocular lens inserting instrument |
| US9326847B2 (en) | 2010-04-08 | 2016-05-03 | Hoya Corporation | Ocular implant insertion apparatus and methods |
| JP5511530B2 (en) | 2010-06-10 | 2014-06-04 | Ｈｏｙａ株式会社 | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| ES2666857T3 (en) | 2011-07-18 | 2018-05-08 | Mor-Research Applications Ltd. | A device to adjust intraocular pressure |
| JP6646987B2 (en) | 2015-09-16 | 2020-02-14 | Hoya株式会社 | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| CN107920891A (en) | 2015-09-16 | 2018-04-17 | Hoya株式会社 | Intraocular lens inserting instrument |
| KR102431211B1 (en) | 2016-06-28 | 2022-08-09 | 호야 가부시키가이샤 | Intraocular lens injector |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4573998A (en) * | 1982-02-05 | 1986-03-04 | Staar Surgical Co. | Methods for implantation of deformable intraocular lenses |
| US4681102A (en) * | 1985-09-11 | 1987-07-21 | Bartell Michael T | Apparatus and method for insertion of an intra-ocular lens |
| US4919130A (en) * | 1986-11-07 | 1990-04-24 | Nestle S.A. | Tool for inserting compressible intraocular lenses into the eye and method |
| CH675828A5 (en) * | 1988-05-03 | 1990-11-15 | Arcofil Sa | |
| US4976716A (en) * | 1989-01-23 | 1990-12-11 | Cumming J Stuart | Intraocular lens insertion device |
| DE4039119C1 (en) * | 1990-12-07 | 1991-09-05 | Dieter Dr.Med. 8904 Friedberg De Klaas |
-
1991
- 1991-03-14 DE DE4108303A patent/DE4108303C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-10-11 EP EP91117406A patent/EP0503136B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-12-04 JP JP3320649A patent/JPH0556993A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1991-12-06 CA CA002057228A patent/CA2057228A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1992
- 1992-02-06 US US07/831,841 patent/US5190553A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE4108303A1 (en) | 1992-09-24 |
| EP0503136A1 (en) | 1992-09-16 |
| EP0503136B1 (en) | 1996-03-20 |
| US5190553A (en) | 1993-03-02 |
| JPH0556993A (en) | 1993-03-09 |
| DE4108303C2 (en) | 1993-11-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |