Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title of the Invention
DEFORMABLE INTRAOCULAR LENS WITH ANCHORED HAPTICS
Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a deformable intraocular lens, and a
method of anchoring the deformable intraocular lens.
Background of the Invention
The deformable intraocular lens was invented and developed by Dr. Thomas
R. Mazzocco. Dr. Thomas R. Mazzocco with others, began STAAR Surgical
Company, Inc. of Monrovia, California. Today, STAAR Surgical Company, Inc.
is one of the leading manufacturers of deformable intraocular lens in the
United
States.
Deformable intraocular lenses are made of a variety of material, including
silicon, hydrogel and collagen-based materials. Deformable intraocular lenses
come
in two basic designs, including 1) a three-piece lens (e.g., elastomeric lens
manufactured by STAAR Surgical Company, Inc.), and 2) a plate-type haptic
lens.
The present invention is directed to a three-piece-type lens. However, the
present
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invention is also applicable to other designs of deformable intraocular lens
having
one or more haptic portions anchored into a lens portion. The term "anchored"
defines the manner of connection between a connecting end of the haptic
portion
and the lens portion.
The anchoring of a haptic portion to a lens portion is particularly important
with regard to ensuring that the deformable intraocular lens remains assembled
during insertion, implantation, and throughout its life in the eye.
The haptic portion of a three-piece-type deformable intraocular lens can be
made from a variety of biocompatible materials. For example, the haptic
portion
can be made of polyurethane, polypropylene (e. g. , PROLENE), polyiimide,
,polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or other biocompatible suitable material. The
present invention is particularly suitable with a resilient haptic portion
(e.g., made
of resilient material such as polyiimide and/or having a resilient design.)
The
resilient nature of the design and/or material making up the haptic portion is
important with respect to securely anchoring a connecting end portion of the
haptic
portion in the lens portion.
There exist a number of suitable methods for securely anchoring haptics in
silicon and hydrogel type deformable intraocular lens. However, securely
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connecting a haptic portion to a collagen containing polymer material (e. g. ,
Collamer) has been a recent challenge.
Summary of the Invention
A first object of the present invention is to provide an improved deformable
intraocular lens.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an improved
connection between a haptic portion and lens portion of a deformable
intraocular
lens.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an improved connection
between a resilient haptic portion and lens portion of a deformable
intraocular lens.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a deformable
intraocular lens, including a lens portion having an anchoring hole configured
to
accommodate and interlock with a connecting end of a haptic portion.
A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a deformable intraocular
lens, including a resilient haptic portion connected to a resilient lens
portion.
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A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a deformable intraocular
lens, including a haptic portion having a connecting end portion connected to
a
resilient lens portion, the connecting end portion being under resilient
tension and a
connecting portion of the lens portion being under resilient compression when
assembled together.
A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a deformable
intraocular lens, including a resilient haptic portion connected to a
resilient lens
portion, the resilient haptic portion including a connecting end portion
including a
stop portion and barb portion for anchoring the connecting end portion within
a hole
in the lens portion.
The present invention relates to a deformable intraocular lens. The
deformable intraocular lens according to the present invention includes a
haptic
portion and lens portion. Preferably, both the haptic portion and lens portion
are
made of resilient materials. For example, the haptic portion can be made of
polyurethane, polypropylene, polyiimide, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or
other suitable biocompatible material and the lens portion are made of
silicone
elastomer, hydrogel polymer, collagen containing polymer material (e.g.,
"Collamer," manufactured by STAAR SURGICAL AG of SWITZERLAND),
organic or synthetic gel compounds, polyurethane elastomer, or other suitable
biocompatible material. The present invention is directed to the configuration
of the
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connection between the haptic portion and lens portion for suitably anchoring
the
haptic portion to the lens portion.
An important goal of the present invention is to provide a very secure
connection between the haptic portion and lens portion of a deformable
intraocular
lens so that the deformable intraocular lens can be inserted through a small
incision
in a rolled, folded and/or compressed state, implanted in the eye, and then
remain
securely assembled together throughout the life of the deformable intraocular
lens
within the eye. The present invention is particularly suitable with a
resilient haptic
portion and a resilient lens portion connected together. The present invention
is
more preferable with a resilient haptic portion and a resilient lens portion
made of a
collagen containing resilient polymer material such as "Collamer" manufactured
by
STAAR SURGICAL AG of SWITZERLAND.
An important aspect of the present invention is providing a type of
connection between the haptic portion and lens portion that places connection
areas
of the lens portion under compression (i. e. , prestressed). Specifically, the
haptic
portion is configured to be placed under tension when connected to the lens
portion,
which'in turn places the connection areas of the lens portion under
compression.
This type of connection provides a very secure and durable type of connection
and
prevents tearing (i. e. , shear) of the material of the lens portion. A
particular
embodiment utilizes the combination of a stop portion and barb portion for
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cooperating with a hole made in the lens portion. Specifically, the stop
portion is
configured to cooperate with an outer surface area surrounding an opening
leading
into the hole of the lens portion, and the barb portion is configured to
cooperate
with an indentation in the hole of the lens portion.
The stop portion can take on many different shapes and sizes, and can
engage with one or more different outer surface portions at, adjacent, near,
or in the
vicinity of the entrance or opening into the hole in the lens portion. The
stop
portion can be entirely external to the lens portion, can be partially located
inside
the lens portion, or can be configured to be located internal of the lens
portion
(e.g., hole and concentric countersunk hole). The barb portion is preferably
located
and configured to be located within the hole in the lens portion, however, can
be
partially located internal and external, or even completely external at an
opposite
end of the hole in the lens portion. The barb portion is preferably configured
to
cooperate with an indentation or catch or stop located within the hole in the
lens
portion. A preferred indentation is another separate hole drilled at an angle
(e.g.,
preferably reverse angle) relative to the first hole in the lens portion. This
configuration allows the barb portion to securely hook into the second hole
providing a strong and durable connection between the haptic portion and lens
portion.
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The hole in the lens portion can be circular, square, rectangular, triangular,
oval, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, star-shaped or any other suitable
shape. The cross-section of the connecting end portion of the haptic portion
can
have a matching cross-sectional shape to the shape of the hole in the lens
portion, or
can be different therefrom. The connecting end portion of the haptic portion
can be
undersized, of equal size, or oversized with respect to the dimensions of the
hole in
the lens portion. Further, the connecting end portion of the haptic portion
can be
also adhesively connected, heat welded, ultrasonically welded, fused, or
secured in
some other manner in addition to mechanical fastening.
In one preferred embodiment, the haptic portions are made from a flat sheet
of polyacrylamide material, and made by a chemical etching and masking
process.
Thus, haptic portions made in this manner, tend to have a square or
rectangular
cross-sectional shape. The holes in the lens portion can be drilled (i. e. ,
round).
The connecting end portions of the haptic portions are designed so that they
can be
threaded into a hole in the lens portion, and pulled through the hole until
the stop
portion engages with the lens portion, and continued to be pulled until the
barb
portion fastens into the other hole portion in the lens portion. The lead end
of the
haptic portion is then released and cut with a razor blade. The section of
haptic
portion between the stop portion and barb portion is thus under tension after
assembly.
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A method of anchoring a deformable intraocular lens according to the
present invention includes the following steps: making the haptic portion,
making
the lens portion, making a hole in the lens portion, and assembling the haptic
portion to the lens portion. The step of making the haptic portion preferably
includes making both a stop portion and barb portion on a connecting end
portion of
the haptic portion. The haptic portion can be made from a flat sheet of
material, cut
or chemically etched to provide a profile shape of the haptic portion made
from the
sheet material. The lens portion can be molded or machined (e. g. , numerical
lathe)
depending on the material. In the use of "Collamer" , a button of material in
a dry
state is machined with a numerical lathe to provide the prescription profile
and
connecting flange portions to cooperate with the haptic portions. Two separate
holes are drilled from different angles to provide the anchoring hole of the
lens
portion for each haptic portion. The first hole portion is drilled a
predetermined
length and then a second hole portion is drilled at an angle relative to the
first hole
portion and over drilled to extend past a wall of the first hole portion. The
hole in
the lens portion can be provided by other methods including other machining
processes, laser, heat, cutting, etc.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a deformable intraocular lens according to
the present invention.
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Figure 2 is a top planar view of the deformable intraocular lens shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a long side-edge view of the deformable intraocular lens shown
in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a short side-edge view of a deformable intraocular lens shown in
Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the deformable intraocular lens
indicated in Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a detailed broken-away top planar view of a connecting portion
of the deformable intraocular lens shown in Figure 2, showing the detail of
the
anchoring hole configuration.
Figure 7 is a detailed top planar view of a haptic portion in a configuration
when anchored in the connection portion of the lens portion.
Figure 8 is a detailed top planar view of a connecting end portion of the
haptic portion showing the stop and barb, prior to insertion in a hole through
a
connecting portion of the lens portion.
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Figure 9 is a broken-away detailed top planar view of a connecting portion
of a lens portion showing a first hole drilled in the connection portion.
Figure 10 is a broken-away detailed top planar view of the connecting
portion of the lens portion shown in Figure 9. However, with a second hole
drilled
at a reversed angle relative to the first hole to provide an indentation for
cooperating
with a barb portion of the haptic portion.
Figure 11 is a top planar view of a portion of the haptic portion prior to
assembly showing the stop portion and barb portion.
Figure 12 is a broken-away detailed top planar view of a connecting portion
of a lens portion with a haptic portion installed within the connecting
portion of the
lens portion just after assembly and prior to trimming a very end portion of
the
haptic portion.
Figure 13 is a broken-away detailed top planar view of the configuration
shown in Figure 12, however, after trimming an end portion of the haptic
portion.
Figure 14 is a detailed lens thickness, cross-sectional view as indicated in
Figure 13.
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Figure 15 is a detailed lens thickness, cross-sectional view as indicated in
Figure 13.
Figure 16 is a top planar view of a second embodiment of a deformable
intraocular lens, according to the present invention.
Figure 17 is a broken-away detailed top planar view of a connecting portion
of a lens portion with a haptic portion installed within the connecting
portion of the
lens portion of the deformable intraocular lens shown in Figure 16.
Figure 18 is a broken-away top planar view of a portion of the haptic portion
in a configuration when installed on the lens portion of the deformable
intraocular
lens as shown in Figures 16 and 17.
Figure 19 is a broken-away detailed top planar view of the connecting
portion prior to assembly and trimming.
Figure 20 is a top planar view of the third embodiment of a deformable
intraocular lens, according to the present invention.
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Figure 21 is a broken-away detailed top planar view of a connecting portion
of a lens portion with a haptic portion installed within the connecting
portion of the
lens portion of the deformable intraocular lens shown in Figure 16.
Figure 22 is a broken-away top planar view of a portion of the haptic portion
in a configuration when installed on the lens portion of the deformable
intraocular
lens as shown in Figures 16 and 17.
Figure 23 is a broken-away detailed top planar view of the connecting
portion prior to assembly and trimming.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
The characteristics and features of a deformable intraocular lens according to
the present invention are shown and described in U.S. Patents 4,573,998,
4,702,244, and 5,776,191 to Dr. Thomas R. Mazzocco, incorporated herein by
reference. The deformable intraocular lens according to the present invention
is
configured to be inserted through a small incision in the eye, preferably
under 3
mm, more preferably under 2-'h mm, most preferably under 2 mm. The
deformable
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intraocular lens according to the present invention can be inserted by
forceps, or
more preferably by a lens injecting device as taught by U.S. Patent Nos.
5,312,414,
5,494,484, and 5,499,987 to Vladimir Feingold, incorporated herein by
reference.
The present invention is particularly suitable for three-piece-type deformable
intraocular lens, including a lens porkion and two separate loop-type haptic
portions
anchored into the lens portion. The haptic portions are preferably made of
resilient
material, for example, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyiimide, polymethyl
methacrylate (PMMA), or other suitable biocompatible material. The lens
portion
is preferably made of a resilient material, including silicone elastomer,
hydrogel
polymer, collagen containing polymer material (e.g., Collamer), organic or
synthetic gel compounds, polyurethane elastomer, or other suitable
biocompatible
material. A preferred embodiment according to the present invention utilizes
haptic
portions made from polyiimide sheet material in combination with a collagen
containing polymer lens material (e.g., "Collamer"). The "Collamer" material
is
disclosed in detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,654,349, 5,654,363, 5,654,388, and
5,661,218 to Vladimir Feingold and Alexi V. Osipov, incorporated herein by
reference.
A deformable intraocular lens 10, according to the present invention is
shown in Figure 1. The deformable intraocular lens 10 includes haptic portions
12
and lens portion 14. The haptic portions 12 are anchored in the lens portion
14.
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The anchoring process is such that the haptic portions 12 remain securely
anchored
in the lens portion during lens insertion, lens implantation, and throughout
the life
of the deformable intraocular lens 10 in the eye. The haptic portions 12 can
have
the shape and profile shown in Figure 2, however, other shapes and
configurations
of the haptic portions are possible. Other suitable haptic portions are shown
in U.S.
Patent Nos. 4,573,998, 4,702,244, and 5,776,191 to Dr. Thomas R. Mazzocco,
incorporated herein by reference.
The deformable intraocular lens can be designed for placement in the
anterior chamber and/or posterior chamber (e.g., capsular bag). In addition,
the
deformable intraocular lens can be a phakic refractive lens or "prl" (e.g.,
"ICL"
manufactured by STAAR Surgical Company, Inc. of Monrovia, California.) The
"IOL" can be a conventional "IOL", toric "IOL", mufti-focal IOL, etc.
The lens portion 14 is provided with a pair of connecting portions 16. The
lens portion 14 with connecting portions 16 can be made by molding (e.g.,
compression molding) and/or machining in the use of "Collamer" material
manufactured by STAAR SURGICAL AG of SWITZERLAND. Specifically, a
button of "Collamer" can be machined on a numerical lathe to provide the
proper
lens profile for a prescription, and the connecting portion 16 can also be
machined
from the same piece of material.
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The haptics 12 shown are C-shaped, however, other suitable haptic designs
can be substituted for the ones shown. For example, the lens portion can be
provided with four connecting portions located at corners of the lens portion
and the
haptics can be full loops anchored at both ends to a pair of the connecting
portions.
Alternatively, the haptic can be a ring connected to the lens portion (e.g.,
by
bridging haptic portions).
The connecting portion 16, shown in Figure 6 is provided with a first hole
18 extending into a second hole 20. Specifically, the second hole 20 is
provided at
a reversed angle relative to the first hole 18. This configuration provides an
indentation 20a for cooperating with a hook or barb portion 22 of the
connecting
end of the haptic portion 12. The configuration of the connecting end portion
of the
haptic portion 12, once assembled in the first hole and second hole in the
connecting
portion 16 of the lens portion is shown in Figure 7. The connecting end
portion of
the haptic poztion 12 is also provided with a stop portion 24. The stop
portion can
be integral with the haptic portion 12, or can be a separate piece. For
example, the
stop portion 24 can be a length of the haptic portion 12 having an increased
diameter. The connecting end portion of the haptic portion 12, prior to
assembly
with the connecting portion 16 of the lens portion is shown in Figure 8.
The haptic portion 12 is provided with a removable extension end portion 26
utilized to facilitate assembly with the connecting portion 16 of the lens
portion. It
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is to be noted that the extended end portion 26 is aligned with a haptic
portion
located on an opposite side of the stop 24 as shown in Figure 8, prior to
assembly,
and becomes bent adjacent to the barb 22 when assembled, as shown in Figure 7.
The extended end portion 26 is threaded into the first hole 18 of the
connecting
portion 16 of the lens portion and then exits through the second hole 20 when
further inserted. The final assembly involves pulling on the end of the
extended end
portion 26 and pulling until the barb portion 22 extends past an edge of the
first
hole 18 so that the barb 22 will engage with the indentation 20 provided by
the
second hole 20, as shown in Figure 6.
Method of Anchoring an Intraocular Lens
The connecting portion 16 of the lens portion is provided with a first hole
18, as shown in Figure 9. In the use of "Collamer" material, the hole 18 is
provided by drilling a button of the "Collamer" material in a solid dry state
prior to
being wetted.
In the next step, a second hole 20 is provided at a reverse angle relative to
the first hole 18 as shown in Figure 10. The second hole 20 can also be
drilled in
the use of "Collamer" material in its solid dry state. The second hole 20 is
purposely drilled at a reverse angle relative to the first hole to provide an
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indentation 20a having a hook-type configuration to cooperate with a reverse
angle
barb portion 22 of the haptic portion 12.
Once the first hole 18 and second hole 20 are provided, the removable
extended end portion 26 of the haptic portion 12 is threaded into an opening
of the
first hole 18, as shown in Figure 10. The extended end portion 26 is threaded
all
the way into the first hole 18 until it contacts with an inclined wall of the
second
hole 20. The haptic portion 12 is further forced into the connecting portion
16, so
that the extended end portion 26 bends and exits out of the second hole 20, as
shown in Figure 12.
The extended end portion 26 is pulled so as to stretch a mid-portion 28 of
the haptic portion 12, located between the barb portion 22 and stop portion
24, as
shown in Figure 12. The extended end portion 26 is pulled so that the barb 22
extends past an end edge 18a (Fig. 10) of the first hole 18, and then released
so that
the barb portion 22 backs into the indentation 20a of the second hole 20. In
this
manner, the barb 22 becomes hooked into the reverse angle indentation 20a.
As shown in Figure 20, when the haptic portion 12 is assembled to the
connecting portion 16 of the lens portion, the mid-portion 28 is under tension
due to
the resilience and elastic property of the material of the haptic portion 12.
The
tensile force exerted on the mid-portion 28 by stretching creates an equal and
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opposite force on the barb portion 22 and stop portion 24 causing compression
of
zones of the connecting portion 16 located between the barb portion 22 and
stop
portion 24 and adjacent the first hole 18. This compressive-type of connection
provides an extremely strong type of connection capable of enduring forces
exerted
on the deformable intraocular lens on being inserted through a small incision,
implanting the lens in the eye, and throughout the life of the deformable
intraocular
lens within the eye.
Figure 14 shows a reduction in the cross-sectional dimensions of the mid-
portion 28 of the haptic portion 12 due to it being placed under tension. In
contrast,
a portion of the haptic portion 12, located in the second hole 20 as indicated
in 13 is
under a neutral load (i. e. , no tension or compression) as shown in Figure
15.
The haptic portion 12 and the connecting portion 16 of the lens portion 14
are configured to provide for a compressive-type connection. In the embodiment
shown, a minimum length dimension of the first hole 18 is indicated as D1, as
shown in Figure 10. The first hole 18 has a minimum length dimension and a
maximum length dimension, since a right end of the first hole 18 is angled due
to
the orientation of the second hole 20. The length of the mid-portion 28 of the
haptic portion 12 is shown in Figure 11 as D2. In the compressive-type of
connection, the dimension D2 is selected to be less than the dimension D1.
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Alternatively, the connection can be a neutral (i. e. , load D 1 is equal to
D2),
or even D2 can be greater than D 1 to purposely provide play in the connection
between the haptic portion 12 and connecting portion 16. However, preferably
D2
is less than D 1 to provide a compressive-type of connection between the
haptic
S portion 12 and lens portion 14.
Additional Embodiments
A second embodiment of a deformable intraocular lens 100, according to the
present invention is shown in Figures 16-19.
The deformable intraocular lens 100 includes haptic portions 112 and lens
portion 114. The haptic portions 112 are anchored in the lens portion 114. The
anchoring process is such that the haptic portions 12 remain securely anchored
in
the lens portion during lens insertion, lens implantation, and throughout the
life of
the deformable intraocular lens 100 in the eye.
The lens portion 114 is provided with a pair of connecting portions 116.
The lens portion 114 with connecting portions 116 can be made by molding
and/or
machining in the use of "Collamer" material manufactured by STAAR SURGICAL
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AG of SWITZERLAND. Specifically, a button of "Collamer" can be machined on
a numerical lathe to provide the proper lens profile for a prescription, and
the
connecting portions 116 can also be machined from the same piece of material.
The connecting portion 116, as shown in Figure 17 is provided with a first
hole 118 extending into a second hole 120. Specifically, the second hole 120
is
provided at a reversed angle relative to the first hole 118. This
configuration
provides an indentation for cooperating with a barb portion 122 of the
connecting
end of the haptic portion 112. The configuration of the connecting end portion
of
the haptic portion 112 once assembled in the first hole and second hole in the
connecting portion 116 of the lens portion, is shown in Figure 17. The
connecting
end portion of the haptic portion 112 is also provided with a stop portion
124. The
stop portion can be integral with the haptic portion 112, or can be a separate
piece.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, the haptic portions 112 are made from a
flat
sheet of material (e. g. , polyiimide) and are cut or etched from the flat
sheet of
material. Thus, the barb portion 122 and stop portion 124 are essentially two-
dimensional projections cut or etched from the flat sheet of material.
The haptic portion 112 is provided with a removable extension end portion
126, as shown in Figure 19, utilized to facilitate assembly with a connecting
portion
116 of the lens portion 114. The extended end portion 126 is threaded into the
first
hole 118 of the connecting portion 116 and then exits out an end of the first
hole
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118 when further inserted. The final assembly involves pulling on the end of
the
extended end portion 126 until the barb portion 122 extends past an edge of
the first
hole 118 so that the barb portion 122 will engage with the indentation
provided by
the second hole 120, shown in Figure 17.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, the hole 118 is set at an angle
relative to an edge surface 116a of the connecting portion 116. Further, the
first
hole 118 is also set at an angle with respect to an edge 116b of the
connecting
portion 116. The edges 116a and 116b are set at approximately a 90°-
angle relative
to each other. This differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 6 where the
first
hole 118 is set approximately perpendicular with respect to a first edge of
the
connecting portion 116. Furthermore, the first hole 118 extends all the way
through
the connecting portion 116a in the embodiment shown in Figure 17 as opposed to
only partially extending into the connecting portion 16 in the embodiment
shown in
Figure 6.
A further feature of the embodiment shown in Figures 16-19 is that the
second hole 120 extends toward the lens portion 114. Preferably, the second
hole
120 actually extends into the lens portion 114 to provide a stronger
connection,
since the lens portion 114 begins to widen from the outer peripheral edge
toward the
center thereof.
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Another feature is that the stop portion 124 is set at a reverse angle
relative
to the first hole 118 and provides a Z-shaped connecting end when viewing the
barb
portion 122, stop portion 124 and mid-portion 128, as shown in Figure 18. This
Z-
shaped connecting end configuration securely fastens the haptic portion 112,
and
prevents movement in either direction. Further, the length of the mid-portion
128
is preferably selected to be slightly less than the length of the first hole
118 to
provide a compressive connection with the connecting portion 116 once
assembled.
Once assembled, the connecting portion 116 is in a resilient tensile
prestressed
condition providing excellent anchoring qualities.
In the second embodiment shown in Figures 16-19, the deformable
intraocular lens 100 can be assembled by threading the extended end portion
126
into the first hole 118 until the extended end portion 126 exits the first
hole 118.
The extended end portion 126 is gripped and pulled so that the stop portion
124
engages with the edge portion 116a of the connecting portion 116. The extended
end portion 126 is further pulled so that the barb portion 122 extends past an
edge
of the first hole 118. The extended end portion 126 is then released to allow
the
barb portion 122 to enter into the second hole 120 and positively lock
therein.
Alternatively, an opposite end of the haptic portion 112 (i. e. , free-end) is
threaded in an opposite direction through the first hole 118 and pulled so
that the
stop portion 124 is pulled through the first hole 118. The free-end of the
haptic
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portion 112 is further pulled until the stop portion 124 exits from the first
hole and
grips on the outer edge 116a of the connecting portion 116 while the barb
portion
122 enters into the second hole 120 and becomes positively locked therein.
Thus,
the haptic portion 112 can be assembled to the connecting portion 116 from
either
direction in the embodiment shown in Figures 16-19.
A third embodiment of a deformable intraocular lens 200 is shown in
Figures 20-23.
The deformable intraocular lens 200 includes haptic portions 212 and lens
portion 214. The haptic portions 212 are anchored in the lens portion 214. The
anchoring process is such that the haptic portions 212 remain securely
anchored in
the lens portion during lens insertion, lens implantation, and throughout the
life of
the deformable intraocular lens 200 in the eye.
The lens portion 214 is provided with a pair of connecting portions 216.
The lens portion 214 with connecting portions 216 can be made by molding
and/or
machining in the use of "Collamer" material manufactured by STAAR SURGICAL
AG in SWITZERLAND. Specifically a button of "Collamer" can be machined on a
numerical lathe to provide the proper lens profile for a prescription, and the
connecting portions 216 can also be machined from the same piece of material.
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The connecting portion 216, shown in Figure 21, is provided with a first
hole 118 extending into a second hole 220. The second hole 220 has a greater
diameter relative to the first hole 218. The first hole 218 is aligned with
the second
hole 220. This configuration provides an indentation or inner reverse stop
220a for
cooperating with a barb portion 222 of the connecting end of the haptic
portion 212.
The configuration of the connecting end portion of the haptic portion 212 once
assembled in the first hole 218 and second hole 220 in the connecting portion
216 of
the lens 200, shown in Figure 21. The connecting end portion of the haptic
portion
212 is also provided with a stop portion 224. The stop portion 224 includes a
first
stop portion protrusion 224a and second stop portion protrusion 224b. Both of
these protrusions 224a and 224b cooperate and engage with an edge 216a of the
connecting portion 216, as shown in Figure 21.
During assembly, a free-end of the haptic portion 212 is threaded into the
second hole 220 and then forced into the first hole 218. Once the free-end of
the
haptic portion 212 exits the first hole 218, the free-end of the haptic
portion 212 is
pulled all the way through the first hole 218 and 220. The free-end of the
haptic
portion 212 is pulled until an edge 222a of the barb portion 222 engages with
the
inner edge 220a of the second hole 220. The free-end of the haptic portion 212
is
further pulled until the stop portion protrusions 224a and 224b exit out the
first hole
218 and engages with the outer edge 216a of the connecting portion 216. The
haptic portion 212 is provided with an extended end portion 226, as shown in
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WO 00/59407 PCT/US00/08511
Figure 23 prior to assembly. After assembly, the remaining portion of the
extended
end portion 226 extending out of the second hole 220 is trimmed flush with the
outer edge 216b of the connecting portion 216 to have the configuration shown
in
Figure 222. Thus, the third embodiment of the deformable intraocular lens 200,
according to the present invention is assembled by threading the haptic
portion in a
reverse direction versus the assembly of the haptic portion in the first
embodiment
of the deformable intraocular lens 10, as shown in Figures 1-15.
The mid portion 228 is preferably shorter in length relative to the first hole
218 to provide a compressive type of connection between the haptic portion 212
and
the connecting portion 216. Once assembled, the connecting end of the haptic
portion 216 is in a resilient tensile prestressed condition. Specifically, the
mid-
portion 228 is under resilient tension while a portion of the connecting
portion 216
surrounding the hole 218 is under resilient compression. This arrangement
provides
a very secure connection therebetween.
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