Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARATION OF AN INTRAOCULAR
LENS FOR SUBSEQUENT INSERTION INTO THE EYE OF A PATIENT
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Reference is made to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/070,958
filed
November 04, 2013 and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
PREPARATION AND INSERTION OF AN INTRAOCULAR LENS INTO THE EYE
OF A PATIENT", the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0002] Reference is also made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial
No.
62/031,255 filed July 31, 2014 and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
PREPARATION AND INSERTION OF AN INTRAOCULAR LENS INTO THE EYE
OF A PATIENT", the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0003] Reference is also made to PCT Patent Application No.
PCT/IL2014/050955 filed November 3, 2014 and entitled "METHOD AND
APPARATUS FOR PREPARATION AND INSERTION OF AN INTRAOCULAR
LENS INTO THE EYE OF A PATIENT", the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference and priority of which is hereby claimed pursuant to
37 CFR
1.78(c).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates generally to intraocular lenses and
auxiliary
structures for use therewith as well as methods and apparatus for preparation
of
intraocular lenses for subsequent insertion thereof into the eye of a patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Pseudophakic patients for whom the original ocular capsular bag is
not
intact, for example as a result of cataract surgery or lens exchange, require
novel
methods and apparatus for the implantation and fixation of an intraocular lens
within the
patient's eye.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention seeks to provide apparatus for use in the
implantation and fixation of an intraocular lens within the eye of a patient
and methods
for such preparation.
[0007] There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the
present invention apparatus for preparation of an intraocular lens assembly
prior to
insertion into the eye of a patient, including a pair of elongate extension
assemblies each
adapted for connection to an end of an haptic of the intraocular lens
assembly.
[0008] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
each elongate extension assembly includes an elongate extension element and a
connector for connecting the elongate extension element to an end of an haptic
of the
intraocular lens assembly. Additionally, each elongate extension element
preferably
includes a thread portion and a needle. Additionally or alternatively, the
connector
preferably includes a generally cylindrical portion having a longitudinal bore
formed
within, the elongate extension element having at least one knot and being
adapted to be
pulled through the longitudinal bore, thereby causing the at least one knot to
lie
alongside the end of the haptic within the longitudinal bore in compressive
frictional
retaining engagement. Preferably, the elongate extension element has two knots
therein.
Additionally, the longitudinal bore includes a tapered portion with the
diameter of the
bore of the tapered portion narrowing in correspondence with the tapering from
that of
the diameter of the generally cylindrical portion.
[0009] Preferably, the connector is a tightenable sleeve. Additionally, the
tightenable sleeve is a shrinkable sleeve. Alternatively, the tightenable
sleeve is a
physically deformable sleeve.
[0010] Tri accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
an
end of the elongate extension element is fixable to an end of the haptic by at
least one of
welding and adhesive bonding. Preferably, a recess is formed in an end of the
haptic, the
recess having a diameter slightly greater than that of the elongate element.
[0011] There is also provided in accordance with another preferred
embodiment
of the present invention a method for preparation of an intraocular lens
assembly prior
to insertion thereof into the eye of a patient including providing a pair of
elongate
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extension assemblies, each adapted for connection to an end of an haptic of
the
intraocular lens assembly, and connecting each of the pair of elongate
extension
assemblies to an haptic of the intraocular lens assembly.
[0012] Preferably, each elongate extension assembly includes an elongate
extension element and a connector for connecting the elongate extension
element to an
end of an haptic of the intraocular lens assembly and the connecting includes
using the
connector to tightly engage one of the pair of elongate extension assemblies
to an haptic
of the intraocular lens assembly. Additionally, each elongate extension
assembly
includes a thread portion and a needle. Additionally, the connector preferably
includes a
generally cylindrical portion having a longitudinal bore formed within, the
elongate
extension element having at least one knot therein and being adapted to be
pulled
through the longitudinal bore, thereby causing the at least one knot to lie
alongside the
end of an haptic within the longitudinal bore in compressive frictional
retaining
engagement and connecting includes pulling the elongate extension element
through the
longitudinal bore, causing the at least one knot to lie alongside the end of
the haptic
within the longitudinal bore in compressive frictional retaining engagement.
Preferably,
both the at least one knot of the elongate extension element and the end of an
haptic are
impeded from passing completely through the longitudinal bore and exiting the
connector by at least one of the compressive frictional retaining engagement
and the
narrowing of the connector at the tapered portion thereof.
100131 In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the
connector is a tightenable sleeve and the method for preparation of an
intraocular lens
assembly includes connecting an elongate extension element and an haptic by
tightening
the sleeve when both an end of an haptic and an end of the elongate extension
element
are located within the sleeve, thereby tightly engaging the end of the haptic
and the end
of the elongate extension element inside the sleeve. Preferably, the
tightening the sleeve
involves shrinking it via application of at least one of heat or UV radiation.
Alternatively, the tightening the sleeve involves physically deforming it.
[0014] Preferably, the method for preparation of an intraocular lens
assembly
includes connecting an elongate extension element and an haptic by fixing an
end of the
elongate extension element to an end of the haptic by at least one of welding
and
adhesive bonding. Additionally, the fixing includes inserting the elongate
element into a
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=
recess formed in the end of the haptic. Preferably, the inserting the elongate
element
into the recess formed in the end of the haptic engages the elongate element
by
compressive frictional retaining engagement.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully
from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings
in
which:
[0016] Fig. 1A is a simplified pictorial illustration of apparatus for
preparation
of an intraocular lens assembly prior to insertion thereof into the eye of a
patient,
constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present
invention, the apparatus including a knotted elongate loop extension element
extending
through a connector;
[0017] Fig. 1B is a simplified partially sectional view of the apparatus of
Fig.
1A, taken along lines B-B of Fig. 1A;
[0018] Fig. 2A is a simplified sectional view of the apparatus of Figs. 1A
&1B,
corresponding to Fig. 1B and showing the insertion of an haptic of an
intraocular lens
assembly into the connector alongside the knotted elongate loop extension
element;
[0019] Fig. 2B is a simplified partially sectional view of the apparatus of
Figs
lA ¨ 2A corresponding to Fig. 2A and showing the apparatus with two knots
pulled into
the connector, thereby tightly engaging both the knotted elongate loop
extension
element and the haptic of the intraocular lens assembly and fastening them
together;
[0020] Fig. 2C is a simplified partially sectional and partially pictorial
illustration of the apparatus of Figs IA ¨ 2B and showing the intraocular lens
assembly
having both haptics thereof tightly engaged with knotted elongate loop
extension
elements within respective connectors;
[0021] Fig. 3A is a simplified pictorial illustration of the apparatus for
preparation of an intraocular lens assembly prior to insertion thereof into
the eye of a
patient, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of
the present invention, the apparatus including an elongate loop extension
element, a
tightenable connector and an haptic from an intraocular lens assembly;
[0022] Fig. 3B is a simplified partially sectional view of the apparatus of
Fig.
3A, taken along lines B-B of Fig. 3A;
[0023] Fig. 4A is a simplified partially sectional view of the apparatus of
Figs.
3A & 3B, corresponding to Fig. 3B and showing the insertion of an haptic of an
CA 02928918 2016-05-04
' intraocular lens assembly and an elongate loop extension element into
opposite ends of
a tightenable connector;
[0024] Fig. 4B is a simplified partially sectional view of the
apparatus of Figs
3A ¨ 4A corresponding to Fig. 4A and showing the tightened tightenable
connector
tightly engaging both the elongate loop extension element and the haptic of
the
intraocular lens assembly and fastening them together;
[0025] Fig. 4C is a simplified partially sectional pictorial
illustration of the
apparatus of Figs 3A ¨ 4B and showing the intraocular lens assembly having
both
haptics thereof tightly engaged with elongate loop extension elements in
tightened
tightenable connectors;
[0026] Fig. 5A is a simplified partial pictorial illustration of the
apparatus for
preparation of an intraocular lens assembly prior to insertion thereof into
the eye of a
patient, constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred
embodiment
of the present invention, the apparatus including an elongate loop extension
element and
the haptic of an intraocular lens assembly formed with a recess in an end of
the haptic;
[0027] Fig. 5B is a simplified partially sectional view of the
apparatus of Fig.
5A, taken along lines B-B of Fig. 5A;
[00281 Fig. 6A is a simplified view of the apparatus of Figs. 5A & 5B,
corresponding to Fig. 5B and showing attachment of an elongate loop extension
element
within the recess in the end of an haptic of an intraocular lens assembly
being retained
as by ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding; and
[0029] Fig. 6B is a simplified partially sectional pictorial
illustration of the
apparatus of Figs 5A ¨ 6A and showing elongate loop extension elements tightly
attached within both haptics of the intraocular lens assembly thereof, both
being
retained as by ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are
set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However,
it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be
practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, and
components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present
invention.
[0031] Reference is now made to Figs. lA & 1B, which are respectively a
simplified pictorial illustration of and a simplified partially sectional view
of apparatus
for preparation of an intraocular lens assembly prior to insertion thereof
into the eye of a
patient, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the
present invention, apparatus including a knotted elongate stretchable loop
extension
element 100 extending through a connector 102.
[0032] The knotted elongate stretchable loop extension element 100 is
preferably a conventional surgical suture, preferably formed of elastomeric
flexible
material and including a thread portion 106 and a needle 108. At least one
knot 110 and
preferably two knots as shown in the illustrated embodiment, which may be
simple
knots, are formed on the thread portion 106. The knotted elongate stretchable
loop
extension element 100 is preferably threaded, needle first through connector
102 such
that a length 112 of the thread portion 106, between the needle 108 and one of
the knots
110 initially extends through connector 102.
[0033] As seen in Figs. 1A & 1B, connector 102 preferably includes a
longitudinal bore 120 having a cylindrical portion 122 and a tapered portion
124.
[0034] Apparatus for preparation of an intraocular lens assembly may be
supplied to a user in the operative orientation described hereinabove with
reference to
Figs. lA and 1B.
[0035] Reference is now made to Fig. 2A ¨ 2C, which illustrate use of
apparatus
of Figs. IA & 1B for preparation of an intraocular lens assembly for insertion
into the
eye of a patient.
[0036] Fig. 2A shows that an haptic 130 of an intraocular lens assembly 132
is
inserted into longitudinal bore 120 of connector 102 alongside length 112 of
the thread
portion 106 of a knotted elongate stretchable loop extension element 100,
between the
needle 108 and one of knots 110.
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[0037] Fig. 2B shows
that the thread portion 106 is pulled through longitudinal
bore 120, such that two knots 110 enter the cylindrical portion 122 of
longitudinal bore
120 and thus tightly engage the haptic 130 and the thread portion 106 of the
knotted
elongate stretchable loop extension element 100, in compressive frictional
retaining
engagement therewith. As is seen in Fig. 2B, the knots 110 of the knotted
elongate
extension element 100 and the haptic 130 are impeded from passing completely
through
the longitudinal bore 120 and exiting the connector 102 by at least one of,
the
compressive frictional retaining engagement and the narrowing of the
longitudinal bore
120 at the tapered portion 124.
[0038] Fig. 2C shows
the intraocular lens assembly 132 having both haptics 130
thereof tightly engaged with knotted elongate stretchable loop extension
elements 100 in
the manner described hereinabove with reference to Figs. 2A & 2B. The
intraocular lens
assembly 132 having both haptics 130 thereof tightly engaged with knotted
elongate
stretchable loop extension elements 100 is now prepared for insertion into the
eye of a
patient.
[0039] Reference is
now made to Figs. 3A & 3B, which are respectively a
simplified pictorial illustration of and a simplified partially sectional view
of apparatus
for preparation of an intraocular lens assembly prior to insertion thereof
into the eye of a
patient, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of
the present invention, the apparatus including an elongate stretchable loop
extension
element 300, a tightenable connector 302 and an haptic 330 of an intraocular
lens
assembly 304.
[0040] The elongate
stretchable loop extension element 300 is preferably a
conventional surgical suture, preferably formed of elastomeric flexible
material and
including a thread portion 306 and a needle 308. Tightenable connector 302
preferably
includes a longitudinal bore 320, a first end 322 and a joint 324 at which the
diameter of
the longitudinal bore 320 narrows. An end 312 of the thread portion 306 of the
elongate
stretchable loop extension element 300 is preferably folded over. This folding
over of
the end 312 of the thread portion 306 of the elongate stretchable loop
extension element
300 causes the effective diameter of the folded over portion 326 is slightly
less than the
diameter of the longitudinal bore 320 of the tightenable connector 302.
Tightenable
connector 302 has a second end 328 opposite its first end 322.
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[0041] Tightenable connector 302 may be any suitable tightenable connector
and may be, for example, a shrinkable connector which shrinks in response to
application thereto of heat or UV radiation. An example of such a shrinkable
connector
is a Heat Shrink Fluoropolymer Tubing manufactured by Zeus Inc., headquartered
at
620 Magnolia Road, Orangeburg, S.C. U.S.A. The Heat Shrink Fluoropolymer
Tubing
can be found on page 25 of Catalog G which is available at www.zeusinc.com.
Alternatively, tightenable connector 302 may be a physically deformable
connector,
which may be deformed by use of a punch or pliers.
[0042] Apparatus for preparation of an intraocular lens assembly according
to
this embodiment may be supplied to a user in the operative orientation
described
hereinabove with reference to Figs. 3A and 3B.
[0043] Reference is now made to Fig. 4A ¨ 4C, which illustrate use of
apparatus
of Figs. 3A & 3B for preparation of an intraocular lens assembly for insertion
into the
eye of a patient.
[0044] Fig. 4A shows that an haptic 330 of an intraocular lens assembly 332
is
inserted into longitudinal bore 320 at second end 328 of tightenable connector
302
while folded over portion 326 at end 312 of the thread portion 306 of the
elongate
stretchable loop extension element 300 is inserted into first end 322 of
tightenable
connector 302. Both the haptic 330 and the folded over portion 326 of the
elongate
stretchable loop extension element 300 are inserted up until the joint 324 in
the
tightenable connector 302, as seen in Fig. 4A. The diameters of the haptic 330
and the
folded over portion 326 of the elongate stretchable loop extension element 300
are
slightly less than the diameter of the longitudinal bore 320 of the
tightenable connector
302; this causes the haptic 330 and the elongate stretchable loop extension
element 300
to become loosely engaged in the tightenable connector 302.
[0045] Fig. 4B shows that the connector is crimped adjacent end 322 in a
way
such as described in relation to Figs. 3A & 3B above and the cross-section of
the
longitudinal bore 320 is made smaller and thus tightly engages both the haptic
330 and
the folded over portion 326 at end 312 of elongate stretchable loop extension
element
300.
[0046] Fig. 4C shows the intraocular lens assembly 332 having both haptics
330
thereof tightly engaged with elongate stretchable loop extension elements 300
in the
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' manner described hereinabove with reference to Figs. 4A & 4B. The
intraocular lens
assembly 332 having both haptics 330 thereof tightly engaged with elongate
stretchable
loop extension elements 300 is now prepared for insertion into the eye of a
patient.
[0047] Reference is now made to Figs. 5A & 5B, which are respectively a
simplified pictorial illustration of and a simplified partially sectional view
of apparatus
for preparation of an intraocular lens assembly prior to insertion thereof
into the eye of a
patient, constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred
embodiment
of the present invention, the apparatus including an elongate stretchable loop
extension
element 500 which is adapted for ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding.
[0048] The elongate stretchable loop extension element 500 is
preferably a
conventional surgical suture, preferably formed of elastomeric flexible
material and
including a thread portion 506 and a needle 508 wherein the thread portion 506
is made
of a material which is adapted for ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding. As
seen in
Figs. 5A & 5B, an haptic 530 of an intraocular lens assembly 532 is formed at
an end
534 thereof with a recess 536 into which an end 538 of the thread portion 506
of the
stretchable loop extension element 500 may be inserted.
[0049] Apparatus for preparation of an intraocular lens assembly
according to
this embodiment may be supplied to a user in the operative orientation
described
hereinabove with reference to Figs. 5A and 5B with or without equipment or
material
for ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding.
[0050] Reference is now made to Fig. 6A & 6B, which illustrate use of
apparatus of Figs. 5A & 5B for preparation of an intraocular lens assembly for
insertion
into the eye of a patient.
[0051] Fig. 6A shows that an end 538 of the thread portion 506 of the
elongate
stretchable loop extension element 500 is inserted into a recess 536 of an end
534 of an
haptic 530 of an intraocular lens assembly 532. The diameter of the end 538 of
the
thread portion 506 of the elongate stretchable loop extension element 500
approximates
the diameter of the recess 536 in the haptic 530 and is thus retained by
compressive
frictional retaining engagement thereof, when inserted therein. Retention of
the end 538
of the thread portion 506 of the elongate stretchable loop extension element
500 by the
recess 536 in the haptic 530 is enhanced by the application thereof of either
ultrasonic
welding or adhesive bonding.
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[0052] Fig. 6B shows the intraocular lens assembly 532 having both haptics
530
thereof tightly engaged with elongate stretchable loop extension elements 500
in the
manner described hereinabove with reference to Fig. 6A. The intraocular lens
assembly
532 having both haptics 530 thereof tightly engaged with elongate stretchable
loop
extension elements 500 is now prepared for insertion into the eye of a
patient.
[0053] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the
present
invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described
hereinabove.
Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and
subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as
modifications
thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the
foregoing
description and which are not in the prior art.
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