US20080161912A1 - Intraocular Lens - Google Patents

Abstract

An IOL having an optic and a peripheral stabilizing ring. The optic and the ring are connected by a flexible bridge. An area on the ring coinciding with a feature on the optic helps to locate the optic within the ring in an unstressed state until the capsular bag collapses and locks the optic into place.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates generally to the field of intraocular lenses (IOL) and, more particularly, micro-incision IOLs.
• The human eye in its simplest terms functions to provide vision by transmitting light through a clear outer portion called the cornea, and focusing the image by way of a crystalline lens onto a retina. The quality of the focused image depends on many factors including the size and shape of the eye, and the transparency of the cornea and the lens.
• When age or disease causes the lens to become less transparent, vision deteriorates because of the diminished light which can be transmitted to the retina. This deficiency in the lens of the eye is medically known as a cataract. An accepted treatment for this condition is surgical removal of the lens and replacement of the lens function by an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
• In the United States, the majority of cataractous lenses are removed by a surgical technique called phacoemulsification. During this procedure, an opening is made in the anterior capsule and a thin phacoemulsification cutting tip is inserted into the diseased lens and vibrated ultrasonically. The vibrating cutting tip liquifies or emulsifies the lens so that the lens may be aspirated out of the eye. The diseased lens, once removed, is replaced by an artificial lens.
• For many years, IOLs were made from a hard plastic, such as polymethylmethacrylate. As the optic of the IOL had a diameter of 5.5 mm to 6.5 mm, implanting the IOL required that the incision into the eye be enlarged to a size sufficient to allow the IOL to pass into the anterior chamber of the eye. Such a large incision can induce a distortion in the cornea, or induced astigmatism, post-operatively. More recently, IOL's have increasing been made from soft, foldable materials, such as silicone and soft acrylics. These foldable materials allow the IOL to be implanted through incisions that are generally less than 3 mm. Even the relatively small incision required for implantation of foldable IOLs can induce post-operative astigmatism, so there has been a desire to develop IOLs that can be implanted through even smaller incisions, on the order of 2 mm or less.
• From a practical standpoint, there are limits on how small an IOL can be made. For example, the IOL generally must have an optic having a diameter of about 5.5 mm or greater for optimum optical performance. In addition, the IOL must be provided in a large range of optical powers, up to 30 diopters or more. These large powers limit how thin the optic can be made. Of course, increasing the refractive index of the material used to make the optic allows for a thinner optic. Current materials and designs permit the manufacture of very thin optics, having an extremely thin, almost knife-like, edge thickness. These extremely thin lenses, however, tend to be unstable and distort when implanted within the capsular bag, requiring an encircling ring or equatorial band to be inserted into the capsular bag to help stabilize the capsular bag. The ring component of the IOL can be formed integrally with the optic or implanted as a separate component. If the ring is a separate component, the surgical procedure is increased in complexity because two separate devices, the ring and the optic must be inserted into the eye, assembled and properly located within the capsular bag. Prior to the present invention, if the ring component is integrally formed with the optic, undesirable size and bulk is added, increased the require size of the incision.
• Therefore, a need continues to exist for a safe and stable intraocular lens system that can be inserted through a very small incision and does not require assembly within the eye.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention improves upon the prior art by providing an IOL having an optic and a peripheral stabilizing ring. The optic and the ring are connected by a flexible bridge. An area on the ring coinciding with a feature on the optic helps to locate the optic within the ring in an unstressed state until the capsular bag collapses and locks the optic into place.
• Accordingly, one objective of the present invention is to provide a safe and biocompatible intraocular lens.
• Another objective of the present invention is to provide a safe and biocompatible intraocular lens that is easily implanted in the posterior chamber.
• Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a safe and biocompatible intraocular lens that is stable in the posterior chamber.
• Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a safe and biocompatible lens system that can be implanted through a small incision.
• Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a safe and biocompatible lens system that helps reduce the incidence of PCO.
• Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a safe and biocompatible lens system for use in cataract and/or clear lens exchange surgeries.
• These and other advantages and objectives of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
• FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment of the lens of the present system.
• FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the lens of the present system taken at line2-2 inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a second embodiment of the lens of the present system.
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the lens of the present system taken atline4 inFIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a third embodiment of the lens of the present system.
• FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the lens of the present system taken atline6 inFIG. 5.
• FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the lens of the present system in an unlocked position.
• FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the lens of the present system taken at line8-8 inFIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the lens of the present system similar toFIG. 7, but illustrating the lens in a locked position.
• FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the lens of the present system in an unlocked position.
• FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the lens of the present system similar toFIG. 10, but illustrating the lens in a locked position.
• FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the lens of the present system taken atline12 inFIG. 11.
• FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the lens of the present system similar toFIG. 12, but illustrating an alternative locking mechanism.
• FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the lens of the present system illustrating the lens in a locked position.
• FIG. 15 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the lens of the present system taken at line15 inFIG. 14.
• FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the lens of the present system, similar toFIG. 14, but illustrating the lens in an unlocked position.
• FIG. 17 is an enlarged prospective view of a sixth embodiment of the lens of the present invention illustrating the lens in a stretched and elongated form, suitable for implantation through a small incision.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• As best seen inFIGS. 1 and 2,lens100 of the present invention generally includes optic110 andsupport ring112. Optic110 is connected to supportring112 bybridge114.Tab116 is attached to optic110opposite bridge114 so as to cooperate with correspondinglocating feature118 onsupport ring112. Locatingfeature118 is integrally molded withsupport ring112 and in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, consists of bumps or protuberances projecting inwardly fromsupport ring112 and toward optic110.Support ring112 is preferably formed in any suitable overall diameter, for example, between approximately 8.0 millimeters and 12.0 millimeters, a suitable interior diameter, for example, between approximately 6.0 millimeters and 8.5 millimeters and made from a soft, foldable material such as a soft acrylic, rubber elastomers, hydrogel or silicone. By way of example,support ring112 may be made of rubber elastomers, such as butyl rubber, latex rubber, natural rubber, pure gum rubber, neoprene rubber, acrylonitrile rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene monomer rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, hypalon rubber, silicone rubber and siloxane elastomers, such as poly(dimethylsiloxane), polyurethane rubber, viton rubber, ethylene-butylene rubber, isobutylene rubber and elastomers of polyphosphazenes, like poly(bis-trifluorethoxyphosphazene)oly(dimethylphosphazene) and poly(phenylmethylphosphazene). Preferably,support ring112 may be formed so as to be opaque, such as by frosting or texturing the anterior and/or posterior surfaces ofsupport ring112, orsupport ring112 may be relatively clear.Support ring112 may also contain a chromophore to block ultraviolet and/or blue and/or green light, such chromophore(s) being well-known in the art.
• Optic110 is generally circular having a diameter for example, between approximately 4.0 millimeters and 7.0 millimeters.Optic110 tapers from being relatively thick in the middle to having a relatively thin, or sharp, edge and is preferably integrally formed with and from the same material assupport ring112.Optic110 may also a chromophore to block ultraviolet and/or blue light, such chromophore(s) being well-known in the art, but unlikesupport ring112, which may be opaque, optic110 is optically clear.Tab116 is also integrally formed withoptic110opposite bridge114.
• Whenlens100 is implanted in an eye,tab116 and feature118 help to center optic110 in an unstressed state withinring112 untillens100 becomes naturally fixated within the eye. The construction oftab116 and feature118, allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, as illustrated inFIG. 17, for implantation through a relative small (2.4 mm or less) incision.
• As best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4,lens200 of the present invention generally includesoptic210 andsupport ring212.Optic210 is connected to supportring212 bybridge214.Tab216 is attached to supportring212opposite bridge214 so as to cooperate with corresponding locatingfeature218 onoptic210.Tab216 is integrally molded withsupport ring212.Support ring212 is of construction and materials similar to supportring112.
• Optic210 is of construction and materials similar tooptic110.Feature218 is integrally formed withoptic210opposite bridge214 and in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3, consists of bumps or protuberances projecting outwardly fromoptic210 and towardtab216.
• Whenlens200 is implanted in an eye,tab216 and feature218 help to center optic210 withinring212 untillens200 becomes naturally fixated within the eye. The construction oftab216 and feature218, allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, as illustrated inFIG. 17, for implantation through a relative is small (2.4 mm or less) incision.
• As best seen inFIGS. 5 and 6,lens300 of the present invention generally includesoptic310 andsupport ring312.Optic310 is connected to supportring312 bybridge314.Tab316 is attached tooptic310opposite bridge314 so as to cooperate with corresponding locatingfeature318 onsupport ring312. Locatingfeature318 is integrally molded withsupport ring312 and in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, consists ofledge320 and lockingridge322 projecting inwardly fromsupport ring312 and towardoptic310.
• Optic310 is of construction and materials similar tooptic110.Tab316 is also integrally formed withoptic310opposite bridge314.
• Whenlens300 is implanted in an eye,tab316 and feature318 help to center optic310 withinring312 untillens300 becomes naturally fixated within the eye. The construction oftab316 and feature318, allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, as illustrated inFIG. 17, for implantation through a relative small (2.4 mm or less) incision.
• As best seen inFIGS. 7,8 and9,lens400 of the present invention generally includesoptic410 andsupport ring412.Optic410 is connected to supportring412 bybridge414.Tab416 is attached tooptic410opposite bridge414 so as to cooperate with corresponding locatingfeature418 onsupport ring412. Locatingfeature418 is integrally molded withsupport ring412 and in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 7,8 and9, consists ofledge420 havingslot422 projecting inwardly fromsupport ring412 and towardoptic410.
• Optic410 is of construction and materials similar tooptic110.Tab416 is also integrally formed withoptic410opposite bridge414.
• Whenlens400 is implanted in an eye,tab416 and feature418 help to center optic410 withinring412 untillens400 becomes naturally fixated within the eye. The construction oftab416 and feature418, allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, as illustrated inFIG. 17, for implantation through a relative small (2.4 mm or less) incision. To inserttab416 intoslot422 offeature418, optic410 may be manipulated so thatbridge414 is deformed, as shown inFIG. 7.Tab416 can them be inserted intoslot422 andlens400 returned to its normal shape, as illustrated inFIG. 9.
• As best seen inFIGS. 10,11,12 and13,lens500 of the present invention generally includesoptic510 andsupport ring512.Optic510 is connected to supportring512 bybridge514.Tab516 is attached tooptic510opposite bridge514 so as to cooperate with corresponding locatingfeature518 onsupport ring512. Locatingfeature518 is integrally molded withsupport ring512 and in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 10,11 and12, consists ofledge520 havingslot522 projecting inwardly fromsupport ring512 and towardoptic510.
• Optic510 is of construction and materials similar tooptic110.Tab516 is also integrally formed withoptic510opposite bridge514.Tab516 contains lockingrim517 or517′ that cooperates withslot522 infeature518 to assist in lockingtab516 withinfeature518.
• Whenlens500 is implanted in an eye,tab516 and feature518 help to center optic510 withinring512 untillens500 becomes naturally fixated within the eye. The construction oftab516 and feature518, allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, as illustrated inFIG. 17, for implantation through a relative small (2.4 mm or less) incision. Following implantation,tab516 is inserted intoslot522 in the manner described above. As best seen inFIG. 12, lockingrim517 fits withinslot522 offeature518 so as to assist in holdingtab516 withinfeature518. Alternatively, as seen inFIG. 13, lockingrim517 can be flared so as to dovetail intoslot522 and provide a more positive locking oftab516 withinfeature518. To insert tab rim517 intoslot522 offeature518, optic510 may be manipulated so thatbridge514 is deformed, as shown inFIG. 10.Tab516 can them be inserted intoslot522 andlens500 returned to its normal shape, as illustrated inFIG. 11.
• As best seen inFIGS. 14,15,16 and17,lens600 of the present invention generally includesoptic610 andsupport ring612.Optic610 is connected to supportring612 bybridge614.Tab616 is attached tooptic610opposite bridge614 so as to cooperate with corresponding locatingfeature618 onsupport ring612. Locatingfeature618 is integrally molded withsupport ring612 and in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 14,15,16 and17, consists ofchannel620 havingopen slot622 projecting inwardly fromsupport ring612 and towardoptic610.
• Optic610 is of construction and materials similar tooptic110.Tab616 is also integrally formed withoptic610opposite bridge614.Tab616 contains “T”-shapedlocking rim617 that cooperates withslot622 infeature618 to assist in lockingtab616 withinfeature618.
• Whenlens600 is implanted in an eye,tab616 and feature618 help to center optic610 withinring612 untillens600 becomes naturally fixated within the eye. The construction oftab616 and feature618, allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, as illustrated inFIG. 17, for implantation through a relative small (2.4 mm or less) incision. Following implantation,tab616 is inserted intoslot622 in the manner described above. As best seen inFIG. 15, locking rim567 fits withinslot622 offeature618 so as to assist in holdingtab616 withinfeature618. To insert tab rim617 intoslot622 offeature618, optic610 may be manipulated so thatbridge614 is deformed, as shown inFIG. 16.Rim617 can them be inserted intoslot622 andlens600 returned to its normal shape, as illustrated inFIG. 14.
• This description is given for purposes of illustration and explanation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that changes and modifications may be made to the invention described above without departing from its scope or spirit.

Claims (8)

1. An intraocular lens, comprising:

a) a support ring;

b) an optic connected on one side by a bridge;

c) a tab located on the optic opposite the bridge; and

d) a locating feature on the support ring, the locating future cooperating with the tab so as to center the optic within the support ring in an unstressed state.

2. The lens ofclaim 1 wherein the locating feature comprises a channel with a slot.

3. The lens ofclaim 1 wherein the locating feature comprises bumps or protuberances projecting inwardly from the support ring and toward the optic.

4. The lens ofclaim 1 wherein the locating feature comprises a ledge and a locking ridge.

5. The lens ofclaim 1 wherein the locating feature comprises a ledge having a slot, the locating feature projecting inwardly from the support ring and toward the optic.

6. The lens ofclaim 1 wherein the locating feature comprises a channel having an open slot, the channel projecting inwardly from the support ring and toward the optic.

7. An intraocular lens, comprising:

a) a support ring;

b) an optic connected on one side by a bridge;

c) a tab located on the support ring opposite the bridge; and

d) a locating feature on the optic, the locating future cooperating with the tab so as to center the optic within the support ring in an unstressed state.

8. The lens ofclaim 7 wherein the locating feature comprises bumps or protuberances projecting inwardly from the optic ring and toward the support ring.

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