Deformable intraocular lens insertion system

Details Deformable intraocular lens insertion system Deformable intraocular lens insertion system

2001-01-16

2003-01-14

Yu, Justine R. (Department: 3764)

Surgery

Instruments

Means for removing, inserting or aiding in the removal or...

Reexamination Certificate

active

06506195

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a deformable intraocular lens insertion system including a lens injecting device and a lens cartridge that can be connected and locked together after loading the deformable intraocular lens into the lens cartridge. Further, the present invention relates to a deformable intraocular lens insertion system having one or more disposable components, in particular a deformable intraocular lens insertion system comprising two separate main components including a disposable lens injecting device and a disposable lens cartridge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The deformable intraocular lens insertion system currently being sold and marketed by STAAR Surgical Company of California has gain widespread acceptance in the field of deformable intraocular lens implantation. The current system utilizes an injector made of titanium so that the unit can be autoclaved and reused numerous times. The components of the titanium injector are machined from bar stock to a high degree of accuracy according to current specifications, and then the components are assembled into the final injector unit. The cost of the materials, and labor costs involve with machining and assembly are substantial providing an incentive to seek less expensive alternatives. Further, the steps of cleaning and autoclaving the injector unit between operations is a time burden and nuisance to busy surgeon practitioners having back-to-back operation schedules. In addition, the injector must be properly autoclaved to ensure complete cleaning and sterilization to prevent spread of diseases causing eye infections or other infectious diseases, prevent transmission of body fluid and prevent resulting liability problems to surgeon practitioners. These and other considerations have led to the development of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved deformable intraocular lens insertion system.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a deformable intraocular lens insertion system comprising a lens injecting device and lens cartridge that can be connected and locked together.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a deformable intraocular lens insertion system including a lens injecting device and lens cartridge that can be connected together by a rotary connection therebetween.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a deformable intraocular lens insertion system comprising a lens injecting device and lens cartridge that can be connected and locked together by a rotary connection therebetween.
A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a deformable intraocular lens insertion system comprising one or more disposable components.
A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a fully disposable deformable intraocular lens insertion system comprising a disposable lens injecting device and a disposable lens cartridge.
A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a disposable lens injecting device for a deformable intraocular lens insertion system.
An eighth object of the present invention is to provide a disposable lens cartridge for a deformable intraocular lens insertion system.
A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a disposable lens cartridge having a downwardly tapering passageway for further folding the deformable intraocular lens as it moves through the lens cartridge.
A tenth object of the present invention is to provide a lens cartridge preloaded with a deformable intraocular lens.
An eleventh object of the present invention is to provide a deformable intraocular lens insertion system comprising a lens injecting device and a lens cartridge that can be connected and locked together by a bayonet-type connection therebetween.
A twelfth object of the present invention is to provide a deformable intraocular lens insertion system comprising a lens injecting device with a slot for accommodating a protrusion of the lens cartridge wherein the slot is configured to connect and lock the lens cartridge and a lens injecting device together.
A thirteenth object of the present invention is to provide a deformable intraocular lens insertion system comprising a lens injecting device with a longitudinal slot leading to a transverse slot for accommodating a protrusion of the lens cartridge for connecting and locking the lens cartridge and lens injecting device together.
A fourteenth object of the present invention is to provide a deformable intraocular lens insertion system having a pre-loaded deformable intraocular lens for storage and shipment.
A fifteenth object of the present invention is to provide an intraocular lens insertion system comprising a lens injecting device and lens cartridge with the deformable intraocular lens pre-loaded in the lens cartridge for storage and shipment.
These and other objects can be achieved by various embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, the present invention is directed to the main features of:
1) a rotary connection between the lens cartridge and the lens injecting device for connecting the lens cartridge to the lens injecting device;
2) a rotary connection between the lens cartridge and the lens injecting device for releasably connecting the lens cartridge to the lens injecting device to allow these components to be assembled and disassembled;
3) a rotary connection between the lens cartridge and the lens injecting device for permanently connecting the lens cartridge to the lens injecting device to prevent these components from being disassembled once assembled;
4) a rotary connection between the lens cartridge and the lens injecting device to both releasably connect and releasably lock the lens cartridge to the lens injecting device to allow these components to be assembled and disassembled, however, positively locking these components together to prevent inadvertent disassembly;
5) one or more components of the deformable intraocular lens insertion system are disposable. Preferably, the entire system excluding the deformable intraocular lens itself is disposable to provide the full advantages according to the present invention;
6) preloading the deformable intraocular lens insertion system with a deformable intraocular lens; and
7) preloading the lens cartridge with the deformable intraocular lens.
The rotary connection feature allows for quick and secure connection between the lens cartridge and the lens injecting device. It is important that when the lens cartridge is connected to the lens injecting device that there is no relative movement between the lens cartridge and lens injecting device, especially in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the lens injecting device to maintain the handling features of the apparatus during the surgical procedure. Any disassembly or looseness between the lens cartridge and lens injecting device can cause misalignment of the plunger tip with the deformable intraocular lens causing lens damage, or worse could cause potential damage to the eye.
The rotary connection can be provided by a large variety of designs that involve threads, locking tabs, interference fit or snap fit connection, and many other types of rotary mechanical connections. A preferred embodiment utilize a bayonet-type connection, which involves relative longitudinal movement followed by transverse movement between the lens cartridge and lens injecting device. One type of bayonet-type connection can be achieve by providing one end of the lens injecting device with a longitudinal slot leading to a transverse slot for cooperating with a tab or protrusion on the lens cartridge.
A preferred embodiment of the slot-type connection includes providing the transverse slot with means for positively gripping or locking the tab of the lens cartridge. For example, locking tabs, interference fit connection, snap fit connection can be provided between structure located at, in or adjacent to the transverse slot and the tab of the lens cartridge. A preferred embodiment is provided with a transverse slot hav

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