Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Eye prosthesis – Intraocular lens
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-12
2001-10-23
Prebilic, Paul B. (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Eye prosthesis
Intraocular lens
C623S006470, C623S006490
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306167
ABSTRACT:
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 of Monrovia, Calif. Today, Staar Surgical Company is one of the leading manufacturers of deformable intraocular lenses 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 invention is also applicable to other designs of deformable intraocular lenses 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, polymethylmethacrylate (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 exists a number of suitable methods for securely anchoring haptics in silicon and hydrogel type deformable intraocular lens. However, securely 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.
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, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or other suitable biocompatible material and the lens portion is made of silicone elastomer, hydrogel polymer, collagen containing polymer material (e.g. “Collamer,” manufactured by Staar Surgical A.G. of Switzerland), organic or synthetic gel compounds, polyurethane elastomer, or other suitable biocompatible material. The present invention is directed to the configuration of the 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 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.
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 connec
Bernau Werner G.
Chambers Thomas J.
Law Offices of William L. Klima, P.C.
Prebilic Paul B.
Staar Surgical AG
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