Surgery – Instruments – Means for removing – inserting or aiding in the removal or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-24
2001-03-27
Philogene, Pedro (Department: 3731)
Surgery
Instruments
Means for removing, inserting or aiding in the removal or...
C623S006110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206887
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to insertion of an artificial lens unit into the eye; and more particularly to creation of a multi-folded lens unit, and insertion into a very small wound opening in the eye by use of a plunger, and controlled release of the lens unit in the eye, whereby very rapid lens replacement surgery can be achieved, with minimum disruption of the eye.
There is constant need for improvements in eye surgery, particularly in lens implant surgery, to achieve faster and more efficient lens insertion and positioning, as well as reduced size eye wound openings in the interests of faster healing. There is particular need in these regards, for implants in intraocular lens implant surgery.
Prior techniques are believed not to incorporate or suggest the unusual improvements in method and apparatus which are the subject of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a major object of the invention to provide method and apparatus meeting the above needs, and providing for faster, more efficient, and less disruptive lens implant surgery.
Basically, the present method includes the steps:
a) providing structure including lens deforming surfaces to receive a lens therebetween and to form the lens into multiple folds,
b) providing multiple prongs to engage the lens folds,
c) providing and operating plunger means to displace the prongs endwise of and relative to the deforming surfaces and to discharge the folded lens endwise from the structure,
d) the structure providing guide surfaces to cam the prongs toward one another to reduce the lens cross-section being displaced from the structure.
As will appear, it is another object to impart to the lens an M-shape having two laterally spaced legs interconnected by a U-shaped portion, to be displaced by the plunger; and to provide prongs configured for laterally deflecting the legs toward and into compacting relation with the U-shaped portion, in response to forward displacement of the lens by the plunger.
Such forming of the lens into folds typically includes folding the lens at loci proximate the interconnection of the legs with the U-shaped portion, and also at a locus proximate a crest defined by the U-shaped portion. Also, such deflecting of the legs typically includes displacing them toward a crest defined by the U-shaped portion, both initially, and also in response to forward displacement of the lens effected by the plunger.
A further object includes causing forward ends of the two prongs to spread apart to release the lens, in the eye; and an additional object is to provide hand manipulable structure and squeezing that structure to cause forward ends of the prongs to spread apart. Such spread-apart is typically accompanied by rocking of portions of the prongs that are displaced into close side-by-side relation, as will appear.
Yet another object is to provide initially deforming structure for the lens to include two bodies defining lens receiving cavities, said deforming surfaces located in those cavities, such bodies being relatively closable toward one another to initially deform the lens therebetween.
An additional object is to provide guide surfaces terminating at a lens discharge opening, and displacing said prongs to a lens release position in which the prongs extend through said lens discharge opening; further, at least one of said prongs is a pusher located to push the lens toward the guide surfaces which are convergent; and yet further, two of the prongs are positioned to sidewardly deflect and grip the lens therebetween.
An additional object is to provide for release of lens unit grasping by the prongs after the lens or lens unit has been inserted endwise into the eye, whereby completed unfolding of the unit folds at its opposite ends precedes completed unfolding of the folds at the medial location. In this regard, the lens unit grasping prongs are provided to have lens unit pinching surfaces located to pinch the folded unit to greater extent at a location medially of the unit than at locations proximate its opposite ends. Such surfaces of the grasping prongs typically have convex extents presented oppositely, toward opposite side folds of the folded unit.
Release of such a medially pinched lens thereby proceeds gradually, instead of explosively. accompanied by prong spreading with the medially pinched portion of the lens unit completing its unfolding after completion of unfolding of lens unit opposite ends, thereby minimizing potential impact damage to the eye structure.
A yet further object is to insert the multi-folded lens into the eye zone between the iris and cornea of the eye, via very small eye wound opening, such as about 2 mm., so that unfolding will not damage the natural lens or its surface. Subsequently, and after completion of lens unit unfolding, as from M shape, the reshaped lens unit may be manipulated, a portion at a time, into the intraocular zone between the iris and the natural lens, for ultimate, safe placement adjacent the natural lens surface.
Additional objects include provision of apparatus or tools to accomplish multiple folding of a very small plastic lens unit, and its positioning in the eye, for safe unfolding, as referred to. As will appear, such apparatus typically includes elements to form at least three folds, and an M-shaped folded lens may be formed, and displaced, as referred to.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 4573998 (1986-03-01), Mazzocco
patent: 4785810 (1988-11-01), Baccala et al.
patent: 4813957 (1989-03-01), McDonald
patent: 4959070 (1990-09-01), McDonald
patent: 5549614 (1996-08-01), Tunis
patent: 5562676 (1996-10-01), Brady et al.
patent: 5766182 (1998-06-01), McDonald
patent: 5919197 (1999-07-01), Mcdonald
Haefliger William W.
Philogene Pedro
Surgical Concepts, Inc.
LandOfFree
Optical lens deformation and insertion into the eye does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optical lens deformation and insertion into the eye, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical lens deformation and insertion into the eye will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2537031