Surgery – Instruments – Means for removing – inserting or aiding in the removal or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-08-14
Hirsch, Paul J. (Department: 3732)
Surgery
Instruments
Means for removing, inserting or aiding in the removal or...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273894
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for positioning an eye implant, in particular, an intraocular lens such as a phakic refractive lens in the eye. The apparatus and method are particularly suitable for use with small incision cataract and/or refractive eye surgery.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The conventional method of implanting an intraocular lens in the eye is to provide a small incision of approximately 1.8 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters with either a diamond knife or surgical steel knife in the cornea of the eye. A deformable intraocular lens of the type innovated by STAAR Surgical Company, Inc. of Monrovia, Calif. is folded with either a lens insertion apparatus and/or forceps, and then passed through the small incision in the eye where the lens then unfolds to its operational dimensions. The lens is then manipulated with various surgical instruments such as a small hook type manipulator to move the lens around within the eye into position.
The conventional foldable intraocular lens (IOL) is utilized when the natural crystalline lens is removed by a surgical procedure (i.e. typically by phacoemulsification). Another type of intraocular lens (IOL) referred to as a phakic refractive lens (PRL) for use in the refractive correction of a natural lens can be inserted with the natural crystalline lens left intact, and can then be manipulated with the apparatus and method according to the present invention. STAAR Surgical AG of Switzerland is the innovator of the phakic refractive lens (PRL) and is the manufacturer of the Implantable Contact Lens™ (ICL™). These and other types of implants including anterior chamber type IOLs, posterior chamber type IOLS, intra corneal rings, glaucoma wicks and other implants for use in the eye can be manipulated by the apparatus and method according to the present invention.
In the conventional intraocular surgery, once the intraocular lens is inserted into the eye, the intraocular lens is manipulated by various types of mechanical manipulators which the surgeon uses to push or pull on various portions of the intraocular lens. Typically, there is no direct connection made between the manipulating device and the implant to “positively grip” and move the implant around within the eye by the surgeon. Thus, there is some lack of control in the movement and positioning of the lens within the eye by the surgeon. For example with an IOL, the surgeon typically pushes on an edge portion of the lens or grips an edge of the lens or a hole extending therethrough for pulling on the lens when manipulating the IOL within the eye.
Regarding an IOL for cataract type surgery, it would be an improvement to be able to positively grip a portion of the IOL and quickly and accurately manipulate the lens into position in the proper orientation in a positive manner. A new type of cataract IOL innovated and now sold by STAAR Surgical Company, Inc. of Monrovia, Calif. is a Toric IOL which requires proper orientation in the capsular bag to be effective according to the prescription of the patient. It would be quite helpful to a surgeon to have a manipulating device that positively grips a portion of this type of IOL to properly orientate the lens in the eye.
Regarding eye surgery with a phakic refractive lens (PRL), the phakic refractive lens is inserted through the small incision in a folded or compressed state, and then opens into its operational configuration. The iris is dilated ahead of time to help facilitate placement of the lens between the natural lens and the back of the iris. A surgeon must be particularly careful in manipulating the lens so as not to touch the natural crystalline lens, which could cause a surgically induced cataract. Further, even touching the lens portion of a phakic refractive lens with a manipulating tool could create a surgically induced cataract, since the phakic refractive lens is so thin that a point force can easily penetrate through the lens material. Thus, a surgeon has to be particularly careful in the manipulation of a phakic refractive lens to prevent damage to the natural crystalline lens. In addition, the Implantable Contact Lens manufactured by STAAR Surgical AG is designed with four footpads (i.e. rounder corner protrusions) at the four corners of the lens. During surgery, each footpad needs to be tucked through the opening in the iris to fit between the iris and natural crystalline lens. A surgeon must be particularly careful again, not to cause a surgically induced cataract when tucking each of the four footpads under the iris.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for manipulating an eye implant such as an intraocular lens within the eye.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for manipulating an intraocular lens within the eye so that the intraocular lens is positively gripped when being manipulated.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for manipulating an intraocular lens within the eye so that the intraocular lens is positively gripped by a fluid vacuum force.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method involving the use of a fluid vacuum cannula to positively grip a portion of an intraocular lens for manipulating the lens within the eye.
A fifth object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for manipulating a phakic refractive lens type of intraocular lens within the eye.
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for manipulating an intraocular lens within the eye. The intraocular lens can be a cataract type of intraocular lens or a refractive type of intraocular lens. Specifically, the intraocular lens can be of a type to replace the natural crystalline lens in a cataract surgery, or can be of a type to refractively correct the natural crystalline lens. The intraocular lenses are preferably posterior type intraocular lenses, however, the apparatus and method according to the present invention can also be used with anterior chamber type intraocular type lenses. In addition, the apparatus and method according to the present invention can be utilized for manipulating other types of implants such as intra corneal rings, glaucoma wicks, sclera implants, capsular rings, capsular spare parts and other implants to be implanted within the eye of a human or animal.
The apparatus and method according to the present invention positively grips at least a portion of the lens while the lens is being manipulated. Thus, a surgeon can positively manipulate the lens without extraneous or uncontrolled movement thereof when the lens is being positioned within the eye. The term “positively grip” means that there exists a substantial connection between the surgical device and intraocular lens that prevents little or no movement between the surgical device and lens during manipulation of the lens within the eye. Preferably, there exists absolutely no movement between the surgical device and lens when the surgical device is gripping the lens while manipulating the lens within the eye. This method would provide the most “positive grip” connection between the surgical device and the intraocular lens during manipulation.
Preferably, the “positive grip” connection between the surgical device and lens is of a type that is releasable upon demand by the surgeon. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus and method according to the present invention utilizes a vacuum cannula, which when a fluid vacuum is applied the cannula a gripping tip of the cannula positively grips a portion of the intraocular lens. The vacuum can be controlled on demand by the surgeon to selectively grip and release upon the surgeon's demand and control. The fluid vacuum can be provided by a hydraulic force or a pneumatic force, and other types may use a combination of both hydraulic and pneumatic forces to “positively grip” at least a portion of the intraocular lens during manipulation of the i
Hirsch Paul J.
Law Offices of Willliam L. Klima, P.C.
Staar Surgical Company, Inc.
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