Devices for reconstruction of a lens capsule after cataract surgery

A prosthetic capsular device for reconstructing a natural lens capsule of an eye after a cataract surgery, the device comprising a housing configured to receive an intraocular lens (IOL), the housing comprising:

• a ring-shaped rigid component comprising:
• a substantially planar distal end, a curved proximal end, a circumferential capsular-engaging outer wall extending from said proximal end to said distal end, and a circumferential inner wall extending from said proximal end to said distal end, the proximal end configured to lie against a Wieger's ligament in the eye when the prosthetic capsular device is fitted within the natural lens capsule of the eye;
• an anterior central opening defined at said distal end, the anterior central opening having a perimeter capable of allowing insertion of an intraocular lens;
• a posterior central opening defined at said proximal end;
• a groove disposed circumferentially on the circumferential inner wall of the ring-shaped rigid component;
• and
• a ring-shaped flexible component consisting of:
• a proximal end that is formed on the distal end of the rigid component;
• a distal end that is a free end extending anteriorly and away from the rigid component;
• and
• a ledge formed at the distal end thereof;
• wherein either the groove and the ledge receive haptics of the intraocular lens when the prosthetic capsular device is fitted within the natural lens capsule of the eye;
• wherein the ring-shaped rigid component is asymmetric circumferentially with respect to the flexible component;
• wherein the ring-shaped rigid component is substantially concentric with the ring-shaped flexible component;
• wherein the ring-shaped rigid component comprises a thickness from 0.1 mm to 2 mm, wherein the ring-shaped flexible component comprises a thickness from 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm, and wherein the thickness of the ring-shaped flexible component is less than the thickness of the ring-shaped rigid component;
• wherein the proximal and distal ends of the flexible component comprise capsular-engaging surfaces sized and configured to flexibly fit against an inner surface of the natural lens capsule of the eye;
• wherein the capsular-engaging surfaces of the ring-shaped flexible component are continuous with the circumferential capsular-engaging outer wall of the ring-shaped rigid component;
• and
• wherein the ring-shaped flexible component is sized and configured to flex away from the ring-shaped rigid component when ciliary muscles are relaxed and zonules are tense, and sized and configured to flex toward the ring-shaped rigid component when the ciliary muscles are contracted and the zonules are relaxed.