# US 12,599,499 B2 · Devices and methods for creating a capsulorhexis > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,599,499 B2 - Document ID: US12599499B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/745,708 - Filed: 2022-05-16 - Published: 2022-09-01 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-25 - Applicants: Michael Schaller - Inventors: Michael Schaller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12599499B2 ## CPC - A61F 9/00754: {for cutting or perforating the anterior lens capsule, e.g. capsulotomes} - A61B 34/30: Surgical robots - A61B 2017/00862: {elastic or resilient} - A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect} - A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system - A61B 2217/007: with irrigation system - A61F 2009/00844: {Feedback systems} - A61F 2009/00872: {Cornea} - A61F 2009/00889: {Capsulotomy} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Described herein are devices and methods for creating a capsulorhexis. In some embodiments, the device includes a template with a tearing profile, which, when placed against the capsular bag, defines a perimeter of a capsulorhexis. In some embodiments, the device further includes rigid sections and bendable sections which are configured to transition the template between a first bent configuration for insertion through a corneal incision and a second unbent configuration for creation of the capsulorhexis. In some embodiments, the device further includes connecting elements which enter through the corneal incision and, when manipulated, transition the device between the first bent configuration and the second unbent configuration. In some embodiments, the connectors are configured to impart a downward force on the template and thus the capsular bag during the capsulorhexis creation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device configured to be positioned against a capsular bag of a patient for creating a capsulorhexis, the device comprising: a template comprising: a bending axis; an opening in the center; a first planar side configured to be disposed at a surface of the capsular bag; and a second planar side located opposite the first planar side; an inner surface located opposite an outer surface, wherein a tearing profile is located on the first planar side; a first template backer disposed on only a portion of the second planar side of the template, the first template backer located at the outer surface of the template; and a second template backer disposed on only a portion of the second planar side of the template, the second template backer located at the outer surface of the template, wherein the bending axis is located between the first template backer and the second template backer, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the template extends towards the bending axis from the first template backer and the second template backer; and a first connector element and a second connector element coupled to the template, wherein the device is transitionable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein, in the first configuration, the first connector element and the second connector element are configured to rotate onto each other at the bending axis to fold the tearing profile, and wherein, in the second configuration, the first connector element and the second connector element are configured to rotate relative to one another to unfold the tearing profile such that the tearing profile forms a perimeter for the capsulorhexis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first connector element and the second connector element are configured to extend through a corneal incision in an eye. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to apply a rotational force to the first connector element and the second connector element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the user interface includes a handheld instrument. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first connector element and the second connector element are configured to apply, to the tearing profile, a downward force on the capsular bag. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the downward force is sufficient for tearing the capsulorhexis along the perimeter of the tearing profile. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the first connector element and the second connector element comprise a flexible area, wherein the first connector element and the second connector element are configured to flex in the flexible area when the downward force is applied. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the flexible area comprises a thin section of material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein a thickness of the thin section of material is between 0.004 inches and 0.02 inches. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the flexible area comprises stainless steel or nitinol. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the first and second connector elements in the first configuration is between 0.75 mm2 and 3.0 mm2. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein a material of the template comprises one or more of: silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, nitinol, polyurethane, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the template and the first connector element and the second connector element are formed of a single piece of material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the perimeter of the template in the second configuration is substantially continuous and planar. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first template backer and the second template backer are not configured to bend when the device transitions between the first configuration and the second configuration, and wherein the first template backer and the second template backer do not reach the inner surface of the template.