Intraocular lens delivery system packaging

A sterile package for an intraocular lens delivery system, comprising:

• an intraocular lens delivery system;
• a generally tubular container elongated along a central axis and having a closed distal end and a tubular open mouth at a proximal end, the open mouth extending a first length in a distal direction;
• a proximal cap adapted to engage and seal the open mouth of the container, the cap having a tubular gripping portion on a closed proximal end and a tubular skirt that projects therefrom in a distal direction, the tubular skirt having an outer diameter which fits closely within the open mouth of the container, and the cap having an inner cavity with a plurality of radially-directed ribs on an inner surface configured to define a channel;
• and
• a transfer tray configured to receive and retain an intraocular lens delivery system, the transfer tray having multiple shaped female recesses which match male shapes on the delivery system and at least one pair of retention wings which resiliently flex around and hold the delivery system in place on the transfer tray, the transfer tray further including a proximal handle which fits within a lumen of the tubular skirt of the cap and extends towards the proximal end thereof, the proximal handle being sized to be retained in an interference fit by the channel defined by the ribs within the cap,
• wherein a subassembly of the delivery system and transfer tray is sized to fit within an inner cavity of the container and maintain a sterile condition by engaging the cap to the open mouth, and wherein a user may open the cap and pull the subassembly from within the container and deliver the subassembly to a sterile environment without touching the subassembly.

A method of storing in a sterile condition and delivering to a sterile environment an intraocular lens delivery system, comprising:

• providing a sterile package enclosing an intraocular lens delivery system, sterile package including:
• a generally tubular container elongated along a central axis and having a closed distal end and a tubular open mouth at a proximal end, the open mouth extending a first length in a distal direction;
• a proximal cap adapted to engage and seal over the open mouth of the container, the cap defining an inner cavity;
• a transfer tray configured to receive and retain the delivery system, the transfer tray having multiple shaped female recesses which match male shapes on the delivery system and at least one pair of retention wings which resiliently flex around and hold the delivery system in place on the transfer tray, the transfer tray further including a proximal handle which fits within the inner cavity of the tubular skirt of the cap and extends towards the proximal end thereof;
• and
• at least one tamper-evident strip extending across a dividing line between the container and cap which must be broken to disengage the cap from the container,
• breaking the tamper-evident strip by rotating the cap;
• pulling a subassembly of the delivery system and transfer tray out of the container while only touching the cap;
• presenting the subassembly to personnel within a sterile environment;
• extracting the subassembly from the cap within the sterile environment;
• and
• separating the delivery system from the transfer tray prior to performing an ophthalmic surgical procedure.