Apparatus and method for insertion of an intra-ocular lens

Apparatus for insertion of an intra-ocular lens into a small incision in an eye, comprising:

• (a) a load chamber, adapted to receive the intra-ocular lens, the load chamber being foldable about the lens, the folded load chamber defining a lumen for passage of the lens therethrough,
• (b) an insertion cone, adapted for receiving the load chamber, the insertion cone and the load chamber defining a lumen, having a substantially uniform diameter, for passage of the lens, the lumen defind by the insertion cone being contiguous with the lumen defined by the load chamber, and
• (c) an injector portion adapted to fit around the load chamber, the injector portion including means for pushing the lens through the folded load chamber, through the insertion cone, and through the incision into the eye.

A load chamber for insertion of an intra-ocular lens into an eye, comprising means defining a cylindrical member, the cylindrical member having a longitudinal opening and being longitudinally hinged, the cylindrical member having a pair of flanges connected to the cylindrical member and extending from the longitudinal opening, the flanges being non-parallel to the surface of the cylindrical member, at the point of connection, wherein the cylindrical member defines a lumen for the lens when the flanges are brought into abutment.

In combination, a load chamber and an insertion cone for insertion of an intra-ocular lens into an eye, the load chamber comprising a flexible, hinged member, the load chamber defining a lumen for passage of the lens therethrough, the load chamber having at least one flange, the flange being connected to the hinged member and being non-parallel thereto at the point of connection, the insertion cone also defining a lumen for passage of the lens therethrough, the lumen of the insertion cone and the lumen of the load chamber being aligned to permit the passage of the lens through the load chamber and into the insertion cone, the lumen of the insertion cone and the lumen of the load chamber having a substantially uniform diameter, the load chamber being insertable into the insertion cone.

Apparatus for insertion of an intra-ocular lens into a small incision in an eye, the intra-ocular lens having an optic portion and a looped haptic portion, comprising:

• (a) a load chamber, adapted to receive the intra-ocular lens, the load chamber being foldable about the lens, the folded load chamber defining a lumen for passage of the lens therethrough,
• (b) an insertion cone, adapted for receiving the load chamber, the insertion cone defining a lumen for passage of the lens, the lumen being contiguous with the lumen defined by the load chamber, the lumen defined by the load chamber and the lumen defined by the insertion cone having a substantially uniform diameter, and
• (c) an injector portion connected to the load chamber, the injector portion including means for pushing the lens through the folded load chamber, through the insertion cone, and through the incision into the eye.

Apparatus for insertion of an intra-ocular lens into a small incision in an eye, the intra-ocular lens having an optic portion and a looped haptic portion, the apparatus comprising a load chamber, an insertion cone, and an injector portion, wherein the load chamber, insertion cone and injector portion are connected together, wherein the load chamber is adapted to receive the intra-ocular lens, the load chamber being foldable about the lens, the folded lens chamber defining a lumen for passage of the lens therethrough, the insertion cone defining a lumen for passage of the lens, the lumen being contiguous with the lumen defined by the load chamber and having a substantially uniform diameter, wherein the injector portion includes means for pushing through the folded load chamber, through the insertion cone, and through the incision into the eye.

Apparatus for insertion of an intra-ocular lens into a small incision in an eye, the intra-ocular lens having an optic portion and a looped haptic portion, the apparatus comprising a load chamber, an insertion cone, and an injector portion, wherein the load chamber, insertion cone and injector portion are connected together, wherein the load chamber is adapted to receive the intra-ocular lens, the load chamber being foldable about the lens, the folded load chamber defining a lumen for passage of the lens therethrough, the insertion cone defining a lumen for passage of the lens, the lumen being contiguous with the lumen defined by the load chamber, wherein the injector portion includes means for pushing the lens through the folded load chamber, through the insertion cone, and through the incision into the eye, wherein the load chamber has a pair of flanges, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a cuff adapted to be slid over the injector portion, the cuff having a slot which is shaped to engage the flanges of the load chamber.

Apparatus for insertion of an intra-ocular lens into a small incision in an eye, the intra-ocular lens having an optic portion and a looped haptic portion, the apparatus comprising a load chamber, an insertion cone, and an injector portion, wherein the load chamber, insertion cone and injector portion are formed of one piece of material, wherein the load chamber is adapted to receive the intra-ocular lens, the load chamber being foldable about the lens, the folded load chamber defining a lumen for passage of the lens therethrough, the insertion cone defining a lumen for passage of the lens, the lumen being contiguous with the lumen defined by the load chamber, wherein the injector portion includes means for pushing the lens through the folded load chamber, through the insertion cone, and through the incision into the eye.

In combination, a load chamber and an insertion cone for insertion of an intra-ocular lens into an eye, the load chamber comprising a flexible, hinged member, the load chamber defining a lumen for passage of the lens therethrough, the insertion cone also defining a lumen for passage of the lens therethrough, the lumen of the insertion cone and the lumen of the load chamber being aligned to permit the passage of the lens through the load chamber and into the insertion cone, the lumen of the insertion cone and the lumen of the load chamber having a substantially uniform diameter, the load chamber being insertable into the insertion cone, and further comprising means for advancing the folded intra-ocular lens through the lumen of the load chamber, through the lumen of the insertion cone, and into the eye.