Intraocular lens folding and insertion apparatus

A lens folding and insertion apparatus for use in eye surgery for insertion of an intraocular lens through an incision of approximately 3 to 4 millimeters in an eye, said lens folding and insertion apparatus comprising:

• forceps means having a first elongated jaw member and a second elongated jaw member, said forceps means having means for actuating said first jaw member and said second jaw member into open and closed positions,
• said first jaw member including a substantially smooth elongated concave surface and said second jaw member having a substantially smooth elongated convex surface, said first jaw member and said second jaw member being in operable alignment wherein said first jaw member and said second jaw member are actuated toward one another into said closed position with the intraocular lens positioned between said first jaw member, and said second jaw member, said first jaw member and said second jaw member folding the intraocular lens upon itself by engagement between said elongated concave surface and said elongated convex surface, said elongated concave surface defining an open generally U-shaped elongated trough having lateral side edges and a circular bottom, and said second jaw member being a rod having a circular cross-section defining said convex surface, the lateral width of said elongated trough being substantially greater than the diameter of said circular cross-section of said rod, said rod being aligned within said elongated trough and disposed laterally between said lateral side edges when in said closed position, said forcep means including means for substantially preventing full engagement of said rod and said elongated trough in order to define a lens folding space between said rod and said elongated trough when said jaw members are in said closed position, and the diameter of said rod being sufficiently small relative to the depth of said elongated trough such that at least one-half of the diameter of said rod is disposed within said trough when said jaw members are in said closed position with the intraocular lens therebetween in said lens folding space in order to allow the intraocular lens to be gripped, folded and inserted into the approximately 3 to 4 millimeter incision in the eye.