US 4,787,902 A · Multi-positionable intraocular lens

Abstract

An intraocular lens for positioning in either the anterior or posterior chambers of the eye includes a lens body having first and second support members extending from the lens body for engaging adjacent portions of the anterior or posterior chamber of the eye, each comprising a resilient spring-like asymmetric support loop extending outwardly from the periphery of the lens body and having first and second parallel end portions embedded in chordal bores in the periphery of the lens body; first and second sloped leg portions of different lengths extend outwardly from the end portions and a transverse portion extends transversely from outer ends of the first and second leg portions and includes contact foot portions on each end which are separated by an inwardly extending arcuate connector portion.

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Claims7

Dependent claims

An intraocular lens assembly dimensioned and shaped for positioning in either the anterior chamber or posterior chamber of the eye comprising a lens body;

first and second support members extending form the lens body for engaging adjacent portions of the anterior or posterior chamber of the eye, at least one of said support members comprising a resilient spring-like asymmetric support loop extending outwardly from the periphery of said lens body, said support loop having first and second end portions attached to the lens body at first and second attachment locations, first and second sloped leg portions respectively extending outwardly from said first and second end portions and a transverse portion extending generally transversely relative to said first and second leg portions and with opposite sides being respectively unitarily connected to outer ends of said first and second leg portions and having at least one outer contact portion dimensioned and shaped to engage adjacent portions of the anterior or posterior chambers of the eye with an outward radial force when positioned therein so that said outer contact portion is deflected inwardly form the normal relaxed position by the adjacent portion of the eye to provide support for said lens body, said transverse portion lying in a plane which is spaced apart from but substantially parallel to the plane of said lens body,
wherein said first and second end portions are axially parallel at their inner extent and are received in chordal bores provided in the lens body, and
wherein said chordal bores are both on one side of a diameter of the lens body with respect to which said bores are parallel.

An intraocular lens assembly dimensioned and shaped for positioning in either the anterior chamber or posterior chamber of the eye comprising a lens body;

first and second support members extending from the lens body for engaging adjacent portions of the anterior or posterior chamber of the eye, at least one of said support members comprising a resilient spring-like asymmetric support loop extending outwardly from the periphery of said lens body, said support loop having first and second end portions attached to the lens body at first and second attachment locations, first and second sloped leg portions respectively extending outwardly from said first and second end portions and a transverse portion extending generally transversely relative to said first and second leg portions and with opposite sides being respectively unitarily connected to outer ends of said first and second leg portions and having at least one outer contact portion dimensioned and shaped to engage adjacent portions of the anterior or posterior chambers of the eye with an outward radial force when positioned therein so that said outer contact portion is deflected inwardly form the normal relaxed position by the adjacent portion of the eye to provide support for said lens body, said transverse portion lying in a plane which is spaced apart from but substantially parallel to the plane of said lens body,
wherein said first and second support members are identical and are symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of said lens body,
wherein said first and second end portions of each respective support loop are axially parallel at their inner extent and are received in chordal bores in the lens body, and
wherein said chordal bores of each respective support loop are both on one side of a diameter of the lens body with respect to which said bores are parallel.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,766 words

Summary1,531 words

#This invention relates to an intraocular lens suitable for use as an artificial lens implant in either the anterior or posterior chamber of the human eye. Particularly, this invention relates to an intraocular lens having at least one asymmetric resilient spring-like support loop which contains sloped portions which provide the lens with a vault and outer contact portion for holding the lens in place in the eye.

#Intraocular lens implantation after cataract surgery has come into common usage because of the improved vision obtained thereby over the alternatives of contact lenses or spectacles. Intraocular lenses have been implanted in both the posterior as well as the anterior chambers of the eye. In general format, an intraocular lens consists of a lens body and a plurality of support members usually projecting from different sides of the lens body for use in supporting the lens in position in the eye. Within the basic format, however, several different designs of intraocular lenses are currently available. In most of these, the position fixation elements or support means are in the form of rigid loops, arms, plates, legs, and the like, such as exemplified by the rigid loops 12 and 13 in Jensen U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,848 and by the rigid plates 12 and 13 of Kelman U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,743. Both the Jensen and the Kelman patents disclose rigid loops or plates which extend through the iris. Prongs extending through the iris are disclosed as fixation means in the Flom U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,249. Jensen et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,027 and Payman et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,015 both disclose rigid support loops engaging the anterior capsule wall.

#A recent more flexible posterior chamber lens is disclosed by Shearing U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,546 in which J-shaped elastic support members extend outwardly from opposite peripheral edges of the lens to engage the ciliary body, or possibly the lens capsule, to support the lens in position.

Brief description of the drawings6 figures

#The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals are used for the same parts as shown in different Figures.

#FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment;

Detailed description1,089 words

#Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens 1 comprises a lens body 2 having cylindrical peripheral surface 3, a planar surface 4, and a spherical surface 5. The lens body 2 is normally four to six millimeters in diameter and is made by molding or lathing optical polymeric material such as polymethyl methacrylate. The spherical surface 5 is of a desired curvature to give the required optical characteristics for the particular patient in which the lens is to be implanted. Apertures 13 and 14 are provided in the lens for permitting receipt of the ends of an instrument or tool for holding and positioning the lens during and after insertion in the eye.

#The lens body 2 is held in place in the eye by means of two identical support loops 6 and 7. The support loops are made of a resilient spring-like material such as polypropylene. However, other materials having similar resiliency characteristics can be used if they are inert and substantially nonreactive in the human body. Preferably, the loops are formed so as to have a circular cross-section of about 0.10 to 0.30 mm in diameter, preferably about 0.15 mm in diameter.

#The support loops 6 and 7 have identical asymmetric foot-like configurations with the ankle portion of each foot being attached to the lens body 2. Loops 6 and 7 are generally symmetrical with the optical as well as the geometric axis 8 of the lens body 2. In the relaxed condition of the lens 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the outermost portions of the respective loops are preferably about 14 millimeters apart if the lens is to be placed in the ciliary sulcus. If the lens is to be positioned in the capsular bag, it is preferred that the loops be about 13 mm apart.

Multi-positionable intraocular lens

Life of this patent

Multi-positionable intraocular lens

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims7

Description2,766 words

Drawings

Classification3 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,766 words