Endwise adjustable forceps for lens implantation in eye

The method of implanting in the eye an intraocular lens, and via a slit in the eye wall, that includes the steps:

• a) providing a forceps having first and second arms, the first arm having a first handle and a first lens engagement blade spaced from the first handle, the second arm having a second handle and a second lens engagement blade spaced from the second handle, the blades extending generally longitudinally in laterally spaced relation and at opposite sides of a plane bisecting the forceps,
• b) said first arm provided to have a primary and a secondary arm section extending between the handle and the first blade, and said second arm provided to have a primary and a secondary arm section extending between the second handle and second blade, the blades being movable by the handles and arm sections between closed and open positions, the arm primary sections defining a cross-over locus, when the blades are in said open position,
• c) said secondary arm sections provided to extend generally longitudinally in substantially parallel relation and positioned such that when the blades are in said closed position one secondary arm section extends at one side of said plane and the other secondary arm section extends at the other side of said plane, and when the blades are in said open positions said one secondary arm section extends at said other side of said plane and said other secondary arm section extends at said one side of said plane.

An improved forceps, comprising, in combination:

• a) first and second arms, the first arm having a first handle and a first lens engagement blade spaced from the first handle, the second arm having a second handle and a second lens engagement blade spaced from the second handle, the blades extending generally longitudinally in laterally spaced relation and at opposite sides of a plane bisecting the forceps,
• b) the first arm having primary and secondary arm sections extending between the first handle and first blade, the second arm having primary and secondary arm sections extending between the second handle and second blade, the blades being movable by the handles and arm sections between closed and open positions, the arm primary sections extending in cross-over relation to define a cross-over locus, when the blades are in said open position,
• c) the secondary arm sections extending generally longitudinally in substantially parallel relation and positioned such that when the blades are in said closed position one secondary arm section extends at one side of said plane and the other secondary arm section extends at the other side of said plane, and when the blades are in said open position said one secondary arm section extends at said other side of said plane and said other secondary arm section extends at said one side of said plane,
• d) and lens gripping protrusions on the blades to grip walls of a folded lens and allow lens rotation during blade separation and lens release.