Foldable intraocular lenses with highly flexible optics and rigid fixation members
AssigneeAdvanced Medical Optics, Inc.
InventorDaniel G. Brady
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A foldable intraocular lens for implantation in the eye includes an optic made of a highly pliable material and a pair of fixation members made of a material that is flexible, but more rigid than the optic. The fixation members are integral with a cantilevered arm that extends radially outward from the optic. Each fixation member includes a proximal end at the outer end of the cantilevered arm, a distal end, and a flex portion intermediate the proximal and distal ends. The flex portions of the two fixation member extend generally away from one other adjacent their respective proximal ends on diametrically-opposed sides of the optic.
Claims27
A foldable intraocular lens for implantation in the eye, the intraocular lens comprising:
- an optic centered on an optical axis and made of a highly pliable material, the optic having a generally circular periphery and an integral flange extending radially outward therefrom;
- a cantilevered arm made of a material that is flexible but more rigid than the material of the optic, the arm being attached to the optic, the arm extending radially outward from the periphery of the optic and including a paddle that overlaps one side of the flange, a main elongate portion, and an outer end;
- a pair of fixation members integral with the cantilevered arm for supporting the optic centered on the optical axis of the eye, each fixation member having a proximal end at the outer end of the cantilevered arm, a distal end, and a flex portion intermediate the proximal and distal ends, wherein the flex portions extend generally away from one another adjacent to their respective proximal ends on diametrically-opposed sides of the optic;
- and
- a coupling member separate from the optic and cantilevered arm, the coupling member including a portion that overlaps the flange on the side opposite the paddle, and a stepped edge that has approximately the same thickness as the flange, the coupling member and paddle sandwiching the flange therebetween and the stepped edge of the coupling member directly contacting the cantilevered arm, wherein the cantilevered arm flange, and coupling member define an attachment assembly, the assembly being bonded together.
A foldable intraocular lens for implantation in the eye, the intraocular lens comprising:
- an optic centered on an optical axis and made of a highly pliable material, the optic having a generally circular periphery and an integral flange extending radially outward therefrom;
- a cantilevered arm made of a material that is flexible but more rigid than the material of the optic, the arm extending radially outward from the optic periphery and including a paddle overlapping one end of the flange, a main elongate portion, and an outer end;
- a pair of fixation members integral with the cantilevered arm for supporting the optic centered on the optical axis of the eye, each fixation member having a proximal end at the outer end of the cantilevered arm, a distal end, and a flex portion intermediate the proximal and distal ends, the flex portions being oriented generally in parallel on diametrically-opposed sides of the optic;
- and
- a coupling member separate from the optic and cantilevered arm, the coupling member including a portion that overlaps the flange on the side opposite the paddle and a stepped edge that has approximately the same thickness as the flange, the coupling member and paddle sandwiching the flange therebetween and the stepped edge of the coupling member directly contacting the cantilevered arm, wherein the cantilevered arm, flange, and coupling member define an attachment assembly, the assembly being bonded together using a method selected from the group consisting of:
- heat staking;
- laser welding;
- and
- ultrasonic welding.
A foldable intraocular lens for implantation in the eye, the intraocular lens comprising:
- an optic centered on an optical axis and made of a highly pliable material, the optic having a generally circular periphery and an integral flange extending radially outward therefrom;
- at least one fixation member for supporting the optic centered on the optical axis of the eye, the at least one fixation member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a flex portion intermediate the proximal and distal ends, the proximal end having an arm extending toward the optic and a paddle on an end thereof that overlaps the flange and is connected thereto;
- and
- a coupling member separate from the optic and fixation member and including a portion that overlaps the flange, and a stepped edge that has approximately the same thickness as the flange, the coupling member and paddle sandwiching the flange therebetween and the stepped edge of the coupling member directly contacting the arm, wherein the arm, flange, and coupling member define an attachment assembly, the assembly being bonded together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.