INTRAOCULAR, ACCOMMODATING LENS AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20090234449A1
• Filed: 12/22/2008
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ForSight VISION6, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Forsight Labs, LLC
• Inventors: De Juan, Eugene JR., Gifford, Hanson, Boyd, Stephen, Reich, Cary
• Granted Patent: US 8,414,646 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/6.220
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1635 for changing shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1648 Multipart lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1694 Capsular bag spreaders therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/1682 having mechanical force transfer mechanism to the lens, e.g. for accommodating lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0019 operated at only one temperature whilst inside or touching the human body, e.g. constrained in a non-operative shape during surgery, another temperature only occurring before the operation

Abstract

An intraocular lens is adapted for insertion into a capsular bag having a zonular contact region. The intraocular lens comprises a shape changing optical element and an accommodating element comprising at least one force transmitting element and a plurality of spaced apart contacting elements each adapted to contact a portion of the zonular contact region and transmit compressive displacement radially inward at an oblique angle to the optical element and configured to cooperate with at least one of the ciliary muscle of the mammalian eye, the zonules of the mammalian eye and the vitreous pressure in the eye to effect an accommodating shape and a disaccommodating shape change to the optical element.

Claims

1. An intraocular lens (IOL) for insertion into a capsular bag having a zonular contact region, the IOL comprising:

a shape changing optical element;

an accommodating element comprising at least one force transmitting element and a plurality of spaced apart contacting elements each adapted to contact a portion of the zonular contact region and transmit compressive displacement radially inward at an oblique angle to the optical element and configured to cooperate with at least one of the ciliary muscle of the mammalian eye, the zonules of the mammalian eye and the vitreous pressure in the eye to effect an accommodating shape and a disaccommodating shape change to the optical element.

15. The IOL of claim 1, wherein the accommodating member has an elastic modulus greater than the elastic modulus of the optical member.

2. An intraocular lens (IOL) for insertion into a capsular bag having a anterior portion, a posterior portion and a zonular contact region, the IOL comprising:

a shape changing optical element;

an accommodating element connected to the optical element, the accommodating element comprising a plurality of spaced apart contacting elements each adapted to separately engage a portion of the zonular region, the accommodating element positioned relative to the optical element and configured to cooperate with at least one of the ciliary muscle of the mammalian eye, the zonules of the mammalian eye and the vitreous pressure in the eye to effect an accommodating shape and a disaccommodating shape change to the optical element.

3. The IOL of claim 2, wherein the contacting elements are each adapted to separately engage at least 75% of the zonular region.

4. The IOL of claim 2, wherein the contacting elements are each adapted to separately engage at least 90% of the zonular region.

5. The IOL of claim 2, further comprising a medially disposed force transmitting member, the force transmitting member configured and positioned relative to the accommodating member and the optical element to transmit radially compressive force at the posterior and anterior capsular sac to the optical element.

6. The IOL of claim 5, wherein the accommodating member is configured and positioned relative to the optical element and contacting surface to increase the displacement provided to the optical element.

7. The IOL of claim 2, wherein the accommodating element further comprises a first and a second linking arms, the first and second linking arms each having a first end obliquely connected to the contacting element and having the second end connected to the optical element.

8. The IOL of claim 7, wherein the first and second linking arms are of unequal lengths.

9. The IOL of claim 2, wherein the contacting element is orange slice shaped.

10. The IOL of claim 9, wherein the contacting element is selected from the group of a resilient bag and a resilient filament framework.

11. The IOL of claim 2, wherein an equatorial groove is circumferentially defined in the contacting element and wherein the accommodating element further comprises a capsular tensioning ring disposed within the equatorial groove.

12. The IOL of claim 2, wherein the accommodating member comprises a plurality of engaging struts having a first end in contact with the capsular wall and a second end extending obliquely therefrom, adjacent engaging struts extending obliquely in opposite directions and pivotally engaged with one another, the second ends in contact with said optical element.

13. The IOL of claim 2, wherein the accommodating member further comprises an interior wall, posterior wall and an anterior wall to define an interior central chamber, the anterior wall comprised of material having a lower Young'"'"'s modulus than interior wall and the posterior wall, wherein the interior chamber is configured to cooperate with the accommodating member to effect accommodating and disaccommodating movement of the anterior wall.

14. The IOL of claim 13, wherein the accommodating member further comprises an engaging member, the engaging member having a first end contacting the interior wall and a second end contacting the accommodating member

16. An accommodating assembly for use in combination with an shaped changing optical element, the accommodating assembly comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart contacting elements each adapted to separately engage a portion of the zonular region, the accommodating element positioned relative to the optical element and configured to cooperate with at least one of the ciliary muscle of the mammalian eye, the zonules of the mammalian eye and the vitreous pressure in the eye to effect an accommodating shape and a disaccommodating shape change to the optical element.

17. A method of enabling lens accommodation, comprising the steps:

providing an accommodating element configured for contacting at least a substantial portion of the zonular region, the accommodating element positioned relative to an optical element and configured to cooperate with at least one of the ciliary muscle of the mammalian eye, the zonules of the mammalian eye and the vitreous pressure in the eye to effect an accommodating shape and a disaccommodating shape change to the optical element; and

coupling a shape changing lens body to the accommodating element, wherein radial inward forces at the anterior and posterior capsular bag are transmitted through a generally medially disposed force transmitting element to cause a shape change to a surface curvature of the lens body, and wherein radial outward forces cause the accommodating element to cause a second shape change to said lens curvature.