Multi-part intraocular lens and method of implanting it in an eye
First Claim
1. An intraocular lens comprising:
- a plurality of lens segments; and
lens guiding means for slidably attaching said plurality of lens segments to each other, such that said lens segments are slidable between a retracted orientation, in which said lens segments cooperate to form an optical lens having a first predetermined transverse width, and an extended orientation, in which said lens segments have a second predetermined transverse width, substantially less than the first predetermined transverse width;
wherein when said lens segments are positioned in the extended orientation, they are insertable into an eye through an incision having a length that is less than the first predetermined transverse width of said lens, after which the lens segments can be slid to the retracted orientation for proper positioning within the eye.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-part intraocular lens that can be surgically implanted within an eye through an incision having a length substantially less than the lens'"'"' diameter. The lens includes a plurality of lens segments that are slidable between a retracted orientation, in which they cooperate to form a generally circular lens, and an extended orientation, in which they cooperate to form an elongated assembly having a transverse width substantially less than the lens'"'"' diameter. To surgically implant the lens, it is inserted through the eye incision in the extended orientation, whereupon further insertion causes the lens segments to slide to their retracted orientation automatically, without the need for a risky assembly of segments using surgical instruments within the eye.
82 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An intraocular lens comprising:
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a plurality of lens segments; and lens guiding means for slidably attaching said plurality of lens segments to each other, such that said lens segments are slidable between a retracted orientation, in which said lens segments cooperate to form an optical lens having a first predetermined transverse width, and an extended orientation, in which said lens segments have a second predetermined transverse width, substantially less than the first predetermined transverse width; wherein when said lens segments are positioned in the extended orientation, they are insertable into an eye through an incision having a length that is less than the first predetermined transverse width of said lens, after which the lens segments can be slid to the retracted orientation for proper positioning within the eye. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of inserting and positioning an intraocular lens within an eye, said lens having a plurality of lens segments and lens guiding means for slidably attaching the lens segments to each other such that the segments are slidable between a retracted orientation, in which the segments cooperate to form an optical lens having a first predetermined transverse width, and an extended orientation, in which the segments have a second predetermined transverse width, substantially less than the first predetermined transverse width, whereby the lens segments can be inserted into an eye through an incision substantially less than the lens'"'"' first predetermined transverse width, said method comprising steps of:
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sliding said lens segments to the extended orientation; inserting a leading end of said lens through an incision in the eye until such leading end engages a predetermined portion of the eye, to inhibit further movement of the leading end; inserting further portions of the lens through the incision such that the plurality of lens segments slide to the retracted orientation; and centering said lens within the eye. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An intraocular lens comprising:
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a central lens segment having an oblong shape with opposite side edges having the same, uniform radius; and first and second lateral lens segments of substantially the same size and shaped substantially like lunar crescents, the first and second lateral lens segments further having concave edges conformable with the opposite side edges of the center lens segment; and means for attaching said first and second lateral lens segments to said central lens segment, with the respective concave edges of the first and second lateral segments conformably engaging the opposite side edges of the center lens segment; wherein said lens segments are sized such that when the lens is properly implanted within a human eye, and when normal lighting conditions are present, the eye'"'"'s pupil transmits light only through the central lens segment. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An intraocular lens comprising:
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a primary lens segment having a peripheral edge defined by first and second edges having the same, uniform curvature; first and second secondary lens segments of substantially the same size, each secondary lens segment being shaped substantially like a lunar crescent with a concave edge and a convex edge, the concave edge being conformable with a respective one of the first and second edges of the primary lens segment; first tongue and undercut groove means carried by the first edge of the primary lens segment and the concave edge of the first secondary lens segment, for slidably attaching the respective lens segments together; second tongue and undercut groove means carried by the second edge of the primary lens segment and the concave edge of the second secondary lens segment, for slidably attaching the respective lens segments together; and first and second resilient, position-fixation haptics attached to, and projecting outwardly from, the respective first and second secondary lens segments; wherein the primary and secondary lens segments are slidable relative to each other between a retracted orientation, in which they cooperate to from a substantially circular optical lens having a predetermined diameter, and an extended orientation, in which they cooperate to form an elongated assembly with a predetermined width substantially less than the diameter; and wherein when the primary and secondary lens segments are positioned in the extended orientation, the lens is insertable into an eye through an incision having a length substantially less than the lens'"'"' predetermined diameter, after which the lens segments can be slid to the retracted orientation for proper positioning within the eye.
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Specification