Methods of preparing and inserting flexible intraocular lenses and a configuration for flexible intraocular lenses

• US 5,556,400 A
• Filed: 03/29/1995
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scott W. Tunis
• Original Assignee: Scott W. Tunis
• Inventors: Tunis, Scott W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOO, BENJAMIN K
• Application Number:
  US08/412,574
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 606/107, 606/1, 623/6
• US Class Current: 606/107
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1664 for manual insertion during surgery, e.g. forceps-like instruments

Abstract

Apparatus for and methods of preparing and inserting flexible intraocular lenses through incisions in ocular tissue made during phacoemulsification cataract surgery wherein the incisions are preferably no longer than 3 mm. The intraocular lens is placed on a template which facilitates multiple non-random folding of the intraocular lens. Multiple, non-random folds in the lens provide a folded lens with a diameter of less than 50% of its original diameter and are accomplished using two forceps, with the template providing the necessary and proper orientation, stabilization, and positioning of the lens. The intraocular lens folded using the template is held with one of the forceps and is inserted and released inside the eye, whereupon the lens unfolds in its proper position and configuration inside the eye. An intra-ocular lens having both plate haptics and J-style or C-style haptics is provided.

Claims

1. A method of non-randomly folding a flexible intraocular lens multiple times to have a diameter less than 50 percent of its original diameter, wherein the lens has an optical portion for alignment with pupil of an eye and a pair of opposed haptic portions for intraocular fixation, the method comprising the steps of:

mounting the lens on a rigid template having portions engaging the lens, which portions do not move either with respect to the lens or to one another;

holding the lens with a first forceps;

gripping the lens with a second forceps;

folding the lens by pressing the lens up against at least one blade of a pair of blades of the first forceps while the lens is retained on the template to dispose the lens in a folded configuration completely between the blades of the first forceps;

removing the blades of the second forceps from engagement with the lens; and

squeezing the folded lens between the blades of the first forceps to minimize the size of the folded lens whereby the folded lens may be inserted through a surgical incision of minimal length in the eye.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens is folded into a W-shaped configuration.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens is folded into an S-shaped configuration.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the blades of the first forceps are relatively wide and the blades of the second forceps are relatively narrow.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens when folded has a dimension of less than 3 mm, whereby the lens may be inserted through a surgical incision having a length no greater than 3 mm.

6. A method of folding a flexible, intraocular lens having an optical portion for alignment with a pupil of an eye and a pair of opposed haptic portions for intraocular fixation, the opposed haptic portions joining the optical portion at junctures, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning the lens in a relaxed state on an anvil having a first surface engaging the haptic portions of the lens;

(b) deforming the lens by pressing the lens towards a second surface on the anvil of a diameter less than that of the first surface to deflect the haptic portions so as to extend transverse to the optical portion;

(c) folding both of the haptic portions to overlie the optical portion;

(d) while holding the haptic portions in an overlying relationship with respect to the optical portion, folding the optical portion in half between the haptic portions to configure the folded lens in a W-shape; and

(e) squeezing the lens while in a W-shape to decrease the lateral dimension thereof, whereby the lens may be inserted through a surgical incision of minimal size.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a first forceps including a pair of blades is used to perform the deforming step of step (b) by engaging the lens at the junctures of the optical and haptic portions and pressing the lens towards the second surface of the anvil.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the holding step of step (b) is accomplished by engaging each haptic portion between the outer edge thereof and the junction with the optical portion, and therein the holding step of step (c) is performed by holding the haptic portions with the blades of the first folding forceps, the blades being predisposed in spaced relationship to one another.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the folding step of step (d) is formed by blades of second forceps with the blades thereof disposed on opposite sides of the folded lens, wherein one blade of the first forceps presses against the optical portion over the diameter thereof and moves the optical portion between the blades of the first forceps.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the squeezing step of step (e) is performed after removing the blades of the second forceps from contact with the lens.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the lateral dimension of the folded lens while in the W-shape of step (e) is less than 3 mm.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the haptic portions of the lens are in the form of oppositely extending lateral flanges which are unitary with the lens.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the haptic portions of the lens are defined by peripheral circular portions thereof, as well as by curved, resilient strands extending in opposite directions from the lens, wherein segments of the circular haptic portions are deformed, folded, and held in accordance with the steps (e), (c), and (d).

14. A method for inserting a flexible intraocular lens having an ocular portion for alignment with a pupil of an eye and a pair of opposed haptic portions for resting against the iris of the eye, wherein the method is performed subsequent to phacoemulsification surgery, wherein an incision of 3 mm or less is made in the eye, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) folding the lens non-randomly into a W-shape with the haptic portions overlying one side of the optical portion, with the optical portion folded in half over a diameter thereof, whereby the other surface of the optical portion is in abutment with itself;

(b) retaining the lens in the W-shaped, folded configuration with the blades of a forceps, wherein the dimension of the W-shaped, folded lens is less than 3 mm;

(c) inserting the W-shaped, folded lens through the incision into proximity with the iris of the eye with the forceps; and

(d) releasing the lens, wherein the lens expands from the W-shaped, folded configuration into a generally planar configuration, whereby the optical portion overlies the pupil, with the haptic portions overlying the iris.

15. A method of folding a flexible intraocular lens having an optical portion for alignment with a pupil of an eye and a pair of opposed haptic strands for intraocular fixation, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning the lens in a relaxed state on an anvil having a groove underlying the lens;

(b) gripping the lens with a holding forceps after aligning a blade of the holding forceps with the groove;

(c) positioning a folding forceps in a slot on the template with the blades thereof spread a selected distance apart which is less than the diameter of the lens;

(d) positioning the lens between the blades of the folding forceps by folding the lens into an S-shaped configuration while holding the lens with the blades of the holding forceps;

(e) removing the blades of the holding forceps; and

(f) squeezing the blades of the folding forceps together to decrease size of the folded lens whereby the folded lens may be inserted through a surgical incision in the eye of minimal size.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lateral dimension of the folded lens when squeezed by the second forceps is less than 3 mm.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the blades of the holding forceps have widths which are substantially less than the widths of the blades of the folding forceps.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the lens is folded into an S-shape by initially engaging one edge of the lens with one blade of the folding forceps and then rotating the lens by rotating the holding forceps to bend the lens at two locations before inserting the lens completely between the blades of the folding forceps.