Open chamber, elliptical, accommodative intraocular lens system

• US 6,488,708 B2
• Filed: 04/09/1999
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Faezeh Sarfarazi
• Original Assignee: Faezeh Sarfarazi
• Inventors: Sarfarazi, Faezeh
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US09/288,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20020002404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 623/6.37, 623/6.34, 623/6.36, 623/6.13, 623/6.32, 623/6.39, 623/6.11, 623/6.22, 623/6.38, 623/6.43, 623/6.46, 623/6.49, 623/FOR.105
• US Class Current: 623/6.34
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1613 having special lens configurations, e.g. multipart lenses; having particular optical properties, e.g. pseudo-accommodative lenses, lenses having aberration corrections, diffractive lenses, lenses for variably absorbing electromagnetic radiation, lenses having variable focus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1629 for changing longitudinal position, i.e. along the visual axis when implanted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1648 Multipart lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/16901 Supporting structure conforms to shape of capsular bag
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0053 differing in optical properties

Abstract

An open chamber, accommodative, intraocular lens method and apparatus operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens is provided having an anterior refractive lens optic, a first haptic segment having a first end and being connected at said first end to a peripheral portion of said anterior lens optic and a second end and said haptic segment extending in an elliptical curve, in longitudinal cross-section, along the the line of sight of the lens and at least a second haptic segment having a first end and being connected at said first end to a peripheral portion of said lens optic and a second end and said at least a second haptic segment extending in an elliptical curve, in longitudinal cross-section, and being operably joined with the second end of said first haptic segment to form an open chamber, elliptical shaped haptic accommodating support for the anterior lens within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye.

Claims

1. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within the interior of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, said intraocular lens system comprising:

a first lens optic, operable to be positioned within an anterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, having a central optic axis;

a second lens optic, operable to be positioned within a posterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, having a central optic axis coaxial with said central optic axis of said first lens optic, said second lens optic having a concave, spheric, anterior surface;

a first flexible longitudinally arcuate haptic being arcuate in the direction of said central optic axis and having a first end and a second end, said first haptic extending between said first and second lens optics and directly connected at said first end to said first lens optic and directly connected at said second end to said second lens optic respectively; and

at least a second flexible longitudinally arcuate haptic being arcuate in the direction of said central optic axis and having a first end and a second end, said second haptic extending between said first and second lens optics and directly connected at said first end to said first lens optic and directly connected at said second end to said second lens optic respectively, each longitudinally arcuate haptic operable when positioned in an evacuated capsular bag to extend in a generally elliptical curve in longitudinal cross-section and to follow the contour of an interior surface of the evacuated capsular bag said first and second lens optics operable to be supported in general visual axial alignment within an evacuated capsular bag by said first longitudinally arcuate haptic and said at least second longitudinally arcuate haptic abutting against and being supported by interior surfaces of the evacuated capsular bag and the ciliary muscles of a wearer of the intraocular lens system acting through Zonula connected to an exterior surface of the evacuated capsular bag being operable to pull on the evacuated capsular bag and the ciliary muscle and the arcuate haptics being operable to selectively vary the distance between said first lens optic and said second lens optic along the central optic axis of said first lens optic and said second lens optic and facilitate accommodated vision of a wearer of the intraocular lens system.

2. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least a second, arcuate, lens haptic comprises:

a second and a third, longitudinally arcuate, haptics and said first, second and third haptics being peripherally spaced equally about a rim of said first and second lens optics.

3. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said first, second and third, longitudinally arcuate, haptics when viewed in a direction normal to an anterior face of said first lens optic, extend outwardly from a periphery of the first lens optic at an angle of approximately 30 to 40 degrees and said haptics are equally spaced about the periphery of the optic.

4. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said first, second and third, longitudinally arcuate, haptics when viewed in longitudinally cross-section are elliptical with a ratio of ellipse of approximately 0.96.

5. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 3 wherein:

the cross-sectional configuration of each of said first, second and third haptics transverse to the direction of said optic axes is substantially a circular arc and having a radius of curvature of approximately 4.5 mm.

6. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least a second, arcuate, lens haptic comprises:

second, third and fourth, longitudinally arcuate, haptics; and

said first, second, third and fourth haptics being peripherally spaced about peripheral rims of said first and second lens optics.

7. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least a second, arcuate, lens haptic comprises:

second, third, fourth and fifth, longitudinally arcuate, haptics; and

said first, second, third, fourth and fifth haptics being peripherally spaced about peripheral rims of said first and second lens optics.

8. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least a second, arcuate lens haptic comprises:

two, or more, longitudinally arcuate, haptics each having a first end and a second end, each of said longitudinally arcuate haptics extending between and connected at said first ends to spaced peripheral portions of said first lens optic and connected at said second ends to spaced peripheral portions of said second optic.

9. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first, longitudinally arcuate, haptic and said at least a second, longitudinally arcuate, haptic being also arcuate transverse to the direction of said optic axes so as to operably fit smoothly within the interior of and abut against the interior surfaces of the evacuated capsular bag of a wearer of the intraocular lens system.

10. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first, longitudinally arcuate, haptic and said at least a second, longitudinally arcuate, haptic being generally elliptical in a planar perspective prior to attachment to periphery positions of the first and second lens optics.

11. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defied in claim 1 wherein:

said fist, longitudinally arcuate, haptic and said at least a second, longitudinally arcuate, haptic are generally rectangular in a planar perspective prior to attachment to periphery positions of the first and second lens optics.

12. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first and second lens optics and said first and at least a second lens haptics are all composed of polymethylmethacrylate material.

13. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first and second lens optics are composed of polymethylmethacrylate material; and

said first and said at least a second lens haptics are all composed of polypropylene having a specific gravity of less than 1.0 and thus providing offset buoyancy for the lens optics when the intraocular lens is positioned within the aqueous humor of a human eye.

14. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first and second lens optics are each composed of polymethylmethacrylate material; and

said first and at least a second haptics are composed of an acrylic material having a water content of between 2% and 30%.

15. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first and second lens optics are each composed of polymethylmethacrylate material; and

said first and at least a second haptics are composed of hydroxyethylmethacrylate.

16. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first and second lens optics are each composed of polymethylmethacrylate material; and

said first and at least a second haptics are composed of polydimethyl siloxanes.

17. An open chamber, accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first and second lens optics are each composed of polymethylmethacrylate material; and

said first and at least a second longitudinally arcuate haptic segments are composed of an acrylic material having a specific gravity less than one so as to provide offsetting positive buoyancy with respect to the negative buoyancy of the lens optics.

18. An open chamber, accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within the interior of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first lens optic comprises a bi-convex lens having a convex, spheric, anterior surface and a convex, spheric, posterior surface as viewed from the perspective of the lens being placed within an evacuated capsular bag of a wearer'"'"'s eyes; and

said second lens optic comprises a concave-convex lens having a concave, spheric, anterior surface and a convex, spheric, posterior surface as viewed from the perspective of the lens being placed within the evacuated capsular bag of a wearer'"'"'s eyes.

19. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within the interior of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first lens optic comprises a bi-convex lens having a convex, spheric, anterior surface and a convex, spheric, posterior surface, as viewed from the perspective of the lens being placed within an evacuated capsular bag of a wearer'"'"'s eye; and

said second lens optic comprises a concave-planar lens having a concave, spheric, anterior surface and a planar posterior surface, as viewed from the perspective of the lens being placed within an evacuated capsular bag of a wearer'"'"'s eye.

20. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within the interior of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first lens optic comprises a bi-convex lens having a convex, spheric, anterior surface and a convex, spheric, posterior surface, as viewed from the perspective of the lens being placed within an evacuated capsular bag of a wearer'"'"'s eye; and

said second lens optic having biplanar anterior and posterior surfaces and thus providing no refraction of light passing through the second lens from curvature of the lens optics surfaces.

21. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within the interior of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, as defined in claim 1 wherein:

axial spacing of the first lens optic with respect to the second lens optic, when positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, is such that the ciliary muscle of the wearer is operable to effect an accommodative axial, line of sight, displacement of the first optic lens with respect to the second optic of approximately 2 mm.

22. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within the interior of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, as defined in claim 1 wherein:

axial spacing of the first lens optic with respect to the second lens optic, when positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, is such that the ciliary muscle of the wearer is operable to effect a visual accommodation of four diopters.

23. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

the optic power of said first lens optic is positive and said second lens optic is negative.

24. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within the interior of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, said intraocular lens system comprising:

an anterior lens optic, operable to be positioned at an anterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, having a central line of sight axis;

a posterior lens optic, operable to be positioned at an posterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, having a central line of sight axis coaxial with said central line of sight axis of said anterior lens optic, said posterior lens optic having a concave, spheric, anterior surface;

a first haptic means connected directly to and longitudinally between said anterior lens optic and said posterior lens optic in the direction of said line of sight axes of the anterior and posterior lens optics for partially supporting said lens optics within the capsular bag and permitting relative axial motion of said anterior lens optic with respect to said posterior lens optic while maintaining said posterior lens optic in an essentially stationary position; and

at least a second haptic means connected directly to and longitudinally between said anterior lens optic and said posterior lens optic in the direction of said line of sight axes of the anterior and posterior lens optics for partially supporting said lens optics within the capsular bag and permitting relative axial motion of said anterior lens optic with respect to said posterior lens optic while maintaining said posterior lens optic in an essentially stationary position to provide accommodative vision to a patient;

the haptic means being flexible and operable to extend in a generally elliptical curve in longitudinal cross-section when positioned in an evacuated capsular bag and to follow the contour of the interior surface of the evacuated capsular bag.

25. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, as defined in claim 24 wherein said at least a second haptic means comprises:

a second and a third haptic means connected to and longitudinally between said anterior lens optic and said posterior lens optic.

26. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, as defined in claim 25 wherein:

said first, second, and third haptic means are shaped in the form of a partial ellipse in longitudinal cross-section and the ratio of the ellipse is approximately 0.96.

27. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, as defined in claim 26 wherein:

the cross-sectional configuration of each of said first, second and third haptic means transverse to said line of sight axes is substantially a circular arc and having a radius of curvature of approximately 4.5 mm.

28. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, as defined in claim 27 wherein:

said first, second and third haptic means, when viewed along the line of sight of the anterior lens optic, extends outwardly at an angle of approximately 40 degrees and the spacing between said first, second and third haptic means being approximately 80 degrees.

29. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens, said intraocular lens system comprising:

an anterior refractive lens optic, operable to be positioned at an anterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, said anterior refractive lens optic having a line of sight central longitudinal axis;

a first haptic having a first end and being connected at said first end directly to a peripheral portion of said anterior refractive lens optic and a second end and said haptic being flexible and extending in a generally elliptical curve in a longitudinal cross-section and being operable to follow the interior contour of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye from an anterior portion to a posterior portion of a capsular bag of a human eye; and

at least a second haptic having a first end and being connected at said first end to a peripheral portion of said anterior refractive lens optic and a second end, and said haptic being flexible and extending in a generally elliptical curve in longitudinal cross-section, and being operable to follow the interior contour of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye from an anterior portion to a posterior portion of a capsular bag of a human eye and said first haptic and said at least a second haptic extending in the direction of said line of sight central longitudinal axis to form an open elliptical shaped haptic accommodating support for the anterior refractive optic lens operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye.

30. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens is concave-convex in cross-section.

31. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as deemed in claim 29 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens is plano-convex in cross-section.

32. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens is convex-plano in cross-section.

33. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 29 wherein:

the second ends of said haptics are each joined to a retaining ring at a posterior position of the intraocular lens system and said retaining ring operably abuts against a posterior surface of the capsular bag upon insertion of the intraocular lens within a human eye.

34. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 33 wherein:

said at least a second haptic comprises a second and a third elliptical haptic spaced about the periphery of said anterior lens optic.

35. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 34 wherein:

said first, second, and third haptics are shaped in the form of a partial ellipse in longitudinal cross-section and the ratio of the ellipse is approximately 0.96.

36. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 35 wherein:

the transverse cross-sectional configuration of each of said first, second and third haptics is substantially a circular arc and having a radius of curvature of approximately 4.5 mm.

37. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 36 wherein:

said first, second and third haptics, when viewed along the line of sight of the anterior lens optic, extends outwardly at an angle of approximately 30 to 40 degrees and said haptic segments being spaced equally said optic lens.

38. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 29 wherein:

the second ends of said haptics are each free and extend to a posterior position of the intraocular lens system and being operable to abut against a posterior surface of the capsular bag upon insertion of the intraocular lens within a human eye.

39. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said first haptic and said at least a second haptic are generally elliptical in a planar perspective prior to attachment to the peripheral portions of aid anterior refractive lens optic.

40. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens optic is concavo-planar in cross-section.

41. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens optic is bi-convex in cross-section.

42. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens optic is convex-concavo in cross-section.

43. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens optic is concavo-concavo in cross-section. said first, second and third haptics, when viewed along the line of sight of the anterior lens optic, extends outwardly at an angle of approximately 30 to 40 degrees and said haptic segments being spaced equally about said lens optic.

44. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens optic is composed of a silicone material.

45. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 44 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens optic is integral with said first haptic and said at least a second haptic.

46. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens optic is composed of a polymethylmthacrylate material.

47. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said anterior refractive lens optic is composed of an acrylic material.

48. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens, said intraocular lens system. comprising:

an anterior lens optic operable to be positioned within an anterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye and having a central line of sight axis;

a posterior lens optic operable to be positioned at an posterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye and having a central line of sight axis coaxial with said central line of sight axis of said anterior lens optic, said posterior lens optic having a concave, spheric, anterior surface;

an intermediate lens optic positioned between and in visual axial alignment with said anterior and posterior lens optics;

a first haptic means connected directly to said anterior lens optic, said posterior lens optic and said intermediate lens optic and being operable for supporting said lens optics within the capsular bag and permitting relative accommodative motion of said anterior lens optic with respect to said posterior lens optic; and

at least a second haptic means connected directly to said anterior lens optic, said posterior lens optic and said intermediate lens optic and being operable for cooperating with said first haptic means for supporting said lens optics within the capsular bag and permitting relative accommodative motion of said anterior lens optic with respect to said posterior lens optic;

each haptic means being flexible and operable when positioned in a evacuated capsular bag to extend in a generally elliptical curve in longitudinal cross-section and to follow the contour of the interior surface of the evacuated capsular bag.

49. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 48 wherein:

said first haptic means comprises an elliptical haptic; and

said at least a second haptic means comprises a second and a third elliptical haptic, said first, second and third haptics being spaced about a periphery of said anterior and posterior lens optics.

50. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 49 wherein:

said first, second and third haptics, when viewed along the line of sight of the anterior lens, extends outwardly at an angle of approximately 40 degrees and the spacing between said first, second and third haptics segments being approximately 80 degrees.

51. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 50 wherein:

said first, second, and third haptics are shaped in the form of a partial ellipse in longitudinal cross-section taken along the central line of sight axes of said lenses and the ratio of the ellipse is approximately 0.96.

52. An open accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye following extracapsular extraction of a natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 51 wherein:

the cross-sectional configuration of each of said first, second and third haptics, taken transverse to the direction of the line of sight of said lens optics, forming substantially a circular arc and having a radius of curvature of approximately 4.5 mm.

53. A method for achieving accommodative vision following an extracapsular operative procedure for removing a patient'"'"'s natural crystalline lens, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting into the evacuated capsular bag of each eye an accommodative intraocular lens system including at least one lens optic having a line of sight central longitudinal axis and positioning said at least one lens optic in, an anterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye and a plurality of flexible haptics forming an open lens system, said haptics operable when positioned in the evacuated capsular bag to extend in a generally elliptical curve in longitudinal cross-section and having an exterior configuration approximating the shape of the interior surfaces of the evacuated capsular bag from an anterior portion to a posterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye;

providing for near vision acuity by the natural memory state of the haptics of the intraocular lens system; and

providing accommodative far vision acuity by tensioning the Zonula connected to the equator periphery of the evacuated capsular bag and thereby moving the lens along the line of sight axis within the eye of a wearer of the accommodative intraocular lens system.

54. The method for achieving accommodative vision following an extracapsular operative procedure for removing a patient'"'"'s natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 53 wherein:

said method being operable for refractive correction of a patient'"'"'s myopia.

55. A method for achieving accommodative vision following an extracapsular operative procedure for removing a patient'"'"'s natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 53 wherein:

said step of inserting includes inserting a first and a second lens optic into the evacuated capsular bag in an anterior position and a posterior position respectively; and

providing accommodative far vision comprises moving the anterior lens optic along the axis of sight toward the posterior lens within the interior of the evacuated capsular bag.

56. A method for achieving accommodative vision following an extracapsular operative procedure for removing a patient'"'"'s natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 55 wherein:

said method being operable for restoring a patient'"'"'s vision following cataract extraction.

57. A method for achieving accommodative vision following an extracapsular operative procedure for removing a patient'"'"'s natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 55 wherein:

said method being operable for restoring a patient'"'"'s vision to correct for presbyopia.

58. A method for achieving accommodative vision following an extracapsular operative procedure for removing a patient'"'"'s natural crystalline lens as defined in claim 55 wherein:

said step of inserting further includes inserting a third lens optic into the evacuated capsular bag in a position between said first and second lens optics; and

said method being operable for providing a range of powers of 30 to 70 diopters for facilitating a patient'"'"'s vision impaired by macular degeneration.