Intraocular lens insertion instrument

Claim 2

An intraocular lens insertion instrument, comprising: an axially open holder for holding an intraocular lens with its optic folded and a haptic extending toward an open distal end of the holder; and an axially movable plunger having an enlarged head for insertion into the open distal end of the holder to engage a distal side of the folded optic, and a barrel of reduced cross-section extending rearward from the head to define an open space within the holder above the barrel for receiving and containing the haptic in a relaxed and protected condition as the plunger moves forward in the holder to eject the folded IOL from an open proximal end of the holder.

Claim 3

An instrument according to claim 1 comprising means for supporting and mechanically moving the plunger in forward and rearward directions between the open distal and proximal ends of the holder.

Claim 4

An instrument according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the holder comprises first and second forwardly extending jaws for opening to received the intraocular lens with its optic folded and its haptic extending rearward toward the distal open end of the holder, and for closing to hold the intraocular lens in its folded condition.

Claim 5

An instrument according to claim 3 comprising: means for mechanically opening and closing the jaws; and means for supporting and mechanically moving the plunger forward and rearward in a plane lying between the jaws to eject the folded intraocular lens from the jaws through the open proximal end of the holder with forward movement of the plunger.

Claim 6

An instrument according to claim 3 or 4 further comprising: a tubular hand-holdable housing; a tubular push rod axially movable within the housing with a rear end portion extending beyond an open rear end of the housing; means securing the jaws to a forward end portion of the push rod to cantilever in an open condition through and outward beyond a forward open end of the housing; spring means within the housing for urging the push rod in a rearward direction relative to the housing to carry the jaws into and against the forward end of the housing to move to a closed condition; and manually actuated mechanical means for moving the plunger within the push rod toward and between the jaws to eject the folded IOL therefrom.

Claim 7

An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for mechanically moving the plunger includes a manually movable drive member, and gear means between the drive member and the plunger for moving the plunger a relatively short distance compared to travel of the drive member whereby movement of the plunger may be precisely controlled.

Claim 8

An instrument for receiving an intraocular lens having at least one haptic attached thereto or integral therewith which comprises a housing having a lens holding end which housing has a central bore therethrough, a plunger comprising a barrel having a head attached to or integral with one end thereof, said head having a diameter greater than the diameter of the portion of the barrel to which the head is secured, said plunger being sized to move axially through the central bore within the housing, and means for stopping said plunger's movement through the central bore.

Claim 9

An instrument for receiving an intraocular lens having at least one haptic attached thereto or integral therewith which comprises a housing having a lens holding end which housing has a central bore therethrough, a plunger comprising a barrel having a head attached to or integral with one end thereof, said head having a diameter greater than the diameter of the portion of the barrel to which the head is secured, said plunger being sized to move axially through the central bore within the housing, and means for stopping said plunger's movement through the central bore.

Claim 10

An instrument according to claim 7 wherein the lens holding end comprises a pair of jaws and wherein the instrument further comprises means for opening and closing the jaws.

Claim 11

An instrument according to claim 7 or 8 which further comprises means for moving the plunger axially along the central bore within the housing.

Claim 12

An instrument according to any of claims 7 to 9 wherein the head is of sufficient diameter to contact the outer periphery of the optic portion of an intraocular lens held therein.

Claim 13

An instrument according to any one of the claims 8 to 10 wherein the jaws open sufficiently wide to receive an IOL in a substantially flat configuration.

Claim 14

An instrument according to claims 8 to 11 wherein the means for opening and closing the jaws include means for closing the jaws when an IOL is contained therein so as to fold the IOL about a major axis.

Claim 15

An instrument according to any one of claims 7 to 12 wherein the means for moving the plunger includes means for moving the plunger axially along the bore through the central housing whereby the head ejects an intraocular lens folded about a major axis.