Artificial lens

Claim 2

Artificial lens for application to the eye after the natural lens has been removed, comprising a. a lens element adapted to lie adjacent the iris, and b. a support arm connected at one end to the lens element and extending generally radially thereof, the other end of the arm having means for suturing it to the ciliary body and sclera at two substantially-spaced points equidistant from the center of the iris to prevent tipping of the lens element, the support arm being a loop of wire whose ends are connected to the lens element, the loop being generally U-shaped with the lens element located at the open end and the suture points located at two remote corners.

Claim 3

Artificial lens as recited in claim 1, wherein the lens element is formed of a polymethyl methacrylate which is substantially free of the monomer.

Claim 4

Artificial lens as recited in claim 2, wherein the lens element is sized and shaped for location in the anterior chamber.

Claim 5

Artificial lens as recited in claim 3, wherein a suture extends from said remote corner points and is adpated to pass through the sclera and be tied on the outer surface thereof.

Claim 6

Artificial lens for application to the eye after the natural lens has been removed, comprising a. a lens element adapted to lie adjacent the iris, b. a support arm connected at one end to the lens element and extending generally radially thereof, the other end of the arm having means for suturing it to the ciliary body and sclera at two substantially-spaced points equidistant from the center of the iris to prevent tipping of the lens element, the arm being a loop of rod-like material with a generally straight portion extending at a right angle to an imaginary line connecting the center of the lens element, the straight portion extending equal amounts in either direction from the said imaginary line and spaced apertures formed in the straight portion adjacent the ends thereof, and c. a suture adapted to extend through the apertures and through the ciliary body and the sclera and adapted to be tied on the exterior of the sclera.

Claim 7

Artificial lens for application to the eye after the natural lens has been removed, comprising a. a lens element adapted to lie adjacent the iris, b. a support arm connected at one end to the lens element and extending generally radially thereof, the other end of the arm having means for suturing it to the ciliary body and sclera at two substantially-spaced points equidistant from the center of the iris to prevent tipping of the lens element, the arm being a loop of rod-like material with a generally straight portion extending at a right angle to an imaginary line connecting the center of the lens element, the straight portion extending equal amounts in either direction from the said imaginary line and spaced apertures formed in the straight portion adjacent the ends thereof, and c. a suture adapted to extend through the apertures and through the ciliary body and the sclera and adapted to be tied on the exterior of the sclera.

Claim 8

Artificial lens for application to the eye after the natural lens has been removed, comprising a. a lens element adapted to lie adjacent the iris, and b. a support arm connected at one end to the lens element and extending generally radially thereof, the other end of the arm having means for suturing it to the ciliary body and sclera at two substantially-spaced points equidistant from the center of the iris to prevent tipping of the lens element, the support arm being a loop of wire whose ends are connected to the lens element, the loop being generally U-shaped with two straight parallel legs joined by a bight located remote from the lens element, the bight being provided with substantially-spaced means for suturing, the free ends of the legs being connected to inclined intermediate members which in turn are connected to generally transversely-extending guide elements at the ends of which are vertical risers the upper ends are fastened to the lens element.

Claim 9

Artificial lens for application to the eye after the natural lens has been removed, comprising a. a lens element adapted to lie adjacent the iris, and b. a support arm connected at one end to the lens element and extending generally radially thereof, the other end of the arm having means for suturing it to the ciliary body and sclera at two substantially-spaced points equidistant from the center of the iris to prevent tipping of the lens element, the support arm being a loop of wire whose ends are connected to the lens element, the loop being generally U-shaped with two straight parallel legs joined by a bight located remote from the lens element, the bight being provided with substantially-spaced means for suturing, the free ends of the legs being connected to inclined intermediate members which in turn are connected to generally transversely-extending guide elements at the ends of which are vertical risers the upper ends are fastened to the lens element.

Claim 10

Operative procedure for replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial lens, comprising the steps of a. removing the natural lens, b. placing the articial lens in position adjacent the iris, and c. suturing the artificial lens to the eye by use of a suture that passes through the ciliary body and the sclera, the suture passing through the sclera and ciliary body at substantially spaced points which are equidistant from the center of the iris, but located at one side only of the artificial lens, so that the lens does not interfere with the normal operation of the iris.

Claim 11

Operative procedure for replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial lens, comprising the steps of a. removing the natural lens, b. placing the articial lens in position adjacent the iris, and c. suturing the artificial lens to the eye by use of a suture that passes through the ciliary body and the sclera, the suture passing through the sclera and ciliary body at substantially spaced points which are equidistant from the center of the iris, but located at one side only of the artificial lens, so that the lens does not interfere with the normal operation of the iris.

Claim 12

Operative procuedure as recited in claim 7, wherein the lens is guided to the iris to maintain the lens against the iris without preventing the iris from opening and closing.

Claim 13

Artificial lens for application to the eye after the natural lens has been removed, comprising a. a lens element adapted to lie adjacent the iris, b. a support arm connected at one end to the lens element and extending generally radially thereof, the other end of the arm having means for suturing it to the ciliary body and sclera at two substantially-spaced points equidistant from the center of the iris to prevent tipping of the lens element, and c. means provided for holding the lens element in position adjacent the iris without inhibiting the operation of the iris, the said holding means includes two wire elements located on opposite sides of the lens element and spaced a substantial distance from the surface of the lens element, so that the lens element is adapted to reside on one side of the iris while the wire elements are adpated to reside on the other side.

Claim 14

Artificial lens for application to the eye after the natural lens has been removed, comprising a. a lens element adapted to lie adjacent the iris, b. a support arm connected at one end to the lens element and extending generally radially thereof, the other end of the arm having means for suturing it to the ciliary body and sclera at two substantially-spaced points equidistant from the center of the iris to prevent tipping of the lens element, and c. means provided for holding the lens element in position adjacent the iris without inhibiting the operation of the iris, the said holding means includes two wire elements located on opposite sides of the lens element and spaced a substantial distance from the surface of the lens element, so that the lens element is adapted to reside on one side of the iris while the wire elements are adpated to reside on the other side.