US4373218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable power intraocular lens and method of implanting into the posterior chamber
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-11-17
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2000-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A posterior chamber intraocular lens (34) is provided that can be utilized in a human eye. The posterior chamber intraocular lens (34) includes a fluid-expandable sac (40) for containing a fluid (42). The fluid expandable sac (40) includes a lens portion (36) and a valve portion (38) that extends through the sclera (16) of an eye (10) when the posterior chamber intraocular lens (34) is inserted into the eye (10). In an alternate embodiment, the fluid (42) is a liquid crystal material (52) that is used in combination with an electrode (54) and a microprocessor (56) for changing the index of refraction of the posterior chamber intraocular lens (48) and responds to the desired accommodation.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Schachar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:58
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/1313; A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/16; A61F2/1613; A61F2/1624; A61F2/1627; A61F2/48; A61F2/482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A posterior chamber intraocular lens for an eye comprising: a fluid-expandable sac constructed of flexible, transparent material for containing fluid and dimensioned for occupying the posterior chamber of the eye when expanded with fluid in place of at least a portion of the natural lens; and valve means connected to said sac for extending through the sclera of the eye for selectively varying the optical characteristics of the fluid within said sac in order to vary the optical characteristics of the wearer's eye while said sac is in the wearer's eye.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A posterior chamber intraocular lens for an eye comprising: a fluid-expandable sac constructed of flexible, transparent material for containing fluid and dimensioned for occupying the posterior chamber of the eye when expanded with fluid in place of at least a portion of the natural lens; and valve means connected to said sac for extending through the sclera of the eye for selectively varying the optical characteristics of the fluid within said sac in order to vary the optical characteristics of the wearer's eye while said sac is in the wearer's eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The posterior chamber intraocular lens as recited in claim 1 wherein the shape of said sac when expanded with fluid is biconvex.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The posterior chamber intraocular lens as recited in claim 1 wherein said fluid-expandable sac is dimensioned to occupy essentially the entire posterior chamber of the eye when expanded with fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The posterior chamber lens as recited in claim 1 wherein said fluid-expandable sac is filled with fluid of a predetermined index of refraction for providing a lens having a desired power.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens as recited in claim 4 wherein said fluid is a gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lens as recited in claim 4 wherein said fluid is an aqueous solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens as recited in claim 4 wherein said fluid is an oil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens as recited in claim 7 wherein said fluid is silicone oil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lens as recited in claim 4 wherein said fluid is water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lens as recited in claim 4 wherein said fluid is nonreactive with the eye.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lens as recited in claim 1 wherein said fluid-expandable sac can be transported through a needle when collapsed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lens as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining said sac in a fixed position in the posterior chamber of the eye.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lens as recited in claim 12 wherein said means for maintaining said sac in a fixed position includes projections on the exterior of said sac.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lens as recited in claim 13 wherein said projections are pin-like.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lens as recited in claim 13 wherein said projections are rib-like.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lens as recited in claim 1 wherein said sac is constructed of materials selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene and silicone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lens as recited in claim 1 wherein said sac is dimensioned when expanded to occupy the interior portion of the natural lens sac.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
104 words
A posterior chamber intraocular lens for an eye comprising: (a) a fluid-expandable sac constructed of a transparent flexible material for containing fluid and dimensioned for occupying the posterior chamber of an eye; (b) liquid crystal material contained within said sac having an index of refraction that is variable by an applied voltage; (c) means for producing an input signal proportional to the accommodation of the eye; and (d) microprocessor means electrically coupled to said liquid crystal material and responsive to an input signal for producing an output signal for controlling the index of refraction of said liquid crystal material for achieving the desired accommodation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
104 words
A posterior chamber intraocular lens for an eye comprising: (a) a fluid-expandable sac constructed of a transparent flexible material for containing fluid and dimensioned for occupying the posterior chamber of an eye; (b) liquid crystal material contained within said sac having an index of refraction that is variable by an applied voltage; (c) means for producing an input signal proportional to the accommodation of the eye; and (d) microprocessor means electrically coupled to said liquid crystal material and responsive to an input signal for producing an output signal for controlling the index of refraction of said liquid crystal material for achieving the desired accommodation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lens as recited in claim 18 wherein said means for producing an input signal includes a sensor for monitoring the position of the eyes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lens as recited in claim 18 wherein said sensor monitors the position of the eyes by measuring the electric potential generated by the rectus medialis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The lens as recited in claim 18 wherein said means for producing an input signal includes an electrode for monitoring the electrical potential generated by contractions and relaxations of the ciliary body of the eye.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lens as recited in claim 21 wherein the optical density of said liquid crystal is variable by an applied voltage potential.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for removing a natural lens from an eye and for implanting into the eye a posterior chamber intraocular lens comprising: (a) inserting an insertion member through the sclera of the eye and into the posterior chamber; (b) inserting a collapsible, fluid-expandable sac constructed of flexible transparent material through said member and into the posterior chamber; and (c) instilling a fluid into said sac for filling said sac in order to provide an artificial lens.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for removing a natural lens from an eye and for implanting into the eye a posterior chamber intraocular lens comprising: (a) inserting an insertion member through the sclera of the eye and into the posterior chamber; (b) inserting a collapsible, fluid-expandable sac constructed of flexible transparent material through said member and into the posterior chamber; and (c) instilling a fluid into said sac for filling said sac in order to provide an artificial lens.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 23 and further comprising forming an aperture in the cornea of the eye for relieving pressure produced on the interior portion of the eye as fluid is instilled into the sac.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 23 wherein at least a portion of the natural lens is removed after said fluid-expandable sac is inserted into the posterior chamber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 25 wherein the lens is removed by phacoemulsification.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 25 wherein the lens is removed by cryoextraction.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 25 wherein the lens is removed by an extracapsular procedure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 23 further comprising sealing said sac having fluid contained therein, said sac functioning as a posterior intraocular lens.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 23 wherein said fluid-expandable sac is inserted into the natural lens sac.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 25 wherein the entire natural lens is removed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 25 wherein only the crystalline material of the natural lens is removed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 32 wherein the intraocular lens is posterior to the natural lens sac.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 23 wherein said fluid is a liquid crystal material.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 34 wherein said fluid-expandable sac has electrodes on interior portions thereof.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as recited in claim 35 further comprising: (a) implanting an electrode in the ciliary muscle of the eye; (b) connecting said electrode to the input of a microprocessor; and (c) connecting the output of said microprocessor to the electrodes located on the interior of said fluid-expandable sac.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 23 wherein said insertion member is a hollow needle that is inserted about 2.5 millimeters posterior to the limbus of the eye.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |