US4619657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flexible intraocular lens holder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-12-23
•
Granted: 1986-10-28
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Expires: 2005-12-23
Abstract
Abstract Flexible holders are disclosed which allow one or more synthetic lenses to be securely positioned within the intraocular chambers of the eye, and which can be inserted into the eye through corneal incisions of minimal size.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Keates
- 👤 Richard T. Schneider
- 👤 Timothy E. Roxey
- 👤 John D. Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/16; A61F2/1613; A61F2/1648; A61F2002/1681; A61F2002/16905; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902; Y10S623/905; Y10S623/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An intraocular lens structure useful to position and secure a plurality of artificial lenses in the interior of a human eye and insertable through an incision in said eye, said lens structure comprising a flexible lens holder incorporating means to affix said holder within the interior of the eye, and said lens holder comprising means adapted to individually secure said lenses in a coplanar relationship adjacent to the irial opening of said eye.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
An intraocular lens structure useful to position and secure a plurality of artificial lenses in the interior of a human eye and insertable through an incision in said eye, said lens structure comprising a flexible lens holder incorporating means to affix said holder within the interior of the eye, and said lens holder comprising means adapted to individually secure said lenses in a coplanar relationship adjacent to the irial opening of said eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The intraocular lens structure of claim 1 wherein said holder comprises at least two optically transparent pockets, said pockets incorporating artificial lenses of the same focal length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The intraocular lens structure of claim 1 wherein said holder comprises at least two pockets, said pockets incorporating lenses of differing focal lengths.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The intraocular lens structure of claim 1 wherein the holder comprises a disk of flexible polymeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The intraocular lens structure of claim 4 wherein said lens holder comprises a flexible toroid body and a flexible membrane extending across said toroid body and having an outer edge coincident with the inner circumferential surface of said toroid body and being joined thereto, said membrane defining a plurality of transparent lens pockets, said pockets being sized so as to admit an artificial lens into each pocket and to bring said lens into coplanar alignment with said membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
An intraocular lens holder useful to position and secure an artificial lens in the interior of a human eye and insertable through an incision in said eye, said lens holder comprising: (a) a flexible toroid body defining a lens insert slit, said slit communicating between an outer circumferential surface of the toroid body and an inner circumferential surface of said body; and (b) a flexible membrane extending across said toroid body and having an outer edge coincident with said inner circumferential surface of said toroid body and being joined thereto, said membrane defining a transparent lens pocket and a lens slide passageway communicating between said pocket and said insert slit, wherein said slit, said passageway and said pocket are sized so as to admit an artificial lens and to bring said lens into coplanar alignment with said membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
138 words
An intraocular lens holder useful to position and secure an artificial lens in the interior of a human eye and insertable through an incision in said eye, said lens holder comprising: (a) a flexible toroid body defining a lens insert slit, said slit communicating between an outer circumferential surface of the toroid body and an inner circumferential surface of said body; and (b) a flexible membrane extending across said toroid body and having an outer edge coincident with said inner circumferential surface of said toroid body and being joined thereto, said membrane defining a transparent lens pocket and a lens slide passageway communicating between said pocket and said insert slit, wherein said slit, said passageway and said pocket are sized so as to admit an artificial lens and to bring said lens into coplanar alignment with said membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The intraocular lens holder of claim 6 wherein said toroid body defines a continuous interior channel which penetrates a major portion of said toroid body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The intraocular lens holder of claim 6 which further comprises a feeder hose one end of which communicates with said channel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The intraocular lens holder of claim 8 wherein the channel encompasses a resilient stiffening filament which is introduced into said channel by way of said hose and substantially reduces the flexibility of said toroid body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The intraocular lens holder of claim 6 wherein the edges of said pocket and said slide passageway are defined by the bonded upper surface of a lower film and the lower surface of an upper film which are superimposed and bonded together so as to form said flexible membrane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The intraocular lens holder of claim 10 wherein the lens pocket incorporates an artificial lens which is secured therein by means of the opposed compressive forces of the upper and lower pocket surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The intraocular lens holder of claim 11 wherein an inserting rod is removably attached to said lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intraocular lens holder of claim 6 wherein the lens slide passageway communicates with a plurality of lens pockets.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The intraocular lens holder of claim 13 wherein said toric body and said membrane are formed from an inert polymeric material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intraocular lens holder of claim 14 wherein said toric body and said membrane are formed from silicone rubber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
219 words
An intraocular lens holder useful to position and secure an artificial lens in the interior of a human eye and insertable through an incision in said eye, said lens holder comprising: (a) a flexible toroid body defining a continuous interior channel which penetrates a major portion of said toroid body, said body also defining a lens insert slit, said slit communicating between an outer circumferential surface of said toroid body and an inner circumferential surface of said body, the long axis of said slit coinciding with a chord of the circumference of said toroid body; (b) a flexible membrane extending across said toroid body and having an outer edge coincident with an inner circumferential surface of said toroid body and being joined thereto, said membrane defining a plurality of transparent lens pockets and a lens slide passageway communicating between said pockets and said insert slit, wherein said slit, said passageway and each said pocket are sized so as to admit an artificial lens and to bring said lens into coplanar alignment with said membrane; (c) a feed opening communicating with said channel; and (d) a resilient stiffening filament constructed and arranged to be inserted through said feed opening into said channel after the lens holder is located within the eye to substantially reduce the flexibility of said toroid body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
219 words
An intraocular lens holder useful to position and secure an artificial lens in the interior of a human eye and insertable through an incision in said eye, said lens holder comprising: (a) a flexible toroid body defining a continuous interior channel which penetrates a major portion of said toroid body, said body also defining a lens insert slit, said slit communicating between an outer circumferential surface of said toroid body and an inner circumferential surface of said body, the long axis of said slit coinciding with a chord of the circumference of said toroid body; (b) a flexible membrane extending across said toroid body and having an outer edge coincident with an inner circumferential surface of said toroid body and being joined thereto, said membrane defining a plurality of transparent lens pockets and a lens slide passageway communicating between said pockets and said insert slit, wherein said slit, said passageway and each said pocket are sized so as to admit an artificial lens and to bring said lens into coplanar alignment with said membrane; (c) a feed opening communicating with said channel; and (d) a resilient stiffening filament constructed and arranged to be inserted through said feed opening into said channel after the lens holder is located within the eye to substantially reduce the flexibility of said toroid body.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for implanting, through an incision in the cornea of the eye, a plurality of artificial lenses within a human eye from which the natural lens has been removed, which utilizes a flexible lens holder incorporating means to securely position said holder within the interior of said eye, said lens holder comprising means adapted to secure said artificial lenses in a coplanar relationship adjacent to the irial opening of the eye, comprising the steps of: (a) individually securing a plurality of artificial lenses to said holder; (b) compressing said lens holder into a folded body having a longitudinal axis; (c) inserting the compressed lens holder longitudinally through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye; (d) unfolding said lens holder; and (e) securely positioning said holder adjacent to the irial opening so that horizontal plane of said lenses is substantially adjacent and parallel to the plane of the irial opening.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for implanting, through an incision in the cornea of the eye, a plurality of artificial lenses within a human eye from which the natural lens has been removed, which utilizes a flexible lens holder incorporating means to securely position said holder within the interior of said eye, said lens holder comprising means adapted to secure said artificial lenses in a coplanar relationship adjacent to the irial opening of the eye, comprising the steps of: (a) individually securing a plurality of artificial lenses to said holder; (b) compressing said lens holder into a folded body having a longitudinal axis; (c) inserting the compressed lens holder longitudinally through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye; (d) unfolding said lens holder; and (e) securely positioning said holder adjacent to the irial opening so that horizontal plane of said lenses is substantially adjacent and parallel to the plane of the irial opening.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the flexible lens holder comprises a disk of flexible polymeric material which is positioned within the eye so that the outer circumferential edge of said holder abuts the anterior chamber wedge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said artificial lenses are of equal focal length.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said artificial lenses are of differing focal lengths.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
232 words
A method for implanting, through an incision in the cornea of the eye, an artificial lens within a human eye from which the natural lens has been removed, which utilizes a lens holder having a flexible toroid body of predetermined diameter, defining a lens insert slit, said slit communicating between an outer circumferential surface of the toroid body and an inner circumferential surface of said body, and a flexible membrane extending across said toroid body and having an outer edge coincident with said inner circumferential surface of said toroid body and being joined thereto, said membrane defining a transparent lens pocket and a lens slide passageway communicating between said pocket and said insert slit, wherein said slit, said passageway and said pocket are sized so as to admit an artificial lens and to bring said lens into coplanar alignment with said membrane, comprising the steps of: (a) compressing said lens holder into a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis; (b) inserting the compressed lens holder longitudinally through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye; (c) decompressing said lens holder and inserting a synthetic lens into the lens pocket through the lens insert slit and the lens slide passageway; and (d) positioning said holder so that the outer circumferential surface of said holder abuts the anterior chamber wedge so as to substantially center said lens in front of the pupil.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
232 words
A method for implanting, through an incision in the cornea of the eye, an artificial lens within a human eye from which the natural lens has been removed, which utilizes a lens holder having a flexible toroid body of predetermined diameter, defining a lens insert slit, said slit communicating between an outer circumferential surface of the toroid body and an inner circumferential surface of said body, and a flexible membrane extending across said toroid body and having an outer edge coincident with said inner circumferential surface of said toroid body and being joined thereto, said membrane defining a transparent lens pocket and a lens slide passageway communicating between said pocket and said insert slit, wherein said slit, said passageway and said pocket are sized so as to admit an artificial lens and to bring said lens into coplanar alignment with said membrane, comprising the steps of: (a) compressing said lens holder into a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis; (b) inserting the compressed lens holder longitudinally through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye; (c) decompressing said lens holder and inserting a synthetic lens into the lens pocket through the lens insert slit and the lens slide passageway; and (d) positioning said holder so that the outer circumferential surface of said holder abuts the anterior chamber wedge so as to substantially center said lens in front of the pupil.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 21 wherein, after step (c), the flexibility of the lens is substantially reduced by introducing a resilient stiffening filament into an interior channel which penetrates a major portion of the toroid body of the lens holder.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the lens slide of the lens holder communicates with a plurality of lens pockets, said method further comprising individually introducing a plurality of artificial lenses into said pockets after step (b).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said lenses are inserted into said pockets by means of individual inserting rods attached at or adjacent to the lens edge.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the lens slide of the lens holder communicates with a plurality of lens pockets, said method further comprising individually introducing a plurality of artificial lenses into said pockets prior to step (a).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
82 words
An intraocular lens structure useful to position and secure a plurality of artificial lenses in the interior of a human eye and insertable through an incision in said eye, said lens structure comprising a flexible lens holder incorporating means to affix said holder within the interior of the eye, and said lens holder integrally incorporating a plurality of artificial lenses which are in a coplanar relationship adjacent to the irial opening of said eye when said holder is affixed within the eye.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
82 words
An intraocular lens structure useful to position and secure a plurality of artificial lenses in the interior of a human eye and insertable through an incision in said eye, said lens structure comprising a flexible lens holder incorporating means to affix said holder within the interior of the eye, and said lens holder integrally incorporating a plurality of artificial lenses which are in a coplanar relationship adjacent to the irial opening of said eye when said holder is affixed within the eye.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lens structure of claim 26 wherein the lens holder and the lenses are formed from a single body of polymeric material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lens structure of claim 26 wherein the lenses are of same focus length.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lens structure of claim 26 wherein the lenses are of differing focal lengths.
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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) | 1989-10-27 | 1990-04-28 | 1990-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-27 | 1994-04-28 | 1994-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-27 | 1998-04-28 | 1998-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |