US4906247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intraocular lens insertion system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-03-06
•
Granted: 1990-03-06
•
Expires: 2009-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for folding a soft, plastic intraocular lens (IOL) for use by surgeons as a replacement for a person's cataractic lens. The lens is placed on a jig. The surgeon inserts a pair of forceps into a hollow soft plastic tube which is stretched by opening the forceps. The stretch plastic tube is placed over the lens while the surgeon releases the forceps and folds the tube about the lens thereby folding the lens within the stretched hollow tube. The folded lens and tube is inserted through a suitable incision within the eye and the lens allowed to unfold. The hollow tube is removed and the lens positioned as determined by the surgeon.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles D. Fritch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/16; A61F2/1662; A61F2/1664
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for protecting and folding an IOL for insertion into an eye comprising the steps of: placing a soft IOL on a flat surface; then inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; then placing the stretched tube over the IOL; and then closing the forceps about the IOL thereby folding the IOL within the stretched tube.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for protecting and folding an IOL for insertion into an eye comprising the steps of: placing a soft IOL on a flat surface; then inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; then placing the stretched tube over the IOL; and then closing the forceps about the IOL thereby folding the IOL within the stretched tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said plastic tube has a tab located on only one side and in which said forceps are inserted into the hollow tube from the side having the tab.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the hollow plastic tube is stretched an amount greater then the diameter of the IOL.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for protecting and folding an IOL for insertion into an eye comprising the steps of: placing a soft IOL on a movable cylinder encompassing a fixed centrally located plunger having a knife edge; locating the IOL on the movable cylinder over the knife edge; then inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; then placing the stretched tube over the IOL and pushing the stretched tube in a downward direction against the IOL thereby causing the cylinder to move in a downward direction causing the IOL to fold about the knife edge located on the fixed plunger; and then closing the forceps about the knife edge thereby folding the plastic tube about the folded IOL.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for protecting and folding an IOL for insertion into an eye comprising the steps of: placing a soft IOL on a movable cylinder encompassing a fixed centrally located plunger having a knife edge; locating the IOL on the movable cylinder over the knife edge; then inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; then placing the stretched tube over the IOL and pushing the stretched tube in a downward direction against the IOL thereby causing the cylinder to move in a downward direction causing the IOL to fold about the knife edge located on the fixed plunger; and then closing the forceps about the knife edge thereby folding the plastic tube about the folded IOL.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 4 in which said plastic tube has a tab located on only one side and in which said forceps are inserted into the hollow tube from the side having the tab.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 4 in which the hollow plastic tube is stretched an amount greater then the diameter of the IOL.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
71 words
A system for protecting and folding an IOL for insertion into an eye comprising: means for placing a soft IOL on a flat surface; means for inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; means for placing the stretched tube over the IOL; and means for closing the forceps thereby folding the lens within the stretched tube.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
71 words
A system for protecting and folding an IOL for insertion into an eye comprising: means for placing a soft IOL on a flat surface; means for inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; means for placing the stretched tube over the IOL; and means for closing the forceps thereby folding the lens within the stretched tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 7 in which said hollow plastic tube has an extended tab located on only one side.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 8 in which said forceps are inserted into the hollow tube from the side having the tab.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for protecting and folding an IOL for insertion into an eye comprising: means for placing a soft IOL on a movable cylinder encompassing a fixed centrally located plunger having a knife edge; means for locating the IOL on the movable cylinder over the knife edge; means for inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; means for placing the stretched tube over the IOL and pushing the stretched tube in a downward direction against the IOL thereby causing the cylinder to move in a downward direction causing the IOL to fold about the knife edge located on the fixed plunger; and means for closing the forceps about the knife edge thereby folding the plastic tube about the folded IOL.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for protecting and folding an IOL for insertion into an eye comprising: means for placing a soft IOL on a movable cylinder encompassing a fixed centrally located plunger having a knife edge; means for locating the IOL on the movable cylinder over the knife edge; means for inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; means for placing the stretched tube over the IOL and pushing the stretched tube in a downward direction against the IOL thereby causing the cylinder to move in a downward direction causing the IOL to fold about the knife edge located on the fixed plunger; and means for closing the forceps about the knife edge thereby folding the plastic tube about the folded IOL.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 10 in which said IOL is supported over said plunger on a plurality of raised support members fixedly attached to said movable cylinder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 10 which includes friction means for movably supporting said movable cylinder against said fixed plunger for allowing said movable cylinder to maintain a selected position relative said plunger.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 10 in which said hollow plastic tube has an extended tab located on only one side.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 13 in which said forceps are inserted into the hollow tube from the side having the tab.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for folding and inserting a folded IOL into an eye comprising the steps of: placing a soft IOL on a flat surface; then inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; then placing the stretched tube over the IOL; then closing the forceps about the IOL thereby folding the IOL within the stretched tube; then inserting the forceps containing the folded lens and the tube into the eye through a suitable incision; then opening the forceps thereby allowing the lens and the hollow tube to unfold; and then using the forceps to remove the plastic tube and reposition the lens.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for folding and inserting a folded IOL into an eye comprising the steps of: placing a soft IOL on a flat surface; then inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; then placing the stretched tube over the IOL; then closing the forceps about the IOL thereby folding the IOL within the stretched tube; then inserting the forceps containing the folded lens and the tube into the eye through a suitable incision; then opening the forceps thereby allowing the lens and the hollow tube to unfold; and then using the forceps to remove the plastic tube and reposition the lens.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 15 in which said plastic tube has a tab located on only one side and in which said forceps are inserted into the hollow tube from the side having the tab.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 16 in which the plastic tube is removed from the eye by pulling on the tab with the forceps.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 15 in which the hollow plastic tube is stretched an amount greater then the diameter of the IOL.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for folding and inserting an IOL into an eye comprising the steps of: placing a soft IOL on a movable cylinder encompassing a fixed centrally located plunger having a knife edge; locating the IOL on the movable cylinder over the knife edge; then inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; then placing the stretched tube over the IOL and pushing the stretched tube in a downward direction against the IOL thereby causing the cylinder to move in a downward direction causing the IOL to fold about the knife edge located on the fixed 14 plunger; then closing the forceps about the knife edge thereby folding the plastic tube about the folded OL; then inserting the folded lens and the tube through a suitable incision in the eye; then opening the forceps allowing the lens and the hollow tube to unfold; and then removing the hollow tube and repositioning the lens.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for folding and inserting an IOL into an eye comprising the steps of: placing a soft IOL on a movable cylinder encompassing a fixed centrally located plunger having a knife edge; locating the IOL on the movable cylinder over the knife edge; then inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; then placing the stretched tube over the IOL and pushing the stretched tube in a downward direction against the IOL thereby causing the cylinder to move in a downward direction causing the IOL to fold about the knife edge located on the fixed 14 plunger; then closing the forceps about the knife edge thereby folding the plastic tube about the folded OL; then inserting the folded lens and the tube through a suitable incision in the eye; then opening the forceps allowing the lens and the hollow tube to unfold; and then removing the hollow tube and repositioning the lens.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 19 in which said plastic tube has a tab located on only one side and in which said forceps are inserted into the hollow tube from the side having the tab.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 20 in which the plastic tube is removed from the eye by pulling on the tab with the forceps.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 20 in which the hollow plastic tube is stretched an amount greater then the diameter of the IOL.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for folding and inserting a folded IOL into an eye comprising: means for placing a soft IOL on a flat surface; means for inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; means for placing the stretched tube over the IOL; means for closing the forceps about the IOL thereby folding the IOL within the stretched tube; means for inserting the forceps containing the folded lens and the tube into the eye through a suitable incision; means for opening the forceps thereby allowing the lens to unfold; and means for removing the plastic tube and reposition the lens.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for folding and inserting a folded IOL into an eye comprising: means for placing a soft IOL on a flat surface; means for inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; means for placing the stretched tube over the IOL; means for closing the forceps about the IOL thereby folding the IOL within the stretched tube; means for inserting the forceps containing the folded lens and the tube into the eye through a suitable incision; means for opening the forceps thereby allowing the lens to unfold; and means for removing the plastic tube and reposition the lens.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 23 in which said plastic tube has a tab located on only one side and in which the forceps are inserted into the hollow tube from the side having the tab.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 24 in which said hollow tube is removed by pulling on the tab.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
174 words
A system for folding and inserting an IOL into an eye comprising : means for placing a soft IOL on a movable cylinder encompassing a fixed centrally located plunger having a knife edge; means for locating the IOL on the movable cylinder over the knife edge; means for inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; means for placing the stretched tube over the IOL and pushing the stretched tube in a downward direction against the IOL thereby causing the cylinder to move in a downward direction causing the IOL to fold about the knife edge located on the fixed plunger; means for closing the forceps about the knife edge thereby folding the plastic tube about the folded IOL; means for inserting the folded lens and the tube through a suitable incision in the eye; means for opening the forceps allowing the lens and the hollow tube to unfold; and means for removing the hollow tube and repositioning the lens.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
174 words
A system for folding and inserting an IOL into an eye comprising : means for placing a soft IOL on a movable cylinder encompassing a fixed centrally located plunger having a knife edge; means for locating the IOL on the movable cylinder over the knife edge; means for inserting the operating ends of a pair of forceps into a hollow plastic tube and separating the forceps thereby stretching the tube; means for placing the stretched tube over the IOL and pushing the stretched tube in a downward direction against the IOL thereby causing the cylinder to move in a downward direction causing the IOL to fold about the knife edge located on the fixed plunger; means for closing the forceps about the knife edge thereby folding the plastic tube about the folded IOL; means for inserting the folded lens and the tube through a suitable incision in the eye; means for opening the forceps allowing the lens and the hollow tube to unfold; and means for removing the hollow tube and repositioning the lens.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 26 in which said plastic tube has a tab located on only one side and in which the forceps are inserted into the hollow tube from the side having the tab.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 27 in which said hollow tube is removed by means of said tab.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1993-03-05 | 1993-09-04 | 1994-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-05 | 1997-09-04 | 1998-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-09-04 | 2002-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |