Patent US4919662A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4919662A
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US
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Hydrogel implant lens construction reconfigured dehydrated re-hydrated in situ
Assignee: Nestle SA
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Filing: 1988-09-16
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Granted: 1990-04-24
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Expires: 2008-09-16
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a new method of preparing intraocular lenses for implantation which comprises folding, stretching, rolling, compressing or otherwise reconfiguring the lens to reduce the profile of the lens in at least one dimension and dehydrating the lens in that shape. The thus prepared artificial intraocular lens may be surgically implanted in the eye through a small incision where it will be rehydrated in situ.
Inventors
- 👤 Randall L. Knoll
- 👤 Wilhelm Lewon
- 👤 Ronald Ofstead
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/16; A61F2/1613; A61F2002/1681; A61F2002/1683
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of preparing an artificial intraocular lens for implantation within the eye comprising the steps of: (a) providing an intraocular lens which consists of an optic and at least one haptic, both made of the same hydrogel material which material Las prescribed shape, dimension and physical characteristics such that it can be (i) folded, stretched, rolled, compressed or otherwise reconfigured to a configuration such that the profile of the lens is reduced in at least one dimension, (ii) dehydrated so that the lens will substantially retain the configuration which provides the reduced profile, (iii) inserted through a relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue, and (iv) allowed to rehydrate by the natural fluid present in the eye and expand to provide an optically correct lens, wherein the haptic is oriented radially outward in a conventional haptic position; (b) applying force to the haptic or haptics radially inward so that the haptics are reconfigured to a position in front of or in back of the optic of the lens; and (c) dehydrating the lens sufficiently so that the haptic or haptics substantially retain their position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of preparing an artificial intraocular lens for implantation within the eye comprising the steps of: (a) providing an intraocular lens which consists of an optic and at least one haptic, both made of the same hydrogel material which material Las prescribed shape, dimension and physical characteristics such that it can be (i) folded, stretched, rolled, compressed or otherwise reconfigured to a configuration such that the profile of the lens is reduced in at least one dimension, (ii) dehydrated so that the lens will substantially retain the configuration which provides the reduced profile, (iii) inserted through a relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue, and (iv) allowed to rehydrate by the natural fluid present in the eye and expand to provide an optically correct lens, wherein the haptic is oriented radially outward in a conventional haptic position; (b) applying force to the haptic or haptics radially inward so that the haptics are reconfigured to a position in front of or in back of the optic of the lens; and (c) dehydrating the lens sufficiently so that the haptic or haptics substantially retain their position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lens contains two opposingly located haptics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 which additionally comprises the step of stretching, folding, rolling or compressing the partially dehydrated lens, thereby further reducing the profile of the lens in one dimension, and further dehydrating the lens so that it substantially retains the configuration providing a reduced profile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the haptic or haptics are compressed or drawn radially inward in a generally direct line and without rotation of the haptic relative to the optic to positions generally in a plane perpendicular to the visual axis of the lens and in front of the optic of the lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the haptic or haptics are compressed or drawn radially inward in a generally direct line and without rotation of the haptic relative to the optic to positions generally in a plane perpendicular to the visual axis of the lens and in back of the optic of the lens.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of preparing an artificial intraocular lens for implantation within the eye comprising the steps of: (a) providing an intraocular lens which consists of an optic made of a hydrogel material, which hydrogel material has prescribed shape, dimension and physical characteristics such that it can be (i) folded, stretched, rolled, compressed or otherwise reconfigured to a configuration such that the profile of the lens is reduced in at least one dimension, (ii) dehydrated so that the lens will substantially retain the configuration which provides the reduced profile, (iii) inserted through a relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue, and (iv) allowed to rehydrate by the natural fluid present in the eye and expand to provide an optically correct lens, and at least one haptic made of non-hydrogel material, wherein the haptic is oriented radially outward in a conventional haptic position; (b) applying force to the haptic or haptics radially inward so that the haptics are relocated to a position in front of or in back of above the optic of the lens; and (c) dehydrating the lens sufficiently so that the haptic or haptics substantially retain their position.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of preparing an artificial intraocular lens for implantation within the eye comprising the steps of: (a) providing an intraocular lens which consists of an optic made of a hydrogel material, which hydrogel material has prescribed shape, dimension and physical characteristics such that it can be (i) folded, stretched, rolled, compressed or otherwise reconfigured to a configuration such that the profile of the lens is reduced in at least one dimension, (ii) dehydrated so that the lens will substantially retain the configuration which provides the reduced profile, (iii) inserted through a relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue, and (iv) allowed to rehydrate by the natural fluid present in the eye and expand to provide an optically correct lens, and at least one haptic made of non-hydrogel material, wherein the haptic is oriented radially outward in a conventional haptic position; (b) applying force to the haptic or haptics radially inward so that the haptics are relocated to a position in front of or in back of above the optic of the lens; and (c) dehydrating the lens sufficiently so that the haptic or haptics substantially retain their position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the lens contains two opposingly located haptics.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 6 which additionally comprises the step of stretching, folding, rolling or compressing the partially dehydrated optic, thereby further reducing the profile of the lens, and further dehydrating the lens so that it substantially retains the configuration providing a reduced profile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the haptic or haptics are compressed or drawn radially inward in a generally direct line and without rotation of the haptic relative to the optic to positions generally in a plane perpendicular to the visual axis of the lens and in front of the optic of the lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the haptic or haptics are compressed or drawn radially inward in a generally direct line and without rotation of the haptic relative to the optic to positions generally in a plane perpendicular to the visual axis of the lens and in back of the optic of the lens.
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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) | 1993-04-23 | 1993-10-23 | 1994-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-23 | 1997-10-23 | 1998-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-23 | 2001-10-23 | 2002-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |