US5499987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deformable intraocular lens cartridge
Assignee: STAAR Surgical Co
•
Filing: 1994-02-17
•
Granted: 1996-03-19
•
Expires: 2014-02-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved lens cartridge for use in a lens injecting device. The lens cartridge and lens injecting device define a surgical implantation device for inserting a deformable intraocular lens into the eye through a relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue. A preferred lens cartridge comprises a lens holding portion connected to a nozzle portion with a passageway extending therethrough, and including at least one groove in the passageway. Another preferred embodiment comprises a lens holding portion connected to a nozzle portion with an inwardly tapering passageway extending therethrough. A further preferred embodiment includes both the passageway groove feature and the inwardly tapering passageway feature.
Inventors
- 👤 Vladimir Feingold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/16; A61F2/1662; A61F2/1664
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A lens cartridge for use in a surgical lens inserting device for implantation of a deformable intraocular lens into the eye through a relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue, said lens cartridge comprising: a lens holding portion; and a nozzle portion connected to and extending from said lens holding portion, said lens holding portion and said nozzle portion having a passageway extending therethrough, said passageway having at least one groove extending along at least a portion of the length of said passageway, wherein the lens cartridge is configured to be accommodated in the surgical lens inserting device and a tip of said nozzle portion is to be inserted through the relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue for insertion of the deformable intraocular lens into the eye.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A lens cartridge for use in a surgical lens inserting device for implantation of a deformable intraocular lens into the eye through a relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue, said lens cartridge comprising: a lens holding portion; and a nozzle portion connected to and extending from said lens holding portion, said lens holding portion and said nozzle portion having a passageway extending therethrough, said passageway having at least one groove extending along at least a portion of the length of said passageway, wherein the lens cartridge is configured to be accommodated in the surgical lens inserting device and a tip of said nozzle portion is to be inserted through the relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue for insertion of the deformable intraocular lens into the eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said at least one groove is located in a portion of said passageway extending through said lens holding portion of the lens cartridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said portion of said passageway having said at least one groove transitions to a groove-less portion of said passageway extending through said nozzle portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of said passageway tapers inwardly in a direction of insertion of the deformable intraocular lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said inwardly tapering portion of said passageway is located in said nozzle portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said at least one groove ends before a distal end of said nozzle portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of said passageway tapers inwardly in a direction of insertion of the deformable intraocular lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 7, wherein said inwardly tapering portion of said passageway is located in said nozzle portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of said passageway tapers inwardly in a direction of insertion of the deformable intraocular lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 9, wherein said inwardly tapering portion of said passageway is located in said nozzle portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said at least one groove comprises a set of opposed grooves extending along at least a portion of the length of said passageway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 11, wherein said set of opposed grooves are located above a horizontal centerplane of said passageway.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said set of opposed grooves are provided adjacent to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 11, wherein said set of opposed grooves are provided adjacent to each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said passageway tapers inwardly in a direction of insertion of the deformable intraocular lens.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 15, wherein said inwardly tapering portion of said passageway is located in said nozzle portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said at least one groove varies in depth between said lens holding portion and said nozzle portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of said passageway tapers inwardly in a direction of the deformable intraocular lens.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 18, wherein said inwardly tapering portion of said passageway is located in said nozzle portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said passageway is continuous.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said passageway is inwardly tapering in a direction of insertion of the deformable intraocular lens.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said inwardly tapering portion of said passageway is located in said nozzle portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle portion includes a beveled end for facilitating entry of the nozzle portion through the incision in the ocular tissue.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said lens cartridge is configured to open for loading the deformable intraocular lens into said lens cartridge, and closed for inserting said lens cartridge into the surgical lens inserting device for insertion of the deformable intraocular lens.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 24, wherein said lens cartridge is configured to deform the deformable intraocular lens when closing to condense the configuration of the deformable intraocular lens to pass through said passage in said nozzle portion for inserting the lens through the incision in the ocular tissue.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 25, wherein the deformable intraocular lens is placed into a curved folded configuration within said passageway in said lens cartridge leading to said nozzle portion when said lens holder portion is closed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 26, wherein said lens holder portion comprises a split tubular member defining a portion of said passageway and connected to said nozzle portion, said split tubular member can be opened to insert the deformable intraocular lens and closed to insert the lens cartridge into the surgical lens inserting device for insertion of the deformable intraocular lens.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 27, wherein said split tubular member is defined by a fixed tubular portion and a movable tubular portion connected together at a hinge, and said fixed tubular portion is connected to said nozzle portion while said movable tubular portion moves relative to said nozzle portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 28, wherein said hinge is defined by a decrease in wall thickness at a joint between said fixed tubular portion and said movable tubular portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
73 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 28, wherein said fixed tubular portion includes an extension and said movable tubular portion includes an extension, said extensions are moved apart to open said lens holding portion for loading the deformable intraocular lens and moved together to fold the deformable intraocular lens and close said lens holding portion for inserting the lens cartridge into the surgical lens inserting device for insertion of the deformable intraocular lens.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the lens cartridge is made of disposable surgically acceptable plastic.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of said nozzle portion is selected from the group consisting of circular, oval and two half circles set apart and connected together.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a tip of said nozzle portion is provided with slots for allowing expansion of said passageway.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said lens holding portion and said nozzle portion have a one-piece construction.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
A lens microcartridge according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle portion is provided with a heat deformed tip for increasing the strength and reducing the cross section of the tip to facilitate insertion through a smaller incision.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
130 words
A lens cartridge for use in a surgical lens inserting device for implantation of a deformable intraocular lens into the eye through a relatively small incision in the ocular tissue, said lens cartridge comprising: a lens holding portion; and a nozzle portion connected to and extending from said lens holding portion, said lens holding portion and said nozzle portion having an inwardly tapering passageway of decreasing cross-sectional size extending therethrough for further folding or compressing the deformable intraocular lens when moving through said inwardly tapering passageway, wherein the lens cartridge is configured to be accommodated in the lens inserting device and a tip of said nozzle portion is to be inserted through the relatively small incision in the ocular tissue for insertion of the deformable intraocular lens into the eye.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
130 words
A lens cartridge for use in a surgical lens inserting device for implantation of a deformable intraocular lens into the eye through a relatively small incision in the ocular tissue, said lens cartridge comprising: a lens holding portion; and a nozzle portion connected to and extending from said lens holding portion, said lens holding portion and said nozzle portion having an inwardly tapering passageway of decreasing cross-sectional size extending therethrough for further folding or compressing the deformable intraocular lens when moving through said inwardly tapering passageway, wherein the lens cartridge is configured to be accommodated in the lens inserting device and a tip of said nozzle portion is to be inserted through the relatively small incision in the ocular tissue for insertion of the deformable intraocular lens into the eye.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 36, wherein only a portion of said passageway is an inwardly tapering passageway portion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 37, wherein said inwardly tapering passageway portion is located in said nozzle portion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 43, wherein said at least one groove is configured for further folding the deformable intraocular lens when moving through said passageway.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 41, wherein said at least one groove is configured for further folding the deformable intraocular lens when moving through said passageway.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 37, wherein said passageway is provided with at least one groove extending along at least a portion of the length of said passageway.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 41, wherein said at least one groove is located in a portion of said passageway extending through said lens holding portion of the lens cartridge.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 36, wherein said passageway is provided with at least one groove extending along at least a portion of the length of said passageway.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 43, wherein said at least one groove is located in a portion of said passageway extending through said lens holding portion of the lens cartridge.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 44, wherein said portion of said passageway having said at least one groove transitions to a groove-less portion of said passageway extending through said nozzle portion.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 44, wherein said at least one groove ends before a distal end of said nozzle portion.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 43, wherein said at least one groove comprises a set of opposed grooves extending along at least a portion of the length of said passageway.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 43, wherein said at least one groove varies in depth in a direction along the length of said passageway.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 43, wherein said passageway is continuous.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
124 words
A lens cartridge for use in a surgical lens inserting device for manipulation of a deformable intraocular lens into the eye through a relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue, said lens cartridge comprising: a lens holding portion; and a nozzle portion connected to and extending from said lens holding portion, said lens holding portion and said nozzle portion having a passageway extending therethrough, said passageway having at least one inwardly tapering groove for folding the deformable intraocular lens, wherein the lens cartridge is configured to be accommodated in the lens injecting device and a tip of said nozzle portion is to be inserted through the relatively small incision in the ocular tissue for insertion of the deformable intraocular lens into the eye.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
124 words
A lens cartridge for use in a surgical lens inserting device for manipulation of a deformable intraocular lens into the eye through a relatively small incision made in the ocular tissue, said lens cartridge comprising: a lens holding portion; and a nozzle portion connected to and extending from said lens holding portion, said lens holding portion and said nozzle portion having a passageway extending therethrough, said passageway having at least one inwardly tapering groove for folding the deformable intraocular lens, wherein the lens cartridge is configured to be accommodated in the lens injecting device and a tip of said nozzle portion is to be inserted through the relatively small incision in the ocular tissue for insertion of the deformable intraocular lens into the eye.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 50, wherein said at least one inwardly tapering groove is located in a portion of said passageway extending through said lens holding portion.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 51, wherein said portion of said passageway having said inwardly tapering groove transitions to a groove-less portion of said passageway extending through said nozzle portion.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
45 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 50, wherein said at least one inwardly tapering groove comprises a set of opposed inwardly tapering grooves extending along at least a portion of the length of said passageway for continuously folding edges of the deformable intraocular lens inwardly.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 50, wherein a portion of said passageway extending through said nozzle portion is an inwardly tapering passageway portion.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
72 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 50, wherein said lens holding portion is defined by a split tubular member having a fixed tubular portion fixed relative to said nozzle portion and a movable tubular portion movable relative to said nozzle portion for opening and closing the lens cartridge, and said split tubular member including alignment means for aligning said movable tubular member with said fixed tubular member upon closing the lens cartridge.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 55, further comprising one extension connected to said fixed tubular member and another extension connected to said movable tubular member, said alignment means being part of said extensions.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
A lens cartridge according to claim 56, wherein said alignment means is defined by an alignment rib on one said extension cooperating with a groove in the other said extension.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US4919130A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-03-19 | 1999-09-18 | 2000-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-19 | 2003-09-18 | 2004-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-19 | 2007-09-18 | 2008-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |