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Apparatus and methods for loading of an iol injectorRelated Patent Categories: Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, Or Aids And Accessories Therefor, Eye Prosthesis (e.g., Lens Or Corneal Implant, Or Artificial Eye, Etc.), Intraocular Lens, Combined With Surgical ToolApparatus and methods for loading of an iol injector description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070150054, Apparatus and methods for loading of an iol injector. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to intraocular lens (IOL) injectors, and more particularly to loading apparatus and methods for IOL injectors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] IOLs are artificial lenses used to replace natural crystalline lenses of eyes when the natural lenses are diseased or otherwise impaired. Under some circumstances a natural lens may remain in an eye together with an implanted IOL. IOLs may be placed in either the posterior chamber or anterior chamber of an eye. [0003] IOLs come in a variety of configurations and materials. Various instruments and methods for implanting such IOLs in an eye are known. Typically, an incision is made in a patient's cornea and an IOL is inserted into the eye through the incision. In one technique, a surgeon uses surgical forceps having opposing blades to grasp the IOL and insert it through the incision into the eye. While this technique is still practiced today, more and more surgeons are using IOL injectors which offer advantages such as affording a surgeon more control when inserting an IOL into an eye and permitting insertion of IOLs through smaller incisions. Smaller incision sizes (e.g., less than about 3 mm) are preferred over larger incisions (e.g., about 3.2 to 5+mm) since smaller incisions have been attributed to reduced post-surgical healing time and reduced complications such as induced astigmatism. [0004] In order for an IOL to fit through a smaller incision, it is typically folded and/or compressed prior to entering the eye where they will assume their original unfolded/uncompressed shape. Since IOLs are very small and delicate articles of manufacture, great care must be taken in their handling, both as they are loaded into an injector and as the lens is injected into a patient's eye. [0005] It is important that an IOL be expelled from the tip of the IOL injector and into the eye in an undamaged condition and in a predictable orientation. Should an IOL be damaged or expelled from the injector in an incorrect orientation, a surgeon must remove or further manipulate the IOL in the eye, possibly resulting in trauma to the surrounding tissues of the eye. To achieve proper delivery of an IOL, consistent loading of the IOL into the injector device with a minimum opportunity for damaging the IOL is desirable. [0006] Various IOL injectors and other devices have been proposed which attempt to address issues related to loading, yet there remains a need for an IOL injector which improves consistency of loading and reduces the likelihood of damage to an IOL. SUMMARY [0007] Aspects of the present invention are directed to an IOL injector comprising a loading chamber comprising a component that when being closed folds the lens. Additional aspects of the present invention are directed to a vial for maintaining an IOL prior to loading. The vial includes an injector guide that receives an injector such that when the injector is rotated a folded IOL can be obtained in the injector. In some embodiments, the injector and vial are provided in a combination. As defined here in "a combination" includes but is not limited to arrangements in which the objects in the combination are packaged and are not connected to one another. [0008] Other aspects of the present invention are directed to an injector having an opening to a loading chamber, the opening being defined by a tapered edge. Additional aspects of the present invention are directed to an IOL vial comprising a convexly curved interior surface and a flexible arm adapted to maintain an IOL against a surface opposite the convexly curved interior surface. In some embodiments, the injector having tapered edge and the vial having a flexible arm are provided in a combination. [0009] A first aspect of the invention is directed to an IOL injector body having a lumen with a longitudinal axis, the IOL injector comprising an injector body segment defining a portion of the lumen; a first loading chamber component coupled to the injector body segment; and a second loading chamber component comprising a lens contact surface, the second loading chamber component being hingedly coupled to the first loading chamber component such that the second loading chamber component is capable of rotating about a second axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis. [0010] In some embodiments, the second loading chamber component is configured and arranged such that, upon rotation of the second loading chamber about the second axis, the first loading chamber component and the second loading chamber component combine to form a second portion of the lumen. In some embodiments, the first and second loading chamber components form a rotationally complete portion of the lumen. In some embodiments, the second loading component is configured and arranged to fold an IOL using the lens contact surface upon rotation about the second axis. In some embodiments, the second loading component is configured and arranged to fold the IOL such that after rotation the lens is ready for delivery. [0011] The second axis may be aligned with a wall of the injector body. In some embodiments, the first loading chamber component is rigidly connected to the injector body. In some embodiments, the first loading chamber component is integrally formed with the injector body. The first loading chamber component and the second loading chamber component may be configured to maintain the loading chamber in a closed position. The first loading chamber component and the second loading chamber component may be configured to snap together. The injector may be in a combination with a vial comprising a vial base, an IOL-holder mount disposed in said base, and an injector guide rotatably mounted in said base. [0012] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a IOL vial, comprising: a vial base; an IOL-holder mount disposed in said base; and an injector guide rotatably mounted in said base, whereby an injector can be inserted along the injector guide and rotated. The injector guide may be disposed on a guide support. In some embodiments, the guide support is cylindrical. [0013] In some embodiments the IOL-holder mount may be comprised of a first prong and a second prong, the first prong and the second prong being separated from one another. The vial may further comprise a second IOL-holder mount. The second IOL-holder mount may be comprised of a third prong and a fourth prong, the third prong and the fourth prong being separated from one another. [0014] The vial may be in a combination with a lens holder, the lens holder being disposed between the first and second prong, and between the third prong and the fourth prong. The first holder mount and the second holder mount, and the lens holder may be configured such that the lens holder is capable of being slidably held by first holder mount and the second holder mount. [0015] The term "lens contact surface" is defined herein as a surface arranged to contact an IOL lens after the loading chamber is closed. An injector having an IOL that is "ready for delivery" is an injector that is in a condition such that actuation of its IOL ejection apparatus (e.g., a plunger) results in ejection of the IOL from the injector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference number is used to designate the same or similar components in different figures, and in which: [0017] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an injector according to aspects of the present invention having an open loading chamber; [0018] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a injector according to aspects of the present invention having a closed loading chamber; [0019] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a injector according to aspects of the present invention having a tip attached; [0020] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a vial according to aspects of the present invention; Continue reading about Apparatus and methods for loading of an iol injector... 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