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  Method of preparing a multielement intraocular lens for insertionUSPTO Application #: 20080097598Title: Method of preparing a multielement intraocular lens for insertion Abstract: A method of folding a multiple element IOL comprising folding the first lens element and second lens element such that the second lens element at least partially surrounds the first lens element and such that, after folding, both the first lens element and the second lens element are substantially aligned along the optical axis. A hinged apparatus such as a cartridge may be used to cause the second lens element to be folded. A method of loading a multielement IOL comprising folding the haptics such that a portion of the haptics contacts an exterior side of one of the first lens element and the second lens element. (end of abstract) Agent: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated - Rochester, NY, US Inventors: Emin Engin, Gary A. Richardson, Chris E. Wagner USPTO Applicaton #: 20080097598 - Class: 623 612 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080097598. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001]The present invention relates to a method of preparing an intraocular lens for insertion, and more particularly to a method of preparing a multielement intraocular lens for insertion. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a human eye 10 having an anterior chamber 12 and a posterior chamber 14 separated by an iris 30. Within the posterior chamber 14 is a capsular bag 16 which holds the eye's natural crystalline lens 17. Light enters the eye by passing through cornea 18. The cornea and crystalline lens act together to direct and focus the light onto retina 20. The retina is connected to optic nerve 22 which transmits images received by the retina to the brain for interpretation. Eye 10 has a visual axis VA [0003]In response to the sharpness of the image received by the retina, the brain operates to contract or relax ciliary muscle 26. Ciliary muscle 26 is disposed within ciliary body 28, and upon contraction of the ciliary muscle, the ciliary body is caused to move. To achieve near-focus accommodation, the ciliary muscle is contracted thereby causing the ciliary body to relax tension on zonules 27 which permits the capsular bag and crystalline lens 17 to become more rounded. To achieve far focus (i.e., disaccommodation), the ciliary muscle is relaxed thereby increasing tension on zonules 27 which causes the capsular bag and crystalline lens 17 to become flatter. [0004]In an eye where the natural crystalline lens has been damaged (e.g., clouded by cataracts), the natural lens is no longer able to properly focus and/or direct incoming light to the retina. As a result, images become blurred. A well known surgical technique to remedy this situation involves removal of a damaged crystalline lens. The lens is removed by first making an incision in the cornea, and then making a hole in the capsular bag known as a capsularhexis (also referred to simply as a rhexis). The crystalline lens is removed through the rhexsis and through the incision. Subsequently, an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens (IOL) can be placed into the evacuated capsular bag through incision and through the rhexis. [0005]Conventional IOLs are typically fixed-focus lenses. Such lenses are usually selected to have a power such that the patient has a fixed focus for distance vision, and the patient requires spectacles or contact lenses to permit near vision. In recent years extensive research has been carried out to develop IOLs having variable focus capability. Such IOLs are known as accommodating IOLs (AIOLS). The term AIOLs refers to both single-element and multielement lens systems. [0006]AIOLs permit a wearer to have accommodative vision. AIOLs are typically located in the posterior chamber (e.g., in the capsular bag) and provide variable focal power in accordance with tension or a lack of tension exerted on the capsular bag 16 as a result of contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle. FIG. 2 shows an example of two-element IOL 240 in capsular bag 16. IOL 240 comprises an anterior lens element 242 and a posterior lens element 244 that are connected to one another by haptics 246. The haptics permit lens elements 242 and 244 to translate relative to one another to achieve accommodation and disaccommodation. Further details of IOL 240 are given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,708 issued Dec. 3, 2002, to Sarfarazi. The substance of said patent is hereby incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, of IOL 40, anterior lens element diameter and the posterior lens element diameter are approximately 5.5 mm and the overall diameter of the lens (including the haptics is approximately 9.3 mm). [0007]To date, although there have been numerous patent filings directed to multielement AIOLs, there have been few filings related to insertion techniques for delivering such AIOL into an eye. Furthermore, those techniques that have been described to date, which include an injector device, have required substantially completely newly designed for implanting AIOLs into patients' eyes. [0008]In addition to multielement AIOLs, multielement non-accommodative IOLs have been proposed. Similar to AIOLs, there have been few filings related to insertion techniques for delivering such multielement IOLs into an eye. SUMMARY [0009]Aspects of the present invention are directed to folding techniques for use in reducing the cross-sectional shape of multielement IOLs (i.e., accommodative and non-accommodative IOLs) for insertion into an eye. Other aspects of the present invention are directed to techniques for loading an IOL inserter with a multielement IOL for subsequent insertion into an eye. [0010]A first aspect of the invention is directed to a method of facilitating loading a multielement IOL into an injector, the IOL having a plurality of haptics coupling a first lens element and a second lens element, the haptics extending beyond a periphery of at least one of the first lens element and the second lens element, the method comprising folding at least one of the haptics radially inward while the first lens element and the second lens element are substantially aligned along the optical axis. [0011]In some embodiments, the step of folding at least one haptic comprises folding at least one of the haptics such that it is at least partially disposed between the first lens element and the second lens element. In other embodiments, the step of folding at least one haptic may comprise folding at least one haptic such that a portion of the at least one haptic contacts an exterior side of one of the first lens element and the second lens element. [0012]In some embodiments, the step of folding at least one haptic comprises folding at least two of the haptics radially inward. In some of such embodiments, the multielement IOL may comprise at least three haptics. In some of such embodiments, the step of folding at least two of the haptics comprises folding at least two haptics such that they are at least partially disposed between the first lens element and the second lens element. In other of such embodiments, the step of folding at least one haptic comprises folding at least two haptics such that a portion of the haptics contacts an exterior side of one of the first lens element and the second lens element. [0013]In some embodiments, the step of folding the two haptics is achieved using a first arm and second arm of a forceps or tweezers. [0014]In some embodiments, the method further comprises a step of locating the IOL in a staging area of an inserter, with at least the second lens element contacting the inserter. In some embodiments, the staging area comprises a cover, and the cover is operated to maintain the haptics in a folded state after the IOL is located in the staging area. In some embodiments, the method further comprises pushing the first lens element and the second lens element together, prior to the step of folding the haptics. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015]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: [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a human eye; [0017]FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a conventional two-element AIOL in a capsular bag; [0018]FIG. 3 illustrates the two-element AIOL in FIG. 2 in greater detail; [0019]FIG. 4A is a side view of the first lens element and second lens element folded such that the second lens element at least partially surrounds the first lens element; [0020]FIG. 4B is a top view of the first lens element and second lens element folded such that the second lens element at least partially surrounds the first lens element; Continue reading... Full patent description for Method of preparing a multielement intraocular lens for insertion Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method of preparing a multielement intraocular lens for insertion patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080103592 - Piggyback lenses - The invention relates to a system for improving vision using a pair of intraocular lenses. A standard or light adjustable intraocular lens is combined with a light adjustable “piggyback” lens such that the “piggyback” lens corrects any vision deficiencies not addressed by the first lens. ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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