This application claims priority of German patent application no. 10 2019 134 178.7, filed Dec. 12, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to an intraocular lens which includes an optical body and haptic elements.
In cataract treatment of an eye, an incision is conventionally made in the cornea of the eye, the incision being large enough to allow a cannula to be inserted through the incision into the eye. After the incision has been made in the cornea, the lens of the eye is broken up by phacoemulsification and then sucked out of the capsular bag of the eye. Thereafter, an intraocular lens is inserted into the capsular bag by an injector. The intraocular lens includes an optical body and a haptic element, wherein the haptic element fixes the optical body in the capsular bag.
The haptic element has the function of keeping the optical body as close as possible to the middle of the eye in order to generate an image of maximum quality on the retina of the eye. Moreover, the optical body should be fixed with maximum positional stability in the capsular bag. In addition, the haptic element has the function of stopping the optical body from rotating about its optical axis. This is particularly relevant when the optical body is a toric optical body by means of which cornea curvature is to be corrected, because the toric optical body, if it is arranged in the capsular bag with an incorrect orientation, leads to an imaging aberration on the retina.
If the intraocular lens is too small for the capsular bag, it is difficult to hold the intraocular lens with positional stability in the capsular bag. If the intraocular lens is too large for the capsular bag, there is the risk of the capsular bag being injured by the intraocular lens and, moreover, it is difficult to rotate the intraocular lens in the capsular bag in order, in the case of the toric optical body, to arrange the latter with the correct orientation in the capsular bag.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an intraocular lens which enables the problems recited above to be solved.
The first intraocular lens according to the invention comprises an optical body, at least two haptic elements and for at least two of the haptic elements in each case a set having a plurality of ropes, which are secured in each case to the optical body and to the haptic element associated with the set and have a severing order, wherein each of the at least two of the haptic elements has in each case a compressed state, a partly compressed state and an uncompressed state, wherein for each of the at least two of the haptic elements and the set associated with the respective haptic element it holds true that in the compressed state the first rope of the severing order is configured to deform the haptic element in a direction toward the optical body, as a result of which the first rope of the severing order is under a tensile stress and the rest of the ropes are stress-free, and that by means of the ropes being severed successively in the severing order, the haptic element can be brought firstly to the partly compressed state, in which that one of the ropes which is not severed and has the lowest ordinal number of the severing order is configured to deform the haptic element in a direction toward the optical body and is thus under a tensile stress, and the rest of the ropes which are not severed are stress-free, and finally to the uncompressed state, in which all the ropes are severed.
The second intraocular lens according to the invention comprises an optical body, at least two haptic elements and for at least two of the haptic elements in each case a set having a plurality of springs, which are secured in each case to the optical body and to the haptic element associated with the set and have a severing order, wherein each of the at least two of the haptic elements has in each case a compressed state, a partly compressed state and an uncompressed state, wherein for each of the at least two of the haptic elements and the set associated with the respective haptic element it holds true that in the compressed state the totality of the springs is configured to deform the haptic element in a direction toward the optical body, as a result of which at least the first spring of the severing order is lengthened from its rest position, and that by means of the springs being successively severed in the severing order, the haptic element can be brought firstly to the partly compressed state, in which the totality of the non-severed springs is configured to deform the haptic element in a direction toward the optical body, and at least that one of the springs which is not severed and has the lowest ordinal number of the severing order is lengthened from its rest position, and finally to the uncompressed state, in which all the springs are severed.
The third intraocular lens according to the invention comprises an optical body, at least two haptic elements and for at least two of the haptic elements in each case a set having a plurality of springs, which are secured in each case to the optical body and to the haptic element associated with the set, wherein each of the at least two of the haptic elements has in each case a compressed state, a partly compressed state and an uncompressed state, wherein for each of the at least two of the haptic elements and the set associated with the respective haptic element it holds true that in the compressed state all of the springs are in a compressed spring state, and that by means of the springs being successively brought to an uncompressed spring state, the haptic element can be brought firstly to the partly compressed state, in which at least one of the springs is in the compressed spring state and at least one of the springs is in the uncompressed spring state, and finally to the uncompressed state, in which all of the springs are in the uncompressed state.
In this case, the terms “compressed state”, “partly compressed state” and “uncompressed state” relate to the intraocular lens which is situated outside the capsular bag and can move without any limitation from the compressed state to the uncompressed state. The ropes can comprise in each case one fiber or in each case a plurality of fibers. In the rest position, in the case of the second intraocular lens according to the invention, no forces are applied to the spring in the axial direction of the spring. The intraocular lens is intended to be inserted into a capsular bag of an eye when the ropes or respectively the springs are not severed or respectively all the springs are in the compressed spring state and the intraocular lens is thus in the compressed state. In order to be inserted into the capsular bag, the intraocular lens is folded and injected into the capsular bag in the folded state, the intraocular lens unfolding in the capsular bag. Since, in the compressed state, the haptic element is deformed in a direction toward the optical body by means of the ropes or respectively the springs, the haptic element cannot unfold in an uncontrolled manner in this case, as a result of which the risk of injury to the capsular bag is low. Moreover, the intraocular lens occupies only little space and is secured to the capsular bag, if at all, only slightly by means of the haptic elements. As a result, it is easily possible to alter the position of the intraocular lens. This is relevant, for example, in order to arrange the intraocular lens centrally in the capsular bag for good imaging. Moreover, it is easily possible to alter the orientation of the intraocular lens. This makes it possible to avoid imaging aberrations in the case where the optical body is a toric optical body.
For the first and second intraocular lenses according to the invention, the ropes and respectively the springs can then be severed by means of a knife or scissors introduced into the capsular bag via a small incision in the cornea, or by means of a laser, in order to bring the intraocular lens to the partly compressed state or to the uncompressed state and thereby to enlarge it. In order to enlarge the intraocular lens as uniformly as possible, in all the sets firstly those ropes or respectively springs having the same ordinal number can be severed before the ropes or respectively the springs having the next higher ordinal number are severed. This makes it possible to ensure that the intraocular lens remains arranged as centrally as possible in the capsular bag during the severing of the ropes or respectively the springs. In the case of the third intraocular lens according to the invention, this is done by the springs being brought successively to the uncompressed spring state. Moreover, it is possible to carry out an adaptation of the size of the intraocular lens to the capsular bag by virtue of not all of the ropes or respectively the springs being severed or respectively not all of the springs being brought to the uncompressed spring state. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of the capsular bag being injured by the haptic elements. That one of the ropes which is not severed and has the lowest ordinal number of the severing order can be under a tensile stress. None of the ropes which are not severed is under a compressive stress.
For the first intraocular lens according to the invention it is preferred that for each of the ropes it holds true that the rope is secured to the haptic element at a haptic element securing point and is secured to the optical body at an optical body securing point, wherein the haptic element securing point and the optical body securing point lie in the same plane, the normal to which coincides with the optical axis of the optical body. For the second intraocular lens according to the invention it is preferred that for each of the springs it holds true that the spring is secured to the haptic element at a haptic element securing point and is secured to the optical body at an optical body securing point, wherein the haptic element securing point and the optical body securing point lie in the same plane, the normal to which coincides with the optical axis of the optical body. This makes it possible to prevent the intraocular lens from curving in the compressed state or in the partly compressed state.
For the first intraocular lens according to the invention it is preferred that each of the sets consists of two of the ropes or that each of the sets comprises or consists of three of the ropes or that each of the sets comprises or consists of four of the ropes. For the second intraocular lens according to the invention it is preferred that each of the sets consists of two of the springs or that each of the sets comprises or consists of three of the springs or that each of the sets comprises or consists of four of the springs.
For the first intraocular lens according to the invention, it is preferred that for each of the sets it holds true that all the ropes have a different color. For the second intraocular lens according to the invention, it is preferred that for each of the sets it holds true that all the springs have a different color. The different color enables the surgeon easily to identify the severing order.
The ropes in accordance with the first intraocular lens according to the invention are preferably embodied as longer and longer in the severing order. As a result, it is possible, for example, for all the ropes of one of the sets to be secured to the haptic element at an identical haptic element securing point and to be secured to the optical body at an identical optical body securing point. This makes it possible to minimize the number of optical body securing points. Since each of the optical body securing points can adversely affect the imaging by the optical body, minimizing the number of optical body securing points also makes it possible to minimize any impairment of the imaging function of the optical body.
For the second intraocular lens according to the invention, it is preferred that each of the at least two haptic elements has an outer haptic element longitudinal end and for each of the sets it holds true that the distance between the springs and the outer haptic element longitudinal end is embodied as longer and longer in the severing order. This makes it possible to prevent the springs of one of the sets from coming into contact and thereby getting caught.
For the first intraocular lens according to the invention, it is preferred that the ropes are configured to decompose after the intraocular lens has been inserted into a capsular bag of an eye. For the second intraocular lens according to the invention, it is preferred that the springs are configured to decompose after the intraocular lens has been inserted into a capsular bag of an eye. What can be achieved as a result is that no superfluous material remains in the capsular bag.
For the first intraocular lens according to the invention, it is preferred that the ropes are configured to decompose after the intraocular lens has been inserted into a capsular bag of an eye and only when they have been severed. For the second intraocular lens according to the invention, it is preferred that the springs are configured to decompose after the intraocular lens has been inserted into a capsular bag of an eye and only when they have been severed. As a result, it is possible to adapt the size of the intraocular lens to the size of the capsular bag by virtue of only those ropes/springs being severed which are necessary for this purpose, and at the same time to prevent superfluous material from remaining in the capsular bag.
For the third intraocular lens according to the invention, it is preferred that the springs comprise a shape memory material, such that each of the springs is able to be brought to the uncompressed spring state by means of the shape memory material being heated. The heating can be effected by means of a laser, for example.
For the third intraocular lens according to the invention, it is alternatively preferred that the intraocular lens comprises for each of the springs in each case a holding device configured to hold the spring associated with the holding device in the compressed spring state, wherein the spring associated with the holding device is able to be brought to the uncompressed spring state by means of the holding device being opened. The holding device can comprise for example two plates arranged at the two longitudinal ends of the spring, and a holding device rope secured to both plates. The holding device can be opened by the holding device rope being severed, for example by means of a knife, tweezers or a laser.
For all the intraocular lenses according to the invention, the at least two of the haptic elements are preferably C-shaped or J-shaped. Particularly preferably, all the haptic elements are C-shaped or J-shaped.
For all the intraocular lenses according to the invention, it is preferred that the intraocular lens comprises three or four of the haptic elements and one of the sets for each of the haptic elements. Particularly preferably, the intraocular lens comprises only two, only three or only four of the haptic elements and one of the sets for each of the haptic elements.
For all the intraocular lenses according to the invention, the optical body is preferably a toric optical body. Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable for the optical body to be a monofocal or multifocal optical body. Moreover, it is additionally or alternatively conceivable for the optical body to have an enhanced depth of focus (EDoF).
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:
As shown in
As is evident from
It is conceivable that for each of the sets 9a, 9b it holds true that all the ropes 4a, 4b, 4c have a different color. Moreover, it is evident from
As shown in
Each of the haptic elements 3a, 3b can have an outer haptic element longitudinal end 7 and an inner haptic element longitudinal end 8, which is secured to the optical body 2. In the rest position, no forces are applied to the spring 10a, 10b, 10c in the axial direction of the spring 10a, 10b, 10c. In
For each of the sets 9a, 9b it can hold true that all the springs 10a, 10b, 10c have a different color. Moreover, it is evident from
It is conceivable that the springs 10a, 10b, 10c are configured to decompose after the intraocular lens 1 has been inserted into a capsular bag of an eye. Moreover, it is conceivable that the springs 10a, 10b, 10c are configured to decompose after the intraocular lens 1 has been inserted into a capsular bag of an eye and only when they have been severed.
In order to prevent the intraocular lens 1 from curving in the compressed state or in the partly compressed state of at least one of the haptic elements 3a, 3b, for each of the springs 10a, 10b, 10c it can hold true that the spring 10a, 10b, 10c is secured to the haptic element 3a, 3b at a haptic element securing point 5, 5a, 5b, 5c and is secured to the optical body 2 at an optical body securing point 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, wherein the haptic element securing point 5, 5a, 5b, 5c and the optical body securing point 6, 6a, 6b, 6c lie in the same plane, the normal to which coincides with the optical axis of the optical body 2.
For both intraocular lenses according to the invention, the terms “compressed state”, “partly compressed state” and “uncompressed state” relate to the intraocular lens which is situated outside the capsular bag and can move without any limitation from the compressed state to the uncompressed state. For both intraocular lenses 1 according to the invention, the at least two of the haptic elements 3a, 3b can be C-shaped or J-shaped, for example. Moreover, for both intraocular lenses 1 according to the invention it is conceivable that the intraocular lens 1 comprises three or four of the haptic elements 3a, 3b and one of the sets 9a, 9b for each of the haptic elements 3a, 3b, in particular the intraocular lens 1 comprises only two, only three, or only four of the haptic elements 3a, 3b and one of the sets 9a, 9b for each of the haptic elements 3a, 3b. Moreover, it is conceivable that the optical body 2 is a toric optical body.
The third intraocular lens according to the disclosure is shown in
For the third intraocular lens according to the disclosure, it is alternatively preferred that the intraocular lens includes for each of the springs in each case a holding device configured to hold the spring associated with the holding device in the compressed spring state, wherein the spring associated with the holding device is able to be brought to the uncompressed spring state by the holding device being opened. The holding device can have, for example, two plates 11 arranged at the two longitudinal ends of the spring, and a holding device rope 12 secured to both plates. The holding device can be opened by the holding device rope 12 being severed, for example, by a knife, tweezers or a laser.
It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2019 134 178.7 | Dec 2019 | DE | national |
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4343050 | Kelman | Aug 1982 | A |
4527294 | Heslin | Jul 1985 | A |
5571177 | Deacon et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
20030135271 | Bandhauer | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030171809 | Phillips | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20140200666 | Phillips | Jul 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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102019135511 | Jun 2021 | DE |
WO-2021204576 | Oct 2021 | WO |
WO-2022060376 | Mar 2022 | WO |
Entry |
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English translation and Extended Search Report of the European Patent Office dated Apr. 22, 2021 in corresponding European patent application 20209251.6-1126. |
English translation and Office action of the German Patent Office dated Sep. 28, 2020 in German patent application 10 2019 134 178.7 on which the claim of priority is based. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210177581 A1 | Jun 2021 | US |