The present disclosure relates to a medical device, and, more particularly, to an ophthalmic medical device.
Capsulorhexis is a surgical removal of a portion of a lens capsule. Removing the portion of the lens capsule creates an opening in the lens capsule that enables a surgeon to remove a cataract and insert an artificial lens. Separating the portion of the lens capsule from the remaining lens capsule may be accomplished using laser, a radio frequency probe, a needle, a forceps, etc. A common method of separating the portion of the lens capsule from the remaining lens capsule is continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (“CCC”) wherein a surgeon uses a series of incisions and tears to form an opening in the lens capsule. The geometry and dimensions of the opening in the lens capsule must be precise to prevent unintended tearing of the lens capsule. Achieving precise geometry and dimensions of an opening in a lens capsule may be difficult, e.g., due to a small pupil diameter, zonular weakness, etc. Pupil diameter is typically controlled pharmacologically; however, in some cases a surgeon is unable to successfully accomplish a pharmacological retraction of an iris and the iris must be retracted mechanically to enlarge a pupil diameter. Moreover, it may be difficult for a surgeon to accomplish precise incisions when performing CCC because a surface of the lens capsule may slightly deform as force is applied to the surface during an attempted incision. The initial deformation in the surface of the lens capsule before an instrument pierces the lens capsule may cause undesirable incision geometry and subsequent tearing of the lens capsule may be difficult for a surgeon to control.
A multi-function capsulorhexis guide is presented. Illustratively, a multi-function capsulorhexis guide may comprise an outer rim, an inner rim, an anterior surface, a capsulorhexis guide, and an iris contact angle. In one or more embodiments, the outer rim may comprise an outer rim medial edge, an outer rim lateral edge, and an outer rim thickness. Illustratively, the inner rim may comprise an inner rim medial edge, an inner rim lateral edge, and an inner rim thickness. In one or more embodiments, the capsulorhexis guide may be configured to guide a tearing of a lens capsule. Illustratively, the anterior surface may comprise an adhesion geometry configured to temporarily fix the multi-function capsulorhexis guide to a portion of the lens capsule. In one or more embodiments, the iris contact angle may be configured to retract an iris.
The above and further advantages of the present invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements:
Illustratively, adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to temporarily fix a portion of multifunction capsulorhexis guide 100 to a portion of a lens capsule 240, e.g., adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to temporarily fix posterior surface 120 to a portion of a lens capsule outer surface 241. In one or more embodiments, adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to facilitate an adhesion of multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 and a portion of a lens capsule 240, e.g., adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to facilitate suction by creating a pressure differential between a fluid contained within adhesion geometry 150 and an adjacent fluid on a portion of a lens capsule 240. Illustratively, adhesion geometry 150 may comprise a micro-scale etched pattern configured to facilitate an adhesion of multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 and a portion of a lens capsule 240, e.g., adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to facilitate van der Waals forces between a micro-scale etched pattern of adhesion geometry 150 an a portion of a lens capsule 240. In one or more embodiments, adhesion geometry 150 may be configured facilitate an adhesion of multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 and a portion of a lens capsule 240, e.g., adhesion geometry 150 may house an adhesive configured to fix a portion of multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 to a portion of a lens capsule 240. Illustratively, adhesion geometry 150 may comprise a convex geometry relative to posterior surface 120. In one or more embodiments, adhesion geometry 150 may have a convex peak in a range of 0.001 to 0.1 millimeters, e.g., adhesion geometry 150 may have a convex peak of 0.05 millimeters. Illustratively, adhesion geometry 150 may have a convex peak of less than 0.001 millimeters or greater than 0.1 millimeters.
In one or more embodiments, adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to house a recessed blade, e.g., adhesion geometry 150 may house a recessed blade configured to incise a portion of lens capsule 240. Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may comprise a recessed blade having a recessed blade distal end and a recessed blade proximal end wherein the recessed blade is disposed within adhesion geometry 150, e.g., the recessed blade proximal end may abut a convex peak of adhesion geometry 150 and the recessed blade distal end may be disposed inferior of posterior surface 120. For example, the recessed blade distal end may not extend beyond posterior surface 120 when multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 is in equilibrium. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may comprise a recessed blade wherein an application of a force to a portion of multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be configured to extend a distal end of the recessed blade a distance beyond posterior surface 120, e.g., an application of a force to outer rim 105 may be configured to extend the distal end of the recessed blade a distance beyond posterior surface 120. Illustratively, an extension of a distal end of a recessed blade a distance beyond posterior surface 120 may be configured to incise a portion of lens capsule 240.
In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from any suitable material, e.g., polymers, metals, metal alloys, etc., or from any combination of suitable materials. Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a hardness in a range of 50 durometer Shore A to 80 durometer Shore A, e.g., multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a hardness of 70 durometer Shore A. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a hardness less than 50 durometer Shore A or greater than 80 durometer Shore A. Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a compression set after 70 hours at 150.0 degrees Celsius in a range of 20.0 to 30.0 percent, e.g., multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a compression set after 70 hours at 150.0 degrees Celsius of 25.0 percent. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a compression set after 70 hours at 150.0 degrees Celsius of less than 20.0 percent or greater than 30.0 percent. Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a tensile strength in a range of 6.0 to 9.0 MPa, e.g., multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a tensile strength of 7.8 MPa. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a tensile strength of less than 6.0 MPa or greater than 9.0 MPa. Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having an elongation in a range of 180.0 to 220.0 percent, e.g., multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having an elongation of 200.0 percent. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having an elongation of less than 180.0 percent or greater than 220.0 percent. Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a tear strength in a range of 12.0 to 19.0 kN/m, e.g., multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a tear strength of 15.5 kN/m. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material having a tear strength of less than 12.0 kN/m or greater than 19.0 kN/m.
Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material suitable for sterilization by ethylene oxide, e.g., multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be a single-use, disposable medical device. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material suitable for sterilization by a medical autoclave, e.g., may be a multi-use, reusable medical device. Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be manufactured from a material configured to withstand exposure to temperatures, pressures, and ambient conditions present in a medical autoclave without degradation. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be configured to function normally after exposure in a temperature 250° F. for 15 minutes at an atmospheric pressure of 15 psi. Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be configured to be used in a surgical procedure and then sterilized by a medical autoclave at least three times. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be sterilized in a medical autoclave and then multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be used in a first surgical procedure. Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be sterilized in a medical autoclave after use in the first surgical procedure and then multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be used in a second surgical procedure. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be sterilized in a medical autoclave after use in the second surgical procedure and then multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be used in a third surgical procedure.
Illustratively, lens 230 may comprise a lens anterior end 231 and a lens posterior end 232. In one or more embodiments, lens 230 may be disposed within lens capsule 240. Illustratively, lens capsule 240 may comprise a lens capsule outer surface 241. In one or more embodiments, lens capsule 240 may be supported by zonules 250, e.g., zonules 250 may be adjacent to lens capsule outer surface 241. Illustratively, a portion of multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be fixed to a portion of lens capsule 240 when iris 210 comprises a retracted iris 200, e.g., adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to fix posterior surface 120 to a portion of lens capsule 240. In one or more embodiments, adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to prevent multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 from moving relative to lens capsule 240. Illustratively, adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to apply tension to a portion of lens capsule 240, e.g., adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to apply tension to a portion of lens capsule 240 disposed within inner rim inner diameter 143. In one or more embodiments, an application of tension to a portion of lens capsule 240 may be configured to reduce an amount of initial deformation of lens capsule outer surface 241 when a force is applied to lens capsule outer surface 241 during an attempted incision. Illustratively, a reduction of an amount of initial deformation of lens capsule outer surface 241 when a force is applied to lens capsule outer surface 241 during an attempted incision may be configured to improve an incision geometry. In one or more embodiments, an improvement in an incision geometry may be configured to reduce unintended tearing of lens capsule 240.
Illustratively, a portion of multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be configured to facilitate a tearing of lens capsule 240, e.g., a portion of multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be configured to facilitate a tearing of lens capsule outer surface 241. In one or more embodiments, inner rim medial edge 111 may be configured to act as a pivot point for a portion of lens capsule outer surface 141, e.g., as a surgeon attempts to raise a portion of lens capsule outer surface 141 disposed within posterior surface inner diameter 103 using forceps 310, inner rim medial edge 111 may be configured to act as a pivot point for a portion of lens capsule outer surface 141 and facilitate a tearing of lens capsule outer surface 141 along capsulorhexis guide 136. Illustratively, inner rim medial edge 111 may be configured to provide a force to prevent a raising of a portion of lens capsule outer surface 141 and facilitate a tearing of lens capsule outer surface 141 along capsulorhexis guide 136. For example, inner rim medial edge 111 may be configured to cause a shearing force along inner rim medial edge 111 as a surgeon raises a portion of lens capsule outer surface 141 facilitating a tearing of lens capsule outer surface 141 along capsulorhexis guide 136. In one or more embodiments, adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to prevent multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 from moving relative to lens capsule 240 during a capsulorhexis 300. Illustratively, adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to apply tension to a portion of lens capsule 240, e.g., adhesion geometry 150 may be configured to apply tension to a portion of lens capsule 240 disposed within inner rim inner diameter 143. In one or more embodiments, an application of tension to a portion of lens capsule 240 may be configured to facilitate a tearing of lens capsule outer surface 141 along inner rim medial edge 111.
Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be configured to retract iris 210 during a capsulorhexis 300. In one or more embodiments, iris inner diameter 211 may abut iris inner diameter interface 126 during a capsulorhexis 300. Illustratively, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be configured to retract iris 210 and guide a capsulorhexis 300. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be configured to provide a mechanical barrier to prevent a pharmacologically retracted iris 210 from contracting during a capsulorhexis 300. Illustratively, a surgeon may dilate a pupil pharmacologically and then begin a capsulorhexis 300. During the capsulorhexis 300, iris 210 may contract and prevent the surgeon from completing the capsulorhexis 300. In one or more embodiments, multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be configured to prevent iris 210 from contracting during a capsulorhexis 300, e.g., multi-function capsulorhexis guide 100 may be configured to prevent a pharmacologically retracted iris 210 from contracting during a capsulorhexis 300.
The foregoing description has been directed to particular embodiments of this invention. It will be apparent; however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Specifically, it should be noted that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any system. Furthermore, while this description has been written in terms of an ophthalmic medical device, the teachings of the present invention are equally suitable to any systems where the functionality may be employed. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/036,389, filed Aug. 12, 2014.