211 results about "Lens capsule" patented technology

Intraocular devices for use in and attached to the natural lens capsule of an eye are provided. The lens capsule may be maintained in a configuration to avoid post-operative changes that are deleterious to vision. Single or dual optic systems are provided, which may be accommodating. Combinations of devices to obtain dual optic systems are disclosed.

An adjustable ocular insert to be implanted during refractive cataract surgery and clear (human) crystalline lens refractive surgery and adjusted post-surgically. The implant comprises relatively soft but compressible and resilient base annulus designed to fit in the lens capsule and keep the lens capsule open. Alternatively the annulus may be placed in the anterior or posterior chamber. The annulus can include a pair of opposed haptics for secure positioning within the appropriate chamber. A rotatable annular lens member having external threads is threadedly engaged in the annulus. The lens member is rotated to move the lens forward or backward so to adjust and fine-tune the refractive power and focusing for hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism. The intraocular implant has a power range of approximately +3√0π−3 diopters.

A surgical instrument for ophthalmic surgery, allowing the user to form a uniform circular incision of the anterior lens capsule of an eyeball, as part of an anterior capsulotomy. The capsulectomy device of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has first and second ends, with a rotor emanating from one end, the rotor having a cutting blade or bin situated at the distal end of the rotor, the rotor rotating in pivotal fashion up to 360 degrees, while simultaneously reciprocating the cutting blade at a consistent stroke so as to provide optimal incision edge and depth of the anterior lens capsule of the eyeball. The device is hand held and relatively compact, having provided therein a motor and gear reduction / transmission system for driving the rotor and providing the reciprocating action to the cutting blade or pin. The device further includes a power supply, which is illustrated as a separate component fed to the device via wire, as well as controls for initiating power, as well as varying the speed of the motor. Unlike the prior art systems, which generally have relied upon the skill of the surgeon to perform the radial incision by hand, the present system provides a relatively easy and uniform system for performing the radial incision which is believed to be safer, more uniform, and less time consuming than prior techniques.

A deformable intracapsular implant device for shaping an enucleated lens capsule sac for use in cataract procedures and refractive lensectomy procedures. In one embodiment, the intraocular implant devices rely on thin film shape memory alloys and combine with the post-phaco capsular sac to provide a biomimetic complex that can mimic the energy-absorbing and energy-releasing characteristics of a young accommodative lens capsule. In another embodiment, the capsular shaping body is combined with an adaptive optic. The peripheral capsular shaping body carries at least one fluid-filled interior chamber that communicates with a space in a adaptive optic portion that has a deformable lens surface. The flexing of the peripheral shaping body in response to zonular tensioning and de-tensioning provides an inventive adaptive optics mechanism wherein fluid media flows between the respective chambers “adapts” the optic to increase and decrease the power thereof. In one embodiment, the capsular shaping body carries a posterior negative power adaptive optic that can be altered in power during accommodation to cooperate with an independent drop-in exchangeable intraocular lens.

Surgical correction of presbyopia and hyperopia by a circularly distributed assembly of mini-bridges implanted between the interior surfaces of the ciliary muscle and the exterior surface of the lens capsule, for augmenting the transmission of the contraction force of the ciliary muscle / zonule assembly to the lens capsule. The lens is symmetrically squeezed by mini-bridges acting in concert with the ciliary muscle thus changing the curvature of the lens. The mini-bridges are composite synthetic muscles comprising either passive biocompatible mini-bridges made with polymeric gels, silicone polymers or a composite, electromagnetically or mechanically deployable mini-bridges, inflatable balloons or synthetic muscles. The surgical procedure comprises using a ciliary muscle relaxant to stretch the lens / zonules / ciliary muscle assembly. An ultrasonic biomicroscope (UBM) is then used to enable the surgeon to see the area for implantation and the mini-bridges and thus perform endoscopic or incisional surgery to implant the mini-bridges in and around zonular cavities.

An intraocular ring assembly and an artificial lens kit, both of which are usable for implantation in a lens capsule or capsular bag of natural eye. The intraocular ring assembly includes a first ring element having recessions therein, a second ring element, and a biasing element provided between the first and second ring elements. The artificial lens kit comprises such intraocular ring assembly and an intraocular lens to be movably supported in the recessions of the ring assembly in a coaxial relation therewith. A guide element may be provided to assist in rectilinear coaxial movement of the first and second ring elements.

A surgical instrument that creates a circular cut 42 of almost any diameter in the lens capsule 50 of the eye, yet its entire diameter is less than 1 mm when inserted into the eye. A cutting edge 14 is affixed to the distal tip of a super-elastic rod 11 with its distal end formed into a circular loop. The circular loop is first retracted inside of an outer tube member 12, and then the tube 12 is inserted into the eye. The loop is then expelled from the tube 12, allowing the loop to reform inside of the eye. As the loop is retracted back into the tube 12, the cutting edge 14 follows the circular path of the loop, cutting a circular opening (a capsulorrhexis) 42, into the lens capsule 50.

The present invention relates to an accommodating intraocular lens, which is suitable for replacement of the natural crystalline lens of the eye within the capsular bag. The intraocular lens can include a retainer plate with an annular region surrounding a central opening, and an optical lens. The retainer plate acts as a foundation for the optical lens, as the retainer plate can be positioned near or at the posterior portion of the lens capsule. The optical lens can sit on the retainer plate, but is otherwise not attached to the retainer plate. The optical lens can overlap or fit within the central opening of the retainer plate. The retainer plate can include a lip portion integrally disposed on a region of the retainer plate, wherein the lip provides a surface for holding at least a portion of an intraocular lens.

In accordance with the present invention, a multifocal intraocular lens provides greater or lesser refraction in relation to the position of the head and eyes of a user. A multifocal intraocular lens body for insertion into a fluid-filled enucleated natural lens capsule of an eye is provided wherein the lens body encompasses the optical axis of the eye and provides different greater or lesser refraction depending upon the position of the eye. In a second embodiment, the lens body can be used with an artificial lens capsule implanted within an eye.

An intra ocular lens arrangement having positive and negative lens elements which move during the eye's accommodation response in order to improve the image on the retina of objects viewed by the eye over a wide range of distances. The positive and negative lens elements either can be linked mechanically to constrain their relative movements or not linked. The lenses are positioned by an operating surgeon following cataract extraction in either the eye's ciliary sulcus or lens capsule. Alternatively, one of the lenses may be inserted into an eye that already has a lens implanted therein to further improve a person's vision. An improved intra ocular lens has is an optic lens having at least two pairs of haptics that controls the movement of the optic lens along the optical axis of the eye in response to the movement of the ciliary muscle of the eye acting on the haptics during the accommodation response, one pair of haptics having one end hinged to the lower half of the optic lens and the second end connected to an upper portion of the ciliary muscle, and a second pair of haptics hinged to an upper half of the optic lens and to a lower potion of the ciliary muscle.

This invention effects a change in the accommodation of the human lens affected by presbyopia through the use of various reducing agents that change accommodative abilities of the human lens, and / or by applying energy to affect a change in the accommodative abilities of the human lens. This invention both prevents the onset of presbyopia as well as treats it. By breaking and / or preventing the formation of bonds that adhere lens fibers together causing hardening of the lens, the present invention increases the elasticity and distensibility of the lens and / or lens capsule.

An accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) device adapted for implantation in the lens capsule of a subject's eye. The IOL device includes an anterior refractive optical element and a membrane coupled to the refractive optical element. The anterior refractive optical element and the membrane define an enclosed cavity configured to contain a fluid. At least a portion of the membrane is configured to contact a posterior area of the lens capsule adjoining the vitreous body of the subject's eye. The fluid contained in the enclosed cavity exerts a deforming or displacing force on the anterior refractive optical element in response to an anterior force exerted on the membrane by the vitreous body. The IOL device may further include a haptic system to position the anterior refractive optical element and also to engage the zonules and ciliary muscles to provide additional means for accommodation.

A device for removing undesired tissue such as residual tissue, epithelial cells and / or other undesired material(s) from an inner surface of a lens capsule of an eye, includes an elongated body [2] having a proximal and a distal end and at least one central lumen extending between the ends. A flexible shaving filament (4) is movably provided in the lumen so as to be insertable into the lens capsule. The filament has an overall stiffness such that it will be able to conform to an inner surface of a lens capsule when inserted into the capsule, and also to enable shaving off of material from the inner surface. The invention also relates to a method for removing the undesired tissue is also disclosed.

Provided herein are a devices, ophthalmic lens systems and methods for restoring natural tension and anatomy of a lens capsule post-surgically in an eye of a subject. The device generally comprises an inward tensioning ring-like structure having a shape configured to circumferentially fit within and be anchored to a post-surgical lens capsule of the eye. The device may have one or both of external and internal grooves formed to receive the lens capsule and one or both of an intraoptical lens or a tensioning element. The ophthalmic lens system generally comprises the device and an intraocular lens inserted therein. The anchored device provides tension to an equatorial area of the capsule resulting in a decrease in equatorial diameter.

Apparatus for the removal of lens tissue includes a first instrument for inserting into a lens capsule and removing a cataract therein, the first instrument including a lumen for aspiration of cataract tissue and irrigation fluid from the lens capsule and manipulate the cataract until cataract is removed. The second instrument includes an irrigation port for introducing the irrigation fluid into the lens capsule.

Apparatus and method for the removal of lens tissue includes a first handpiece having a laser emitting probe sized for insertion into a lens capsule and radiating a lens therein. The laser emitting probe includes a lumen for introducing irrigation fluid into the lens capsule. A second handpiece includes a pulsed controlled vibrated needle for insertion into the lens capsule and emulsifying laser eradiated lens tissue. The vibrated needle includes a lumen therethrough for aspiration of emulsified lens tissue and irrigation fluid.

An intraocular lens optic (e.g. FIG. 1) having a maximum thickness of 500 microns (3) and a diameter of 6 millimeters, with concentric rings on the anterior surface of the lens. The lens, coupled with suitable haptic designs, is to be implanted within the lens capsule (19) of the eye after surgical removal of the natural crystalline lens. The anterior surface of the lens (1) has concentric rings (6) with steps of approximately 10 microns (5) that can be concave, convex or piano, with the edge of the step parallel in each case to the light rays traversing the lens at that point. The posterior surface of the lens (3) is aspherical and smooth. The concentric rings focus 95% or better of light at a specific target point on the retina, thus making a monofocal lens, with focal flexibility provided through haptic design providing movement of the lens forward in the posterior chamber in response to contraction and expansion of the ciliary body and concomitant repositioning of the zonules. The inventive lens is a unitarily formed, seamless body comprised preferably of hydrophilic acrylates or acrylates and silicone blends. Other possible materials include hydrophobic acrylates, polymethylmethacrylate (such as for example PMMA) or acrylic blends. The inventive lens, being less than 500 microns thick, provides greater transfer of light through the lens, thus more closely replicating the function of a natural, emmotropic lens, while the thinness, making the lens lightweight, allows the ciliary body to move the lens with less effort, thus facilitating comfort in the presbyopic eye.

A system and method for treating cells of a site in the body, such as at a lens capsule or choroid of an eye. The system and method employs an energy emitting device, and a positioning device, adapted to position the energy emitting device at a position in relation to the cells at the site in the body, such as the cells of the choroid or the lens capsule, so that energy emitted from the energy emitting device heats the cells to a temperature which is above body temperature and below a temperature at which protein denaturation occurs in the cells, to kill the cells or impede multiplication of the cells. The energy emitting device can also include a container containing a heated fluid that can include indocyanine green, which heats the cells to the desired temperature. Alternatively, the energy emitting device can include a laser diode, or a probe that emits radiation, such as infrared or ultraviolet radiation, laser light, microwave energy or ultrasonic energy. The system and method can further employ a material delivery device that can be unitary with or separate from the energy emitting device, an can provide a material, such as indocyanine green, to the cells at the site of interest. A light emitting device can be controlled to direct light onto the site of interest to activate the material present at the cells to alter a physical characteristic of the cells.

A haptic for fixation to, and manufacture in conjunction with, an intraocular lens to be implanted in the natural lens capsule of the human eye is disclosed. The haptic secures the lens in an appropriate position within the natural capsule so as to provide optimal visual acuity through the aphakic lens. The haptic ends are designed to position the lens neutrally, anteriorly or posteriorly within the lens envelope. The haptic has a of an anterior retention ring and a posterior retention ring.

Intraocular lens implant that includes a lens optic and lens haptics configured to maintain a preoperative position of the posterior lens capsule after cataract removal and insertion of a lens implant. The lens haptics have proximal and distal portions, with the distal portions lying in a common plane and the lens optic extending in a lens optic plane. The distance between the planes may be at least substantially the same dimension as or larger than a shift distance that the posterior lens capsule would otherwise traverse between its normal anatomical location and its shifted anatomical location where it not constrained. The shifted anatomical location arises naturally after both removal of cataract lens material and removal of a portion of an anterior capsule.

A surgical probe with a tip shield (10) for lens removal by vibratory surgical instruments. The probe with tip shield (10) including a tip cap (60) disposed as a membrane covering the distal end (16) surface of a vibratory probe (52) to act to protect the lens capsule during operation. Direct contact between the metallic vibratory probe (52) and the lens capsule (68) is avoided by the interposed tip cap (60) even when the capsule (68) is aspirated by the central aspiration opening (64). Vibratory energy applied to probe tip (50) is transmitted to the lens tissue across the walls of tip cap (60) to provide protection of the lens capsule (68) while effectively fragmenting and liquefying the tissue by emulsification.

The invention is directed to an assembly comprising a haptic for fixation to, and manufacture in conjunction with, an intraocular lens to be implanted in the natural lens capsule of an eye. The haptic of the invention comprises a continuous ribbon forming an essentially oblong shape having anterior and posterior portions relative to the elliptical center of the haptic, wherein the ribbon loop includes two or more essentially congruent ribbon arches in each portion, and each ribbon arch has a natural index of curvature with an inner and outer edges. designed to expand the eye capsule and put tension on the zonules of the eye. The ribbon affixes to the lens on each side of the optic edge at a point or a series of points that provides suitable centration and stability of the optic, and to suspend the optic in the open capsular space. The material of the haptic is preferably somewhat flexible, and elastic, so as to provide a constant, positive force on the capsule throughout all phases of accommodation, thereby preserving tension of the zonules and allowing the capsule to change shape naturally. The haptic ribbons may be solid or of an open work structure to increase the amount of hydration available to the lens capsule. A secondary haptic ribbon, affixed to a plano optical plate, may be located on the posterior capsular surface and oriented so that the haptic arms extend through the capsular prime meridian to the anterior capsular surface at a 90° angle from the anterior haptic ribbons, thus providing for a capsular configuration as natural as possible, yet associated with an intraocular lens that may be inserted through an incision of less than 3 millimeters.