U.S. patent application number 09/730776 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-21 for soft intraocular lens container having folding function.
This patent application is currently assigned to Menicon Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sakanishi, Kotaro.
Application Number | 20010004052 09/730776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18411222 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010004052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sakanishi, Kotaro |
June 21, 2001 |
Soft intraocular lens container having folding function
Abstract
A soft intraocular lens container having a folding function
comprises a base plate 1 having a groove 2, a lens receiving
mechanism formed in the base plate 1 and a cover wherein the lens
receiving mechanism comprises a pair of holding portions 4, each
formed at each side portion of the groove 2, which are adapted to
receive haptics h of a soft intraocular lens, and clamping portions
6, each formed on each of the holding portions 4, which clamp an
optical portion o of the soft intraocular lens having the haptics h
to be put on said holding portions 4, and wherein the base plate 1
is capable of folding the optical portion o of the soft intraocular
lens held between said clamping portions 6 into two when both sides
of the base plate 1 are clamped so that the base plate is pressed
toward the groove 2, and the cover has a plurality of bayonet pawls
projecting toward a rear surface side of the cover, the bayonet
pawls being capable of engaging with bayonet openings formed in the
base plate 1 at both side portions with respect to the groove 2
whereby the cover covers the soft intraocular lens received in the
lens receiving mechanism and is fixed to the both side portions of
the base plate 1.
Inventors: |
Sakanishi, Kotaro; (Aichi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, McCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
FOURTH FLOOR
1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
Menicon Co., Ltd.
21-19, Aoi 3-chome, Naka-ku
Nagoya-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
18411222 |
Appl. No.: |
09/730776 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/5.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/1691
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/5.1 |
International
Class: |
A45C 011/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 9, 1999 |
JP |
11-350545 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A soft intraocular lens container having a folding function
which comprises: a base plate having a groove, a lens receiving
mechanism formed in the base plate, said lens receiving mechanism
comprising a pair of holding portions, each formed at each side
portion of the groove, which are adapted to receive haptics of a
soft intraocular lens, and clamping portions, each formed on each
of the holding portions, which clamp an optical portion of the soft
intraocular lens having said haptics to be put on said holding
portions, wherein said base plate is capable of folding the optical
portion of the soft intraocular lens held between said clamping
portions into two when both sides of the base plate are clamped so
that the base plate is pressed toward the groove, and a cover
having a plurality of bayonet pawls projecting toward a rear
surface side of the cover, said bayonet pawls being capable of
engaging with bayonet openings formed in the base plate at both
side portions with respect to the groove whereby the cover covers
the soft intraocular lens received in the lens receiving mechanism
and is fixed to the both side portions of the base plate with
respect to the groove.
2. The soft intraocular lens container having a folding function
according to claim 1, wherein the lens receiving mechanism is
adapted to raise the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens
from a space between the clamping portions when the optical portion
is folded into two.
3. The soft intraocular lens container having a folding function
according to claim 1, wherein the lens receiving mechanism is
adapted so that a lens surface of the optical portion does not
contact the lens receiving mechanism when the optical portion is
received in the lens receiving mechanism.
4. The soft intraocular lens container having a folding function
according to claim 1, which further comprises preventive means for
displacement which prevents any of the clamping portions from
shifting in a direction of the thickness of the base plate when the
both sides of the base plate are clamped so that the base plate is
pressed toward the groove.
5. The soft intraocular lens container having a folding function
according to claim 4, wherein the preventive means for displacement
has a guide plate extending along a rear surface of the base plate,
and the guide plate is provided at its base end side with an
insertion portion for receiving a base end side of the base plate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a container for receiving a
soft intraocular lens capable of being folded. In particular, the
present invention relates to a container having a function of
folding the soft intraocular lens received therein.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Background
[0004] An intraocular lens comprises an optical portion of a
circular lens and two curved flexible haptics, wherein each one end
of the curved flexible haptics is bonded to the periphery of the
circular lens at opposing positions and each other end of them is
extended to opposite sides of the optical portion. The optical
portion of the soft intraocular lens is elastic so as to be folded
unlike the optical portion of a hard intraocular lens.
[0005] If a person feel uncomfortable in the crystal lens of his or
her eye due to cataract, normally it is extracted surgically; a
circular opening is formed in a front portion of the crystal lens
capsule after conducting corneal or corneoscleral incision; the
cataract is removed through the circular opening and an intraocular
lens is inserted in remained capsular bag through the incision
instead of the crystal lens. In this case, the corneal or
corneoscleral incision should be small as possible in order to
minimize surgical intervention to the patient. The intraocular lens
usually used is a soft intraocular lens having an optical portion
which can be folded. When the soft intraocular lens is inserted
into the crystal lens capsule, it is passed through a circular
opening of the crystal lens capsule in a state that the intraocular
lens is folded into two, whereby the size is reduced. The soft
intraocular lens inserted into the capsule restores itself the
shape from the two-folded state to the original state, i.e., the
state before being folded, due to the elasticity of the optical
portion.
[0006] 1) First conventional case
[0007] The soft intraocular lens is sold or stored in a state that
it is received in a container of synthetic resin and is sterilized
together with the container wherein the container is packed with an
additional wrapping.
[0008] When the soft intraocular lens is used, the additional
wrapping is opened to expose the sterilized container, and the
cover of the container is removed. Then, the intraocular lens in
the container is picked up by forceps to take it out from the
container. The optical portion of the soft intraocular lens is
folded into two with forceps for bending or a bending tool. The
soft intraocular lens folded into two is picked with forceps for
inserting and it is inserted in the state of being folded into the
crystal lens capsule through a corneal or corneoscleral small
incision.
[0009] 2) Second conventional case
[0010] A lens case for receiving a soft intraocular lens was
proposed, which functions to fold the soft intraocular lens in the
lens case along an optical folding line.
[0011] The proposed lens case comprises a rigid base, an IOL folder
and a cap, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,227.
[0012] The rigid base comprises a thin plate portion and an annular
projection formed on an upper face of the thin plate portion
wherein the positions of the haptics of the soft intraocular lens
are determined on an upper face of the peripheral wall of the
annular projection. The soft intraocular lens having the haptics
whose positions are determined on the annular projection, is
prevented from rotation with respect to the rigid base.
[0013] The IOL folder is so constructed that a pair of jaws are
formed so as to oppose to each other in an inner face of both long
side portions of an elongated circular frame; ledges are formed at
lower edges of the pair of jaws, and the optical portion of the
soft intraocular lens is inserted between the pair of jaws so that
the lens portion of the optical portion is placed on the pair of
ledges. The soft intraocular lens whose optical portion is placed
on the pair of ledges is rotatable with respect to the IOL
folder.
[0014] The IOL folder is put on the thin plate portion of the rigid
base so that the pair of jaws of the IOL folder are inserted into a
central opening of the annular projection of the rigid base. The
annular projection of the rigid base is inserted between the both
long side portions of the IOL folder. Projections formed in outer
faces of both short side portions of the IOL folder are inserted
into grooves formed in side edges of the thin plate portion of the
rigid base. With such construction, the IOL folder can be attached
to or detached from the rigid base.
[0015] The position of the soft intraocular lens is determined in
such a manner that the optical portion of the lens is inserted
between the pair of jaws of the IOL folder to be placed on the pair
of ledges, and the haptics are placed on the annular projection of
the rigid base. After the IOL folder has been detached from the
rigid base and when the both long side portions of the IOL folder
are clamped, a space between the pair of jaws is narrowed whereby
the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens is clamped and
fixed. When a clamping force to the both long side portions is
increased, the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens is
folded into two along a diameter, as a folding line, which is
parallel to the long side portions.
[0016] When the IOL folder is attached to the rigid base, the angle
formed between a longitudinal direction of the IOL folder and a
longitudinal direction of the rigid base can be selected to be
90.degree. or 0.degree. (or any desired angle). In cases of the
angle being 90.degree. and 0.degree., the direction of the folding
line of the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens differs
90.degree..
[0017] The cap having a circular cover plate of circular shape has
bayonet pawls which are formed at symmetric positions in a lower
face of the circular cover plate and are projected therefrom.
[0018] The cap is put on the IOL folder on the rigid base in such a
manner that the soft intraocular lens placed on the ledges in a
central portion of the IOL folder and the annular projection of the
rigid base is covered with the circular cover plate of the cap, and
the bayonet pawls of the cap engage with bayonet openings formed in
the thin plate portion of the rigid base respectively. Thus, the
IOL folder is fixed to the rigid base by means of the cap.
[0019] In the first conventional case, the soft intraocular lens is
picked up with the forceps for taking out from the container and is
handled to the forceps for inserting via the forceps for folding or
the folding tool. Accordingly, some steps of handling was required
and much time and labor were required for the handling. Further,
there is a high possibility that the soft intraocular lens may be
contaminated, damaged or dropped during the handling. In addition,
the forceps for taking out and the forceps for folding are
costly.
[0020] In the second conventional case, the following steps are
taken when the soft intraocular lens received in the lens case is
to be folded. Namely, (1) the cap is removed from the rigid base,
(2) the both long side portions of the IOL folder are clamped to
pick the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens, (3) the IOL
folder is removed from the rigid base and (4) the clamping force to
the IOL folder is increased to fold the optical portion of the
intraocular lens. Accordingly, many operations and much labor were
required in order to fold the soft intraocular lens received in the
lens case.
[0021] In the second conventional case, since the lens case has
such structure that the optical portion of the soft intraocular
lens is inserted between the pair of jaws of the IOL folder to
place the optical portion on the ledges, and the haptics of the
intraocular lens are placed on the annular projection of the rigid
base at a lower side of the IOL folder, the position of the optical
portion which is pressed and folded is at a deep position in a
space between the pair of jaws of the IOL folder. Accordingly, the
forceps for taking out has to be lowered to a deep position in a
narrowed space within the jaws of the IOL folder in order to pick
the optical portion held between the jaws. Thus, the picking
operation to the folded optical portion of the soft intraocular
lens is not easy.
[0022] Further, since the optical portion of the soft intraocular
lens is placed on the ledges of the IOL folder with its lens
surface downward, the lens surface of the optical portion may stick
to the ledges when the optical portion, which is usually made of an
elastic synthetic resin, is sticky. In this case, when the optical
portion tacked to the ledges is taken from the ledges, traces of
the ledges may remain in the optical portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] It is an object of the present invention to provide a soft
intraocular lens container having a folding function to a soft
intraocular lens, which allows easy operations for taking the soft
intraocular lens folded into two from the container and which
prevents a lens surface of the optical portion of the soft
intraocular lens from contacting the structural elements of the
container.
[0024] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a soft intraocular lens container having a
folding function which comprises a base plate having a groove, a
lens receiving mechanism formed in the base plate, said lens
receiving mechanism comprising a pair of holding portions, each
formed at each side portion of the groove, which are adapted to
receive haptics of a soft intraocular lens, and clamping portions,
each formed on each of the holding portions, which clamp an optical
portion of the soft intraocular lens having said haptics to be put
on said holding portions, wherein the base plate is capable of
folding the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens held
between the clamping portions into two when both sides of the base
plate are clamped so that the base plate is pressed toward the
groove, and a cover having a plurality of bayonet pawls projecting
toward a rear surface side of the cover, said bayonet pawls being
capable of engaging with bayonet openings formed in the base plate
at both side portions with respect to the groove whereby the cover
covers the soft intraocular lens received in the lens receiving
mechanism and is fixed to the both side portions of the base
plate.
[0025] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is
provided the soft intraocular lens container according to the first
aspect, wherein the lens receiving mechanism is adapted to raise
the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens from a space
between the clamping portions when the optical portion is folded
into two.
[0026] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided the soft intraocular lens container according to the
first aspect, wherein the lens receiving mechanism is adapted so
that a lens surface of the optical portion does not contact the
lens receiving mechanism when the soft intraocular lens is received
in the lens receiving mechanism.
[0027] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided the soft intraocular lens container according to the
first aspect, wherein the container further comprises a preventive
means for displacement, which prevents any of the clamping portions
from shifting in a direction of the thickness of the base plate
when the both sides of the base plate are clamped so that the base
plate is pressed toward the groove.
[0028] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided the soft intraocular lens container according to the
fourth aspect, wherein the preventive means for displacement has a
guide plate extending along a rear surface of the base plate, and
the guide plate is provided at its base end side with an insertion
portion for receiving a base end side of the base plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of
the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the
same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0030] FIG. 1 shows the soft intraocular lens container having a
folding function according to a first embodiment of the present
invention wherein FIG. 1(a) is a plan view, FIG. 1(b) is a
cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 1(a) and FIG.
1(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B in FIG.
1(a);
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a base plate in the soft intraocular lens
container wherein FIG. 2(a) is a plan view, FIG. 2(b) is a
cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C in FIG. 2(a), FIG. 2(c)
is a cross-sectional view taken along a line D-D in FIG. 2(a) and
FIG. 2(d) is a plan view partly omitted;
[0032] FIG. 3 shows a cover in the soft intraocular lens container
wherein FIG. 3(a) is a plan view, FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional
view taken along a line E-E in FIG. 3(a), FIG. 3(c) is a
cross-sectional view taken along a line F-F in FIG. 3(a) and FIG.
3(d) is a bottom view;
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a preventive means for displacement in the soft
intraocular lens container wherein FIG. 4(a) is a plan view, FIG.
4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line G-G in FIG. 4(a)
and FIG. 4(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line H-H in
FIG. 4(a);
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a state that the cover is removed from the soft
intraocular lens container wherein FIG. 5(a) is a plan view, FIG.
5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I in FIG. 5(a)
and FIG. 5(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line J-J in
FIG. 5(a);
[0035] FIG. 6 shows a state that a soft intraocular lens is folded
in the soft intraocular lens container wherein FIG. 6(a) is a plan
view and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line K-K
in FIG. 6(a);
[0036] FIG. 7 shows a base plate in the soft intraocular lens
container having a folding function according to a second
embodiment of the present invention wherein FIG. 7(a) is a plan
view, FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line L-L in
FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along a
line M-M in FIG. 7(a);
[0037] FIG. 8 shows a base plate in the soft intraocular lens
container having a folding function according to a third embodiment
of the present invention wherein FIG. 8(a) is a plan view and FIG.
8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line N-N in FIG. 8(a);
and
[0038] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the soft intraocular lens container
having a folding function according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Preferred embodiments of the soft intraocular lens container
having a folding function according to the present invention will
be described with reference to the drawings wherein the same
reference numerals designate the same or corresponding parts.
[0040] A first embodiment of the soft intraocular lens container
will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
[0041] The soft intraocular lens container having a folding
function comprises a base plate 1, a cover 21 and a preventive
means for displacement 31 as shown in FIG. 1. These structural
components are respectively molded products of synthetic resin such
as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polybutadiene
or polystyrene.
[0042] The base plate 1 is a rectangular plate having round corner
portions as shown in FIGS. 2(a) to FIG. 2(c).
[0043] The base plate 1 has a groove 2 extended from a top end
(i.e., an upper end side in FIG. 2(a)) of the rectangular base
plate 1 toward the base end side (i.e., a lower end side in the
same figure) of the base plate 1 so that the top end side of the
groove 2 is opened at a central portion in a shorter side of the
rectangular base plate 1 and the base end side of the groove 2 is
communicated with a circular opening 3 formed at the base end area
of the base plate 1.
[0044] In both side portions of an upper surface area of the base
plate 1 (i.e., a left side portion and a right side portion of the
base plate 1 with respect to the groove 2 in the plan view of FIG.
2(a)), holding portions 4 each having an arch-like shape are formed
projecting in an island-like shape so as to oppose to each other
with respect to the groove 2. Arch-like outer peripheries of the
opposing holding portions 4 define parts a circle having a diameter
which is slightly larger than the entire length of a soft
intraocular lens including haptics, i.e., haptics received in the
soft intraocular lens container. The height of the opposing holding
portions 4 is flush with each other.
[0045] An arch-like recess 5 is formed in a central portion of each
of the holding portions 4 of the base plate 1, which oppose
symmetrically with respect to a point on a line extending
longitudinally in the groove 2. A pair of clamping portions 6 are
formed in upper surfaces of the opposing holding portions 4 so as
to be adjacent to the arch-like recesses 5 respectively. Inner side
surfaces of the clamping portions 6 which oppose to each other with
respect to the groove 2 and inner surfaces of the recesses 5 which
also oppose to each other with respect to the groove 2 define parts
of a cylindrical surface having a diameter slightly larger than the
diameter of the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens. In
other words, inner surfaces of the holding portions 4 formed in the
base plate 1 which are at symmetric positions with respect to the
groove 2 and the pair of clamping portions 6 define a circular
opening having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the
optical portion of the soft intraocular lens received in the
container.
[0046] The height of the pair of clamping portions 6 is flush with
each other and is substantially the same as the thickness of the
optical portion of the soft intraocular lens.
[0047] The holding portion 4 having an island-like shape formed at
a left side of the base plate 1 (in a plan view of FIG. 2(a)) has
an arch-like recess 5 at a top end side of the base plate 1 in a
portion facing the groove 2 (i.e., a right side of the holding
portion 4), an arch-like projection at a base end side of the base
plate 1 in a portion facing the groove 2 (i.e., a right side of the
holding portion 4), and a pin to prevent lens rotation 7 formed in
an upper surface of the projection, i.e., the holding portion 4.
The holding portion 4 having an island-like shape formed at a right
side of the base plate 1 (in a plan view of FIG. 2(a)) has an
arch-like recess 5 at a base end side of the base plate 1 in a
portion facing the groove 2 (i.e., a left side of the holding
portion 4), an arch-like projection at a top end side of the base
plate 1 in a portion facing the groove 2 (i.e., a left side of the
holding portion 4), and a pin to prevent lens rotation 7 formed in
an upper surface of the projection, i.e., the holding portion 4.
Each of the pins to prevent lens rotation 7 formed in an upper
surface of the left and right holding portions 4 has the same
height as that of the clamping portions 6.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 2(d), the soft intraocular lens is inserted
so that the optical portion o is placed in a space between the
opposing clamping portions 6 and both of the haptics h are placed
on the upper surface of the opposing holding portions 4 by passing
respectively each of the haptics h between corresponding clamping
portion 6 and corresponding pins to prevent lens rotation 7 of the
corresponding holding portion 4. Then, the position of the soft
intraocular lens is determined and is prevented from rotation
around the center of the lens. The base plate 1 is provided with a
lens receiving mechanism 4-7 at a top end side so that the soft
intraocular lens is placed between the opposing clamping portions
whereby the position is determined.
[0049] The lens receiving mechanism 4-7 has a structure that a lens
surface of the optical portion o of the soft intraocular lens
received therein does not contact structural components of the lens
receiving mechanism. Accordingly, even when the optical portion o
has some stickiness, the lens surface of the optical portion o does
not stick to the lens receiving mechanism.
[0050] The base plate 1 is provided with a pair of gently curved
arch-like recesses in outer side portions of the base plate 1 with
respect to the groove 2 (i.e., a left side portion and a right side
portion with respect to the groove 2 in the plan view of FIG. 2(a))
which are outside the holding portions 4. At positions adjacent to
the recesses in outer surfaces of base plate 1, a pair of
projections are formed as grasping portions 8. When the pair of
grasping portions 8 are grasped and a grasping force is increased,
the left side portion and the right side portion of the base plate
1 with respect to the groove 2 are deflected toward the groove 2 to
bring them close to each other. When the grasping force is
decreased, the left side portion and the right side portion of the
base plate 1 move away due to their elasticity to return to the
original position.
[0051] In each side portion of the base plate 1 with respect to the
groove 2 at a position inside the grasping portion 8, a sector-like
bayonet opening 9 is formed, the bayonet opening functioning to
engage with the cover 21. Guiding projections 10 having an
arch-like shape, which are for guiding the rotation of the cover
21, are formed at the top end side and the base end side of the
base plate 1 with respect to the holding portions 4. A cylindrical
surface defined by outer peripheries of the bayonet openings 9
formed in the left and right side portions of the base plate 1,
inner peripheries of the guiding projections 10 formed at left and
right sides with respect to the groove 2 and at the front and back
of the holding portions 4, and inner peripheries of the grasping
portions 8 as projections formed in the left and right side
portions of the base plate 1, has the same axial center as a
cylindrical surface defined by inner side walls of the clamping
portions 6 and the surfaces of the recesses 5. The height of the
guiding projections 10 and the height of the grasping portions 8
are flush with each other, but lower than the height of the holding
portions 4.
[0052] Raised portions 11 are formed in outer side surfaces of the
left and right side portions of the base plate 1 at a base end side
of the base plate 1, the raised portion 11 functioning to engage
with preventive means for displacement 31.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 21 comprises a square cover
plate 22 having round corner portions wherein an annular peripheral
wall 23 is concentrically formed in a rear surface of the cover
plate 22; an annular groove 24 is formed in a lower corner portion
of an outer periphery of the annular wall 23 so that the guiding
projections 10 of the base plate 1 are fitted thereto, bayonet
pawls 25 project from a lower surface of the annular wall 23 at
symmetrical positions with respect to the center of the annular
wall 23, the bayonet pawls 25 being engaged with the bayonet
opening 9 of the base plate 1, and an annular projection 26 is
formed concentrically in the rear surface of the cover plate 22 so
that the annular projection 26 is in contact with or close to an
upper surface of the clamping portions 6 and the pins to prevent
lens rotation 7 formed in the base plate 1.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the preventive means for displacement 31
comprises a guide plate 32 which is attachable to a rear surface of
the base plate 1 wherein an upper plate 34 is formed in a portion
facing the base plate 1 at a base end side, by interposing walls 33
formed at the base end side and both outer side edges, whereby a
thin box-like receiving portion 35 is formed to allow the insertion
of the base end portion of the base plate 1. Further, an engaging
opening 36 is formed in each of the walls formed at both outer side
edges of the base plate 1 so that each of the raised portions 11
formed at both outer side surfaces of the base plate 1 can be
inserted.
[0055] A pair of short side walls 37 are formed at symmetrical
positions in outer side portions of an top end side of an upper
surface of the guide plate 32. A lower projection 38, to which the
top end of the base plate 1 hits, is formed between the pair of
short side walls 37 formed in the upper surface of the guide plate
32. Rectangular notched portions 39, which can receive fingers to
grasp the grasping portions 8 formed in the base plate 1, are
formed at symmetric positions between the side walls 37 and the
receiving portion 35 of the guide plate 32.
[0056] The soft intraocular lens container according to this
embodiment is so constructed that as shown in FIG. 1, the base end
portion of the base plate 1 is inserted into the receiving portion
35 of the preventive means for displacement 31; the raised portions
11 formed in the outer surfaces of longer sides of the base plate 1
are inserted into the engaging openings 36 formed in the both side
walls forming the receiving portion 35 of the preventive means for
displacement 31; a lower surface of the base plate 1 is overlaid on
an upper surface of the guide plate 32 of the preventive means for
displacement 31; the pair of grasping portions 8 of the base plate
1 are made correspondence to the pair of notched portions 39 of the
preventive means for displacement 31, and the base plate 1 is
slightly movable in a direction of the groove 2 between the lower
projection 38 formed at the top end of the preventive means for
displacement 31 and the base end wall 33 of the receiving portion
35.
[0057] The cover 21 is fitted to the lens receiving mechanism 4-7,
in which the soft intraocular lens are received as mentioned
before, of the base plate 1 inserted in the preventive means for
displacement 31. Namely, the cover plate 22 of the cover 21 is put
on the lens receiving mechanism 4-7 to fit the annular groove 24
formed in the annular wall 23 of the cover 21 to the guiding
projections 10 and projections at the grasping portions 8 in the
base plate 1. Then, the annular projection 26 of the cover 21 is
brought to contact or made close to upper surfaces of the pair of
clamping portions 6 and the pins to prevent lens rotation 7 of the
base plate 1. On the other hand, the bayonet pawls 25 of the cover
21 are inserted respectively into the bayonet openings 9 of the
base plate through their widely opened portions, and the cover 21
is rotated slightly in a direction that the bayonet pawls 25 of the
cover 21 are respectively engaged with narrow portions of the
bayonet openings 9 of the base plate 1. Thus, the cover 21 covers
the soft intraocular lens and fixes both side portions of the base
plate 1 with respect to the groove 2.
[0058] Explanation will be made as to how to fold the soft
intraocular lens received in the container according to this
embodiment. The container is held with a hand, and the cover 21 is
rotated slightly with the other hand in a direction opposite to the
direction of fitting to thereby remove the cover 21 from the base
plate 1 as shown in FIG. 5. Then, the pair of grasping portions 8
of the base plate 1 are grasped with the thumb and the index finger
of the hand holding the container. As a result, the left side
portion and the right side portion of the base plate 1 with respect
to the groove 2 are deflected toward the center of the groove 2 to
approach each other along the flat surface of the guide plate 32 of
the preventive means for displacement 31. Then, the optical portion
o of the soft intraocular lens clamped between the pair of clamping
portions 6 is folded into two along a folding line which is the
diameter along a longitudinal direction of the groove 2, and the
two-folded optical portion is projected upward from the clamping
portions 6 as shown in FIG. 6.
[0059] The folding operations for the soft intraocular lens
received in the container are performed at only two steps: an
operation for removing the cover 21 and an operation for grasping
the grasping portions 8 of the base plate 1. Thus, much labor is
not required.
[0060] The two-folded soft intraocular lens is picked up, keeping a
folding state, with forceps for inserting held by the hand which
has removed the cover 21, and the two-folded soft intraocular lens
is inserted with the forceps for inserting into the crystal lens
capsule of an eye through an incision.
[0061] The operation for picking the two-folded soft intraocular
lens with the forceps for inserting is easy since the soft
intraocular lens is projected upward between the pair of clamping
portions 6.
[0062] A second embodiment of the soft intraocular lens container
will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0063] The soft intraocular lens container having a folding
function of the second embodiment is the same as that in the first
embodiment except that the lens receiving mechanism 4-7 of the base
plate 1 is modified.
[0064] The lens receiving mechanism in the second embodiment
comprises a pair of holding portions 4 formed in the base plate 1
in the same manner as the first embodiment provided that the height
of clamping portions 6 and the height of pins to prevent lens
rotation 7 which are formed in an upper surface of the respective
holding portions 4 are flush with each other so that each of the
holding portions 4 provides a flat mound portion 16.
[0065] The flat mound portion 16 located in a left side portion of
the base plate 1 with respect to the groove 2 (in the plan view of
FIG. 7(a)) is provided with a slightly curved slit 17 in its upper
surface of an arch-like projection, which is formed at a base end
side of the arch-like projection so as to pass through the upper
surface in a direction along the groove 2 as shown in FIG. 7. Also,
the flat mound portion 16 in a right side portion of the base plate
1 is provided with a slightly curved slit 17 in its upper surface
of an arch-like projection, which is formed at a top end side of
the arch-like projection so as to pass through the upper surface in
a direction along the groove 2. The haptics of an intraocular lens
are fitted to these slits 17 which provide holding portions having
a function to prevent lens rotation.
[0066] These flat mound portions 16 are formed at symmetrical
positions with respect to a point on the centerline passing along
the groove 2. Arch-like recesses are formed, at symmetrical
positions with respect to a point in the centerline passing in a
longitudinal direction in the groove 2, in an intermediate portion
of the mound portions 16. The recesses are opposed to each other so
that upper portions of recesses function as clamping portions 18.
The pair of clamping portions 18 clamp the optical portion of the
intraocular lens having the haptics which are placed on the holding
portions 17 having a function to prevent lens rotation which are
adjacent thereto.
[0067] The groove 2 formed in the base plate 1 is gradually
broadened from a position corresponding to the lens receiving
mechanism 5, 16, 17, 18 to the top end side of the base plate 1.
The other features of the base plate 1 are the same as those in the
first embodiment.
[0068] The soft intraocular lens container of this embodiment
comprises the base plate 1 with the above-mentioned lens receiving
mechanism 5, 16, 17, 18, a cover 21 which may be the same as that
of the first embodiment and a prevention means for displacement 31
which may be the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0069] When the pair of grasping portions 8 of the base plate 1 are
grasped, the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens clamped
between the pair of clamping portions 18 is folded into two along a
folding line which is the diameter of the optical lens extending
along a direction of the groove 2, and the two-folded optical
portion is projected upward between the clamping portions 18.
[0070] A third embodiment of the soft intraocular lens container
will be described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0071] In the soft intraocular lens container having a folding
function in the first embodiment, when outer sides of left and
right side portions of the base plate 1 with respect to the groove
2 are compressed toward the groove 2 to bring the left and right
portions close to each other, any or both of the pair of clamping
portions 6 may shift in a direction of the thickness of the base
plate 1. In considering the above, this embodiment of the present
invention is to increase a preventive effect for displacement in
the soft intraocular lens container of the first embodiment.
[0072] A base plate 41 in the third embodiment has an arch-like
connecting bar 42 for preventing displacement, which projects
beyond the top end of the base plate 1 and which bridges left and
right side portions at the top end of the base plate 1 with respect
to the groove 2 in the first embodiment, whereby an elongated
circular opening 43 extending in a direction perpendicular to a
longitudinal direction of the base plate is formed inside the
connecting bar 42. By providing the connecting bar 42, it is
unnecessary to form a portion including the guiding projections 10
formed in the top end portion of the base plate 1 in the first
embodiment. The construction of the base plate 41 excluding the
above-mentioned feature is the same as that of the base plate 1 in
the first embodiment.
[0073] The soft intraocular lens container of the second embodiment
comprises the above-mentioned base plate 41 with the connecting bar
42, the cover 2 which is the same as that of the first embodiment
and the preventive means for displacement 31 which is the same as
that of the first embodiment.
[0074] When both side portions (i.e., left and right sides with
respect to the groove 2) of the base plate 41 are grasped from
their outer side, the side portions shift toward the groove 2 along
the guide plate 32 of the preventive means for displacement 31 to
approach each other. Then, the arch-like connecting bar 42 is
curved whereby an optical portion of a soft intraocular lens, which
is held in the lens receiving mechanism and is clamped between the
pair of clamping portions 6, is folded into two, and the two-folded
optical portion is projected upward between the clamping portions
6.
[0075] In this embodiment, the pair of clamping portions 6 are
prevented from shifting in the direction of the thickness of the
base plate 41 by not only the preventive means for displacement 31
but also the connecting bar 42. The connecting bar is a constituent
element of the preventive means for displacement. The other
features of the second embodiment are the same as those of the
first embodiment.
[0076] A fourth embodiment of the soft intraocular lens container
of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
9.
[0077] In this embodiment, the number of parts is reduced in case
that the connecting bar 42 is sufficient to perform a preventive
effect for displacement in the soft intraocular lens container
having a folding function in the third embodiment.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 9, the soft intraocular lens container
eliminates the preventive means for displacement 31 and the raised
portions 11 of the base plate 41, which are for engaging the
preventive means for displacement 31, and is constituted by only
the base plate 41 with the connecting bar 42 and the cover 21. The
other features are the same as those of the third embodiment.
[0079] In the soft intraocular lens according to the first aspect
of the present invention, when a soft intraocular lens received in
the container is folded, (1) the cover is removed from the base
plate, and (2) the both side portions of the base plate are clamped
so that the both side portions are pressed toward the groove
whereby the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens clamped
between the clamping portions formed at both sides of the groove is
folded into two.
[0080] The two-folded soft intraocular lens is picked up with
forceps for inserting in a state of being folded, the two-folded
soft intraocular lens picked up with the forceps for inserting is
inserted into the crystal lens capsule of an eye through an
incision.
[0081] Accordingly, in comparison with the second conventional
case, many operations and much labor are not required in folding
the soft intraocular lens received in the container.
[0082] Further, since the soft intraocular lens is picked up with
the forceps for inserting from the container, the number of times
of delivery is small. Accordingly, a much time and much labor are
not required for the delivery unlike the first conventional case.
There is a little possibility that the intraocular lens is stained,
damaged or dropped during the delivery. Further, expensive forceps
for taking out and forceps for folding are unnecessary.
[0083] Further, since the container has such construction that the
haptics of the soft intraocular lens are placed on the holding
portions of the base plate, and the optical portion of the soft
intraocular lens is clamped between the clamping portions of the
base plate, the position of the optical portion which is pressed
and folded can be a position near an upper edge of the clamping
portions. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to bring the forceps for
inserting to a deep position in the narrow space between the
clamping portions when the optical portion folded between the
clamping portions is picked up with the forceps for inserting.
Thus, the picking operation can be easy.
[0084] According to the second aspect of the present invention,
two-folded soft intraocular lens is projected from the space
between the opposing clamping portions. Accordingly, it is easy to
pick up the soft intraocular lens with the forceps for
inserting.
[0085] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the
lens surface of the optical portion of the soft intraocular lens,
which is received in the lens receiving mechanism, does not contact
the lens receiving mechanism. Accordingly, the lens surface of the
optical portion does not stick to the lens receiving mechanism even
when the optical portion has some stickiness.
[0086] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention,
when the both side portions of the base plate is clamped so that
the side portions are pressed toward the groove, the preventive
means for displacement prevents either or both of the clamping
portions formed at opposite positions with respect to the groove
are shifted in a direction of the thickness of the base plate.
Accordingly, the intraocular lens can correctly be folded into
two.
[0087] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the
preventive means for displacement provides an excellent prevention
effect for displacement since the both side portions of the base
plate are deflected toward the groove along the guide plate.
[0088] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
[0089] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application
JP11-350545 filed on Dec. 9, 1999 including specification, claims,
drawings and summary are incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
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