U.S. patent application number 09/227971 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-21 for intraocular ring.
This patent application is currently assigned to MENICON CO.,LTD.. Invention is credited to NAGAI, HIDENOBU.
Application Number | 20010004708 09/227971 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26337933 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010004708 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAGAI, HIDENOBU |
June 21, 2001 |
INTRAOCULAR RING
Abstract
It is an intraocular ring of open ring shape when inserting, so
that it can be inserted from a small incision, and after being
inserted into the capsule, by engaging the engaging mechanisms
having mutually complementary male and female structures provided
at ends of the intraocular ring, the intraocular ring having a
nearly same compressive load as in closed ring is presented. Being
made of an elastic material, it is an intraocular ring composed to
contact with the entire inner circumference of the equatorial area
in the capsule when inserted into the lenticular capsule, and
engaging mechanisms are disposed at both ends in a partially
cut-off state of the intraocular ring, and by engagement of the
engaging mechanisms, a continuous ring shape without cut section is
formed.
Inventors: |
NAGAI, HIDENOBU;
(NAGOYA-SHI, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARMSTRONG,WESTERMAN, HATTORI,
MCLELAND & NAUGHTON, LLP
1725 K STREET, NW, SUITE 1000
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
MENICON CO.,LTD.
|
Family ID: |
26337933 |
Appl. No.: |
09/227971 |
Filed: |
January 11, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
623/4.1 ;
623/5.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/147 20130101;
A61F 2/1694 20130101; Y10S 623/906 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
623/4.1 ;
623/5.12 |
International
Class: |
A61F 002/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 12, 1998 |
JP |
4202/1998 |
Dec 21, 1998 |
JP |
362568/1998 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An intraocular ring made of an elastic material, contacting with
entire inner circumference of an equatorial area of a capsule after
being inserted in the lenticular capsule, in which engaging
mechanisms are provided at both ends, in a partially cut-off state
of the intraocular ring, and a continuous ring shape without cut
section is formed by engagement of the engaging mechanisms.
2. The intraocular ring of claim 1, wherein the ring engaging
mechanisms include mutually complementary male and female
structures.
3. An intraocular ring which is partially cut-off intraocular ring
made of an elastic material, contacting with entire inner
circumference of an equatorial area of a lenticular capsule after
being inserted in the lenticular capsule, in which a continuous
shape is formed when an intraocular ring is inserted in the
lenticular capsule as both ends of the cut-off intraocular ring
contact with each other.
4. The intraocular ring of claim 3, wherein the both ends of the
intraocular ring are formed in a taper.
5. An intraocular ring comprising two or three or more parts made
of an elastic material, and said intraocular ring contacting with
entire inner circumference of an equatorial area of a lenticular
capsule after being inserted in the lenticular capsule, in which
the two or three or more parts individually have engaging
mechanisms provided at both ends so that arbitrary adjacent parts
may be engaged with each other in male-female structure, and a
continuous ring shape without cut section is formed when the two or
three or more parts are mutually engaged with each other.
6. The intraocular ring of claim 1 or claim 5, wherein a
predetermined compressive load is applied in an engaged state of
the cut sections of the ring.
7. The intraocular ring of claim 6, wherein the compressive load is
about 250 mgf or more.
8. The intraocular ring of claim 3, wherein a predetermined
compressive load is applied in an abutted state of the cut section
of the ring.
9. The intraocular ring of claim 8, wherein the compressive load is
about 250 mgf or more.
10. The intraocular ring of claim 3, wherein at least one of both
ends of the intraocular ring is provided with a flange.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an intraocular ring. More
particularly, it relates to an intraocular ring to be worn inside
of the equatorial area of a lenticular capsule (hereinafter called
capsule) undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction (including
phacoemulsification aspiration) for treatment of cataract in order
to hold the capsule in a circular form.
[0002] Intraocular rings for retaining the shape of the capsule
after extracapsular cataract extraction (including
phacoemulsification aspiration) are roughly classified into the
open ring as disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No.
51302/1993 (see FIG. 33 and FIG. 34), and the closed ring as
disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 9582/1994 or
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 364840/1992 (see FIG.
35, FIG. 36, and FIG. 37).
[0003] (1) It is an advantage of the open ring that the intraocular
ring can be inserted easily into the capsule, but since the cut
position of the ring is simultaneously movable, its demerit is that
it is poor in the shape retaining property of the capsule following
extracapsular cataract extraction (including phacoemulsification
aspiration).
[0004] (2) In the case of a closed ring, after extracapsular
cataract extraction (including phacoemulsification aspiration), as
shown in FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, the capsule is filled up sufficiently
with a viscous fluid, and an intraocular ring 100 is picked by
forceps P (or injector (not shown) for soft lens) and deflected in
a nearly rectangular shape, and the intraocular ring 100 is
gradually inserted into the capsule through a cut S and a cut H.
When inserted in the capsule, by the own elasticity of the
intraocular ring 100, it restores the original annular shape and
contacts with the whole circumference of the equatorial area of the
capsule. Therefore, the closed ring is excellent in the shape
retaining performance of the capsule after removal of the lens.
[0005] However, it requires a highly advanced skill in the
operation of picking the intraocular ring 100 by the forceps P to
deflect nearly in a rectangular form and inserting the intraocular
ring 100 gradually into the capsule through the cut S and cut H,
and it is difficult to insert the intraocular ring into the
capsule. As compared with the open ring, yet, the cuts are larger,
and troubles may be caused after operation (such as postoperative
astigmatism).
[0006] On the other hand, European Patent Publication No. 0478929A1
discloses an intraocular ring (see FIG. 31 and FIG. 32) having a
lock mechanism (locking achieved by inserting and engaging) 102
forming divided and plural step parts. In the case of this
intraocular ring 100, after adjusting the diameter of the
intraocular ring 100 by the lock mechanism 102, the intraocular
ring 100 must be inserted into the capsule, and it cannot be
inserted into the capsule in a divided state as in the
above-mentioned open ring and the defects of the closed ring (2)
are not solved.
[0007] Moreover, in the case of the intraocular ring disclosed in
European Patent Publication No. 0478929A1, since the shrinking
direction of the capsule and the ring size changing direction are
identical, if a strong shrinkage occurs in the capsule, the ring
size is also deformed. As a result, if part of the ring is adhered
to the tissues, the original circular shape cannot be maintained
but is deformed, which may lead to decentration of the intraocular
lens.
[0008] It is hence an object of the invention to solve the problems
of the prior arts, and present an intraocular ring, which is an
open ring type intraocular ring when inserting, the intraocular
ring capable of being inserted from small incision and, after being
inserted into the capsule, is capable of obtaining a same
compressive load as in the closed ring by engaging the engaging
mechanisms having mutually complementary male and female structures
provided at the ends of the intraocular ring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The intraocular ring in one embodiment of the present
invention is an intraocular ring made of an elastic material, and
contacting with entire inner circumference of an equatorial area of
a capsule after being inserted in the capsule, in which engaging
mechanisms are provided at both ends, in a partially cut-off state
of the intraocular ring, and a continuous ring shape without cut
section is formed by engagement of the engaging mechanisms.
[0010] Preferably, the intraocular ring engaging mechanisms include
mutually complementary male and female structures.
[0011] The intraocular ring in another embodiment of the present
invention is a partially cut-off intraocular ring made of an
elastic material, and contacting with entire inner circumference of
an equatorial area of a capsule after being inserted in the
capsule, in which a continuous shape is formed when the intraocular
ring is inserted in the capsule as the both ends of the cut-off
intraocular ring contact with each other.
[0012] Preferably, the both ends of the intraocular ring are formed
in a taper.
[0013] The intraocular ring in still another embodiment of the
present invention is an intraocular ring comprising two or three or
more parts, made of an elastic material, and said intraocular ring
contacting with entire inner circumference of an equatorial area of
the capsule after being inserted in the capsule, in which the two
or three or more parts individually have engaging mechanisms
provided at both ends so that arbitrary adjacent parts may be
engaged with each other in a male-female structure, and a
continuous ring shape without cut section is formed when the two or
three or more parts are mutually engaged with each other.
[0014] Preferably, a predetermined compressive load is applied in
the engaged state of the cut sections of the ring.
[0015] Preferably, the compressive load is about 250 mgf or
more.
[0016] Preferably, at least one end of both ends of the intraocular
ring is provided with a flange, since circumferential or axial
deviation of one end of the intraocular ring relative to the other
end thereof is prevented.
[0017] According to the intraocular ring as set forth in claims 1
to 10 of the invention, it is an intraocular ring of open ring
shape when inserting, and it can be inserted from a small incision,
and after inserting into the capsule, a compressive load nearly
same as in the closed ring is obtained by engaging the engaging
mechanisms having mutually complementary male and female structures
provided at the ends of the intraocular ring.
[0018] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the intraocular
ring (hereinafter called the ring) of the invention is described in
detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1(a) is a plan view showing one example of an
embodiment of ring of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a
sectional view showing an engaged state of the ring of FIG.
1(a);
[0020] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing another example of the ring of
FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b);
[0021] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing still another example of the
ring of FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b);
[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an engaged state of the ring
of FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another embodiment of a ring
of the present invention in which the ring is composed of two
parts;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state of the ring of FIG. 5
in which the two part is swingably engaged with each other;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state of the ring of FIG. 5
serving as an open ring;
[0026] FIGS. 8(a) to 8(e) show partial plan views, each showing an
example of an engaged state of the ring of the present
invention;
[0027] FIGS. 9(a) to 9(d) are partial plan views each showing
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 8(a) and
8(e);
[0028] FIGS. 10(a) to 10(e) are partial plan views each showing
still another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 8(a)
to 8(e);
[0029] FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d) are partial plan views each showing yet
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 8(a) to
8(e);
[0030] FIG. 12(a) to 12(e) are partial plan views each showing yet
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 8(a) to
8(e);
[0031] FIGS. 13(a) to 13(d) are partial plan view each showing yet
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 8(a) to
8(e);
[0032] FIGS. 14(a) to 14(e) are partial plan views each showing yet
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 8(a) to
8(e);
[0033] FIGS. 15(a) to 15(d) are partial plan views each showing yet
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 8(a) to
8(e);
[0034] FIGS. 16(a) to 16(e) are partial side views each showing one
example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 8(a) to 8(e);
[0035] FIGS. 17(a) to 17(d) are partial side views each showing
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 16(a) to
16(e);
[0036] FIGS. 18(a) to 18(e) are partial side views each showing
still another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS.
16(a) to 16(e);
[0037] FIGS. 19(a) to 19(d) are partial side views each showing yet
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 16(a) to
16(e);
[0038] FIGS. 20(a) to 20(e) are partial side views each showing yet
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 16(a) to
16(e);
[0039] FIGS. 21(a) to 21(d) are partial side views each showing yet
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 16(a) to
16(e);
[0040] FIGS. 22(a) to 22(e) are partial side views each showing yet
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 16(a) to
16(e);
[0041] FIGS. 23(a) to 23(d) are partial side views each showing yet
another example of an engaged state of the ring of FIGS. 16(a) to
16(d);
[0042] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing an example of still
another embodiment of a ring of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing another example of the
ring of FIG. 24;
[0044] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing still another example
of the ring of FIG. 24;
[0045] FIGS. 27(a) to 27(e) are partial side views each showing yet
another example of the ring of FIGS. 24 to 26;
[0046] FIGS. 28(a) to 28(d) are partial side views showing yet
another example of the ring of FIGS. 24 to 26;
[0047] FIGS. 29(a) to 29(c) are partial side views each showing yet
another example of the ring of FIGS. 24 to 26;
[0048] FIGS. 30(a) to 30(c) are partial side views each showing yet
another example of the ring of FIGS. 24 to 26;
[0049] FIG. 31 is a plan view showing one example of conventional
ring;
[0050] FIG. 32 is a partially enlarged view of the ring of FIG.
31;
[0051] FIG. 33 is a plan view showing another example of
conventional ring;
[0052] FIG. 34 is a plan view showing a state of the ring of FIG.
33, which is inserted into a capsule;
[0053] FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing still another example
of the ring of FIG. 24;
[0054] FIG. 36 is an explanatory view showing a method for
inserting a conventional ring into a capsule; and
[0055] FIG. 37 is an explanatory view showing a method for
inserting a conventional ring into a capsule.
EMBODIMENT 1
[0056] Referring to FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), a ring 1 of this
embodiment is composed of a biocompatible material such as poly
(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), hydrogel,
fibronectin, polysulfone, chondroitin sulfate, a compound of
hyaluronic acid, or similar compound, a biopolymer such as
hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl alcohol, or
collagen, an elastomer such as silicone rubber, acrylic rubber, or
their mixture or copolymer, a material such as polyethylene, vinyl
chloride, poly (vinylidene fluoride), polyurethane, ethylene-vinyl
acetate copolymer, siloxanyl styrene, similar material, and also a
polymer such as polyurea, polyether, polyester, or copolysiloxane,
a polymer such as polyacrylate or polymethacrylate, methyl
methacrylate, styrene, methyl styrene, vinyl pyridine, similar
copolymer, a copolymer such as N-alkyl, N,N-dialkyl acrylamide, or
methacrylamide, or other shape memory material.
[0057] The ring 1 is partially cut off, that is, a so-called open
ring, in which a male part M having a protrusion 5 is formed at one
end of the cut section, and a female part F having a recess 10
complementary to the protrusion 5 is formed at other end. The male
part M and female part F compose an engaging mechanism 2.
[0058] As the male part M and female part F engage with each other,
a continuous ring form without cut section is formed.
[0059] Further, in this embodiment, since the supporting protrusion
5 is formed in the male part M, after engagement of the male part M
and female part F, this supporting protrusion 5 contacts with the
root of the female part F. As a result, a uniform tension
(compressive load) is applied to the entire ring 1. In the case of
the ring of the embodiment, after engagement of the male part M and
female part F, when the ring diameter is contracted by 2 mm, a
compressive load of about 250 mgf or more is obtained.
EMBODIMENT 2
[0060] The ring 1 of this embodiment is an intraocular ring in a
constitution as shown in any one of partial plan views of FIG. 8
(a), FIG. 9 (c) and FIG. 9(d), and a side view in FIG. 17(d), and
when inserted into the capsule, the both ends of the cut ring are
joined to form a continuous shape.
[0061] The material of the ring 1 of this embodiment is same as
that of the ring of embodiment 1.
[0062] In the case of the ring of this embodiment, too, after
joining the both ends of the cut ring, when the ring diameter is
contracted by 2 mm, a compressive load of about 250 mgf or more is
obtained.
EMBODIMENT 3
[0063] The ring 1 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9(b) and FIG.
9(c) and FIG. 17(c), has tapers T1, T2 formed at both ends of the
ring 1. In this constitution, it is preferred as deviation of
abutting position of the tapers T1 and T2 is prevented. The
material of the ring 1 of this embodiment is same as that of the
ring of embodiment 1. Also the case of the ring of this embodiment,
after joining the tapers T1 and T2, when the ring diameter is
contracted by 2 mm, a compressive load of about 250 mgf or more is
obtained.
EMBODIMENT 4
[0064] The ring 1 of this embodiment is composed of part 1a and
part 1b (see FIG. 5).
[0065] In the part 1a and part 1b, in order that arbitrary adjacent
parts may be engaged with each other in a male-female structure, a
first protrusion 5a and a first recess 10a positioned at the root
of the first protrusion 5a are formed at one end of the part 1a,
while a second protrusion 5b is formed at other end. Further, at
one end of the part 1b, a third protrusion 5c to be fitted into the
first recess 10a, and a second recess 10b positioned at the root of
the third protrusion 5c are formed, while a third recess 10c to be
fitted with the second protrusion 5b is formed at other end.
[0066] The ring 1 of the embodiment is inserted into the capsule
(see FIG. 6), first in a state of fitting the first protrusion 5a
into the second recess 10b by means of jig such as forcept. When
the third protrusion 5c is fitted into the first recess 10a, a
tension is applied to the ring 1. In this state, when the sitting
position in the capsule is determined, the second protrusion 5b is
fitted into the third recess 10c. The material of the ring 1 of
this embodiment is same as that of the ring of embodiment 1. Also
the case of the ring of this embodiment, after fitting the first
protrusion 5a into the second recess 10b, fitting the third
protrusion 5c into the first recess 10a, and fitting the second
protrusion 5b into the third recess 10c, when the ring diameter is
contracted by 2 mm, a compressive load of about 250 mgf or more is
obtained.
[0067] The ring of the invention is a so-called open ring with one
or two or more cut sections. In the foregoing embodiments, the
engaging or joining mechanism of cut sections is explained by
referring to the drawings, but it is not limited to the illustrated
engaging and joining mechanisms.
[0068] Incidentally, by using therapeutics, including ocular
hypotensor such as distigmine bromide, carteolol chloride or
timolol maleate, cataract remedy such as pyrenoxin or glutathione,
ocular infection remedy such as aciclovir, idoxuridine,
oxytetracycline hydrochloride, ofloxacin, sulbenicillin sodium,
cefmenoxime hydrochloride, tobramycin, micronomycin hydrosulfate or
pimaricin, or anti-inflammatory agents such as dexamethasone sodium
phosphate, fluorometholone, metamethasone sodium phosphate,
indomethacin or pranoprofen, antifungal agent such as griseofulvin,
antibacterial agent such as gentamycin sulfate, antiviral agent
such as vidarabine, aciclovir or didanosine, and diagnostic agent
such as fluorescein sodium, when the surface of the ring (the
contact surface of the ring and the lenticular capsule) of the
invention is coated, or when mixed in the material of the ring, and
it worn in the capsule, a sustained-release effect of the drug is
obtained.
EMBODIMENT 5
[0069] As shown in FIGS. 24, 25 and 26, the ring 1 of EMBODIMENT 5
is characterized in that a flange portion FL is located in a
position where both ends of the ring 1 are abutted to each
other.
[0070] As the shape of the flange FL, not only the shape shown in
FIGS. to 26, but also the shape shown in FIGS. 27(a) to 27(e),
28(a) to 28(d), 29(a) to 29(c) and 30(a) to 30(c) can be
employed.
[0071] According to the present invention, since it is an
intraocular ring of open ring shape when inserting, it can be
inserted from a small incision, and after being inserted into the
capsule, by engaging the engaging mechanisms having mutually
complementary male and female structures provided at ends of the
intraocular ring, the intraocular ring having a nearly same
compressive load as in closed ring is obtained.
* * * * *