Universal Accommodating IOL Holder for Lens Processing and Packaging

Abstract

The present invention provides a holder for supporting a two optic accommodating intraocular lens device. The holder is capable of holding the device while taking measurements or performing manufacturing process steps on the device and/or packaging the device. In a preferred embodiment, the holder supports the device along the haptics thereof such that the optics remain untouched and unobstructed by the holder. As such, testing and/or processing of the optics during their accommodative and unaccomodative positions may be taken, and the device may be safely packaged and shipped with the holder.

1 . A holder for an intraocular lens device having first and second optics interconnected by at least two haptics, said holder comprising: 
 a) a base having an axis extending therethrough;    b) at least two posts extending from said base, the posts being disposed about said axis;    c) at least two haptic fingers, each haptic finger attached to a respective one of said posts, said fingers lying spaced above said base, each of the at least two haptic fingers extending from its corresponding post in a same rotational direction about the axis; 
 whereby said intraocular lens device may be removably attached to said holder by relative rotational movement of the haptics and the fingers.  
   
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two fingers extends from its corresponding post parallel to a surface of the base.  
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a haptic stop having at least two stop posts for selectively aligning with said at least two haptic fingers to capture said at least two haptics, respectively, when said intraocular lens device is attached to said holder.  
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two posts comprises a third post extending from said base and disposed about said axis, and 
 wherein the least two haptic fingers comprises a third haptic finger attached to said third post, the third finger lying spaced above said base and extending from its corresponding post in the same rotational direction about the axis.    
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 4 , wherein the posts are disposed substantially annularly about said axis.  
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 4 , wherein each of at least three of the fingers extends from its corresponding post in a direction parallel to the base.  
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 1  in a combination with said intraocular lens, the intraocular lens device being removably attached to said holder with the at least two haptics being supported by the at least two haptic fingers.  
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 4  in a combination with said intraocular lens, wherein the at least two haptics comprises at least three haptics, the intraocular lens device being removably attached to said holder with three of the haptics being supported by three of the haptic fingers.  
     
     
         9 . The holder of  claim 7 , wherein said holder supports said intraocular lens device with said first and second optics lying spaced apart from each other.  
     
     
         10 . The holder of  claim 8 , wherein said holder supports said intraocular lens device with said first and second optics lying spaced apart from each other.