Accommodating Intraocular Lens (Aiol) and Discrete Components Therefor

Abstract

Accommodating intraocular (AIOL) assemblies ( 31 ) for enabling post implantation in situ manual selective displacement of an AIOL ( 33 ) along a human eye's visual axis relative to stationary anchor points. Axial displacement may be over a continuous range or alternatively at discrete axial stopping positions typically from about 100 μm to about 300 μm apart. Novels AIOLs designed to be at least partially folded for facilitating insertion into a human eye through a relatively small incision.

1 . An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) assembly for self-anchoring implantation in a human eye having a visual axis, a sclera of tough connective tissue, an annular ciliary sulcus, and a sphincter-like ciliary body for tensioning a capsular diaphragm in an anterior direction along the visual axis on its relaxation from a contracted ciliary body state to a relaxed ciliary body state, the AIOL assembly comprising:
 (a) an accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) having a longitudinal axis intended to be co-directional with the human eye's visual axis, a leading surface, a trailing surface, and at least one shape memory optical element resiliently elastically deformable between a non-compressed shape with a first Diopter strength in a non-compressed state of said AIOL and a compressed shape with a second Diopter strength different than said first Diopter strength in a compressed state of said AIOL whereby said AIOL has a continuously variable Diopter strength between a minimum Diopter strength for distance vision and a maximum Diopter strength for near vision; and   (b) a haptics system having a longitudinal axis intended to be co-directional with the human eye's visual axis, and a main body with at least two elongated haptics extending therefrom in opposite directions in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, each said haptics having at least one pointed puncturing member for penetrating the tough connective tissue of the human eye's sclera for self-anchoring implantation of said haptics system in the human eye's annular ciliary sulcus at at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points for retaining said AIOL along the human eye's visual axis at an in situ manually selectively displaceable desired position therealong relative to said at least two stationary anchor points for urging said trailing surface against the human eye's capsular diaphragm from an anterior direction for determining said AIOL's Diopter strength at said desired position whereupon relaxation of the human eye's ciliary body tensions its capsular diaphragm against said trailing surface from a posterior direction for affecting said AIOL's Diopter strength.   
     
     
         2 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said haptics system is a discrete component for selectively retaining a discrete AIOL therein. 
     
     
         3 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said discrete haptics system and said discrete AIOL have a push and twist bayonet arrangement for enabling stepwise axial displacement of said discrete AIOL at least two discrete axial stopping positions along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least spaced apart two stationary anchor points. 
     
     
         4 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 3  wherein said main body has an internal surface with at least two equidistant stepped tracks and said discrete AIOL has a corresponding number of lugs for push and twist travel along their associated stepped tracks. 
     
     
         5 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said discrete haptics system and said discrete AIOL have a screw thread arrangement for enabling continuous axial displacement of said discrete AIOL along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points. 
     
     
         6 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said main body has an axial length L 1  along its longitudinal axis and said discrete AIOL has an axial length L 2  along its longitudinal axis where L 2 >L 1  for enabling in situ manual selective axial displacement of said discrete AIOL along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points along an adjustment stroke longer than said discrete haptics system's axial length L 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said discrete AIOL is inserted into said discrete haptics system from a posterior direction. 
     
     
         8 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said haptics system is integrally formed with said AIOL acting as said main body and said at least two elongated haptics each have a plastically deformable radiation sensitive region for enabling in situ manual selective axial displacement of said AIOL along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points. 
     
     
         9 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said radiation sensitive regions are adjacent said AIOL and remote from their respective pointed puncturing members. 
     
     
         10 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 1  wherein each said haptics has a thin profile in a plane perpendicular to said haptics system's longitudinal axis such that each said haptics is sufficiently flexible for encircling around said main body in said plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, and a wide profile along its longitudinal axis such that each said haptics is rigid against a compression force therealong. 
     
     
         11 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 10  wherein said wide profile tapers from a haptics' proximal end adjacent said main body towards its distal end remote therefrom. 
     
     
         12 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said AIOL includes a hollow flattened sphere shaped housing having an annular anterior member with said leading surface having an internal rim defining an aperture, a posterior member with said trailing surface, and said at least one shape memory optical element has a leading surface including a central portion exposed through said aperture, and a tubular casing mounted on said housing for reciprocation relative to said posterior member for selectively compressing said at least one shape memory optical element from its non-compressed shape to its compressed shape for bulging into said casing relative to said non-compressed shape whereby said AIOL has a continuously variable Diopter strength from a minimum Diopter strength for distance vision and a maximum Diopter strength for near vision. 
     
     
         13 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said AIOL includes a housing with an anterior member with a leading surface, a posterior member with a trailing surface, a leading shape memory optical element resiliently elastically deformable between a non-compressed shape in a non-compressed state of the AIOL and a compressed shape in a compressed state of the AIOL, and a trailing shape memory optical element elastically deformable between a non-compressed shape in the AIOL's said non-compressed state and a compressed shape in the AIOL's said compressed state for selectively bulging into said leading shape memory optical element on application of a compression force along said longitudinal axis against said trailing surface from a posterior direction for modifying the shape of said leading shape memory optical element with respect to its non-compressed shape in the AIOL's said non-compressed state. 
     
     
         14 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 13  wherein said housing includes a ring between said leading shape memory optical element and said trailing shape memory optical element, and said leading shape memory optical element and said trailing shape memory optical element each have a bellows-like shape whereupon said leading shape memory bellows-like optical element expands in an anterior direction for distancing said anterior member away from said ring in the AIOL's compressed state. 
     
     
         15 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the AIOL includes a cylindrical housing with at least one peripheral aperture relative to the AIOL's longitudinal axis whereupon said leading shape optical element bulges radially through said at least one peripheral aperture in the AIOL's compressed state. 
     
     
         16 . An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) for implantation in a human eye having a visual axis, a sclera of tough connective tissue, an annular ciliary sulcus, and a sphincter-like ciliary body for tensioning a capsular diaphragm in an anterior direction along the visual axis on its relaxation from a contracted ciliary body state to a relaxed ciliary body state, the AIOL having a longitudinal axis intended to be deployed co-directional with the human eye's visual axis, the AIOL comprising:
 (a) a hollow flattened sphere shaped housing including an annular anterior member with a leading surface having an internal rim defining an aperture, a posterior member with a trailing surface, and a shape memory optical element resiliently elastically deformable between a non-compressed shape with a first Diopter strength in a non-compressed state of the AIOL and a compressed shape with a second Diopter strength different than said first Diopter strength in a compressed state of the AIOL, said at least one shape memory optical element having a leading surface including a central portion exposed through said aperture; and   (b) a tubular casing mounted on said housing for reciprocation relative to said posterior member for selectively compressing said shape memory optical element from its non-compressed shape to its compressed shape for bulging into said casing relative to said non-compressed shape whereby said AIOL has a continuously variable Diopter strength from a minimum Diopter strength for distance vision and a maximum Diopter strength for near vision.   
     
     
         17 . The AIOL according to  claim 16  wherein said casing has a leading end and a trailing end formed with a groove for receiving said internal rim whereupon said casing is reciprocal with respect to said posterior member. 
     
     
         18 . The AIOL according to  claim 16  wherein said housing has a diameter of at least 6 mm and said casing has a diameter of at least 4 mm in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         19 . An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) assembly comprising:
 (a) an AIOL according to  claim 16 ; and   (b) a haptics system having a longitudinal axis intended to be deployed co-directional with the human eye's visual axis and a main body with at least two elongated haptics extending therefrom in a plane perpendicular to said haptics system's longitudinal axis, each haptics having at least one pointed puncturing member for penetrating the tough connective tissue of the human eye's sclera for self-anchoring implantation of said haptics system in the human eye's annular ciliary sulcus at at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points for retaining said AIOL at a manually selected axial position along the human eye's visual axis whereupon relaxation of the human eye's ciliary body from its constricted ciliary body state to its relaxed ciliary body state tensions its capsular diaphragm for applying a compression force against said trailing surface along the direction of the human eye's visual axis from a posterior direction for compressing said AIOL from its non-compressed state to its compressed state.   
     
     
         20 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 19  wherein said haptics system is a discrete component for selectively retaining a discrete AIOL therein. 
     
     
         21 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 20  wherein said discrete haptics system and said discrete AIOL have a push and twist bayonet arrangement for enabling stepwise axial displacement of said discrete AIOL at least two discrete axial stopping positions along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points. 
     
     
         22 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 21  wherein said main body has an internal surface with at least two equidistant stepped tracks and said discrete AIOL has a corresponding number of lugs for push and twist travel along their associated stepped tracks. 
     
     
         23 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 20  wherein said discrete haptics system and said discrete AIOL have a screw thread arrangement for enabling continuous axial displacement of said discrete AIOL along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points. 
     
     
         24 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 20  wherein said main body has an axial length L 1  along its longitudinal axis and said discrete AIOL has an axial length L 2  along its longitudinal axis where L 2 >L 1  for enabling in situ manual selective axial displacement of said discrete AIOL along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points along an adjustment stroke longer than said discrete haptics system's axial length L 1 . 
     
     
         25 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 20  wherein said discrete AIOL is inserted into said discrete haptics system from a posterior direction. 
     
     
         26 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 19  wherein said haptics system is integrally formed with said AIOL acting as said main body and said at least elongated two haptics each have a plastically deformable radiation sensitive region for enabling in situ manual selective axial displacement of said AIOL along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points. 
     
     
         27 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 26  wherein said radiation sensitive regions are adjacent said AIOL and remote from their respective pointed puncturing members. 
     
     
         28 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 19  wherein each said haptics has a thin profile in a plane perpendicular to said haptics system's longitudinal axis such that each said haptics is sufficiently flexible for encircling around said main body in said plane perpendicular to said haptics system's longitudinal axis, and a wide profile along said haptics system's longitudinal axis such that each said haptics is rigid against a compression force therealong. 
     
     
         29 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 28  wherein said wide profile tapers from a haptics' proximal end adjacent said main body towards its distal end remote therefrom. 
     
     
         30 . An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) for implantation in a human eye having a visual axis, a sclera of tough connective tissue, an annular ciliary sulcus, and a sphincter-like ciliary body for tensioning a capsular diaphragm in an anterior direction along the visual axis on its relaxation from a contracted ciliary body state to a relaxed ciliary body state, the AIOL having a longitudinal axis intended to be deployed co-directional with the human eye's visual axis, the AIOL comprising a housing including an anterior member with a leading surface, a posterior member with a trailing surface, a leading shape memory optical element adjacent said anterior member and resiliently elastically deformable between a non-compressed shape in a non-compressed state of the AIOL and a compressed shape in a compressed state of the AIOL, and a trailing shape memory optical element adjacent said posterior member and elastically deformable between a non-compressed shape in the AIOL's said non-compressed state and a compressed shape in the AIOL's said compressed state for selectively bulging into said leading shape memory optical element on application of a compression force along said longitudinal axis against said trailing surface from a posterior direction for modifying the shape of said leading shape memory optical element with respect to its non-compressed shape in the AIOL's said non-compressed state. 
     
     
         31 . The AIOL according to  claim 30  wherein said housing includes a ring between said leading shape memory optical element and said trailing shape memory optical element, and said leading shape memory optical element and said trailing shape memory optical element each have a bellows-like shape whereupon said leading shape memory bellows-like optical element expands in an anterior direction for distancing said anterior member away from said ring in the AIOL's compressed state. 
     
     
         32 . The AIOL according to  claim 30  wherein said housing includes at least one peripheral aperture relative to the AIOL's longitudinal axis whereupon said leading shape optical element bulges radially through said at least one peripheral aperture in the AIOL's compressed state. 
     
     
         33 . An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) assembly comprising:
 (a) an AIOL according to  claim 30 ; and   (b) a haptics system having a longitudinal axis intended to be deployed co-directional with the human eye's visual axis and a main body with at least two elongated haptics extending therefrom in a plane perpendicular to said haptics system's longitudinal axis, each haptics having at least one pointed puncturing member for penetrating the tough connective tissue of the human eye's sclera for self-anchoring implantation of said haptics system in the human eye's annular ciliary sulcus at at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points for retaining said AIOL at a manually selected axial position along the human eye's visual axis whereupon relaxation of the human eye's ciliary body from its constricted ciliary body state to its relaxed ciliary body state tensions its capsular diaphragm for applying a compression force against said trailing surface along the direction of the human eye's visual axis from a posterior direction for compressing said AIOL from its non-compressed state to its compressed state.   
     
     
         34 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 33  wherein said haptics system is a discrete component for selectively retaining a discrete AIOL therein. 
     
     
         35 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 34  wherein said discrete haptics system and said discrete AIOL have a push and twist bayonet arrangement for enabling stepwise axial displacement of said discrete AIOL at least two discrete axial stopping positions along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points. 
     
     
         36 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 35  wherein said main body has an internal surface with at least two equidistant stepped tracks and said discrete AIOL has a corresponding number of lugs for push and twist travel along their associated stepped tracks. 
     
     
         37 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 34  wherein said discrete haptics system and said discrete AIOL have a screw thread arrangement for enabling continuous axial displacement of said discrete AIOL along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points. 
     
     
         38 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 34  wherein said main body has an axial length L 1  along its longitudinal axis and said discrete AIOL has an axial length L 2  along its longitudinal axis where L 2 >L 1  for enabling in situ manual selective axial displacement of said discrete AIOL along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points along an adjustment stroke longer than said main body's axial length L 1 . 
     
     
         39 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 34  wherein said discrete AIOL is inserted into said discrete haptics system from a posterior direction. 
     
     
         40 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 33  wherein said haptics system is integrally formed with said AIOL acting as said main body and said at least two haptics each have a plastically deformable radiation sensitive region for enabling in situ manual selective axial displacement of said AIOL along the human eye's visual axis relative to said at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points. 
     
     
         41 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 40  wherein said radiation sensitive regions are adjacent said AIOL and remote from their respective pointed puncturing members. 
     
     
         42 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 33  wherein each said haptics has a thin profile in a plane perpendicular to said haptics system's longitudinal axis such that each said haptics is sufficiently flexible for encircling around said main body in said plane perpendicular to said haptics system's longitudinal axis, and a wide profile along said haptics system's longitudinal axis such that each said haptics is rigid against a compression force therealong. 
     
     
         43 . The AIOL assembly according to  claim 42  wherein said wide profile tapers from a haptics' proximal end adjacent said main body towards its distal end remote therefrom. 
     
     
         44 . A haptics system for retaining an intraocular lens in a human eye having a visual axis and including a sclera of tough connective tissue, and an annular ciliary sulcus, the haptics system having a longitudinal axis intended to be co-directional with the human eye's visual axis, the haptics system comprising a main body with at least two elongated haptics extending therefrom in opposite directions in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each haptics having an attachment plate with at least two pointed puncturing members each terminating at a tip for penetrating the tough connective tissue of the human eye's sclera for self-anchoring implantation of the haptics system in the human eye's annular ciliary sulcus at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points, said at least two pointed puncturing members having a minimum tip separation between their tips of at least 1 mm in said plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         45 . The haptics system according to  claim 44  wherein said tip separation is between about 2 mm and about 3 mm. 
     
     
         46 . The haptics system according to  claim 44  wherein said attachment member has a bifurcated shape including a central narrow juncture between a pair of spaced apart pointed puncturing members for enabling a minimum penetration of at least 0.5 mm on abutment against a human eye's sclera on self-anchoring implantation of the haptics system in the human eye's annular ciliary sulcus. 
     
     
         47 . The haptics system according to  claim 44  for use with a handheld manipulation tool including an elongated handle having a tip wherein said attachment plate includes a manipulation aperture accessible from an anterior direction for selectively receiving the manipulation tool's tip for enabling in situ manipulation of said attachment plate. 
     
     
         48 . The haptics system according to  claim 44  and integrally formed with an AIOL having a hollow flattened sphere shaped housing having an annular anterior member with said leading surface having an internal rim defining an aperture, a posterior member with said trailing surface, and said at least one shape memory optical element has a leading surface including a central portion exposed through said aperture; and a tubular casing mounted on said housing for reciprocation relative to said posterior member for selectively compressing said at least one shape memory optical element from its non-compressed shape to its compressed shape for bulging into said casing relative to said non-compressed shape whereby said AIOL has a continuously variable Diopter strength from a minimum Diopter strength for distance vision and a maximum Diopter strength for near vision. 
     
     
         49 . The haptics system according to  claim 44  and integrally formed with an AIOL having a housing with an anterior member with a leading surface, a posterior member with a trailing surface, a leading shape memory optical element resiliently elastically deformable between a non-compressed shape in a non-compressed state of the AIOL and a compressed shape in a compressed state of the AIOL, and a trailing shape memory optical element elastically deformable between a non-compressed shape in the AIOL's said non-compressed state and a compressed shape in the AIOL's said compressed state for selectively bulging into said leading shape memory optical element on application of a compression force along said longitudinal axis against said trailing surface from a posterior direction for modifying the shape of said leading shape memory optical element with respect to its non-compressed shape in the AIOL's said non-compressed state. 
     
     
         50 . The haptics system according to  claim 49  wherein said housing includes a ring between said leading shape memory optical element and said trailing shape memory optical element, and said leading shape memory optical element and said trailing shape memory optical element each have a bellows-like shape whereupon said leading shape memory bellows-like optical element expands in an anterior direction for distancing said anterior member away from said ring in the AIOL's compressed state. 
     
     
         51 . The haptics system according to  claim 49  wherein said housing includes at least one peripheral aperture relative to the AIOL's longitudinal axis whereupon said leading shape optical element bulges radially through said at least one peripheral aperture in the AIOL's compressed state.