Disposable intraocular lens insertion system

Abstract

An intraocular lens injection system comprising an injecting device and cartridge. The cartridge comprises a lens holding portion and an outer sleeve portion. The invention includes a method of pre-loading the injecting system, particularly the cartridge, to reduce the amount of packaging, prevent damage to the intraocular lens during packaging and shipping, allow the pre-loaded injecting cartridge to be autoclaved as a unit, and eliminate the step of loading the cartridge with the intraocular lens by the end user to prevent potential damage during this step.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . An injector system for replacing a cataractuous lens with an intraocular lens, comprising:
 a lens receiving portion for receiving and storing a foldable intraocular lens;   a nozzle portion connected to and extending from the lens receiving portion and having an outer wall and a free end, the lens receiving portion and the nozzle portion having a continuous passageway extending therethrough, the passageway shaped to reduce an outer dimension of the foldable intraocular lens as it transits through the passageway; and   a transition portion located between the lens receiving portion and the nozzle portion, the transition portion having a pair of longitudinal grooves through which the deformable intraocular lens is guided, the grooves remaining in the same horizontal plane.   
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the receiving portion is disposed within a removable cartridge configured to be mounted to a barrel. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein a movable plunger is movably disposed within the barrel. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a cartridge receiver mounted at one end of the barrel for receiving the removable cartridge. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the injecting device and cartridge are made of readily disposable material. 
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the injecting device and cartridge are made of autoclavable material. 
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said injecting device is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polysulfone, polycarbonate, nylon-66, TEFLON, and KYNAR. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a deformable intraocular lens loaded within the lens receiving portion for storage.   
   
   
       29 . A system for replacing a cataractuous lens with an intraocular lens, comprising:
 an injector having:
 a lens receiving portion for receiving and storing a foldable intraocular lens, 
 a nozzle portion connected to and extending from the lens receiving portion and having an outer wall and a free end, the lens receiving portion and the nozzle portion having a continuous passageway extending therethrough, the passageway shaped to reduce an outer dimension of the foldable intraocular lens as it transits through the passageway, and 
 a transition portion located between the lens receiving portion and the nozzle portion, the transition portion having a pair of longitudinal grooves through which the deformable intraocular lens is guided, the grooves remaining in the same horizontal plane; and 
 a deformable intraocular lens loaded within the lens receiving portion for storage and shipment.