Fluid-filled haptic for an intraocular lens

Abstract

An IOL utilizes a haptic formed as a toroid portion configured to fit into a capsular bag of an aphakic eye of a patient. The toroid portion may be separate from an IOL optic and may include a receiving feature for the IOL optic. The toroid portion may be configured for intraoperative fluid-filling for snug fitting at the equator of the capsular bag, in order to immobilize the IOL optic.

1 . An intraocular lens haptic comprising:
 a toroid portion having an outer circumference, an inner circumference, and an interior volume, wherein the interior volume of the toroid portion is configured to be filled with a fluid; and   a receiving feature extending from an inner surface of the toroid portion for receiving an intraocular lens optic, wherein the receiving feature extends the entire inner circumference of the toroid portion, the receiving feature configured for penetration by a needle to enable the interior volume to be filled with the fluid using the needle.   
     
     
         2 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving feature comprises a first portion and a second portion extending from the inner surface of the toroid portion and forming a groove on at least a portion of the inner surface of the toroid portion, the groove corresponding in size to a circumferential diameter of the intraocular lens optic. 
     
     
         3 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 2 , wherein the groove extends circumferentially around the inner diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 2 , wherein the groove is discontinuous around the inner diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 2 , wherein the groove is a V-shaped groove or a C-shaped groove. 
     
     
         6 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving feature is self-sealing to the fluid when the needle is removed. 
     
     
         7 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the toroid portion is configured to circumferentially fit an equator of a capsular bag when the interior volume is filled with the fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 1 , wherein the toroid portion is formed of a material comprising a gel, an amorphous solid, an epoxy, a thermoplastic material, or a composite material. 
     
     
         9 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 1 , wherein the intraocular lens haptic is formed of a material comprising polypropylene, PMMA, hydrophobic acrylic, hydrophilic acrylic, or silicone. 
     
     
         10 . An intraocular lens, comprising:
 a haptic comprising:
 a toroid portion having an outer diameter and an inner diameter and an interior volume, wherein the interior volume of the toroid portion is configured to be filled with a fluid; and 
 a receiving feature extending from an inner surface of the toroid portion, the receiving feature configured for penetration by a needle to enable the interior volume to be filled with the fluid using the needle; and 
   an intraocular lens optic configured to fit in the receiving feature when the intraocular lens is implanted into an eye of a patient.   
     
     
         11 . The intraocular lens of  claim 10 , wherein the receiving feature comprises a first portion and a second portion extending from the inner surface of the toroid portion and forming a groove on at least a portion of the inner surface of the toroid portion, the groove corresponding in size to a circumferential diameter of the intraocular lens optic and extending circumferentially over at least a portion of the inner diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 11 , wherein the groove extends circumferentially around the inner diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 11 , wherein the groove is discontinuous around the inner diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 11 , wherein the groove is a V-shaped groove or a C-shaped groove. 
     
     
         15 . The intraocular lens of  claim 10 , wherein the receiving feature is self-sealing to the fluid when the needle is removed. 
     
     
         16 . The intraocular lens of  claim 10 , wherein the outer diameter of the toroid portion is configured to circumferentially fit an equator of a capsular bag when the interior volume is filled with the fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The intraocular lens of  claim 10 , wherein the intraocular lens optic is attached to the receiving feature. 
     
     
         18 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 10 , wherein the toroid portion is formed of a material comprising a gel, an amorphous solid, an epoxy, a thermoplastic material, or a composite material. 
     
     
         19 . The intraocular lens haptic of  claim 10 , wherein the intraocular lens haptic is formed of a material comprising polypropylene, PMMA, hydrophobic acrylic, hydrophilic acrylic, or silicone. 
     
     
         20 . An intraocular lens, comprising:
 a haptic comprising:
 a toroid portion having an outer diameter and an inner diameter and an interior volume, wherein the interior volume of the toroid portion is configured to be filled with a fluid configured to harden; and 
 a receiving feature extending from an inner surface of the toroid portion, the receiving feature formed as a V-shaped or C-shaped groove on at least a portion of the inner radius, the receiving feature configured for penetration by a needle to enable the interior volume to be filled with the fluid using the needle, the receiving feature self-sealing to the fluid when the needle is removed; and 
   an intraocular lens optic configured to fit in the receiving feature when the intraocular lens is implanted into an eye of a patient.