APPARATUS

PREAMBLE OF THE DESCRIPTION:

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED BACKGROUND

Technical field

[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to intraocular lens injecting apparatus and more particularly the embodiments herein relate to the cartridge, which holds and folds the Intra Ocular lens in the IOL injector.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] An intraocular lens, referred to hereinafter as IOL, is a lens implanted in the eyes of any mammal, the behavior of which is predominantly vision based, including humans. The implantation of the IOL is a replacement for the defective crystalline eyes preexisting in the animal / human. The defect can be formation of a cataract or increase / decrease / imperfection / incorrectness in the eye's optical power. The IOL is a small plastic lens with plastic side struts / supports, called haptics, to hold the lens in place within a capsular bag inside the eye. The IOLs are foldable and are implanted into the eyes through an incision in the eye. The length of the incision made is usually smaller than the diameter of the IOL to be implanted. Normally, in order to implant an IOL through an incision, an IOL injecting apparatus is employed.

[0003] Conventional IOL injecting apparatus include a hollow insertion tube having a diameter that allows free passage of the foldable IOL without undergoing any permanent deformation. A IOL loading and retaining mechanism, referred to commonly as cartridge is also provided in certain injecting apparatus to hold, fold and inject into the eye, a plurality of IOLs. Further, the IOLs injected can include IOLs of various sizes, designs, powers and materials color. A plunger is provided to push the IOL that is transferred from the cartridge into the delivery channel, also referred to as tube, of the insertion tube. FIG.l shows the cross sectional profiles of the delivery tube according to any known IOL injector apparatus and the incision cut into an eye. Normally, the tubes of the insertion tubes have a predominantly circular cross sectional area at perpendicular to long axis of the IOL cartridge. However, the incision made into the eye has a non-circular cross sectional area profile during instrumentation and surgical manipulations. The tip of the delivery tube has to penetrate the incision for proper delivery of the IOL.

[0004] Introduction of the insertion tube through the incision of the eye to implant the IOL causes undue excessive expansion of the incision due to a mismatch in the corresponding cross sectional areas and shapes resulting in increased stretch trauma to the eye. Modern cataract surgery is performed on the non-immobilized eye and there is a danger of inadvertently excessive surgical entry and eye damage with the known injector apparatus designs. Hence, there is a need for an IOL injecting apparatus that substantially reduces the trauma caused during the insertion of the IOL during corrective surgical procedures.

[0005] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

SUMMARY

[0006] The embodiments herein provide an intraocular lens injecting apparatus for implanting the same in a subject. The apparatus comprises of a cartridge for loading at least one intra ocular lens and a tube operably coupled to the cartridge for delivery of the intra ocular lens. The tube has a first section configured to form a rigid structure and a second section configured to form a flexible structure. The rigid structure and the flexible construction are configured to have identical oval cross-sectional area. The configuration of the tube eliminates trauma to the subject during implantation. The apparatus also includes a plurality of projections provided on the flexible structure of the tube.

[0007] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood* however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 shows the cross sectional profiles of the delivery tube and the incision cut into an eye in any existing IOL injector apparatus, according to one embodiment herein.

[0010] FIG.2A shows the delivery tube according to one embodiment herein.

[0011] FIG. 2B shows the delivery tube in an open configuration according to an embodiment herein.

[0012] FIG. 2C shows the delivery tube in a closed configuration according to an embodiment herein.

[0013] FIG. 2D shows a side view of a delivery tube, according to one embodiment herein.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows the cross sectional view of the delivery tube, according to one embodiment herein, with uniform cross section across the length of the tube.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows the cross sectional profiles of the delivery tube, according to an embodiment herein and the incision cut into an eye.

[0016] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0018] Various embodiments herein provide an intraocular lens (IOL) injecting apparatus. More particularly, specific embodiments herein provide an IOL injecting apparatus with an improved construction having enhanced safety features.

[0019] An IOL injector apparatus normally comprises of a cartridge for loading a plurality of IOLs and a tube for delivery of the IOL into the eye. The IOLs from the cartridge undergo a temporary deformation into a folded and compressed configuration while being transferred to the tube. The tube comprises of a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to hold prior to the release of the IOL from the cartridge. The second end hereinafter referred to as the delivery tube is substantially cylindrical in shape and is configured to have an oval cross-sectional perpendicular to long axis of the tube.

[0020] FIG. 2A shows the delivery tube 200A according to an embodiment herein. The delivery tube 200A further has a first section 202 having a rigid construction and configured to have a substantially oval cross sectional area 208. The delivery tube, further comprises of a second section 210 having a flexible construction. In an embodiment herein, the section 210 is provided with a plurality of rigid ribs 212 capable of expanding upon application of pressure by the folded IOL, through the plunger or the piston. In an example of the embodiments, 4-10 ribs are anchored to the first section having rigid construction. The junction points of the ribs 212 form an oval shape, at the tip 206. Anchoring is achieved by any known method of anchoring, which includes presently used methods, but is not limited to riveting, molding, screwing, adhesives etc. A sheet of foldable, non-elastic plastic 214 of surgical grade, sterilizable material connects each of the ribs 212 provided. In an example of the embodiments herein, the first section and the second section of the injector, tube is formed in a single process to possess a corresponding rigid and flexible construction. The web of plastic starts in continuation of the lumen of the loading and folding bay's lens- holding gutter. The outer dimensions of the tube are in the range of 3 to 9 mm in the horizontal and in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm in the vertical for human eye lenses. This will vary for the veterinary use depending on the ^' size of the mammalian eye in the case of animals.

[0021] FIG. 2B shows the delivery tube in an expanded or open configuration according to an embodiment herein. In an open configuration, the ribs 212 are in an extended state. The extended state is also referred to as pushed apart state or dilated tube state, all of which refers to the same embodiment referred to and described herein. The pressure created by the plunger, which pushes the loading and folded IOL into the tube section of the tube from the loading and folding bay of the cartridge, facilitates the extension of the ribs 212. The ribs 212 are configured to expand to the dimensions of the rigid structure of the first section. FIG. 2C shows the delivery tube in a closed configuration according to another embodiment herein. In the closed configuration, the ribs 212 converge with a total vertical and horizontal size of 0.5mm. The ribs 212 are joined together by thin, foldable, inelastic plastic 214, the size of each segment, is decided by the manufacturer, based on the compressible size of its IOL. This size determines the maximum expandable size of its IOL. Further, the outer surface of the ribs are provided with plurality of projections 204 (FIG. 2 A, 2B and 2C) at a pre determined distance from the tip 206 of the delivery tube. With respect to FIG. 2D, ribs 212 have round and raised knob like safety projections 204. Tip 206 is elastic, expandable and has an oval shape in cross section perpendicular to the long axis of tube 200A. Tip 206 is joined with ribs 212. Ribs 212 are joined together by loose, inelastic plastic material 214.

[0022] In one embodiment herein, the projections are positioned at a distance in the range of 6 to 10 mm behind the tip of the delivery tube. The round knobs like projections prevent accidental surgical over-entry and eye injury during surgery. This is needed because most cataract surgeries are done on moving eyes.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the cross sectional view of the injector tube, according to an embodiment herein, with uniform cross section across the length of the tube. The delivery tube 300 comprises of a rigid section 302 and a flexible section 306. The delivery tube 300 has substantially oval cross section 304 perpendicular to the long axis a-a' of the delivery tube 300. Further, the substantially oval cross section 304 is uniform at various sections A-A, B-B and C-C taken along the length of the delivery tube 300. The uniform oval cross section ensures that the folded IOL retains the same oval configuration through the journey in the delivery tube 300 and also utilizes the internal space optimally.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows the cross sectional profiles of the injector tube, according to an embodiment herein, and the incision cut into an eye. The substantially oval cross section 406 of the delivery tube almost coincides with the oval incision profile 402 made on the eye of a subject thereby eliminating the mismatch indicated in FIG. 1 and significantly reducing the trauma to the eye of the subject. The configuration of the injector tube as explained herein before and as illustrated in FIG. 4 eliminates the mismatch in the cross sectional areas and hence the trauma caused to the subject and optimizes the use of surgical space. It enables a smaller incision for a given size of the lens when compared to the prior art injector tubes.

[0025] The IOLs may be delivered by the manufacturer, separate from the injector, or. may be pre-loaded in the injector. The tube innovation is applicable to separately loaded and preloaded IOL injectors. In one embodiment herein, the IOL is removed from its sterile packaging, in the operation room, during surgery. It is transferred to the opened cartridge, placed in the Loading - Bay trench or gutter and then the cartridge is closed. The closing action folds the IOL, compresses it and the cartridge is loaded into the IOL injector. The plunger of the injector is advanced, till it reaches the IOL .The second end of the injector apparatus is then introduced into the eye through the incision made. The plunger is advanced to push the folded IOL into the tube. The folded compressed IOL moves through the tube pressing outwards and tends to expand the tube of the flexible section of the injector. The rigid ribs expand outwardly upto its limits and guide the IOL into the eye. The tip of the cartridge, which has a resting aperture of 0.5 mm, now expands to allow the IOL to pass through. The maximum expansion of the tip's aperture is determined by the size of the surgical incision. This feature therefore, auto-adapts to different sizes of IOLs as, well as different sizes of surgical incision. The flexible opening of the delivery tube significantly reduces the trauma caused to the eye due to elimination of the mismatch between the oval cross-section of the incision made and the delivery tube of the IOL injector apparatus. Further, the knobs provided at the proximity or the opening of the delivery tube ensure safety by preventing the IOL injector from being inserted deeply leading to probable damage of the eye.

[0026] The invention, as described herein and as illustrated by the drawings provide an improved intra ocular lens injecting apparatus with an uniform and a substantially oval cross- sectional area which significantly reduces the trauma to the subject by eliminating the mismatch between the cross-section of the incision and the cross-section of the delivery tube.

[0027] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0028] Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

[0029] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.