Intraocular lens folder

US5702400A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Alcon Laboratories, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Kyle Brown · Irvine, US
• Stephen J. Van Noy · Fort Worth, US
• Yi-Ren Woo · Woodbury, US
• Lars D. Jensen · Arlington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 1996
• Grant date: Dec 30, 1997
• Expiry date: Dec 11, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S623/907
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A single piece intraocular lens folder that has a generally planar, open frame in the shape of a rounded "A" with a rimmed, open head at the top of the "A". The base of the "A" forms a pairs of opposing legs or handles that join to form a hinge at the intersection where the handles attach to the head. The hinge allows the handle to be squeezed together and spring apart when released. Squeezing the handles together causes the sides of the head to spread apart, thereby stretching the top edge of the head rim and pulling the top edge downward toward the hinge. The open head contains a pair of support jaws and a pair of serpentine folding jaws. The location of the serpentine jaws is such that when the top edge of the head rim moves toward the hinge, the serpentine jaws are squeezed together, causing the IOL to be folded in half. The serpentine shape of the folding jaws allow the haptics to pivot downward, thereby permitting the IOL to be folded along a plurality of axes.