Abstract
An insertion system for inserting an IOL int a patient's eye is provided. The insertion system includes a pusher and an introducer sheath with a back housing and a front housing. The front housing includes a longitudinally extending IOL rolling member with a proximal section, an intermediate section, a distal section and a longitudinally extending lumen defined by an upper face and a lower face. The lower face has opposing inner peripheral edges. The radius of curvature of the upper face and the lower face decreases from the proximal section to the distal section and the distance between the opposing inner peripheral edges decreases from the proximal section to the distal section.
Claims
1. An insertion system to insert an intraocular lens (IOL) in a patient's eye comprising: a pusher having a longitudinally extending axis and comprising: a proximal portion comprising an actuator, a distal portion comprising a deformable and longitudinally extending first prong and a deformable longitudinally extending second prong; an introducer sheath comprising: a back housing comprising: a first longitudinally extending lumen sized and configured to slidably receive the first prong of the pusher; a second longitudinally extending lumen sized and configured to slidably receive the second prong of the pusher; and a chamber located at a distal portion of the back housing having a distal opening and a proximal abutment face configured to contact the pusher in a fully deployed position to limit the amount that the proximal portion of the pusher extends to or beyond a distal portion of the introducer sheath; a front housing comprising: a receptacle located at a proximal portion of the front housing that is sized and configured to receive the IOL and fit within the chamber of the back housing in an assembled configuration; and a longitudinally extending IOL rolling member in fluid communication with the receptacle having a proximal section, an intermediate section, a distal section, and a longitudinally extending lumen defined by an upper face and a lower face, the lower face comprising opposing inner peripheral edges, wherein the radius of curvature of the upper face and the lower face decreases from the proximal section to the distal section and the distance between the opposing inner peripheral edges decreases from the proximal section to the distal section; and a distal end in fluid communication with the distal section of the IOL rolling member.
2. The insertion system of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinally extending lumen and the second longitudinally extending lumen of the back housing are located on opposing sides of the back housing.
3. The insertion system of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending lumen of the IOL rolling member at the proximal section and the intermediate section comprises a first side sized and configured to slidably receive the first prong of the pusher and a second side sized and configured to slidably receive the second prong of the pusher.
4. The insertion system of claim 3, wherein the first side of the longitudinally extending lumen of the IOL rolling member is configured to receive a haptic extending from a periphery of an IOL and the second side of the longitudinally extending lumen of the IOL rolling member is configured to receive an opposing haptic extending from the periphery of an IOL.
5. The insertion system of claim 3, wherein the first side of the longitudinally extending lumen of the IOL rolling member and the second side of the longitudinally extending lumen of the IOL rolling member are located on opposing sides of the IOL rolling member.
6. The insertion system of claim 3, wherein the first side of the longitudinally extending lumen of the IOL rolling member and the second side of the longitudinal extending lumen at the distal section of the IOL rolling member are in fluid communication with a single lumen defined by the distal end of the front housing.
7. The insertion system of claim 1, wherein the IOL rolling member comprises a first inner side wall and a second inner side wall each having a curved concave configuration.
8. The insertion system of claim 7, wherein the outer surface of the first and second prongs are deformable to have a curved configuration complimentary to the curved configuration of the respective first and second inner walls of the IOL rolling member.
9. The insertion system of claim 1, wherein the actuator has a surface configured to contact the proximal abutment face of the back housing in fully deployed configuration.
10. A kit comprising: the insertion system of claim 1; an IOL comprising: an anterior face located anterior to the equator, having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a periphery; a posterior face located posterior to the equator, having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a periphery; a side wall extending across the equator and extending from the anterior face to the posterior face; a chamber located between the anterior face and the posterior face and containing a material; and at least two opposing haptics connected to the periphery of the anterior face, the posterior face or both.
11. The kit of claim 10, wherein the at least two opposing haptics comprise a plurality of haptics connected circumferentially about the periphery of the anterior face, the posterior face, or both.
12. The insertion system of claim 1, wherein the pusher comprises an intermediate portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion.
13. The insertion system of claim 12, wherein the intermediate portion comprises a plurality of flexures.
14. The insertion system of claim 1, wherein the first prong and the second prong comprise a plurality of flexures.
15. An insertion system to insert an intraocular lens (IOL) in a patient's eye comprising: a pusher having a longitudinally extending axis and comprising: a proximal portion comprising an actuator, a distal portion comprising a deformable and longitudinally extending first prong and a deformable longitudinally extending second prong; and an introducer sheath comprising: a back housing comprising: a receptacle located at a proximal portion of the back housing sized and configured to receive an IOL; and a longitudinally extending IOL rolling member in fluid communication with the chamber having a proximal section, an intermediate section, a distal section, and a longitudinally extending lumen defined by an upper face and a lower face, the lower face comprising opposing inner peripheral edges, wherein the radius of curvature of the upper face and the lower face decreases from the proximal section to the distal section and the distance between the opposing inner peripheral edges decreases from the proximal section to the distal section; and a front housing in fluid communication with the distal section of the IOL rolling member and comprising a longitudinally extending lumen.
16. The insertion system of claim 15, wherein the pusher comprises an intermediate portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion.
17. The insertion system of claim 16, wherein the intermediate portion comprises a plurality of flexures.
18. The insertion system of claim 15, wherein the first prong and the second prong comprise a plurality of flexures.
19. The insertion system of claim 15, further comprising a secondary pusher displaceable in the longitudinally extending lumen of the front housing of the introducer sheath.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of unassembled components of an insertion system include a pusher and an introducer sheath according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insertion system of FIG. 1 depicting the pusher positioned in the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the insertion system of FIG. 1 depicting the distal prongs of the pusher positioned in the front housing of the introducer sheath.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial view of the bottom surface of the front housing of FIG. 1 depicting the IOL rolling member according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front housing and the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 1 in an unassembled configuration with an exemplary IOL positioned in the receptacle of the front housing.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the introducer sheath of FIG. 5 in an assembled configuration with the pusher positioned in the back housing and contacting the IOL.
[0017] FIG. 7A is a cut-away view of a section of front housing of an introducer sheath illustrating the IOL rolling member including the lumen of the IOL rolling member according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 7B is an end view of the section illustrated in FIG. 7A.
[0019] FIG. 8A is a cut-away view of a section of front housing of an introducer sheath illustrating the IOL rolling member including the lumen of the IOL rolling member according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 8B is an end view of the section illustrated in FIG. 8A.
[0021] FIG. 9A is a cut-away view of a section of front housing of an introducer sheath illustrating the IOL rolling member including the lumen of the IOL rolling member according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 9B is an end view of the section illustrated in FIG. 9A.
[0023] FIG. 10A is a cut-away view of a section of front housing of an introducer sheath illustrating the IOL rolling member including the lumen of the IOL rolling member according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 10B is an end view of the section illustrated in FIG. 10A.
[0025] FIG. 11A is a cut-away view of a section of front housing of an introducer sheath illustrating the IOL rolling member including the lumen of the IOL rolling member according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 11B is an end view of the section illustrated in FIG. 11A.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pusher of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pusher of FIG. 12 depicting the configuration of the distal prongs in a deformed state.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the insertion system with the pusher of FIG. 13 with the distal prongs positioned in the front housing of the introducer sheath.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the insertion system with the pusher depicted in FIG. 12 positioned in the back housing of the introducer sheath.
[0031] FIG. 16 is cross-sectional view of the insertion system of FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration.
[0032] FIGS. 17-23 are cut-away views of sections of the pusher, the front housing, and the chamber of the back housing of the insertion system of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the pusher, the front housing, the chamber of the back housing, and the distal end of the introducer sheath of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the front housing, distal end, and chamber of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 1 schematically illustrating an IOL at different locations in the front housing as the IOL passes through the front housing and interacts with the IOL rolling member.
[0035] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the front housing, distal end, and chamber of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating the IOL in the receptacle of the front housing and the receptacle disposed in the chamber of the back housing.
[0036] FIG. 27 is a top view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 26.
[0037] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view along lines I-I in FIG. 26.
[0038] FIG. 29 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 27.
[0039] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the front housing, distal end, and the chamber of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating the IOL interacting with the proximal section of the IOL rolling member.
[0040] FIG. 31 is a top cut-away view of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 30.
[0041] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view along lines II-II in FIG. 30.
[0042] FIG. 33 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 31.
[0043] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the front housing, distal end, and the chamber of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating the IOL interacting with the IOL rolling member between the proximal section and intermediate section of the IOL rolling member.
[0044] FIG. 35 is a top cut-away view of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 34.
[0045] FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view along lines III-III in FIG. 34.
[0046] FIG. 37 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 35.
[0047] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the front housing, distal end, and the chamber of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating the IOL interacting with the intermediate section of the IOL rolling member.
[0048] FIG. 39 is a top cut-away view of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 38.
[0049] FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view along lines IV-IV in FIG. 38.
[0050] FIG. 41 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 39.
[0051] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the front housing, distal end, and the chamber of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating the IOL interacting with the intermediate section and part of the distal section of the IOL rolling member.
[0052] FIG. 43 is a top cut-away view of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 42.
[0053] FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view along lines V-V in FIG. 42.
[0054] FIG. 45 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 43.
[0055] FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the front housing, distal end, and the chamber of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating the IOL interacting with the distal section of the IOL rolling member.
[0056] FIG. 47 is a top cut-away view of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 46.
[0057] FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view along lines VI-VI in FIG. 46.
[0058] FIG. 49 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 47.
[0059] FIG. 50 is a side view of a pusher of an insertion system according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0060] FIG. 51 is a side view of the unassembled back housing and the front housing of an introducer sheath of an insertion system according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0061] FIG. 52 is a side view of a secondary pusher of an insertion system according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0062] FIG. 53 is a schematic illustration of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 51 indicating several internal sections of the back housing.
[0063] FIGS. 54A-54J are cross-sectional view of the internal sections indicated in FIG. 53.
[0064] FIG. 55 is a side view of a pusher according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0065] FIG. 56 is a cross sectional view of the pusher of FIG. 55 along lines A-A.
[0066] FIG. 57 is a cross-sectional view of the pusher of FIG. 55 along lines B-B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0067] The present disclosure relates to an IOL insertion system to insert an IOL, including an accommodative IOL, into a patient's eye. As used herein with respect to a described element, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include at least one or more of the described element(s) including combinations thereof unless otherwise indicated. Further, the terms “or” and “and” refer to “and/or” and combinations thereof unless otherwise indicated. By “substantially” is meant that the shape or configuration of the described element need not have the mathematically exact described shape or configuration of the described element but can have a shape or configuration that is recognizable by one skilled in the art as generally or approximately having the described shape or configuration of the described element. The terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used to distinguish one element from another and not used in a quantitative sense unless indicated otherwise. Thus, a “first” element described below could also be termed a “second” element. The terms “proximal” and “back” refer to a location, position or direction closer to the operator/clinician and the terms “distal” and “front” refer to a location, position, or direction closer to the patient. The terms “top” and “bottom” refer to the position of elements as depicted in the drawings. Similarly, the terms “upper” and “lower” refer to the position of elements as depicted in the drawings. As used herein a “patient” includes a mammal such as a human being. All IOL insertion systems as described herein are used for medical purposes and are therefore sterile.
[0068] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, an insertion system 10 to insert an IOL into a patient's eye is provided. Insertion system can include pusher 12 and introducer sheath 26. Pusher 12 has a longitudinally extending axis X and can comprise proximal portion 14 and distal portion 18. In certain aspects, the pusher includes an intermediate portion 24 between the proximal portion and the distal portion. Proximal portion 14 can include actuator 16, which a user can press, for example, to urge the pusher through the introducer sheath as described in more detail below. Distal portion 18 can comprise deformable and longitudinally extending first prong 20 and deformable and longitudinally extending second prong 22. The first and second prongs can be unitary/connected with a membrane 21 (or similar structure) therebetween, for example, or can be separate and distinct prongs. Introducer sheath 26 of insertion system 10 can comprise back housing 28 and front housing 42. Back housing 28 can define first longitudinally extending lumen 30 sized and configured to slidably receive first prong 20 of pusher 12 and second longitudinally extending lumen 32 sized and configured to slidably receive second prong 22 of pusher 12. The longitudinally extending lumens need not extend through the entire length of the back housing. As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the first longitudinally extending lumen and the second longitudinally extending lumen can be located on opposing sides of the back housing. FIG. 2 illustrates first prong 20 positioned in first lumen 30 and second prong 22 positioned in second lumen 32. Back housing 28 can include chamber 34 located at distal portion 36 of back housing 28. Chamber 34 can have distal opening 38 to allow an IOL 29 to pass through back housing 28 into front housing 42 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Chamber 34 can also have proximal abutment face 40 configured to contact pusher 12 in a fully deployed position as depicted in FIG. 3 to limit the amount proximal portion 14 of pusher 12 may extend to or beyond a distal portion of introducer sheath 26. Front housing 42 can comprises receptacle 44 located at proximal portion 46 of front housing 42 that is sized and configured to received IOL 29 as depicted in FIG. 5 and to fit within chamber 34 of back housing 28 in an assembled configuration as depicted in FIG. 6. Front housing 42 can further include longitudinally extending IOL rolling member 48, described in more detail below, having proximal section 54, intermediate section 58, distal section 56, and longitudinally extending lumen 60. Introducer sheath 26 can also include distal end 64 in fluid communication with distal section 56 of IOL rolling member 48.
[0069] Regarding IOL rolling member 48, bottom surface 62 of lumen 60 of rolling member 48 is depicted in FIG. 4 as well as bottom surface 65 of receptacle 44. As also shown in FIG. 4, longitudinally extending lumen 60 of IOL rolling member 48 at proximal section 54 and intermediate section 56 can comprise a first side 60a sized and configured to slidably receive the first prong of the pusher and an opposing second side 60b sized and configured to slidably receive the second prong of the pusher. The first side and the second side of the IOL rolling member defining the lumen at the distal section thereof can be fluid communication with a single lumen defined by the distal end.
[0070] FIGS. 7-11 depict progressive partial cut-away views and corresponding end views of rolling member 48 from proximal section 54 to distal section 56. Lumen 60 can be defined by upper face 50 and lower face 52. Lower face 52 can comprise opposing inner peripheral edges 62a and 62b. As shown in FIGS. 7-11, the radius of curvature of upper face 50 and lower face 52 decreases from proximal section 54 to distal section 56 and the distance between opposing inner peripheral edges 62a and 62b decreases from proximal section 54 to distal section 56.
[0071] By having an IOL rolling member, the IOL can be rolled into the desired configuration and proper orientations. For example, any IOL has an anterior surface and a posterior surface. Some IOLs are designed to be inserted with the anterior surface as the “outside” of the rolled up IOL with the haptics rolled up within or extending below the IOL optic. As such, when the IOL unrolls into the lens capsule the haptics enter into the lens capsule first followed by the IOL optic. Some IOLs are designed to be rolled up such that the anterior surface of the IOL is on the inside of the rolled up IOL and the haptics are inside the rolled up optic or anterior to the optic. In this case, the IOL optic enters into the lens capsule first and the haptics enter last (in this situation the inserter would have a reverse orientation with the rolling member on the upper part of the insertion channel.). The IOL rolling member allows this proper rolling of the IOL such that the desired orientation and configuration is achieved.
[0072] FIGS. 12-24 illustrate aspects of pusher 12 and introducer sheath 26 (an IOL is not depicted for purposes of clarity). FIG. 12 illustrates the configuration of pusher 12 prior to insertion into the introducer sheath or when confined to back housing 28 of introducer sheath as depicted in FIG. 15. Prongs 22 and 20 are substantially straight. FIG. 13 illustrates the configuration of pusher 12 when inserted into the introducer sheath (not shown for purposes of clarity) and when the prongs have entered front housing 42. Because the prongs can be deformable, the prongs can assume a curved configuration. In particular and with reference to FIGS. 14 and 16, the IOL rolling member 48 can have a first inner side wall 64a and a second inner side wall 64b each having a curved concave configuration. The outer surface 66a and 66b of the respective first and second prongs 20 and 22 can be deformable to have a curved configuration complementary to the curved configuration of the respective first and second inner side walls of the IOL rolling member. FIGS. 17-24 illustrate progressive partial cut-away views of the pusher 12 and the introducer sheath 26. FIG. 17 illustrates proximal portion 14 of pusher 12 against abutment face 40 and the section of the pusher distal to actuator 16 disposed in receptacle 44, which in turn, is disposed in chamber 34. FIG. 18 is a partial cut-away view of pusher 12 illustrating the initial interaction between pusher 12 and IOL rolling member 48. FIG. 19-24 are further progressive partial cut-away views of the pusher 12 as it is being urged through introducer sheath 26. The figures depict the curvature of prongs 20 and 22, which as stated above, have a curved configuration complimentary to the curved configuration of the respective first and second inner walls of the IOL rolling member.
[0073] FIG. 25 schematically illustrates IOL 29 at different locations in front housing 42 and the configuration of the IOL at these different locations as the IOL passes through the front housing and interacts with the IOL rolling member. The pusher of the insertion system is not shown for purposes of clarity. Location (1) illustrates the initial bending of IOL 29 at the entry of the longitudinally extending lumen of rolling member 48. Location (2) illustrates the rolling of IOL 29 which is generally controlled by the top surface of IOL rolling member 48. Location (3) illustrates full rolling of IOL 29 that is ensured by the intermediate bottom section of IOL rolling member 48. Location (4) illustrates fully rolled IOL 29 undergoing radial compression. Location (5) illustrates fully rolled IOL 29 at maximum compression into distal end 64. FIGS. 26-29 illustrate different views of IOL 29 in front housing 42 when IOL 29 interacts with rolling member 48 at location (1); FIGS. 30-33 are different views of IOL 29 in front housing 42 when IOL 29 interacts with rolling member 48 at location (2); FIGS. 34-27 are different views of IOL 29 in front housing 42 when IOL 29 interacts with rolling member 48 at location (3); FIGS. 38-41 are different views of IOL 29 in front housing 42 when IOL 29 interacts with rolling member 48 at location (4); FIGS. 42-45 are different views of IOL 29 in front housing 42 when IOL 29 interacts with rolling member 48 at a location between location (4) and location (5); FIGS. 46-49 are different views of IOL 29 in front housing 42 when IOL 29 interacts with rolling member 48 at location (5).
[0074] In particular, FIG. 26 is a perspective view of front housing 48, distal end 64, and chamber 34 of the back housing of the introducer sheath and schematically illustrating IOL 29 in receptacle 44 of front housing 48 and receptacle 44 disposed in chamber 34 of the back housing. FIG. 27 is a top view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 26. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view along lines I-I in FIG. 26. FIG. 29 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 27.
[0075] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of front housing 42, distal end 64, and chamber 34 of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating IOL 29 interacting with proximal section 54 of IOL rolling member 48. FIG. 31 is a top cut-away view of the introducer sheath and IOL depicted in FIG. 30. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view along lines II-II in FIG. 30. FIG. 33 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 31.
[0076] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of front housing 42, distal end 64, and chamber 34 of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating IOL 29 interacting with IOL rolling member 48 between proximal section 54 and intermediate section 58 of IOL rolling member 48. FIG. 35 is a top cut-away view of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 34. FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view along lines III-III in FIG. 34. A comparison of FIG. 32 and FIG. 36 illustrates the radius of curvature of faces 50 and 52 defining the longitudinally extending lumen 60 of IOL rolling member 48 decreasing as the IOL is positioned further distal in front housing 42 and the distance between opposing inner peripheral edges 62a and 62 of lower face 52 decreasing. FIG. 37 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and IOL depicted in FIG. 35.
[0077] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of front housing 42, distal end 64, and chamber 34 of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating IOL 29 interacting with intermediate section 58 of IOL rolling member 48. FIG. 39 is a top cut-away view of the introducer sheath and IOL depicted in FIG. 38. FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view along lines IV-IV in FIG. 38. A comparison of FIG. 40 and FIG. 36 illustrates the radius of curvature of faces 50 and 52 defining the longitudinally extending lumen 60 of IOL rolling member 48 decreasing as the IOL is positioned further distal in front housing 42 and the distance between opposing inner peripheral edges 62a and 62 of lower face 52 decreasing. FIG. 41 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 39.
[0078] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of front housing 42, distal end 64, and chamber 34 of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating IOL 29 interacting with intermediate section 58 and part of distal section 56 of IOL rolling member 48. FIG. 43 is a top cut-away view of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 42. FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view along lines V-V in FIG. 42. A comparison of FIG. 40 and FIG. 44 illustrates the radius of curvature of faces 50 and 52 defining the longitudinally extending lumen 60 of IOL rolling member 48 decreasing as the IOL is positioned further distal in front housing 42 and the distance between opposing inner peripheral edges 62a and 62 of lower face 52 decreasing.
[0079] FIG. 45 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and the IOL depicted in FIG. 43.
[0080] FIG. 46 is a perspective view of front housing 42, distal end 64, and chamber 34 of the back housing of the introducer sheath of FIG. 25 schematically illustrating the IOL interacting with the distal section of the IOL rolling member and the distal end of the front housing. FIG. 47 is a top cut-away view of the introducer sheath and IOL depicted in FIG. 46. FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view along lines VI-VI in FIG. 46. A comparison of FIG. 44 and FIG. 48 illustrates the radius of curvature of faces 50 and 52 defining the longitudinally extending lumen 60 of IOL rolling member 48 decreasing as the IOL is positioned further distal in front housing 42 and the distance between opposing inner peripheral edges 62a and 62 of lower face 52 decreasing such that the IOL is fully folded. FIG. 49 is side view of the portions of the introducer sheath and IOL depicted in FIG. 47.
[0081] FIGS. 50-52 illustrate an insertion system according to another aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 50 illustrates pusher 68 having a longitudinally extending axis X and comprising a proximal portion 70 and distal portion 72. Proximal portion 70 can comprise actuator 74 and distal portion 72 can comprise deformable and longitudinally extending first prong 76 and deformable and a longitudinally extending second prong 78. FIG. 51 illustrates introducer sheath 80 that can comprise back housing 82 and front housing 84. Back housing 82 can comprise receptacle 86 located at proximal portion 88 of back housing 82. Referring to FIG. 53, longitudinally extending IOL rolling member 90 can be in fluid communication with receptacle 86 and can have proximal section 92, intermediate section 94, distal section 96. Referring to FIG. 54, longitudinally extending lumen 98 can be defined by upper face 100 and lower face 102. Lower face 102 can comprise opposing inner peripheral edges 104a and 104b, wherein the radius of curvature of upper face 100 and lower face 102 decreases from proximal section 92 to distal section 94 and the distance between opposing inner peripheral edges 104a and 104b decreases from proximal section 92 to distal section 96 as depicted in FIG. 54A to 54J, which are cross-sectional views of the back housing at locations A-J identified in FIG. 53, respectively. Front housing 84 can be in fluid communication with the distal section of the IOL rolling member and can comprise longitudinally extending lumen 106. The insertion system can further comprise secondary pusher 108 displaceable in the longitudinally extending lumen of the front housing of the introducer sheath.
[0082] In use, the back housing and the front housing can be assembled together and an IOL can be placed in the receptacle of the back housing. The IOL can be urged distally over the IOL rolling member with the pusher until the IOL is in the front housing. The back housing can be removed and the secondary pusher can be used to advance the IOL through the front housing until the IOL is ultimately delivered into a patient's eye.
[0083] FIGS. 55-57 depict an alternative pusher 110 that has intermediate portion 116 between proximal portion 112 and distal portion 114. Intermediate portion 116, first prong 118, and/or second prong 120 can comprise a plurality of flexures 120.
[0084] Each of the disclosed aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure may be considered individually or in combination with other aspects, embodiments, and variations of the disclosure. Further, while certain features of embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure may be shown in only certain figures or otherwise described in the certain parts of the disclosure, such features can be incorporated into other embodiments and aspects shown in other figures or other parts of the disclosure. Along the same lines, certain features of embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure that are shown in certain figures or otherwise described in certain parts of the disclosure can be optional or deleted from such embodiments and aspects. Additionally, when describing a range, all points within that range are included in this disclosure. Further, unless otherwise specified, none of the steps of the methods of the present disclosure are confined to any particular order of performance. Furthermore, all references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
