SYSTEM FOR IMPLANTING AN INTRAOCULAR LENS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container system (200) for storing an intraocular lens (90). The container system (200) comprises a container (210) for storing a lens (90) and a heating device (220) for heating the lens (90) in the container (210). A heated lens (90) is more supple and can be rolled up better and smaller, such that a cut opening in an eye can be further reduced.

Claims

1. A system (200) for implanting an intraocular lens (90), comprising: an injector; a magazine (40) preloaded with the intraocular lens (90) therein; and a container (210) having a lower surface (215) on which the container (210) can stand stably, a receptacle area (214) having a shape conforming to the magazine (40) or to the injector with the magazine (40), a lid (211) covering the receptacle area (214) before being opened or removed, and a heating device (220) integrated in the container (210) for heating the intraocular lens (90) within the container (210) in a sterile liquid.

2. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the heating device (220) is adapted to heat the intraocular lens (90) to a temperature in a range from 25 C. to 40 C.

3. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the heating device (220) comprises a latent heat storage and/or an electric heating device.

4. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the heating device (220) is arranged on an outer surface of the container (210).

5. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the heating device (220) comprises a switch for being activated.

6. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the heating device (220) is automatically activated upon opening of the container (210).

7. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the lid covers an upper surface 216 of the container (210) opposite the lower surface (215), and wherein the heating device (220) and the lid (211) are coupled to each other so that the heating device (220) is activated upon opening of the lid (210).

8. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface (215) of the container (210) has a larger cross section than a central region of the container (210).

9. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface (215) is planar, and wherein the lid (211) covers an upper surface (216) that is inclined relative to the lower surface (215).

10. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the container (210) has a planar first side wall (217) that is inclined relative to the lower surface (215) at an angle between 95 and 110.

11. The system (200) according to claim 10, wherein a longitudinal axis (L) of the receptacle area (214) is inclined relative to the lower surface (215) of the container (210) by an angle between 75 and 85.

12. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the container (210) is transparent.

13. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the injector (100) includes an injector housing (10) and a slider (20).

14. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the container (210) is a blister package.

15. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the lid (211) is made of aluminum and designed to be peeled off a face of the container.

16. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the sterile liquid (212) is a sterile saline solution having a volume of less than 10 ml.

17. A method for implanting an intraocular lens, comprising: providing a container containing a sterile liquid therein, the container being sealed by a lid that covers a receptacle area of the container; providing the intraocular lens pre-loaded within a magazine; opening the lid of the container; heating the intraocular lens within the container to a target temperature between 30 C. and 40 C.; introducing an injector into a receptacle area of the container; retracting the injector loaded with the magazine from the container.

18. The method as in claim 17, further comprising: heating a needle of the injector.

19. The method as in claim 17, wherein introducing the injector into a receptacle area of the container is performed along a longitudinal axis having an angle greater than 60 and smaller than 90 relative to a lower surface of the container.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the intraocular lens pre-loaded within the magazine is arranged within the sterile liquid while the container is sealed by the lid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The present invention will now be described in more detail by way of the following exemplary embodiments. For this purpose, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the individual drawings refer to the same parts.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows an injector system in its assembled state with loaded magazine.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective exterior view illustrating the loading of the injector system with the magazine which is contained in a schematically illustrated container with integrated heating device.

[0044] FIGS. 3.a and 3.b are perspective exterior views illustrating the connection of the container to a non-integrated heating device.

[0045] FIGS. 4.a to 4.d are different views illustrating the container in which the magazine is stored.

[0046] FIGS. 5.a and 5.b are perspective views illustrating the injector system preferably pre-loaded with a magazine in a condition introduced in the container system (transparently shown here).

[0047] FIGS. 6.a to 6.e are perspective views illustrating the insertion of an injector into the container system pre-loaded with a magazine and removal thereof.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the insertion of an injector pre-loaded with a magazine into the empty containers system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] FIG. 1 shows an injector system 100 in its assembled state. The modules that make up the injector system 100 include a housing 10, a slider 20, a needle 30, and a magazine 40.

[0050] The magazine 40 is placed on the needle 30, preferably plugged thereto. For example, needle 30 and magazine 40 are snap-connected to each other. Magazine 40 is preferably loaded with a lens 90, and lens 90 is secured in the magazine 40 by retaining flap 60 before the magazine 40 is mounted to the injector 100 or the needle 30, respectively (for this see FIG. 2).

[0051] Prior to an initial operation of the injector 100, first the storage container 210 is opened. For this purpose, the lid 211 is peeled off from the end faces 213, for example (for this see FIG. 2). The magazine 40 is mounted to the needle 30 in this case by dipping the injector 100 into the storage container 210, at least the needle 30 thereof, and plugging the magazine 40 to the needle 30. This offers the advantage that the sterile conditions are maintained for prolonged periods and that the transport channel of the needle 30 is wetted with the storage liquid 212, so that the lens 90 and the slider 20 will slide better in the needle 30.

[0052] Furthermore, FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the heating device 220 according to the invention. By way of example, a container system 200 according to a first embodiment is illustrated comprising a container 210 with integrated heating device 220. The heating device 220 is disposed on the outer surface of container 210. The heating device 220 is integrated with the container 210. Container 210 and heating device 220 constitute or form a functional unit. For example, the material for a latent heat storage may be filled in a cavity of the container 210, for example on the left and/or right side, and in particular a small metal plate (not shown) may be incorporated in the outer wall of the container 210. The small plate performs the function of a switch. By pressing the small plate, heating is initiated. Activation may for example as well be effected when the lid 211 is opened, by some sort of coupling not shown in the figures. Preferably, the invention provides a container system 200 for storing a lens 90, which comprises a container 210 with at least one lens 90 stored in the container 210, and with a heating device 220 for heating the lens 90 within the container 210. The heating by heating device 220 is achieved through the container 210.

[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates the heating device 220 as a unit preferably permanently connected to the container 210. However, heating device 220 may as well be provided as a kind of kit which can be used for retrofitting a conventional container 210, which is however not shown in the figures.

[0054] FIGS. 3.a and 3.b show a container system 200 according to a second embodiment, comprising a container 210 with integrated connection device 221 for a non-integrated heating device 220. The heating device 220 is provided, for example, as a kind of charging station to which the container 210 can be connected via its connection device 221 and then heated. To this end, the container 210 is, for example, moved toward heating device 220 (FIG. 3.a). FIG. 3.b shows the final connected state.

[0055] The figures show the connection device 221 as a unit preferably permanently connected to the container 210. However, connection device 221 may as well be provided as a kind of kit, in particular in combination with the heating device 220, which can be used for retrofitting a conventional container 210, which is however not shown in the figures.

[0056] FIGS. 4.a to 4.d show different perspectives of an empty container 210 for a magazine 40. The container 210 is shown in different perspectives with the lid 211 already peeled off. The container 210 is designed as an upright standing item 210. The upright standing item 210 serves to support or temporarily store the preloaded injection system 100 (for this see also FIGS. 5.a and 5.b). The magazine 40 can be mounted onto the injector 100 by inserting the injector 100 into the container 210. The side walls have recesses in which a heating device 220 may be placed, which is not shown here. The material of the container 210 comprises for instance polypropylene. The lid 211 is for instance provided by a metal, preferably aluminum. Such a closed container system 200 comprising container 210 and a latent heat storage as a heating device 220 furthermore meets the requirements of autoclaving. The lid may as well be omitted or may be semipermeable so as to meet the requirements of further sterilization methods, such as, e.g., ethylene oxide (EtO) or gamma radiation.

[0057] FIGS. 4.c (perspective side view) and 4.d (top 216 plan view) show the dimensions of a container system 200 according to the invention. For this purpose, height Z, length Y, and width X are introduced here. In particular in order to provide a compact container system 200, the following values are possible: 33 mmX37 mm and/or 77 mmY83 mm and/or 67 mmZ71 mm. In FIG. 4.d, the Z-axis extends perpendicularly to the sheet plane.

[0058] In particular to improve stability and/or handling, the upper surface 216 and side walls 217 and 218 are inclined with respect to the lower surface 215 of the container 200. Side wall 217 is inclined by an angle a1 with respect to the lower surface 215. An upper portion of side wall 218 is also inclined by the angle 1 relative to the lower surface 215. Preferably, 95 1 110. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis L of the receptacle area 214 is inclined relative to the lower surface 215 by an angle 2. Angle 2 is preferably 85>2>75.

[0059] The lower surface 215 of container 210 has a larger cross section than a central region of the container 210. In particular to this end, a step 219 is provided in side wall 218. Due to the laterally projecting step 219 the container 210 can be safely held by a user.

[0060] FIGS. 5.a and 5.b illustrate the container system 200 with inserted magazine 60 and injector 100. Container 210 is designed as an upright standing item. It stands stably. That is to say, with or without the injector 100 inserted, the center of gravity perpendicular of the container system will intersect with the bearing surface of the container system 200 and/or the bearing surface of the container 210. The container system with the injector inserted can for instance be provided on the operating table ready for use and stably. The magazine 60 together with the lens 90 may have already been contained in the closed container 210.

[0061] After opening of the container 210 the injector 100 was then introduced into the magazine (for this see FIGS. 6.a to 6.e). However, it is as well possible that the closed container 210 was initially provided without lens 90. The magazine 60 was then introduced into the opened container 210 together with the lens 90 and the injector 100, for being heated (for this see FIG. 7). FIGS. 5.a and 5.b illustrate a further advantage. In addition to the heating of the lens 90 to increase flexibility thereof, the needle 30 is also heated to the target temperature. The so enhanced flexibility of the needle 30 in turn contributes to an improvement in the surgical process by allowing for a smaller incision and facilitating the introduction of otherwise less flexible lenses 90. This may further be promoted by using slide-enhancing processes. The latter may be achieved by a coating or blooming process.

[0062] Finally, FIGS. 6.a to 7 again illustrate different configurations in which the container system 200 may be provided or operated.

[0063] First, FIGS. 6.a to 6.e show the introduction of an injector 100 into a container system 200 which is pre-loaded with a magazine 40. FIG. 6.a shows the container 210 with the lid 211 already peeled off. FIG. 6.b moreover illustrates the injector 100 which is inserted into the container 210 and the magazine 40 in the direction of the arrow. FIG. 6.c shows an enlarged view of the approached injector 100, shortly before connection. FIG. 6.d corresponds to FIG. 5.b and shows the injector 100 in the state connected to magazine 40. It can be seen that not only the magazine 40 is received in the receptacle area 214. A portion of the injector is also received in the receptacle area 214, here the needle 30 and/or the folding body 51, by way of example. FIG. 6.e illustrates retraction of the injector 100 now loaded with the magazine 40. This variant is particularly suitable for hydrophilic lenses, but also for hydrophobic lenses 90.

[0064] Finally, FIG. 7 illustrates an empty container system 200. In this case, the container 210 is not pre-loaded with a magazine 40. By contrast, the injector 100 is already loaded with a magazine 40 here. The so pre-loaded injector 100 is introduced into the container 210 with its front end, in the direction of the arrow, for heating the lens 90 stored the magazine 40. Container 210 may be empty or may be filled with a liquid 212, for example. In the latter case, the container 210 may have been filled with the liquid 212 already beforehand or may have been filled with the liquid 212 after having been opened. This variant is particularly suitable for hydrophobic lenses 90.

[0065] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments but may rather be modified in many ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0066] Features of individual embodiments may be combined with each other as well as with the features mentioned in the general part of the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0067] 10 Injector body, or injector housing, or housing, or handset [0068] 11 Handle on injector body [0069] 20 Slider, or plunger, or lens slider [0070] 21 Handle, or slider handle [0071] 30 Needle, or tube for insertion into the eye, or body for discharging the lens [0072] 31 Transport channel or advance channel [0073] 40 Magazine or container for storing the lens [0074] 50 Folding flap, or folding plate support, or flap [0075] 51 Folding body, or folding plate, or folding rib [0076] 60 Retainer, or retaining flap, or flap [0077] 90 Lens, or intraocular lens [0078] 100 Injector, or injector system, or applicator [0079] 100a Front end of injector [0080] 100b Rear end of injector [0081] 200 Container system [0082] 210 Container [0083] 211 Lid of container [0084] 212 Storage liquid [0085] 213 Engagement surface for container lid [0086] 214 Receptacle area for the magazine in the container and/or for a front portion of the injector [0087] 215 Lower surface of the container [0088] 216 Upper surface of the container [0089] 217 First, preferably flat side wall of the container [0090] 218 Second side wall of the container [0091] 219 Step or kink in second side wall [0092] 220 Heating device [0093] 221 Connection device for heating device