Capsular intraocular lens implant having a refractive liquid therein

Abstract

An intraocular lens having a light-transmitting optic ( 32, 94 a, 94 b, 142, 216 ) comprised of a synthetic light-refractive material ( 40, 102 ) operably coupled with a flexible optic positioning member ( 34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 210 ) to refract light onto the retina in order to correct refractive errors in the eye ( 10 ). The refractive material has an index of refraction of from about 1.36 to 1.5 or higher. The optic positioning member ( 34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 210 ) is constructed of a flexible synthetic resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate and permits focusing upon objects located near to and far from the viewer. The optic ( 32, 94 a, 94 b, 142, 216 ) of the present invention possess greater refractive capability than optics conventionally used in IOL construction, and permits retinal receipt of the image being viewed in order to correct refractive errors.

I claim:  
     
         1 . In an implantable intraocular lens including a light-transmitting optic and adapted for positioning within the capsule of a human eye as a replacement for the natural lens, the improvement which comprises an optic formed from resilient, shape-retaining synthetic material.  
     
     
         2 . The lens of  claim 1 , said material being substantially transparent.  
     
     
         3 . The lens of  claim 2 , said material having an index of refraction of at least about 1.36.  
     
     
         4 . The lens of  claim 1 , said material being formed of a biologically inert material.  
     
     
         5 . The lens of  claim 4 , said material comprising silicone.  
     
     
         6 . The lens of  claim 1 , said material being a gel.  
     
     
         7 . The lens of  claim 1 , said material having an elastic memory.  
     
     
         8 . The lens of  claim 1 , said lens further comprising a positioning member operably coupled with said optic and responsive to ciliary body movement in order to change the shape of said optic.  
     
     
         9 . The lens of  claim 8 , said positioning member comprising a main body including anterior and posterior segments, said optic being connected to either segment of said positioning member.  
     
     
         10 . The lens of  claim 9 , said lens further including a rigid optic surrounding said resilient optic, said rigid optic formed of synthetic resin material selected from the group consisting of the silicones, acrylates, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The lens of  claim 8 , said positioning member comprising spaced-apart anterior and posterior segments, said optic being connected to either segment of said positioning member.  
     
     
         12 . The lens of  claim 11 , said lens further including a rigid optic opposed to said resilient optic, said rigid optic formed of synthetic resin material selected from the group consisting of the silicones, acrylates, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The lens of  claim 12 , said optics being substantially between and captively retained by said segments.  
     
     
         14 . The lens of  claim 13 , said lens including an optic defining protrusion extending beyond adjacent outer edges of the margins of said anterior segment.  
     
     
         15 . The lens of  claim 14 , said rigid optic being supported by said posterior segment.  
     
     
         16 . The lens of  claim 8 , said positioning member being formed of a synthetic resin material.  
     
     
         17 . The lens of  claim 16 , said synthetic resin material comprising a biologically inert material.  
     
     
         18 . The lens of  claim 16 , said synthetic resin material comprising a material selected from the group consisting of the silicones, acrylates, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The lens of  claim 1 , said lens presenting opposing anterior and posterior optic surfaces.  
     
     
         20 . The lens of  claim 19 , said lens further including a positioning member operably coupled with said anterior and posterior segments, said positioning member comprising a pair of opposed arcuate sections, in cross-section, between the anterior and posterior optic surfaces.  
     
     
         21 . The lens of  claim 20 , said optic comprising an enclosed flexible bag with resilient fill material therein.  
     
     
         22 . The lens of  claim 21 , said material being substantially transparent.  
     
     
         23 . The lens of  claim 22 , said material having an index of refraction of at least about 1.36.  
     
     
         24 . The lens of  claim 21 , said material being formed of a biologically inert material.  
     
     
         25 . The lens of  claim 21 , said material being formed of a compound comprising silicone.  
     
     
         26 . The lens of  claim 21 , said material being a gel.  
     
     
         28 . The lens of  claim 21 , said material having an elastic memory.  
     
     
         29 . The lens of  claim 21 , said bag further comprising a fill aperture with a plug therein closing the aperture.  
     
     
         30 . The lens of  claim 1 , said lens having an equatorial diameter of from about 8 to 12 mm.  
     
     
         31 . The lens of  claim 1 , said lens having a polar height of from about 2 to 5 mm.  
     
     
         32 . The lens of  claim 1 , said lens having a diopter value of from about 16 to 26.  
     
     
         33 . An implantable intraocular lens comprising: 
 a resilient light-transmitting optic formed of a synthetic light-refractive material; and    a flexible positioning member coupled with the optic and operable, when the lens is placed within a human eye capsule, for changing the shape of said lens in response to ciliary body movement.    
     
     
         34 . The lens of  claim 33 , said material being substantially transparent.  
     
     
         35 . The lens of  claim 34 , said material having an index of refraction of at least about 1.36.  
     
     
         36 . The lens of  claim 33 , said material being formed of a biologically inert material.  
     
     
         37 . The lens of  claim 33 , said material being formed of a compound comprised of silicone.  
     
     
         38 . The lens of  claim 37 , said material being formed of a liquid.  
     
     
         39 . The lens of  claim 33 , said material being formed of a compound comprising hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         40 . The lens of  claim 39 , said material being formed of a liquid.  
     
     
         41 . The lens of  claim 37 , said material being formed of a gel.  
     
     
         42 . The lens of  claim 41 , said lens further comprising a fixed optic formed of synthetic resin material.  
     
     
         43 . The lens of  claim 39 , said liquid enveloped within a capsule having an anterior section and a posterior section.  
     
     
         44 . The lens of  claim 43 , each of said sections individually having a wall thickness of from about 0.0005 to 0.025 mm.