Haptics for accommodative intraocular lens system

Abstract

An open chamber, accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within the interior of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye. The present invention provides new haptic cross-sections, novel complex lens structures by introduction of the concept of a lens ledge, fixation of haptics to lenses at a lens ledge, structural solutions to provide customized fitted correction, and accordion structural solutions to ease the insertion of complex lenses into the capsular bag of the eye.

1 . An intraocular lens system, comprising:
 a first intraocular lens;   a second intraocular lens;   an intermediate intraocular lens; and   a first and a second flexible longitudinally elliptical haptic having ends connected to said first and said second intraocular lenses;   wherein a visual axis extends through said first and said second intraocular lenses and at said connections with said lenses said first and said second haptics are outwardly away from said visual axis of said lenses and are disposed longitudinally with said visual axis, which first and second haptics are configured to comprise an inner surface to accommodate the intermediate lens and are disposed to extend in a longitudinal cross-section, and wherein the first intraocular lens, the second intraocular lens, and the intermediate intraocular lens are configured to be co-axial, whereby motion of said first intraocular lens and said second intraocular lens with respect to each other along the visual axis changes the overall optical power of said intraocular lens system via ciliary muscles of the eye.   
     
     
         2 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the haptics is triangular, rectangular, square, circular, right triangular, arcuate pointed, or elongated arcuate pointed. 
     
     
         3 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first annular ledge surrounding the first lens. 
     
     
         4 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 3 , further comprising a second annular ledge surrounding the second lens. 
     
     
         5 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 1 , wherein the lens are fabricated from optical material with optical quality. 
     
     
         6 . An accommodative lens system for implantation in an eye, said lens system comprising:
 three lenses;   at least three longitudinally elliptical haptics connected to said three lenses, wherein the three lenses are configured to be co-axial, and wherein a visual axis extends through said lenses and each haptic extending from the lenses and at said connection with said three lenses said haptics are outwardly away from said visual axis of said lenses and are disposed longitudinally with said visual axis, which the haptics are disposed to extend in a generally elliptical curve in longitudinal cross-section, wherein the haptics permit axial motion of each lens along the visual axis for repositioning one lens with respect to the other lens, and the overall lens power of said system can be altered by altering the distance between said three lenses, wherein the posterior lens is immobile and is in proximity to a posterior section of a capsular bag within the eye.   
     
     
         7 . The lens system as described in  claim 6 , further comprising adjustment means, said adjustment means allowing changes in tension in the zonular of zinn to be transmitted to said lens system where said changes in tension can be translated into changes of the lens power of said lens system. 
     
     
         8 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 6 , wherein the lenses and the intermediate lens are fabricated from optical material with optical quality. 
     
     
         9 . An open, accommodative, intraocular lens system operable to be positioned within the interior of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye, said intraocular lens system comprising:
 a first anterior lens optic, operable to be positioned within an anterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye;   a second posterior lens optic, operable to be positioned within a posterior portion of an evacuated capsular bag of a human eye; and   at least three longitudinal haptics having an anterior part and a posterior part, each haptic connected to the first and second lenses, wherein the first lens and the second lens are configured to be co-axial, and wherein a visual axis extends through said first lens and said second lens, and at said connection with said first lens and said second lens said haptics are outwardly extending away from said visual axis of said lenses and are disposed longitudinally with said visual axis, which the haptics are configured to comprise an inner surface to accommodate the interior surface of an evacuated capsular bag; and   wherein said first lens optic and said second lens optic are coupled to move responsively to ciliary muscles in the eye in a direction toward and away from each other along the visual axis when the lens optics are in the eye.   
     
     
         10 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 9 , comprising at least four haptics. 
     
     
         11 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 9 , comprising at least five haptics. 
     
     
         12 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 9 , wherein said haptics are longitudinal when viewed in a direction normal to an anterior face of said first lens optic, said haptics extending outwardly from a periphery of the first lens optic and then angling towards said posterior lens. 
     
     
         13 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 9 , wherein the anterior part of said haptics is longer, narrower, and less resistant to bending than the posterior part of said haptics. 
     
     
         14 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 9 , wherein the posterior part of said haptics is thicker, shorter, is more resistance to bending than the anterior part of said haptics. 
     
     
         15 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 9 , wherein the anterior part of said haptics is attached to the anterior lens, and bends at the equator of said haptic to transfer movement of a ciliary muscle to the anterior lens. 
     
     
         16 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 9 , wherein the posterior part of said haptics attach to the posterior lens and keeps in the posterior lens in place in proximity to a posterior part of the capsular bag of the eye. 
     
     
         17 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 9 , wherein the lens are fabricated from optical material with optical quality. 
     
     
         18 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 11 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the haptics is triangular, rectangular, square, circular, right triangular, arcuate pointed, or elongated arcuate pointed. 
     
     
         19 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 11 , further comprising a first ledge surrounding the first lens. 
     
     
         20 . The intraocular lens system of  claim 19 , further comprising a second ledge surrounding the second lens.