Inserter cap and related features

Abstract

A cap configured and dimensioned to sweep or fold one or more haptics when removed from an insertion device. The cap may further have a pin, one or more snaps and/or one or more locks. The cap may also have one or more ports and/or one or more windows. An insertion system having a handpiece, a cartridge, and a cap configured and dimensioned to sweep or fold one or more haptics when the cap is removed from the insertion system. The cap is configured and dimensioned to couple with the distal end of the cartridge.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . An intraocular lens insertion system, comprising:
 a handpiece having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the handpiece comprises a body, and further wherein the body comprises a slot that is parallel to the longitudinal axis near the distal end;   a cartridge comprising a delivery tube at a distal end, wherein the cartridge is configured and dimensioned to couple with the distal end of the handpiece;   a pushrod assembly, wherein the pushrod assembly includes a plunger, an end cap, a nut lock, and a pushrod, and further wherein the pushrod translates axially through an elongate passage defined within the handpiece;   a pin, wherein the pin is configured and dimensioned to couple with the slot and move along a distance within the slot;   a cap having a snap, wherein the cap is configured and dimensioned to couple with the distal end of the cartridge, and further wherein the snap is configured and dimensioned to couple with the pin; and   a holding station.   
     
     
         50 . The insertion system of  claim 49 , wherein the pushrod has a distal tip. 
     
     
         51 . The insertion system of  claim 50 , wherein a portion of the distal tip is flexible. 
     
     
         52 . The insertion system of  claim 50 , wherein the holding station houses an intraocular lens. 
     
     
         53 . The insertion system of  claim 52 , wherein the pushrod is configured to urge the intraocular lens from the holding station through the delivery tube. 
     
     
         54 . The insertion system of  claim 49 , wherein the holding station includes a base that forms a distal extension of a base portion of the handpiece. 
     
     
         55 . The insertion system of  claim 54 , wherein the holding station includes an upper half with a cover that abuts an upper body of the inserter. 
     
     
         56 . The insertion system of  claim 55 , wherein the holding station cover is connected to the holding station base via hinges. 
     
     
         57 . The insertion system of  claim 56 , wherein the holding station base includes bifurcated fingers that meet corresponding bifurcated fingers extending from the cover at the hinges. 
     
     
         58 . The insertion system of  claim 57 , wherein the bifurcated fingers form slots at the hinges to receive the delivery tube. 
     
     
         59 . The insertion system of  claim 49 , wherein the pin includes a top and a stem. 
     
     
         60 . The insertion system of  claim 59 , wherein the pin includes a leg such that the stem has an offset portion. 
     
     
         61 . The insertion system of  claim 59 , wherein the stem has a lock that mates with a haptic sweep slot of the holding station cover. 
     
     
         62 . The insertion system of  claim 61 , wherein when the cap is advanced distally, the pin slides along the haptic sweep slot and folds a haptic of the intraocular lens. 
     
     
         63 . The insertion system of  claim 62 , wherein when the pin slides to a distal end of the haptic sweep slot, further advancement of the cap causes the pin to lift from the haptic sweep slot. 
     
     
         64 . A pushrod assembly for an intraocular lens insertion system, comprising:
 a plunger, an end cap, a nut lock, and a pushrod, wherein the pushrod translates axially through an elongate passage defined within an inserter handpiece, wherein a distal end of the pushrod comprises a top jaw and a bottom jaw, and wherein the top jaw comprises a lip, and further wherein the lip is configured and dimensioned to help catch a haptic of an intraocular lens and keep the haptic folded.   
     
     
         65 . The pushrod assembly of  claim 64 , wherein the nut lock prevents the pushrod from moving proximally as the pushrod is rotated to move the intraocular lens distally. 
     
     
         66 . The pushrod assembly of  claim 65 , wherein the top jaw and bottom jaw are configured to push the haptic of the intraocular lens as the pushrod is advanced distally. 
     
     
         67 . The pushrod assembly of  claim 66 , wherein the pushrod comprises a cutout portion to accommodate the intraocular lens during insertion of the intraocular lens into an eye. 
     
     
         68 . A method for sweeping a haptic of an intraocular lens, comprising:
 providing an insertion system, a cap, and a pin, wherein the insertion system comprises an intraocular lens having a haptic, a cartridge comprising a delivery tube at a distal end and a handpiece having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end,
 wherein the handpiece comprises a body and the handpiece body comprises a slot near the distal end that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, 
 wherein the cartridge is configured and dimensioned to couple with the distal end of the handpiece, 
 wherein the cap includes a body having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end, and a locking mechanism, 
 wherein the cap body comprises a snap near the proximal end, and wherein the snap is configured and dimensioned to couple with the pin, 
 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first lock and a second lock, wherein the first lock is located on a first side and the second lock is located on a second side of the cap, 
 wherein the first side and the second side are on opposite sides of the cap, 
 wherein the pin comprises a top and a stem, and wherein the stem is configured and dimensioned to couple with the slot and is configured and dimensioned to move within the slot, 
 wherein the cap is coupled with a distal end of the insertion system; 
   deactivating the locking mechanism;   advancing the cap in a distal direction to move the pin coupled with the cap along the slot from a first position to a second position;
 wherein when the pin reaches a distal end of the slot, further advancement of the cap lifts the pin from the slot and removes the cap from the insertion system, thereby sweeping the haptic of the intraocular lens in a distal direction.