Accommodating intraocular lenses

Abstract

An intraocular lens is disclosed, with an optic that changes shape in response to a deforming force exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic supports the optic around its equator and couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. Certain haptic features improve the accommodative performance of the haptic, such that compressive/tensile forces may be more efficiently transferred from the haptic to optic. Furthermore, certain aspects also provide enhanced bag-sizing capability so that the IOL better fits within the capsular bag.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intraocular lens for implantation into a capsular bag of an eye, comprising:
 an adjustable central optic having an axial thickness through the center thereof; and a haptic partly embedded within the adjustable optic comprised of a pair of axially spaced-apart and centered rings, and a plurality of plate-like legs radiating outward from each ring, one leg connected to each ring corresponding to a matching leg connected to the other ring and joined together at their outer ends, whereby the haptic is configured to transmit forces to alter at least one of the shape and the thickness of the adjustable optic.   
     
     
         2 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein there are at least three pairs of matching legs. 
     
     
         3 . The intraocular lens of  claim 2 , wherein the outer ends are configured in a convex outer curve that has an axial dimension greater than the spacing between the rings. 
     
     
         4 . The intraocular lens of  claim 3 , wherein the outer curve forms an arrowhead shape providing a capsular bag-filling outer profile to the haptic. 
     
     
         5 . An intraocular lens for implantation into a capsular bag of an eye, comprising:
 an adjustable central optic having an axial thickness through the center thereof; and a haptic partly embedded within the adjustable optic comprised of a centered ring on one side of the optic midplane and a plurality of legs extending outward therefrom in similar spirals, the legs having outermost convex curves and continuing radially inward on the opposite side of the optic midplane from the centered ring, whereby the haptic is configured to transmit forces to alter at least one of the shape and the thickness of the adjustable optic.   
     
     
         6 . The intraocular lens of claim of  claim 5 , wherein the legs are outwardly convex along their lengths to conform closely to a surrounding capsular bag. 
     
     
         7 . The intraocular lens of claim of  claim 5 , wherein the legs have a circumferential width that exceeds their radial thickness. 
     
     
         8 . The intraocular lens of claim of  claim 6 , wherein the legs have a circumferential width that exceeds their radial thickness. 
     
     
         9 . An intraocular lens for implantation into a capsular bag of an eye, comprising:
 an adjustable central optic having an axial thickness through the center thereof; and a haptic partly embedded within the adjustable optic comprised of a central vaulted portion including spokes each having a unitary outer end and axially spaced apart bifurcated inner ends, whereby the haptic is configured to transmit forces to alter at least one of the shape and the thickness of the adjustable optic.   
     
     
         10 . The intraocular lens of claim of  claim 9 , wherein the bifurcated inner ends of the spokes are connected in two axially spaced planes. 
     
     
         11 . The intraocular lens of  claim 9 , wherein the spokes have a circumferential width that exceeds their radial thickness. 
     
     
         12 . The intraocular lens of  claim 11 , wherein the circumferential width of the spokes gradually increases from their connection with the central plates outward to a maximum at their connection to the unitary outer ends. 
     
     
         13 . The intraocular lens of  claim 9 , wherein the outer ends are comprised of cylindrical rods or stubs that project radially outward from outer portions of the spokes. 
     
     
         14 . The intraocular lens of  claim 9 , wherein the outer ends outer ends are rounded. 
     
     
         15 . The intraocular lens of  claim 9 , wherein the central vaulted portion is conical. 
     
     
         16 . The intraocular lens of claim of  claim 15 , wherein the bifurcated inner ends of the spokes are connected in two axially spaced planes. 
     
     
         17 . The intraocular lens of  claim 15 , wherein the spokes have a circumferential width that exceeds their radial thickness. 
     
     
         18 . The intraocular lens of  claim 17 , wherein the circumferential width of the spokes gradually increases from their connection with the central plates outward to a maximum at their connection to the unitary outer ends. 
     
     
         19 . The intraocular lens of  claim 15 , wherein the outer ends are comprised of cylindrical rods or stubs that project radially outward from outer portions of the spokes. 
     
     
         20 . The intraocular lens of  claim 15 , wherein the outer ends outer ends are rounded. 
     
     
         21 . The intraocular lens of  claim 9 , wherein the central vaulted portion is comprised of central throughholes. 
     
     
         22 . The intraocular lens of claim of  claim 21 , wherein the bifurcated inner ends of the spokes are connected in two axially spaced planes. 
     
     
         23 . The intraocular lens of  claim 21 , wherein the spokes have a circumferential width that exceeds their radial thickness. 
     
     
         24 . The intraocular lens of  claim 23 , wherein the circumferential width of the spokes gradually increases from their connection with the central plates outward to a maximum at their connection to the unitary outer ends. 
     
     
         25 . The intraocular lens of  claim 21 , wherein the outer ends are comprised of cylindrical rods or stubs that project radially outward from outer portions of the spokes. 
     
     
         26 . The intraocular lens of  claim 21 , wherein the outer ends outer ends are rounded. 
     
     
         27 . An intraocular lens for implantation into a capsular bag of an eye, comprising:
 an adjustable central optic having an axial thickness through the center thereof; and a haptic partly embedded within the adjustable optic comprised of a centered ring and a plurality of legs radiating outward therefrom, each leg having an outer end capped with a flap-like appendage that extends generally axially in at least one direction from the outer end of the respective leg, whereby the haptic is configured to transmit forces to alter at least one of the shape and the thickness of the adjustable optic.   
     
     
         28 . The intraocular lens of  claim 27 , wherein the appendages are comprised of a rounded or convex outer surface and an arcuate free edge at its axial extent. 
     
     
         29 . The intraocular lens of  claim 27 , wherein the legs are wedge-shaped with narrower inner ends at the inner ring and wider outer ends at the peripheral ring. 
     
     
         30 . The intraocular lens of  claim 27 , wherein the inner ring is comprised of cuts, spaces, or slots to assist in reducing the resistance of movement of the ring to radial pressure from the bag. 
     
     
         31 . The intraocular lens of  claim 27 , wherein the appendages are cantilevered from the legs. 
     
     
         32 . An intraocular lens for implantation into a capsular bag of an eye, comprising:
 an adjustable central optic having an axial thickness through the center thereof; and   a haptic partly embedded within the adjustable optic having a centered ring and a plurality of legs radiating outward therefrom, each leg having an outer end that terminates in an annular tip lying generally parallel to the centered ring, whereby the haptic is configured to transmit forces to alter at least one of the shape and the thickness of the adjustable optic.   
     
     
         33 . The intraocular lens of  claim 32 , wherein the annular tips are connected by a peripheral ring. 
     
     
         34 . The intraocular lens of  claim 33 , wherein the ring is comprised of bowed out sections between the legs. 
     
     
         35 . An intraocular lens for implantation into a capsular bag of an eye, comprising:
 an adjustable central optic having an axial thickness through the center thereof; and a haptic partly embedded within the adjustable optic having a centered ring and a plurality of legs radiating outward therefrom, each leg having a rounded cross-section and outer ends connected by a peripheral ring; whereby the haptic is configured to transmit forces to alter at least one of the shape and the thickness of the adjustable optic.   
     
     
         36 . The intraocular lens of  claim 35 , wherein the peripheral ring has an undulating circumferential profile with inward bows between the legs.