Device for receiving an interocular lens and method for folding an interocular lens

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for receiving an intraocular lens and a method for folding an intraocular lens. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Nowadays, artificial lenses, so-called intraocular lenses, are routinely inserted into the capsular bag of the eye during cataract surgery.

[0003] During the operation, an ocular incision of typically 2 to 4 mm is made, through which the natural lens of the eye is first removed and then the implant is inserted. For insertion, the artificial lens, in its folded state, is inserted through the incision into the capsular bag. Once the folded lens is in the capsular bag, it unfolds back into its original shape.

[0004] Modern artificial lenses consist of an optical lens body and typically two or more haptics projecting peripherally from it, perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens body. These haptics act as position springs for the lens body within the capsular bag. For example, two haptics positioned opposite each other on the lens body may project in a spiral direction, spun outwards from the lens body in the same direction. This most common haptic configuration worldwide is known in the field as an open c-loop haptic.

[0005] Improved surgical instruments and implants allow surgeons to make increasingly smaller incisions. The removal of the natural lens can now be performed through incisions of less than 2 mm. However, this only makes sense if the intratrackular lens can also be inserted through such a small incision.

[0006] In recent years, lens carriers or cartridges have been developed for the insertion of an intraocular lens, into which a lens can be loaded and then ejected from the lens carrier by means of an injector.

[0007] Examples of such lens carriers or cartridges and injectors are known, for example, from patents US 6,267,768, US 5,810,833, US 6,283,975, US 6,248,111, US 4,681,102, US 5,582,614, US 5,499,987, US 5,947,975, US 6,355,046 and EP 1,290,990 B1, as well as disclosures US 2004 / 0199174 A1, EP 1,905,386 A1 and WO 03 / 045285 A1.

[0008] In the injector device according to US 4,681,102, the cartridge, which is designed as a folding device for the lens, and the injector nozzle are separate parts. The cartridge can be inserted into the injector housing, after which the injector nozzle can be screwed onto the injector housing.

[0009] In the injector device according to US 5582614 and most of the previously known injector devices, such as US 6,267,768, US 5,810,833, US 6,283,975 and US 6,248,111, the cartridge consists of a folding device and an injector nozzle in one piece.

[0010] Intraocular lenses are sterilized and packaged by the manufacturer and may be supplied in a liquid bath. Depending on the lens material, storage in a liquid may be necessary to protect the lens from drying out. During the operation, the lens must be removed from the sterile area of the packaging and inserted or loaded into the loading device of an injector or directly into an injector with a supplied cartridge. The lenses are very sensitive structures that can be easily damaged when being transferred into a cartridge, when being folded or when being ejected from the injector nozzle. The risk of damage is particularly high for the haptics, which surround the optical part of the lens.In particular, when ejecting the lens from the injector, there is a risk that one of the two haptics will be jammed and consequently torn off, or that the anterior haptic will advance ahead of the lens body and spread prematurely in the eye, which can be problematic, as shown below.

[0011] A common cartridge construction, as shown in EP 1 290 990 B1, WO 03 / 045285 A1, EP 1 905 386 A1, US 5 582 614 and US 5 499 987, has two half - shells connected by a single hinge, with or without grooves or holding means for gripping the lens edges.

[0012] For example, disclosure WO 03 / 045285 A1 discloses a method for introducing an intraocular lens into the capsular bag of the eye, in which overpressure is generated to expel a lens suspended in a lubricant from the injector nozzle. A compressible and deformable piston continuously adapts to the anteriorly narrowing nozzle channel. The lens is further folded along its path and has a very small diameter at the end. Due to the deformability of the piston, the end of the nozzle channel can be kept very narrow, consequently requiring only a very small incision. A set for carrying out the method includes a lens carrier and a lens.The lens is held in a tension-free state within the lens carrier. The lens and lens carrier are preferably supported by a holder and, until use, are sterilely packaged in a container. In the case of a hydrophilic lens, this container contains a liquid that protects the lens from drying out. During the procedure, the lens carrier, along with the lens it contains, is removed from the container, inserted into the injector, and folded. A lubricating fluid is then injected through the channel. The lens can now be injected into the capsular bag of the eye being treated.

[0013] In general, prior art distinguishes between systems for pre-folded lenses and systems for non-pre-folded lenses. In systems without pre-folded lenses, the lenses are folded for injection only during the impact process. An example of such a system without pre-folded lenses is disclosed in US patent 8,668,734 B2. This system uses a cartridge consisting of two molded halves into which the lens is inserted when the molded half is open. This system also provides a recess for the posterior haptic laterally to the direction of impact of the piston, while the anterior haptic is located distally. However, systems are particularly common in which the lens is loaded from the rear, still undeformed or unfolded, into a loading chamber (as shown, for example, in US patent 5,810,833). The posterior opening into which the lens is inserted is at least as wide and high as the lens itself.If a piston with a deformable tip (usually made of silicone or TPE) is used, this piston tip must occupy the entire volume of the rear opening to avoid the risk of overriding and pinching the rear of the two haptics. This large volume of the deformable piston tip results in high system forces when the piston is advanced to the maximum tapered area of ​​the cartridge tip. The resulting forces can even be greater than those caused by the lens itself. Furthermore, the expandability or compressibility of the voluminous piston tip limits the minimum required inner diameter of the front nozzle tip. For this reason, systems in which the lenses are folded or pre-folded before the impact process are still frequently used today. For this purpose, winged cartridges (such as...) are particularly suitable.(disclosed in US 6,267,768, US 6,248,111, US 5,947,975 or US 4,681,102) are used, which always consist of at least two initially open half-shells. The lens is pre-folded when the at least two half-shells are closed and is present in the loading chamber in a pre-folded state. Pre-folding the lens, including its haptics, by closing the wing cartridge reduces the internal volume of the closed wing cartridge to almost half, thus enabling the use of smaller deformable piston tips. With the same inner diameter of the cartridge tip, these smaller tips result in lower incision forces, or conversely, with the same incision force, allow the use of smaller cartridge inner diameters and thus smaller incisions. The disadvantage of these lens pre-folding systems is that, in particular, the lens haptics, and in the worst case even the optics themselves, can be trapped between the two wings of the cartridge when they are closed.Trapped haptics usually tear off when the lens is advanced further, resulting in total damage to the lens.

[0014] Disclosures WO 2015 / 070358 A2 and CH 709039 A1 describe winged cartridges for receiving an intraocular lens in a loading chamber. The winged cartridge consists of a first and a second half-shell, each half-shell having a wing handle along its longitudinal side. The two half-shells are articulated to each other via a first joint on their respective wingless longitudinal sides and can be moved relative to each other from an open to a closed position by means of this first joint. In the closed position, the two half-shells form an ejection channel for an intraocular lens. The disclosure further describes how an anterior c-loop haptic is pre-folded by pressing the anterior haptic, which is blocked by a stopper on the nozzle side, against the optics by advancing the plunger and indirectly via the advancement of the lens.This prevents the anterior haptic from being injected into the eye in an extended form. Initially, the haptic forms an arc; the longer the haptic, the more this arc is compressed as it is advanced through the nozzle. Depending on the haptic design, this can lead to the haptic being "folded" in the middle of its length, resulting in a folded, but still lengthwise, haptic entering the eye. This folding can mean the haptic remains half its original length, which surgeons may find problematic due to the risk of capsular bag damage.

[0015] With hydrophilic lenses, there is also the problem that the anterior haptic, when pressed against the optic only on the nozzle side within a winged cartridge, unfolds very quickly in the eye, even before the optic itself enters the eye. This results in the unfavorable situation of the haptic entering the eye in a stretched position. The lens body following the haptic follows its movement and can therefore potentially rotate 180° upon entry into the eye (top side down and bottom side up). This is very disruptive for the surgeon, as they must rotate the lens within the eye in the limited space available for correction.

[0016] In the two aforementioned situations, it would be desirable for the front haptic not only to be pressed against the optics on the nozzle side, but rather to lie on the optics in such a way that, during folding or further folding of the optics, the haptic is grasped or enclosed by their edges and can only unfold once the optics unfold in the eye after injection, thereby releasing the front haptic. Such folding is also referred to as sandwich folding. It is the most typical form of haptic folding in all cartridges that function without pre-folding (and therefore without wings), where folding occurs only and exclusively during insertion by the internal geometry of the cartridge. WO 2014 / 74860 A1 and EP 2,916,769 B1 describe a typical embodiment of such a cartridge without pre-folding.The front haptic is placed onto the optic by the operator (surgical nurse or surgeon) via the small slot at the rear end of the cartridge when inserting the lens into the cartridge. This method of user-loading a lens is referred to as a non-preloaded injector, regardless of the injector system. Preloaded lenses, on the other hand, are those lenses that have already been placed in the injector's loading chamber by the lens manufacturer and sterilized along with it. A cartridge conforming to WO 2014 / 074860 A1 can only be used for non-preloaded lenses, as the lens and haptic must remain in a relaxed position in the loading chamber for the entire product lifespan. WO 2014 / 074860, however, requires the end user (surgical nurse or surgeon) to actively thread the front haptic through the slot at the cartridge end.Similarly, patent application US 2009 / 0270876 shows a closed cartridge that is loaded from the rear. Here too, active operation and loading by the end user is required. Relaxed pre-loading is not possible.

[0017] With a pre-folded system (i.e., a winged cartridge), it has been extremely difficult to position the haptic on the optics in such a way as to achieve a sandwich fold, meaning the haptic is clamped in such a way that it can only detach from the optics once inside the eye. This is because, during the pre-folding step, both the optics and the haptic are folded into a U-shape. Consequently, even as the lens is advanced, the front haptic does not reach the top of the lens optics in a controlled and reproducible manner, but is usually only pressed against the optics. Furthermore, with winged cartridges, the risk of the front haptic becoming trapped between the wings when the loading chamber is closed increases significantly, even if the haptic was previously successfully positioned on the optics.

[0018] In German patent application 3562 / CHE / 2014 (Indian patent application under examination entitled "Leading Haptic Positioner for Preloaded IOL Delivery System" by RD Thularsiraj), a sandwich folding method using a preloaded system is presented. This sandwich folding process for a preloaded system works by manually placing the haptic onto the optic using a manually movable hook or slider inserted through the nozzle tip into the loading chamber. Once the loading chamber flaps are closed, the hook is withdrawn.

[0019] Disadvantages of this method include the requirement of at least two additional components, which increases the system's cost. Furthermore, the process of advancing and subsequently withdrawing the slide inevitably creates two additional steps for the physician. Since preloaded systems are often compared based on the number of preparation steps required, this, combined with the additional costs, represents a competitive disadvantage.

[0020] Another disadvantage of this concept is that this approach is only suitable for fully preloaded lenses (usually hydrophobic lenses). It is not applicable to so-called semi-preloaded lenses (usually hydrophilic lenses). In the latter case, while the lens is preloaded in the loading chamber, the loading chamber itself is stored separately from the rest of the injector in liquid. Because the slider is located in the nozzle, the hook at the end of the slider cannot be positioned in contact with the separately stored lens in the loading chamber. When the loading chamber is removed from the storage liquid and inserted into the injector, the hook must be retracted far enough by the slider so that it does not obstruct the insertion of the loading chamber into the injector. Due to the small size of the components, it is difficult to ensure that a hook retracted far enough can precisely grip and position the lens.This problem does not exist with fully pre-loaded lenses, as the haptic feedback is usually already attached (positioned) to the hook at the factory.

[0021] Another disadvantage of this concept is that the hook must be inserted through the nozzle; therefore, the maximum size of the hook and slider is limited by the size of the nozzle at its tip. With very small incisions, the inner diameter of the tip can range from 1 mm to 1.5 mm, resulting in very delicate hook and slider geometries. The more intricate the system, the more difficult it becomes to create a reliable system that accurately captures and positions the haptic. TASK

[0022] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative device or system for preloaded intraocular lenses in which the anterior haptic does not protrude or extend when ejected from the injector nozzle or injected into an eye. In particular, it would be desirable to securely and reproducibly position the anterior haptic of lenses, especially c-loop lenses, onto the optics for injection into an eye, particularly in such a way that the anterior haptic does not protrude or extend during injection but is instead clamped within the lens. A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative device or system that, when injecting a lens into an eye, keeps the anterior haptic attached to the optics for as long as possible, so that the haptic only unfolds from the optics once the lens is inside the eye, and preferably only when the optics unfold.This task should preferably be solved in such a way that no additional parts, costs, or application steps are involved. The system or device should be suitable for both fully preloaded and semi-preloaded lenses. Furthermore, the system should function in conjunction with vane cartridges, particularly vane loading chambers that can be inserted into injector housings.

[0023] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a device for the simple loading of an intraocular lens, which avoids the disadvantages of the known systems and methods described. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device that folds an intraocular lens without damaging it during folding and / or injection. Furthermore, the device is to be optimized with regard to the manipulation steps required to prepare the lens and injector. In particular, as few manipulation steps as possible should be required after delivery of the lens and injector, or immediately before the surgical procedure.Furthermore, a device should be provided that requires as few additional components as possible, ideally no additional components at all, compared to existing injectors, thus fulfilling the aforementioned goal without incurring additional costs. Another goal is to create a device that requires only small incisions in the eye during application. SUMMARY THE INVENTION

[0024] The invention is defined in the claims.

[0025] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a device, in particular a loading device, for receiving an intraocular lens with a lens body and at least one haptic. The device comprises a first half-shell and a second half-shell, which are articulated to one another at one of their longitudinal sides by a first joint and can be moved relative to each other from an open position to a closed position, wherein in the open position the half-shells form an open chamber for positioning or storing the lens (in particular for positioning or storing the lens in a relaxed state), and wherein in the closed position the half-shells form an enclosed chamber (in particular a cylindrical one, on the outer surface) for positioning or storing the lens (in particular for positioning or storing the lens in a folded state) and for ejecting the lens along the longitudinal extent of the half-shells.The device is advantageously characterized in that at least one of the half-shells has a recess formed which is open at least from the inside of the half-shell and which is suitable for receiving a front haptic of the lens in the closed position of the half-shells.

[0026] The invention offers the advantage that the reservoir ensures that the anterior haptic of a preloaded lens with c-loop haptics is positioned securely and reproducibly on the optics in the loading chamber, particularly when using a loading chamber consisting of two hinged half-shells, especially in a sandwich configuration, so that the haptic can only unfold once the optics unfold in the eye. In particular, when injecting a lens into an eye, the anterior haptic can only detach from the optics, i.e., the lens body, once the optics begin to unfold.

[0027] The advantageous design features listed below, either alone or in combination with each other, lead to further improvements of the device according to the invention and its application.

[0028] It is advantageous that the recess in the closed position of the half-shells forms an area, in particular a secondary space, which is arranged longitudinally to the enclosed chamber and is expediently designed in such a way that the front haptic of the lens can be accommodated in it, while the optics of the lens are positioned in the enclosed chamber.

[0029] It is advantageous that each half-shell is equipped with at least one sliding rail, wherein the at least one sliding rail is suitable for guiding the lens body and optionally the end of the rear haptic. This ensures a more reliable determination of the position of the lens body, i.e., the optics, within the device. The sliding rail serves, in particular, to guide the ejection of the lens from the enclosed chamber or from an injector.

[0030] It is particularly advantageous that at least one of the half-shells, preferably the second half-shell, is equipped with a support for the anterior haptic, wherein the support is suitable for guiding the anterior haptic, in particular the free end of the anterior haptic. During loading or storage, the free end of the anterior haptic can be placed on the support in a substantially relaxed state. This support for guiding the anterior haptic is preferably arranged parallel to the guide rail(s) for guiding the lens body, the guide rails preferably being located deeper in the open chamber than the support for guiding the anterior haptic. The support for the anterior haptic can be designed as a rim projecting into the open chamber on the longitudinal edge of the second half-shell. The support is preferably arranged parallel to the guide rail(s).The continuous guide structure is arranged along the sliding rails. A front haptic resting on the support is thus not in a coplanar plane with the optics in the open chamber, but rather elevated relative to the plane in which the optics lie. The support can alternatively be interrupted and / or, if necessary, designed as a separate bracket on a side of the device near the nozzle. In particular, the support can be recessed on the side near the nozzle such that the front haptic, when resting on the support, is coplanar with respect to the optics.

[0031] The support and the recess are appropriately designed and interact in such a way that when closing from the open position to the closed position of the half-shells, the front haptic (43) extends increasingly further over the support and out of the forming closed chamber in order to lie in the recess when closed.

[0032] Advantageously, the chamber enclosed in the closed position of the half-shells essentially forms a channel, in particular a loading channel or an ejection channel. The enclosed chamber essentially forms a cylindrical channel, the outer surface of which is essentially defined by the half-shells, with the aforementioned recess forming an opening in the outer surface. The recess for receiving the front haptic of the lens preferably forms a lateral opening in the channel extending to the end face of the channel, in which the front haptic of the lens can be received.

[0033] It is advantageous that wings are arranged on a second longitudinal side of each of the two half-shells, in particular on the respective longitudinal edge of the half-shells, so that the half-shells can be moved from an open position to a closed position by means of the wings and by rotation about the joint relative to each other, wherein preferably the recess continues at least in one of the wings.

[0034] Preferably, the recess is designed so that the haptic feedback is not significantly compressed or blocked when the sash slides into the recess during the closing of the sash halves. It is advantageous for the recess to be located on the inside of the sash and preferably such that, when the sash halves are closed, the recess is substantially adapted to the dimensions of the haptic feedback.

[0035] It is further advantageous that the recess is designed such that it is formed by two essentially parallel surfaces (in particular the inner surfaces of the two wings), wherein said parallel surfaces (preferably formed essentially by the wings) have a mutual distance in the closed position of the half-shells that is at least equal to or exceeds the thickness (or diameter) of the haptic element and preferably does not exceed five times, or more preferably twice, the thickness of the haptic element. Preferably, the recess between the essentially parallel surfaces is designed to be at least wide and deep enough that the haptic element, when sliding into the recess, is essentially not compressed, clamped, or blocked in the space defined in width and depth.

[0036] Optionally, a pivotable cover element can be arranged longitudinally on the first of the two half-shells, which covers the open chamber in the open position of the half-shells and is essentially positioned outside the enclosed chamber in the closed position of the half-shells.

[0037] Optionally, a closure, in particular a snap closure, can be provided on the wings.

[0038] Optionally, one of the half-shells can be provided with a plug-in device for insertion into a receiving opening of an injector housing. Preferably, the plug-in device is provided on the second half-shell.

[0039] The device can be a single piece. From a manufacturing perspective, it is advantageous if the device is a single piece and preferably made of plastic. Injection molding can be used in this case.

[0040] The device can advantageously be designed as a cartridge for insertion into an injector, in particular into an injector housing. Advantageously, the device according to the invention can be an integrated part of an injector.

[0041] Furthermore, an injector with an injector housing and a plunger longitudinally displaceable in the injector housing for use with a device designed as a cartridge as described above is disclosed herein.

[0042] Further disclosed is an injector with an injector housing comprising a charging device, a nozzle positioned upstream of the charging device, and a plunger longitudinally displaceable within the injector housing towards the nozzle. The charging device is equipped with a chamber which can be pierced by the plunger for the purpose of ejecting a lens. The charging device can be designed as described above, in particular with foldable half-shells. Advantageously, the injector is characterized by the fact that, at least in the closed position of the half-shells, a folding edge is formed or provided on the nozzle side of the half-shells. When the lens is advanced, this folding edge presses or folds the front haptic into the folded lens, in particular between the legs (or leg lobes) of the folded lens body. The folding edge defines the recess towards the nozzle.

[0043] The folding edge is preferably provided between the charging device and the nozzle inlet of a nozzle, and in particular between the recess of the charging device and the adjacent nozzle inlet. For example, the folding edge is formed at the nozzle inlet, advantageously where the nozzle inlet of a nozzle adjoins the charging device and, in particular, the recess of the charging device. Alternatively, instead of being formed at the nozzle inlet, the folding edge could be molded onto at least one of the nozzle halves or onto the housing, so that it is formed between the charging device and the nozzle. In embodiments where the nozzle and charging device are formed as a single unit, the folding edge is advantageously located between the nozzle area and the charging area.

[0044] It is advantageous that, in the closed position of the half-shells, the folding edge is positioned on the nozzle side in such a way that, when the lens is pushed forward, the front haptic is folded or pressed into the folded lens, in particular between the legs of the folded lens body.

[0045] Furthermore, a method for folding an intraocular lens is revealed, comprising the following steps: Providing a loading platform with a front, nozzle-adjacent area and a rear, nozzle-distant area, which is defined at least by a first half-shell and a second half-shell, wherein the two half-shells are articulated to each other via a first hinge; applying (in particular placing or sliding) a lens onto the loading platform by bringing the lens body of the lens onto the loading platform such that, with respect to the lens body, a front haptic of the lens is positioned in the front, nozzle-adjacent area of ​​the loading platform; joining the two half-shells via the first hinge by bringing the two half-shells towards each other by rotation about the first hinge (i.e., in particular, folding the wings together), whereby the lens body is folded approximately in the middle, so that a lens body that is initially essentially lenticular in its relaxed state is pressed into a shape with two legs folded against each other.According to the invention, the method is characterized in that, during folding of the optical lens body, the front haptic escapes from the space enclosed around the lens body between the half-shells, by the free end of the haptic sliding into a recess provided for this purpose in at least one of the half-shells.

[0046] The advantage is that the space created between the closing half-shells is essentially cylindrical, and the recess is designed in such a way that the haptic feedback can escape from the space on the cylindrical side.

[0047] The advantage is that the lens is oriented on the loading surface in such a way that the front haptic of the lens lies above the joint in such a way that the attachment of the haptic, which connects the haptic to the optical lens body, is positioned above the first half-shell and the end of the haptic is positioned above the second half-shell.

[0048] An advantage is that the lens can be inserted into the cavity in a stress-free state. This means that the lens can be placed into the device (especially by hand) without any externally applied mechanical stress, in particular without bending or folding the lens.

[0049] Ideally, the lens – especially after being inserted by hand – should rest on the inner surfaces of the two halves. This means that the lens makes contact at least at one point on the inner surface of each half.

[0050] It is advantageous for each half-shell to be equipped with a support, e.g. designed as sliding rails.

[0051] Advantageously, the optical lens body is enclosed at its edges by the two hemispheres and is folded together with the hemispheres, especially in approximately the same direction.

[0052] Preferably, the process step for joining the two half-shells includes bringing them together until the two longitudinal edges of the two half-shells abut each other (where a lid element - if present - is clamped in place),

[0053] According to the invention, the optics and optional rear haptic lower when the loading chamber is closed, while the front haptic is guided into the recess.

[0054] Furthermore, a method for folding an intraocular lens and ejecting the lens through an injection nozzle is disclosed, comprising the steps: Folding the lens, preferably according to the aforementioned method, whereby the lens body is folded approximately in the middle, so that a lens body initially essentially lens-shaped in its relaxed state is pressed into a shape with two legs folded against each other; pushing the folded optical lens body towards the injection nozzle, whereby the folded lens is increasingly compressed by an increasing narrowing in the direction of the injection nozzle. The folding and ejection method is characterized in particular by the fact that, during the pushing towards the injection nozzle, the anterior haptic initially positioned in the recess is pulled along and clamped in a gap between the legs of the folded lens body, which narrows further with increasing advancement. Advantageously, the anterior haptic is pulled out of the recess over an edge, so that the anterior haptic (in particular, thedue to the pressure applied to it) is clamped between the legs of the folded lens body (41).

[0055] The device according to the invention can be used in applications with relatively small incisions (especially incisions with a diameter of less than 2.5 mm, preferably less than 2.2 mm, more preferably less than 2 mm, and more preferably less than 1.5 mm) on the eye. This is possible because the device according to the invention has a jacket-like, and thus (longitudinally) closed, loading chamber for an injected, folded lens. The lens is pre-folded within this chamber to a particularly small cross-sectional diameter and can be injected using a narrow cannula and through a particularly small incision, as described. The device is particularly advantageously used with a deformable plunger, especially a silicone plunger (e.g., according to patent WO 03 / 045285 A1).

[0056] Additional advantages and objectives of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0057] Further preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. These show schematic representations, not to scale: Figure 1: An oblique view of the charging device according to the invention in the open position with an intraocular lens inserted; Figure 2: A front view of the charging device according to the invention in the open position with an intraocular lens inserted; Figure 3: A front view of the charging device according to the invention in the closed position; Figure 4: A front view of the charging device according to the invention in the closed position with an intraocular lens inserted; Figure 5: An oblique view of the charging device according to the invention in the closed position; Figure 6: An oblique view of an alternative charging device according to the invention in the open position with an intraocular lens inserted; Figure 7: An oblique view of an injector with nozzle and charging device according to the invention inserted in the closed position;Figure 8: an oblique view of an arrangement of the charging device according to the invention in a closed position with a nozzle part positioned in front (as shown in ; Fig. 7 (in the injector with inserted charging device or integrated charging chamber); Figure 9: a longitudinal section through an arrangement of the charging device according to the invention in the closed position with upstream nozzle part DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0058] In the following, the same reference numbers represent identical or functionally equivalent elements (in different figures).

[0059] In the Figs. 1-5 The device according to the invention is shown in the form of a cartridge 3 that can be inserted into an injector housing 1. Alternatively, the device according to the invention can be part of an injector or be permanently integrated or formed in the injector.

[0060] In Fig. 7 An injector with cartridge 3 inserted is shown.

[0061] In Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows an arrangement of a cartridge 3 and a nozzle 11, as found in an injector.

[0062] An injector is a surgical instrument with a sleeve-like housing 1 and a plunger 9 that is axially movable within the housing ( Fig. 7), wherein the plunger 9 can be advanced towards a nozzle 11, which is formed at the dorsal end of the injector housing 1 and is thus located upstream of the plunger 9. Preferably, an elastic piston 10 is mounted on the plunger 9. A recess is preferably provided in the casing of the housing 1, into which a lens carrier, i.e., in particular the cartridge 3 described herein, can be loaded such that the plunger 9 can be pushed through it when advanced. The cartridge 3 connects essentially behind the nozzle 11. Alternatively, an injector housing could be equipped with an integrated loading chamber, wherein the integrated loading chamber would be designed in a form essentially similar to the cartridge presented here, being inserted into the housing. The lens carrier or the cartridge 3 has a preferably cylindrical loading channel 39 ( Fig. 3-5), to which the injector nozzle 11 (distal end of the lens carrier) is axially connected, tapering towards the tip ( Fig. 8 The lens carrier or cartridge 3 is positioned and held in the injector housing 1 such that the plunger 9 is aligned with the charging channel. The plunger 9 can be advanced by manually pushing it at the plunger end 81. As the plunger 9 is advanced, it enters the charging channel 39 and pushes a lens carrier stored therein out through the injector nozzle 11, for example, to be injected into an eye.

[0063] Cartridge 3 has a front end (i.e., near the nozzle) 5 and a rear end (i.e., farther from the nozzle) 7. Fig. 1 , 7 and 8 When inserted into an injector housing 1, the plunger 9 can be pushed from the rear end 7 into and through the cartridge 3 towards the front end 5 of the cartridge 3 and further into the injection nozzle 11.

[0064] In Fig. 1Shown is a charging device according to the invention, which is advantageously designed as an insertable cartridge 3 that can be inserted into an injector, as shown in Fig. 7The cartridge 3 comprises two half-shells 13 and 15, which are articulated to each other via a first joint 29. The two half-shells 13 and 15 are designed in a cylindrical segment shape and are articulated to each other longitudinally. The two articulated half-shells 13 and 15 together form a double half-shell. Each half-shell 13, 15 has an open half-channel on its inner side with an inner surface 17 or 19. The inner surfaces 17 and 19 together form a loading surface. The loading surface 17, 19 is bounded longitudinally by a first rim 21, which is formed on the first half-shell 13, and a second rim 23, which is formed on the second half-shell 15. Each half-shell 13, 15 has the rim 21 or the rim 23 on the side furthest from the first joint 29. Advantageously, a wing 25, 27 is arranged on each edge 21, 23.The half-shells 13 and 15 are connected longitudinally via the first joint 29, which is expediently designed, for example, as a hinge or film hinge. The two half-shells 13 and 15 are thus aligned such that the inner surfaces 17 and 19 of the two half-shells 13 and 15 lie next to each other, in particular abutting each other laterally in a longitudinal direction (or merging into one another via the first joint 29) and forming a common loading surface 17, 19. "Longitudinally" or "longitudinally" here means in alignment along the extension or orientation of the half-channels. Due to the joint 29, the cartridge 3 can be moved from an open position to a closed position. In the open position ( Fig. 1 and 2The two hemispheres 13 and 15 form a kind of platform 17, 19 onto which an intraocular lens can be placed and on which the lens can be stored without tension, if necessary. When the cartridge 3 is closed, the longitudinal edges 21 and 23 of the two hemispheres 13 and 15 approach each other, and an intraocular lens resting on the platform 17, 19 is thereby captured and folded. In the closed position ( Fig. 3, 4 and 5 ) the two hemispheres 13 and 15 together form an essentially mantle-side closed channel, i.e. the aforementioned loading channel 39, which serves to keep the lens in a folded state ready for injection into an eye.

[0065] Intraocular lenses essentially consist of an optical lens body 41 (also called optics) and one or more haptics 43, 44, preferably a first and a second haptic 43, 44 ( Fig. 1), which in their most common embodiment project spirally (in particular, in a uniformly spiral direction) from the periphery of the lens body 41 in the lens plane and are resiliently designed. The haptic area connecting a haptic to the optic 41 can be referred to as a haptic attachment, e.g., 93. The free end 95 of the haptic can be referred to as the haptic end or tip. The lens rests on the loading surface 17, 19 in the open position of the hemispheres 13, 15 such that the first haptic 43 (including attachment 93 and tip 95) is positioned towards the nozzle with respect to the lens body 41 (hereinafter referred to as the "front haptic"), while the second haptic 44 (hereinafter referred to as the "rear haptic") is positioned further away from the nozzle.

[0066] To accommodate the front haptic element 43, the edge 21 extending longitudinally along the half-shell 13 is offset or lowered in a partial area 21' along its longitudinal extent, or in other words, forms an offset, so that when the half-shells 13, 15 are closed, the inner surface 17 of the first half-shell 13 has a recess (or opening) 90 in the channel wall, defined by the edges 21, 21' and 23. The offset can extend into the wing surface, for example, so that the wing thickness is reduced below the offset. Thus, in the closed position of the half-shells 13, 15, i.e., when the edges 21 and 23 or the wings 25 and 27 are closest to each other or, if applicable, substantially touching, a recess 91 is formed laterally on the loading channel 39, extending from the edges 21', 23 between the wings 25, 27. The indentation 90 orThe recess 91 is designed such that the front haptic 43 can escape from the resulting loading channel 39 when the lens body 41 is folded. The aforementioned offset, and thus the resulting indentation 90 or the resulting recess 91 in the closed position, are advantageously located on the nozzle side or at least close to the nozzle side (i.e., in the front part of the cartridge 3), so that when the optics are folded, the front haptic 43 can escape from the channel space 39 into the recess 91 through the indentation 90 (gap between edge 21' and 23) formed by the offset edge 21'.

[0067] The recess 90 or the opening 91 is advantageously accessible at least from the inner side of the hemispheres 17, 19, in particular from the enclosed chamber 39, thus making the recess suitable for receiving a front haptic 43 of the lens when the hemispheres 13, 15 are closed. When the wings 25, 27 are closed (i.e., in the closed position), the optics 41 are folded and positioned in the chamber 39, while the front haptic 43 is positioned in the recess 91.

[0068] Insofar as sashes 25 and 27 adjoin edges 21 and 23, the recess 91 can extend from edge 21 into sash 25. In the practical implementation, sash 25 has a reduced wall thickness in a partial area, resulting in the recess 91 on the inner surface 26 of sash 25.

[0069] Optionally, the recess 91 is open not only towards the inner side of the half-shell 17 but also towards the nozzle side.

[0070] Although in the illustrated embodiment the recess 90 or the cutout 91 is formed in rim 21 and wing 25 of the first half-shell 13, alternatively or additionally a corresponding recess could be formed in rim 23 and wing 27. In a further, less preferred alternative, a functionally similar recess could be formed at another location of a half-shell 13 or 15, for example as a through hole (not shown), expediently in the half of the cartridge 3 closer to the nozzle, preferably near rim 21 or 23.

[0071] During loading of the injector, the relaxed interocular lens, in particular its optics 41, advantageously rests between the longitudinal edges 21, 23, preferably on a guide structure of the loading surface 17, 19, wherein the guide structure here consists, for example, of sliding rails 35, 37 which are formed longitudinally on the loading surface 17, 19. The sliding rails 35, 37 are in particular designed as ribs.

[0072] The two longitudinal edges 21, 23 are advantageously fitted with longitudinally oriented strips 49, 51 (where strip 51 is hereinafter also referred to as the guide rail). The strips 49, 51 are both advantageously curved transversely to the longitudinal direction and, if necessary, designed with tapered longitudinal sides. The curvature of the strips 49, 51 is such that, when the cartridge is closed, the two strips complement each other to form a semicircular bulge, which extends into the closed channel 39. Extending laterally from the inner surfaces 17, 19 at the respective longitudinal edge 21, 23, the strips 49, 51 form a mating surface to the respective inner surface 17, 19, thereby creating a kind of inner groove 53, 55 on both sides of the respective longitudinal edge 21, 23. Fig. 3The ribs 49, 51, and in particular the grooves 53, 55 defined therein (and optionally the guide rails 35, 37), can act together as a guide system for the insertion and folding of a lens, in particular the lens body 41. The ribs 49, 51 can be continuous in the longitudinal direction (as in Fig. 1 shown) or interrupted ( Fig. 6 The guide system is advantageously aligned parallel to the longitudinal extent of the half-shells 13, 15. The ridge 51 on the second half-shell 15 preferably projects sufficiently far into the half-shell 15 that the tip 95 of the anterior haptic 43 can be placed on the ridge 51, while at the same time the lens body rests on both sides under the ridges 49, 51 on the inner surfaces 17, 19, in particular on the sliding rails 35, 37.

[0073] The loading process of the lens in the device or loading chamber according to the invention proceeds, for example, as follows: The lens is loaded into the loading chamber by advancing the optics 41 under the guide rail 51 into the pre-loaded position. The haptics can be pre-folded slightly under slight tension. Preferably, the haptics are pre-folded towards the optics. However, they can also be pre-loaded in a relaxed state and then pre-folded by the end user during the further loading process using the silicone plunger 10 of the piston. Unlike conventional loading chambers (such as those in WO 2015 / 070358 A2), the front haptic 43 is placed on the guide rail 51, which is preferably designed, and in particular deep enough, to prevent the haptic from falling off on its own.For example, the guide rail 51 is continuous and extends essentially in a straight line, so that the haptic 43 is lifted slightly beyond the extension plane of the lens body 41 by being lifted onto the guide rail 51.

[0074] Alternatively, if the front haptic element 43 is to be located in the same plane as the optic 41, then the guide rail is positioned lower in a front area 103 (i.e., nozzle-side) than in the rear area (i.e., plunger-side), or is correspondingly lowered. The area 103 can optionally be designed as a separate shelf, which is in particular separated by a strip 51' and may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the strip.

[0075] In Fig. 6 An alternative charging device is shown in which, on the nozzle side, such an area 103 for the front haptic 43 is set lower than the contact surface defined by the strip 51 in Fig. 1 This has the advantage that the anterior haptic 43 and the optic 41 are mounted co-planarly, insofar as the sliding rail 37 for the optic 41 and the separate support surface 103 for the anterior haptic 43 are designed to be appropriately aligned with each other. Depending on the lens material, this can be particularly advantageous for long-term storage.

[0076] For example, the inner surfaces 17, 19, especially the guide rails 35, 37, serve as support surfaces for the optic 41 in the relaxed state ( Fig. 1 The rib 51 can serve as a support surface for the front haptic 43 in the relaxed state. When the loading chamber is closed, the ribs 49 and 51 press against the underlying optic and rear haptic, causing the optic and rear haptic to fold downwards (i.e., bend towards the first hinge 29, see Figure 1). Fig. 3), while the front haptic 43, which rests on the strip 51, extends through the lateral indentation 90 or into the lateral recess 91 in the forming loading channel.

[0077] The contact surface for the front haptic 43 on the strip 51 of the second half-shell 15 and the edge offset 21', which defines the recess 90, or the recess 91 of the first half-shell 13, are coordinated in such a way that when the two half-shells 13, 15 are closed to form the closed channel 39, the front haptic 43 passes over the strip 51 (or according to an alternative design over the separate contact surface 103) into the recess 90 and thus into the recess 91.

[0078] The strip 51 shown here has a multifunctional purpose. Like the strip 49, it serves together with it as a guide structure for inserting the lens and as a folding aid, by forcing the optics 41, which lies beneath the strips 49 and 51, downwards towards the first hinge 29 when the wings 25 and 27 are closed. Furthermore, the strip 51 serves as a guide for the front haptic 43, firstly when inserting the lens into the loading device, whereby the front end of the front haptic 43 is inserted along the strip in its longitudinal direction, and secondly when closing, whereby the front haptic is guided transversely over the strip 51 out of the closing chamber 36.

[0079] Previously, it was important that the haptics did not rest on the guide rail, as they would then become trapped between the wings when closing and tear off when the lenses were advanced. However, according to the present disclosure, it is intended that the front haptic 43 rests on the guide rail 51. When the wings 25, 27 are closed, the lens, or rather its body 41, folds into a "U" shape. The front haptic 43 can then slide between the wings 25, 27, where a cavity is created by the recess 91, in which the front haptic 43 rests essentially freely (i.e., unclamped). When the front haptic 43 is free, it is pulled along as soon as the optic 41 is advanced. In doing so, it extends lengthwise out of the cavity into the U-shaped folded optic 41, which is still open at the top (hence the "U" shape).The further the lens is advanced from the loading chamber towards nozzle 11, the more the "U" closes in the narrowing passage and the front haptic 43 is enclosed between the legs of the U-shaped folded optics 41.

[0080] As in Fig. 1 As shown, it is preferred that the recess 91 (i.e., the indentation 90 or the indentation 90 with recess 91) is formed on one half-shell (here, on the first half-shell 13), while the rib 51 is formed on a corresponding area (i.e., in an area corresponding in the longitudinal or axial extent of the loading device) of the other half-shell (here, the second half-shell 15). Thus, a region of the rib 51 (here, in particular, the front or essentially nozzle-side region of the rib 51) faces the indentation 90, which forms the chamber-side opening to the recess 91.

[0081] After the lens exits the eye, the previously folded optics 41 opens up and releases the haptics 43.

[0082] The folding process described here, with controlled clamping of the front haptic element 43 in the folded optic 41, results in a delayed release of the front haptic element 43 during unfolding compared to the folding process in conventional devices with hinged or wing chambers. Thus, the front haptic element 43 is only released in the eye when the optic 41 unfolds. Due to the provision of a loading chamber with an opening 90 in the wall 17 of the loading channel 39 and a recess 91 extending from the opening 90 along the longitudinal side of the loading channel 39, the entire folding process (folding and unfolding) is modified, particularly without the need for additional components.

[0083] In Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows an arrangement of the cartridge 3 with a nozzle 11 directly in front of it. Fig. 9A longitudinal section through such an arrangement is shown. The loading channel 36 of the cartridge 3 is visible in the longitudinal section, to which the nozzle channel 101 connects. Loading channel 36 and nozzle channel 101 form a passage for the lens, which is pre-folded in the loading channel and, as it passes from the nozzle inlet 105 to the nozzle outlet 107, is successively folded and pressed more tightly in the narrowing nozzle channel 101. The recess 91 is located laterally to the loading channel 36.

[0084] The transition from the loading channel 36 to the nozzle channel 101 has an edge 92 in the area of ​​the recess 91. The edge 92 forms a spatial boundary between the recess 91 and the nozzle channel 101. In particular, the nozzle inlet 105 (i.e., the inlet to the nozzle channel) forms a limiting edge 92 in the area of ​​the recess 91, over which the front haptic of the lens, which is stretched and embedded in the recess 91, is drawn when a lens is advanced. The edge 92 is advantageously oriented essentially transversely to the longitudinal extent of the half-shells or transversely to the injection or ejection direction. By means of this edge 92, the front haptic 43 is pressed and folded into the still partially open "U" or between the lens legs of the folded lens when the lens is advanced (especially when advanced from the loading chamber 39 towards the nozzle 11), which leads to a sandwich fold as the increasingly folded lens is advanced further.The edge 92 between nozzle channel 101 and recess 91 can therefore also be referred to as a slat edge.

[0085] A closure 73, in particular a snap closure, is formed on the wings 25, 27.

[0086] A plug-in device 75 is formed on the half-shell 15. This plug-in device 75 serves to be inserted into an opening of an injector housing 1. For example, spring struts 77, 77' with barbs serve as locking means. This creates a firm connection between these parts after the cartridge 3 is inserted into the injector housing 1.

[0087] The in Fig. 7The illustrated injector essentially consists of the injector housing 1 and the plunger 9, which is slidable within it, for transporting and ejecting the lens. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 3 and, optionally, the injector nozzle 11 are separate parts that can be inserted into the injector housing 1; however, they can also be designed as a single unit. The plunger 9 is mounted in a starting position within the injector housing, preferably locked in place, so that it does not obstruct the insertion of the cartridge 3. By actuating the piston at the piston end 81, an inserted lens can be ejected by the plunger 9.

[0088] In summary, the following can be stated: A device for folding an intraocular lens has two hemispheres 13, 15 connected by a hinge 29, which can be moved relative to each other and closed against each other, for example, by means of wings 25, 27 formed on the hemispheres 13, 15, in order to fold an inserted intraocular lens and simultaneously hold it ready for ejection in a loading channel formed by the closing of the hemispheres 13, 15. Between the closed edges 21, 23 of the hemispheres 13, 15, a recess 91 is formed on the side near the nozzle, into which the front haptic 43 moves when the optic 41 is folded.The edge 92, which is located on the nozzle side in front of the recess 91, is designed such that when the lens is ejected from the loading chamber, the front haptic 43 is pulled out of the recess 91 and over the edge 92. Due to the resulting pressure on the front haptic 43, the haptic 43 is folded in a sandwich structure between the folded but upwardly (towards the recess) open optical legs. This makes it possible to fold preloaded lenses into a sandwich structure for injection into an eye, either using a winged cartridge (in particular by folding them together with the wing) or, more generally, a hinged cartridge. This ensures that, upon penetration through the nozzle, the unfolding of the haptic only occurs simultaneously with the unfolding of the optics (i.e., not before the unfolding of the optics). This device also enables the aforementioned form of front haptic folding, even in the case of a charging chamber that is mounted separately from the rest of the injector.

[0089] To prevent the lens, and in particular its haptics 43, 44, from becoming jammed when the half-shells 13, 15 are closed, the cartridge 3 can be equipped with a cover element 45, as described in WO 2015 / 0730358 A2. A cover element, pivotably arranged longitudinally on the wing side of the first of the two half-shells, serves to cover an interocular lens, which is inserted between the half-shells when they are open. The cover element thus covers an open chamber formed by the half-shells along its length and simultaneously protects the lens or holds it in position. When the two half-shells are closed, the cover element slides over the edge of the second half-shell, so that once the two half-shells are in the closed position, the cover element is positioned essentially outside the chamber defined by the two half-shells.The lid element is (and preferably remains) attached to the first half-shell in both the open and closed positions. This system has the advantage of reducing the risk of the lens becoming pinched during folding.

[0090] The cover element 45 is movably arranged or attached to the longitudinal edge 21 of the first half-shell 13, in particular by way of sliding or folding (similar to a single-leaf swing door). The cover element 45 is advantageously designed as a cover plate, in particular as a flat, dimensionally stable cover plate. In an open position of the cartridge 3, the cover element 45 spans the loading area 17, 19 from the longitudinal edge 21 of the first half-shell 13 to the longitudinal edge 23 of the second half-shell 15.

[0091] The lid element 45 is advantageously movably fixed to the longitudinal edge 21 of the first half-shell 13 via a second joint 47. The joint 47 is expediently a hinge, in particular a film hinge, and is designed as a bending groove or folding area.

[0092] The axes of rotation of the first and second joints 29 and 47 are preferably aligned parallel to each other.

[0093] The lid element 45 closes towards the longitudinal edge 23 due to gravity and / or a spring force in the second hinge 47. Since the lid element 45 is self-supporting (i.e., sufficiently rigid), a covered chamber 46 is formed between the first half-shell 13, the second half-shell 15, and the lid element 45 when the cartridge 3 is open. The second hinge 47 is preferably arranged on a rib 49 projecting from the longitudinal edge 21 of the first half-shell 13. On the opposite side, i.e., on the longitudinal edge 23 of the second half-shell 15, a second projecting rib 51 is preferably formed, which serves as a support for the lid element 45 when the cartridge 3 is open. The preferably tapered longitudinal side of the rib 49 expediently transitions into a film hinge.

[0094] The strip 49 is preferably formed on the outer side of the chamber with a concave bending groove. The bending groove exhibits, in particular, a linear displacement of the material in the longitudinal direction of the first half-shell 13, thereby creating a bending capability of the material. This allows the cover member 45 to be hinged towards the first wing 25. The bending groove functions, in particular, as a film hinge.

[0095] The longitudinal edge 23, i.e., in particular the strip 51, on the second half-shell 15 and the free end 58 of the lid member 45 are designed such that when the two wings 25, 27 are pressed together (i.e., when the wing handles are brought together by hand), the lid member 45 or its free end 58 is abutted and slides along the wing surface 28. The strip 51 can thus form a kind of lid member support.

[0096] In the closed position of cartridge 3 ( Fig. 3) the cover member 45 lies essentially outside the enclosed chamber 39 formed by the chamber 46 and preferably between the wings 25, 27.

[0097] During the closing process of the cartridge 3 by manually bringing the wings 25, 27 of the cartridge 3 together, the lid element 45 slides from its detent position at the edge 23 onto the inner wing surface 28 of the second wing 27 and along this wing surface 28 out of the closing cavity 46 or out of the cavity 39 that is forming.

[0098] In particular, the device is characterized by the following properties with regard to the cover element. that a cover element 45 is pivotably arranged along the length of the first of the two half-shells 13, which in the open position covers the open chamber 46 and in the closed position is positioned substantially outside the enclosed chamber 39. that the cover element has a nozzle-side edge profile 99 which is recessed relative to a nozzle-side end face of the half-shells 13, 15, preferably recessed such that, when a lens is inserted, the front haptic of the lens is not covered by the cover element, while the optics of the lens are covered by the cover element. that the cover element 45 is recessed relative to a nozzle-side end face of the half-shells 13, 15 to such an extent that, when a lens is inserted, the front haptic 43 is not covered by the cover element, while the optics 41 are covered.that the cover member 45 is plate-shaped, that the cover member 45 is pivotably arranged on the longitudinal edge 21 of the first half-shell 13, that the cover member 45 is connected to the first half-shell 13 via a second joint 47, which is designed, for example, as a hinge, in particular as a film hinge. that a bending groove is formed on the cover member surface facing the inner surface 17 of the first half-shell 13. that a cover member support 51 is formed on the longitudinal edge 23 of the second half-shell 15. that when the two half-shells 13, 15 are closed, the cover member 45 slides out of the closing chamber 46 over the longitudinal edge 23 of the second half-shell 15. that in the closed position of the half-shells 13, 15 the lid member 45 is positioned essentially outside the enclosed chamber 39 between the wing handles 25, 27, that the recess 91.on the first wing 25 has an edge profile 97 which, in the closed position, essentially follows the nozzle-side edge profile 99 of the cover member 45 or (in comparison to the nozzle-side edge profile 99 of the cover member 45) further from . the The nozzle-side face of the half-shells 13, 15 is set back such that, in the closed position, the cover member 45 lies substantially outside the enclosed chamber 39 and preferably between the wings 25, 27. The cover member 45 is self-supporting, and in the process step of joining the two half-shells 13, 15, the cover member 45 is clamped – if present – ​​until the two longitudinal edges 21, 23 of the two half-shells 13, 15 abut each other.

[0099] While specific embodiments have been described above, it is obvious that different combinations of the embodiments shown can be used, provided that the embodiments are not mutually exclusive.

[0100] While the invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is obvious that changes, modifications, variations and combinations can be made without deviating from the inventive concept. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0101] 1 Injector housing 3 Cartridge 5 Front end (or front end) of the cartridge 7 Rear end (or rear end) of the cartridge 9 Plunger (also called piston) 10 Piston 11 Injection cannula or nozzle 13 First half shell 15 Second half shell 17 First inner surface, i.e., inner surface of the first half shell 19 Second inner surface, i.e., inner surface of the second half shell 21 Longitudinal edge of the loading surface on the first half shell, i.e., first longitudinal edge 21' Offset edge area on the first half shell (partial area of ​​the longitudinal edge 21) 23 Longitudinal edge of the loading surface on the second half shell, i.e.,second longitudinal edge 25 first wing 26 wing surface of the first wing 27 second wing 28 wing surface of the second wing 29 first hinge, in particular film hinge 35 first sliding rail 37 second sliding rail 39 enclosed chamber, loading channel designed as a closed channel 41 optical lens body, also called lens body or optics 43 front haptic 44 rear haptic 45 cover element 46 open chamber, possibly covered with a cover element 47 second hinge, in particular film hinge 49 first rim, i.e. rim on the longitudinal edge of the first half-shell 51, 51' second rim, i.e. rim on the longitudinal edge of the second half-shell, also called guide rail. 53 first groove 55 second groove 58 free end of cover member 71 free end of cover member 73 closure 75 plug-in device 77, 77' spring struts 81 plunger end (piston end) 90 recess in inner wall when the half-shells are closed 91 recess 92 edge orFolding edge 93 Attachment of the haptic, which connects the haptic to the optical lens body, here in particular attachment of the front haptic 95 End (tip) of the haptic, in particular also called free end of the haptic 97 Voice-side edge contour of the recess in the wing 99 Front-side edge contour of the cover member 101 Nozzle channel 103 Alternative, separate contact surface for front haptic 105 Nozzle inlet 107 Nozzle outlet.

Claims

1. A device, in particular a loading device, for receiving and folding an intraocular lens with a lens body and at least one haptic, the device containing a first half-shell (13) and a second half-shell (15) which are connected in articulated manner to one another at a first of the longitudinal sides of the same by means of a first joint (29) and can be moved relative to one another from an open position to a closed position, the inner surfaces (17, 19) of the half-shells forming a storage surface, wherein - in the open position, the half-shells (13, 15) form an open chamber (46) for positioning or storing the lens in the relaxed state, and - in the closed position, the half-shells (13, 15) form an enclosed chamber (36) for positioning or storing the lens in a folded state and for ejecting the lens along the longitudinal extent of the half-shells (13, 15), characterized in that a recess (91) is formed in at least one of the half-shells (13, 15), which recess is open at least from the inside of the half-shell and is suitable for receiving a front haptic (43) of the lens in the closed position of the half-shells (13, 15).

2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in the closed position of the half-shells (13, 15), the recess (91) forms an area, in particular a secondary space, which is arranged longitudinally to the enclosed chamber (36) and is configured in such a way that the front haptic of the lens can be accommodated therein whereas the optics of the lens are positioned in the enclosed chamber.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the half-shells (13, 15), preferably the second half-shell (15), is provided with a support (51, 103) for the front haptic (43), the support (51, 103) being suitable for guiding the front haptic, in particular the free end of the front haptic (95).

4. A device according to the preceding claim 3, characterized in that the support (51, 103) and the recess (91) are configured and cooperate in such a way that upon closing of the half-shells (17, 19), from the open position to the closed position, the front haptic (43) increasingly extends beyond the support (51, 103) and out of the forming closed chamber (36) to come to rest in the recess (91) in the closed position.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that wings (25, 27) are respectively arranged on a second longitudinal side of the two half-shells (13, 15), so that the half-shells (13, 15) can be moved relative to one another from an open position to a closed position by means of the wings (25, 27) and by rotation about the joint (29), wherein the recess (91) preferably continues at least in one of the wings (25, 27).

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each half-shell (13, 15) is provided with at least one slide rail (35, 37), wherein the at least one slide rail is suitable for guiding the lens body and optionally the end of the rear haptic (44).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover member (45) is pivotably arranged longitudinally to the first of the two half-shells (13), which cover member, in the open position, covers the open chamber (46), and in the closed position, is positioned substantially outside the enclosed chamber (39).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a cartridge for insertion into an injector, in particular into an injector housing (1).

9. Injector having an injector housing (1) with a loading device (3) provided therein, in accordance with any one of the preceding claims 1-8, a nozzle (11) mounted upstream of the loading device (3) and a plunger (9) longitudinally displaceable in the injector housing (1) toward the nozzle (11), wherein the enclosed chamber (36) can be pushed through by means of the plunger (9) for the purpose of ejecting a lens, wherein, at least in the closed position of the half-shells (13, 15), an edge (92) is arranged on the nozzle side of the half-shells (13, 15), by means of which edge the front haptic is pressed or alternatively folded into the folded lens, in particular between the legs of the folded lens body, when the lens is pushed forward.

10. Injector according to the preceding claim 9, characterized in that the folding edge (92) delimits the recess (91) toward the nozzle, and, in particular, is preferably formed at a nozzle inlet (105).

11. A method of folding an intraocular lens in a device comprising the steps of: - provision of a storage surface (17, 19) having a front region and a rear region defined by at least a first half-shell (13) and a second half-shell (15), the two half-shells (13, 15) being connected in articulated manner with one another by a first joint (29), - placement of a lens on the storage surface (17, 19), by bringing the lens body (41) of the lens onto the storage surface (17, 19), such that, with respect to the lens body (41), a front haptic of the lens is positioned in the front region of the storage surface, - bringing the two half-shells (13, 15) together via the first joint (29), by guiding the two half-shells (13, 15) toward one another by rotation about the first joint (29), whereby the lens body (41) is folded approximately in the center so that a lens body (41) which was initially substantially lenticular in its relaxed state is pressed into a shape with two legs folded toward one another characterized in that during folding of the optical lens body (41), the front haptic (43) escapes from the space between the half-shells (13, 15) that close around the lens body by the free end (95) of the haptic slipping into a recess (91) provided for this purpose in at least one of the half-shells (13, 15).

12. Method according to the preceding claim 11, characterized in that the space formed between the closing half-shells is cylinder-shaped, and the recess (91) is created in such a way that the haptic (43) can escape from the space on the cylinder surface side.

13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 11-12, characterized in that - the lens is inserted into the cavity (46) in an un-tensioned, and / or - the lens is oriented on the storage surface in such a way that the front haptic (43) of the lens comes to be situated over the joint (29) such that the haptic attachment (93) is positioned over the first half-shell (13) and the end (95) of the haptic is positioned over the second half-shell (15), and / or - the optical lens body (41) is enclosed at its edges by the two half-shells (13, 15) and is folded together with the half-shells (13, 15), in particular in approximately the same direction, and / or - upon closing of the loading chamber, the optic and rear haptic lower whereas the front haptic is guided into the recess (91).

14. A method for folding an intraocular lens and ejecting the lens through an injection nozzle, comprising the steps of: - folding the lens, according to any one of claims 11-13, whereby the lens body (41) is folded approximately in the center such that a lens body which was initially substantially lenticular in its relaxed state is pressed into a shape with two legs folded toward one another, - pushing of the folded optical lens body toward the injection nozzle, wherein the folded lens is increasingly compressed by an increasing constriction in the direction toward the injection nozzle, wherein during the push toward the injection nozzle, the front haptic (43) that was initially positioned in the recess (91) is pulled along and is clamped in a gap between the legs of the folded lens body (41), which gap narrows further as the injection moves forward.

15. The method according to the preceding claim 14, characterized in that the front haptic (43) is pulled along and drawn out of the recess (91) over an edge (92), whereby the front haptic (43) is clamped into a gap between the legs of the folded lens body (41) that continues to narrow as the lens is pushed forward.