Folding device for intraocular lens injector

Abstract

To provide an intraocular lens (IOL) folding device.SOLUTION: An intraocular lens (IOL) folding device 500 comprises: a folding body 510 including a center compartment adapted to house an IOL 10, a first side, a first slot, a second side, and a second slot; a first lever; a second lever; a third lever 550; a fourth lever 560; a first side actuator; and a second side actuator. The intraocular lens folding device may further include a rotatable cover 610, and an alignment guide 690 disposed between the folding body and the rotatable cover.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for intraocular lens injectors, and more particularly to systems, devices, and methods for folding an intraocular lens prior to delivery into a patient's eye. [Background technology]

[0002] The human eye most simply functions to provide vision by transmitting and refracting light through a clear outer portion called the cornea, and focusing the image via the lens onto the retina at the back of the eye. The quality of the focused image depends on many factors, including the size, shape, and length of the eye, as well as the shape and transparency of the cornea and lens. When the lens becomes less transparent due to trauma, aging, or disease, vision deteriorates due to the reduction in light that can be transmitted to the retina. This defect in the eye's lens is medically known as a cataract. Treatment for this condition is surgical removal of the lens and implantation of an artificial intraocular lens ("IOL").

[0003] Most cataractous lenses are removed through a surgical technique called phacoemulsification. During this procedure, an opening is made in the anterior capsule of the eye, and a phacoemulsification cutting tip is inserted into the affected lens and vibrated ultrasonically. The vibrating cutting tip liquefies or emulsifies the lens, allowing it to be aspirated from the eye. Once removed, the affected lens is replaced with an IOL.

[0004] The IOL can be injected into the eye through a small incision, sometimes the same incision used to remove the diseased lens. An IOL injector can be used to deliver the IOL into the eye. To minimize the size of the incision made in the eye and thereby reduce the patient's recovery time, the IOL can be folded or rolled into a smaller configuration for implantation using the IOL injector. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to an intraocular lens (IOL) folding device. The IOL folding device includes a folding body having a first side with a first slot and a second side opposite the first side with a second slot. The folding body also has a central compartment adapted to house an IOL, the IOL having first haptics, second haptics, and a base with first and second edges. The IOL folding device has a first lever disposed within the folding body, the first lever being adapted to contact a first support of the IOL and apply a force to the first support of the IOL; a second lever disposed within the folding body, the second lever being adapted to contact a second support of the IOL and apply a force to the second support of the IOL; a third lever disposed within the folding body, the third lever being adapted to contact a first edge of the IOL base and apply a force to the first edge of the IOL base; and a fourth lever disposed within the folding body, the fourth lever being adapted to contact a second edge of the IOL base and apply a force to the second edge of the IOL base. The IOL folding device has a first side actuator disposed within and extending horizontally through the first slot, the first side actuator having a first side actuator contact surface adapted for application of a manual force, and a first link extending horizontally through the slot on a first side of the folding body, the first link being adjacent the first side actuator contact surface and rotatably coupled to a first lever, the first link adapted for horizontally rotating the first lever in response to application of a manual force to the first actuator contact surface, thereby folding the IOL. a first link adapted to apply sufficient force to one support to press the first support against the base of the IOL; and a third link extending horizontally through a slot on a first side of the folding body, the third link adjacent to the first side actuator contact surface, engaging with a third lever, and adapted to rotate the third lever vertically in response to application of a manual force to the first actuator contact surface to apply sufficient force to a first edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL.The IOL folding device also has a second side actuator disposed within and extending horizontally through the second slot, the second side actuator including a second side actuator contact surface adapted for application of a manual force. The IOL folding device also has a second link extending horizontally through the slot on the second side of the folding body, the second link adjacent the second side actuator contact surface and rotatably coupled to the second lever, the second link adapted to horizontally rotate the second lever in response to application of a manual force to the second actuator contact surface and apply a force against a second haptic of the IOL sufficient to press the second haptic against a base of the IOL. The IOL folding device also has a third link extending horizontally through a slot on a second side of the folding body, the third link adjacent to the second side actuator contact surface, engaging with a fourth lever, and adapted to rotate the fourth lever vertically in response to application of a manual force to the second actuator contact surface and apply sufficient force against a second edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL.

[0006] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to an intraocular lens (IOL) folding device. The IOL folding device includes a circular folding body having a central section adapted to house an IOL, the IOL having first haptics, second haptics, and a base having first and second edges. The circular folding body has a rotatable cover disposed over the central section of the folding body, the rotatable cover having first, second, third, and fourth slots. The IOL folding device includes a first lever disposed within the circular folding body, the first lever including a first peg extending into the first slot and a first pivot, the first lever adapted, upon rotation of the rotatable cover, for the first peg to slidingly interact with the first slot and rotate the first lever about the first pivot, contact the first haptic of the IOL, and apply sufficient force against the first haptic of the IOL to press the first haptic against the base of the IOL. The IOL folding device also has a second lever disposed within the circular folding body, the second lever including a second peg extending into the second slot and a second pivot, the second lever adapted to rotate the rotatable cover such that the second peg slidingly interacts with the second slot and rotates the second lever about the second pivot, contacts the second haptic of the IOL, and applies sufficient force against the second haptic of the IOL to press the second haptic against the base of the IOL. The IOL folding device also has a third lever disposed within the circular folding body, the third peg extending into the third slot and a third pivot, the third lever adapted to rotate the rotatable cover such that the third peg slidingly interacts with the third slot and rotates the third lever about the third pivot, contacts the first edge of the IOL, and applies sufficient force against the first edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL.The IOL folding device also has a fourth lever disposed within the circular folding body, the fourth lever including a fourth peg extending into the fourth slot and a fourth pivot portion, the fourth lever adapted such that, when the rotatable cover is rotated, the fourth peg slidingly interacts with the fourth slot and rotates the fourth lever about the fourth pivot portion, contacts a second edge of the IOL, and applies sufficient force against the second edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL.

[0007] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to an intraocular lens (IOL) injector. The IOL injector has an injector body and a nozzle having a hollow interior disposed on a distal end of the injector body. The IOL injector also has a plunger adapted to reciprocate within the injector body and to contact and apply a force to an IOL disposed within the IOL injector, the IOL having first haptics, second haptics, and a base having first and second edges. The IOL injector also has a folding body. The folding body includes a central compartment adapted to house an IOL, a first lever disposed within the folding body, the first lever adapted to contact a first haptic of the IOL and apply sufficient force to the first haptic of the IOL to press the first haptic against the base of the IOL, and a second lever disposed within the folding body, the second lever adapted to contact a second haptic of the IOL and apply sufficient force to the second haptic of the IOL to press the second haptic against the base of the IOL. a second lever adapted to contact a first edge of the IOL base and apply sufficient force against the first edge of the IOL base to fold the IOL; a third lever disposed within the folding body, the third lever adapted to contact a first edge of the IOL base and apply sufficient force against the first edge of the IOL base to fold the IOL; and a fourth lever disposed within the folding body, the fourth lever adapted to contact a second edge of the IOL base and apply sufficient force against the second edge of the IOL base to fold the IOL.

[0008] Various embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The intraocular lens folding device may include a delivery channel disposed below the folding body and extending from a proximal end of the folding body to a distal end of the folding body, the delivery channel adapted to receive an IOL folded into a delivery configuration and adapted to align with the delivery channel in the body and nozzle of the IOL injector. The first and second links may rotate the first and second levers before the third and fourth links engage the third and fourth levers. The intraocular lens folding device may include an IOL disposed within the central compartment. The IOL may have an optic disposed within the base. The first and second side actuators may be adapted to simultaneously apply a manual force. The intraocular lens folding device may include a second rotatable cover disposed above and coupled to the first rotatable cover.In the IOL injector, the folding body may include a first side having a first slot, a second side disposed opposite the first side and having a second slot, and a first side actuator disposed within and extending horizontally through the first slot, the first side actuator having a first side actuator contact surface adapted for application of a manual force, and a first link extending horizontally through the slot on the first side of the folding body, the first link adjacent the first side actuator contact surface and rotatably coupled to a first lever. and a first link adapted to rotate the first lever horizontally in response to application of a manual force to the first actuator contact surface and apply sufficient force against a first haptic of the IOL to press the first haptic against a base of the IOL, wherein the folding body includes a third link extending horizontally through a slot on a first side of the folding body, the third link adjacent the first side actuator contact surface and engaging the third lever, and to rotate the third lever vertically in response to application of a manual force to the first actuator contact surface and press the first haptic against a first edge of the IOL. and a third link adapted to apply a force sufficient to fold the base of the IOL, wherein the second side actuator is disposed within the second slot and extends horizontally through the second slot, the second side actuator having a second side actuator contact surface adapted for application of a manual force; and a second link extending horizontally through the slot on the second side of the folding body, the second link adjacent the second side actuator contact surface and rotatably coupled to the second lever, the second link adapted to apply a force sufficient to fold the base of the IOL in response to application of a manual force to the second actuator contact surface. The folding body has a second link adapted to rotate the lever horizontally and apply sufficient force against the second support of the IOL to press the second support against the base of the IOL, and a third link extending horizontally through a slot on the second side of the folding body, the third link adjacent to the second side actuator contact surface, engaging with the fourth lever, and adapted to rotate the fourth lever vertically in response to application of a manual force to the second actuator contact surface and applying sufficient force against the second edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL.In the IOL injector, the first and second links may rotate the first and second levers before the third and fourth links engage the third and fourth levers. In the IOL injector, the first and second side actuators may be adapted to simultaneously apply a manual force. In the IOL injector, the folding body may be a circular folding body having a rotatable cover disposed over a central section of the folding body, the rotatable cover including a first slot, a second slot, a third slot, and a fourth slot; a first lever disposed within the circular folding body and including a first peg extending into the first slot and a first pivot portion; the first lever adapted, upon rotation of the rotatable cover, for the first peg to slidingly interact with the first slot and rotate the first lever about the first pivot portion to contact a first haptic of the IOL and apply sufficient force against the first haptic of the IOL to press the first haptic against a base of the IOL; a second lever disposed within the circular folding body and including a second peg extending into the second slot and a second pivot portion; the second lever adapted, upon rotation of the rotatable cover, for the second peg to slidingly interact with the second slot and rotate the second lever about the second pivot portion; the third lever is disposed within the circular folding body and includes a third peg extending into the third slot and a third pivot portion, the third lever being adapted to contact the second haptic of the IOL and apply sufficient force against the second haptic of the IOL to press the second haptic against the base of the IOL, the third lever being adapted to contact the first edge of the IOL and apply sufficient force against the second haptic of the IOL to press the second haptic against the base of the IOL, the third lever being disposed within the circular folding body and including a third peg extending into the third slot and a third pivot portion, the third lever being adapted to contact the first edge of the IOL and apply sufficient force against the second haptic of the IOL to press the second haptic against the base of the IOL ... The fourth lever is disposed within the circular folding body and includes a fourth peg extending into the fourth slot and a fourth pivot, and the fourth lever is adapted such that, when the rotatable cover is rotated, the fourth peg slidingly interacts with the fourth slot and rotates the fourth lever about the fourth pivot, contacts the second edge of the IOL, and applies sufficient force against the second edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL.In the IOL injector, the circular folding body may include a second rotatable cover, the second rotatable cover disposed above and coupled to the first rotatable cover. In the IOL injector, the injector body may have a delivery channel disposed below the folding body and extending from the proximal end of the folding body to the distal end of the folding body, the delivery channel adapted to receive the IOL folded into a delivery configuration and adapted to align with the delivery channel in the injector body and nozzle. In the IOL injector, the circular folding body may include an IOL disposed in the central compartment. In an IOL injector with a circular folding body, the IOL may include an optic disposed in the base.

[0009] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are not to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary intraocular lens. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary intraocular lens folding device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the intraocular lens folding device of FIG. 2 in a partially actuated state. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intraocular lens folding device of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary intraocular lens folding device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the intraocular lens folding device of FIG. 5 showing the alignment guide and the rotatable cover. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary intraocular lens injector. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the intraocular lens injector of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view of the distal end of the IOL injector with an IOL inside and positioned in a rest position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary two-piece IOL including a base and an optic. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another exemplary intraocular lens folding device. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view of the exemplary intraocular lens folding device of FIG. 11 having a rotatable top cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation on the scope of the disclosure is intended. All changes and further modifications to the described devices, apparatus, and methods, and any further applications of the principles of the present disclosure, are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In particular, it is fully contemplated that features, components, and / or steps described with respect to one implementation may be combined with features, components, and / or steps described with respect to other implementations of the present disclosure.

[0012] Recent IOL designs include a hollow base with two protruding haptic arms and an optic located within the base. This design has more complex folding behavior than single-piece IOLs. For example, most conventional single-piece IOL injectors advance the IOL by applying force directly to the edges of the IOL's optic or haptics. This approach is not well-suited for hollow base designs because the base can collapse if an external force is applied to the base's edges. Furthermore, IOLs are traditionally loaded and folded manually into injectors by picking up the IOL with forceps and placing it in a folding chamber. This manual process introduces the potential for damage to the IOL material, user error in loading the IOL, and negligence in ensuring all components remain sterile during the process. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a folding mechanism that can accommodate IOLs with hollow bases, and potentially other multi-part IOLs or traditional single-piece IOLs. The folding mechanism may also ensure that the IOL remains sterile and intact until implantation in the patient's eye.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for folding an IOL and delivering the folded IOL into an eye. Figure 1 shows an exemplary IOL 10. IOL 10 is a unitary IOL including an optic 20, an anterior haptic 30, and a posterior haptic 40. Each of haptic 30 and haptic 40 has a freely extending end 45.

[0014] In some implementations, IOL 10 may be a unitary IOL. That is, in some implementations, IOL 10 may include optic 20 and haptics 30 and 40, as shown in FIG. 1 . In some implementations, optic 20 and haptics 30 and 40 may be integrally formed from a single piece of material. In other implementations, optic 20 may be formed from one piece of material, haptics 30 and 40 may be formed from another piece of material, and optic 20 and haptics 30 and 40 may be bonded to each other before delivery into the eye. In some cases, optic 20 and haptics 30 and 40 may be inserted into an IOL injector and securely fastened to each other before delivery into the eye.

[0015] In other implementations, the IOL 10 may be a multi-piece IOL, as shown in FIG. 10 . For example, in some implementations, the IOL 10 may include two or more separate components. FIG. 10 is an exemplary IOL 10 including two removably attached components. As shown in FIG. 10 , the IOL 10 includes an optic 1060 and a base 1061 including haptics 1050. The base 1061 may be a hollow base. The optic 1060 and the base 1061 are adapted to be combined together into a single IOL and then separated into separate components, if desired. In some cases, one or more components of a multi-piece IOL, such as the two-piece IOL 10 shown in FIG. 10 , are separately injectable into a patient's eye. Once in the eye, the components may be assembled into a complete IOL. For example, in the case of the two-piece IOL 10 shown in FIG. 10 , the optic 1060 and the base 1061 are separately injectable into the eye. Once ejected, the optical component 1060 is coupled to a base 1061 and is adapted to rest on the base 1061 .

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary intraocular lens folding device 200 including a folding body 210. The folding body 210 includes a first side 220, a second side 230, a distal end 211, and a proximal end 212. A first side actuator 250 and a second side actuator 260 are disposed within slots 240 on the first side 220 and the second side 230. The first side actuator 250 and the second side actuator 260 are movable through the slots 240 into the folding body 210. For example, in some cases, as shown in FIG. 3, the first side actuator 250 and the second side actuator 260 may be moved by a user's fingers to fold the intraocular lens 10. In other implementations, the first side actuator 250 and the second side actuator 260 may be actuated by a separate mechanism, such as a cam.

[0017] The first side actuator 250 is disposed in and extends horizontally through a slot 240 on the first side 220 of the folding body 210. The first side actuator 250 includes a contact surface 251 configured for application of a manual force by a user to push the first side actuator 250 through the slot 240 and into the folding body 210. The first side actuator 250 further includes a first link 252 adapted to engage with a first lever 270 rotatably disposed within the folding body 210. The first side actuator 250 also includes a third link 253. The third link 253 is configured to engage with a third lever 290 disposed within the folding body 210. In the illustrated example, the first link 252 and the third link 253 of the first side actuator 250 extend horizontally through the slot 240 that penetrates the first side 220 of the folding body.

[0018] The second side actuator 260 is disposed in and extends horizontally through a slot 240 formed in the second side 230 of the folding body 210. The second side actuator 260 includes a contact surface 261 configured for application of a manual force by a user to push the second side actuator 260 through the slot 240 and into the folding body 210. The second side actuator 260 further includes a second link 262 adapted to engage with a second lever 280 rotatably disposed within the folding body 210. The second side actuator 260 also includes a fourth link 263 configured to engage with a fourth lever 300 disposed within the folding body 210. Each link of the second side actuator 260 extends horizontally through a slot 240 that penetrates the second side 230 of the folding body 210.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2-4 , the folding body 210 includes a central compartment 215 configured to house an IOL or IOL component (indistinguishably referred to as "IOL" 10). A first lever 270 and a second lever 280 are disposed within the folding body 210 on opposite sides of the central compartment 215. The first lever 270 contacts the haptics of the IOL 10 when the IOL 10 is loaded into the central compartment 215 of the folding body 210. In some implementations, the first lever 270 contacts the anterior haptics 30 when the IOL 10 is loaded into the central compartment 215 of the folding body 210. The second lever 280 also contacts the haptics of the IOL 10 when the IOL 10 is loaded into the central compartment 215 of the folding body 210. In some implementations, the second lever 280 contacts the posterior haptics 40 when the IOL 10 is loaded into the central compartment 215 of the folding body 210.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , a user can apply a force in the direction of arrow 80 to the contact surface 251 of the first side actuator 250 to push the first side actuator 250 through the slot 240 and into the folding body 210. Similarly, a user can apply a force in direction 90 to the contact surface 261 of the second side actuator 260 to push the second side actuator 260 through the slot 240 and into the folding body 210. When the user pushes the first side actuator 250 and the second side actuator 260 through the slot 240, the first link 252 of the first side actuator 250 engages with the first lever 270, and the second link 262 of the second side actuator 260 engages with the second lever 280, respectively. When engaged by the first link 252 of the first side actuator 250, the first lever 270 rotates in the direction of arrow 310 about a vertical axis 271 in a horizontal plane. As a result, the first lever 270 exerts a force on the anterior haptic 30, forcing it against the base 50 of the IOL 10. The IOL 10 shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 11-12 has a hollow base 50 with attached or integrally formed haptics 30 and 40, including medial portion 29 and medial portion 31. When engaged by the second link 262 of the second side actuator 260, the second lever 280 rotates in the direction of arrow 320 about a vertical axis 273 in the same horizontal plane as the first lever 270. The vertical axes 271 and 273 may be parallel to one another. As a result, the second lever 280 exerts a force on the posterior haptic 40, forcing it against the base 50. Thus, the haptics 30, 40 are forced into contact with the outer edges of the base 50 to collapse the haptics 30, 40 into a configuration for implantation within the eye.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2-4 , the third lever 290 is positioned adjacent to the first side 220, and the fourth lever 300 is positioned adjacent to the second side 230. The third lever 290 and the fourth lever 300 are positioned opposite each other on opposite sides of the central compartment 215. When the IOL 10 is loaded into the central compartment 215 of the folding body 210, in the unactuated state, the third lever 290 contacts the edge 25 of the base 50, and the fourth lever 300 contacts the edge 27 of the base 50. When the user pushes the first and second side actuators 250 and 260 through the slots 240, the third link 253 of the first side actuator 250 engages the third lever 290, and the fourth link 263 of the second side actuator 260 engages the fourth lever 300, respectively. When engaged by the third link 253 of the first side actuator 250, the third lever 290 rotates about the longitudinal axis 291 in the direction of arrow 330, pushing against the edge 25 of the base 50 and collapsing the base 50 into the delivery configuration. When engaged by the fourth link 263 of the second side actuator 260, the fourth lever 300 rotates about the longitudinal axis 293 in the direction of arrow 340, pushing against the edge 27 of the base 50 and collapsing the base 50 into the delivery configuration. The longitudinal axes 291 and 293 may be parallel to one another. One or both of the longitudinal axes 291 and 293 may be perpendicular to one or both of the axes 271 and 273.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of intraocular lens folding device 200. FIG. 4 shows third lever 290 and fourth lever 300 being rotated during actuation of intraocular lens folding device 200. As shown, to fold base 50, third lever 290 rotates in direction 330 about axis 291, and fourth lever 300 rotates in direction 340 about axis 293, respectively. IOL 10 can be folded into a delivery configuration by pushing edges 25, 27 of base 50 toward each other and toward the center of IOL 10, while pushing inner portions 29 and 31 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of base 50 toward delivery channel 410. Thus, when folded, base 50 forms a U-shape with edges 25 and 27 displaced above inner portions 29 and 31 in the directions of arrows 330 and 340. The first lever 270 and the second lever 280 each include a pivot pin rotatably received in the folding body 210. The first lever 270 rotates on the pivot pin about a vertical axis 271, and the second lever 280 rotates on the pivot pin about a vertical axis 273, respectively. The third lever 290 rotates on a pivot pin generally coupled to the folding body 210 about a longitudinal axis 291, and the fourth lever 300 rotates on a pivot pin generally coupled to the folding body 210 about a longitudinal axis 293, respectively. In some implementations, prior to application of a force by a user, the first link 252 of the first actuator 250 may be coupled to the first lever 270, and the second link 262 of the second actuator 260 may be coupled to the second lever 280, respectively. In some implementations, the third link 253 of the first actuator 250 may not be coupled to the third lever 290, and the fourth link 263 of the second actuator 260 may not be coupled to the fourth lever 300, respectively.In some implementations, when a user applies force to push the first actuator 250 and the second actuator 260 into the folding body 210, the third link 253 of the first actuator 250 may not engage with the third lever 290, and the fourth link 263 of the second actuator 260 may not engage with the fourth lever 300 until the third link 253 and the fourth link 263 have moved a predetermined distance. Thus, in some implementations, a gap may exist between the inner end of the third link 253 and the third lever 290, and between the inner end of the fourth link 263 and the fourth lever 300, respectively. Thus, the third lever 290 and the fourth lever 300 begin to rotate once the third link 253 and the fourth link 263 cross the gap and engage with the third lever 290 and the fourth lever 300, respectively.

[0023] In the illustrated example, the delivery channel 410 is disposed in a lower portion of the folding body 210, opposite the opening 411. The delivery channel 410 extends from the proximal end 212 to the distal end 211 of the folding body 210. In some implementations, the delivery channel 410 may be aligned with a channel in the body of an IOL injector. The delivery channel 410 may also be configured to align with a delivery channel in a nozzle of an IOL injector, such as a nozzle disposed at the distal end of the IOL injector, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 . Once the IOL 10 is folded into the delivery configuration, the IOL 10 is pushed down into the delivery channel 410 for implantation into the eye by the IOL injector. For example, in some implementations, the plunger of the IOL injector may be advanced to engage the folded IOL 10, and the IOL 10 may be advanced through the nozzle and into the patient's eye. In some implementations, when a user applies force to the first and second side actuators 250, 260, it causes the third and fourth levers 290, 300 to rotate, causing the third and fourth levers 290, 300 to close over the IOL 10 and push the IOL 10 in its folded configuration into the delivery channel 410. As a result, the folded IOL 10 is now positioned between the closed third and fourth levers 290, 300 and the delivery channel 410.

[0024] Upon engagement of the first and second side actuators 250, 260 by a user, the first and second side actuators 250, 260 may immediately engage the first and second levers 270, 280. When the user engages the first and second side actuators 250, 260, the first and second side actuators 250, 260 also immediately engage the third and fourth levers 290, 300.

[0025] In some implementations, the first and second side actuators 250, 260 may engage the first and second levers 270, 280 before engaging the third and fourth levers 290, 300. That is, the first and second side actuators 250, 260 may displace laterally within the slot 240 a selected distance upon engagement by a user, displacing the first and second levers 270, 270 before the first and second side actuators 250, 260 begin actuation of the third and fourth levers 290, 300. This sequential actuation of the levers can ensure that the haptics 30, 40 are pressed against the base 50 of the IOL 10 before the base 50 is collapsed into the delivery configuration.

[0026] IOL 10 can be preloaded into folding device 200 before shipping to the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to insert IOL 10 into folding device 200. This avoids the risk of contamination of IOL 10 and ensures that IOL 10 remains sterile throughout the folding process prior to implantation. Additionally, preloading IOL 10 reduces the chance of IOL 10 being damaged during loading into folding device 200 and / or the injector.

[0027] In some implementations, the folding device 200 may be included within an IOL injector. Exemplary IOL injectors including a folding device are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The exemplary IOL injectors shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may also be single-use disposable devices. Such devices allow a user to fold and implant an IOL with a single disposable device. In some implementations, the IOL injector may include an injector body, a plunger adapted to reciprocate within the injector body, and a nozzle disposed at the distal end of the injector body. The folding device 200 may be disposed at the proximal end of the nozzle.

[0028] 5 and 6 show another exemplary folding device 500. The folding device 500 includes a circular folding body 510 having a central section 520 adapted to hold an IOL 10. As described above, the IOL 10 includes an anterior support 30, a posterior support 40, and a base 50. A first lever 530, a second lever 540, a third lever 550, and a fourth lever 560 are disposed within the folding body 510 and are movable within the folding body 510. The first lever 530 and the second lever 540 are pin-connected to the folding body 510 such that the first lever 530 and the second lever 540 are pivotable about vertical axes 531 and 541, respectively. The first lever 530 and the second lever 540 include a first portion 533 and a second portion 535, respectively, with a living hinge 537 disposed between the first portion 533 and the second portion 535. The first and second portions 533, 535 are pivotable relative to one another about a living hinge 537. In operation, the first and second levers 530, 540 are operable to pivot relative to the folding body 510 about both pin connections and internally about the living hinge 537 as the pegs 532, 542 and corresponding ends of the first portions 533 of the levers 530, 540 move linearly along the slots 692, as will be described in more detail below. The third and fourth levers 550, 560 are disposed within and movable within the slots 551, 561, respectively. The third and fourth levers 550, 560 include walls 553 disposed at their inner ends. During actuation of the third and fourth levers 550, 560, the walls 553 are adapted to engage opposing edges of the IOL and urge the edges toward one another. First lever 530 includes a vertically extending peg 532, and second lever 540 includes a vertically extending peg 542. Third lever 550 and fourth lever 560 include a vertically extending peg 552 and a vertically extending peg 562, respectively.

[0029] 5 and 6, folding device 500 may further include a rotatable cover 610 disposed over central section 520 and an alignment guide 690 disposed between folding body 510 and rotatable cover 610. Rotatable cover 610 includes a first slot 640 and a second slot 650. Alignment guide 690 includes a third slot 691 and a fourth slot 692. First slot 640 and third slot 691 operate with first lever 530 and first lever 540 to actuate first lever 530 and second lever 540. Similarly, second slot 650 and fourth slot 692 operate with third lever 550 and fourth lever 560 to actuate third lever 550 and fourth lever 560. Rotatable cover 610 is rotatable in the direction of arrow 620 to actuate folding device 500 and fold IOL 10. The rotatable cover 610 can be rotated by force applied by the user. The alignment guide 690 is fixed relative to the folding body 510. Thus, the rotatable cover 610 can also rotate relative to the alignment guide 690 and the folding body 510. As described below, the alignment guide 690 and the rotatable cover 610 work in conjunction with the first and second levers 530, 540, and the third and fourth levers 550, 560 to fold the IOL 10.

[0030] 5 and 6 , the first slot 640 is arcuate in configuration, having a first end adjacent the outer periphery 651 of the rotatable cover 610 and converging at angle A toward the center 653 of the rotatable cover 610. The second slot 650 is serpentine in configuration. The second slot 650 extends from a location adjacent the outer periphery 651 of the rotatable cover 610 and converges at angle B toward the center 653 of the rotatable cover 610. In the illustrated example, angles A and B are 90°, thereby limiting the amount that the rotatable cover 610 can rotate. However, in other implementations, angles A and B may be greater than or less than 90°.

[0031] Each of the pegs 532 of the first lever 530 and the pegs 542 of the second lever 540 extends through one of the fourth slots 640 and one of the second slots 450, respectively. Each of the pegs 552 of the third lever 550 and the pegs 526 of the fourth lever 560 extends through one of the first slots 640 and one of the third slots 691, respectively. The slots 691 and 692 formed in the alignment guides constrain radial movement of the pegs disposed therein. In particular, as described below in connection with the illustrated example, rotation of the rotatable cover 610 causes the pegs 532, 542, 552, and 562 to move inward toward the center of the folding body along the corresponding third and fourth slots 691 and 692. For a given rotational speed of the rotatable cover 610, the first slot 640 and the second slot 650 define how the first lever 530 and the second lever 540 move relative to the third lever 550 and the fourth lever 560 along their corresponding slots 691 and 692 formed in the alignment guide 690, and the speed at which these levers move.

[0032] In the illustrated example, first and second slots 640, 650 formed in rotatable cover 610 and third and fourth slots 691, 692 formed in alignment guide 690 are arranged in a pattern that causes symmetrical movement of first lever 530 and second lever 540 and symmetrical movement of third lever 550 and fourth lever 560 to cause symmetrical folding of IOL 10. In an initial state, first lever 530, second lever 540, third lever 550, and fourth lever 560 are positioned adjacent outer edge 515 of folding body 510. When IOL 10 is loaded into central section 520 of folding body 510, first lever 530 contacts front support 30 and second lever 530 contacts rear support 40. Similarly, when IOL 10 is loaded into compartment 520 , third lever 550 and fourth lever 560 contact opposite edges 25 and 27 of base 50 .

[0033] As the rotatable cover 610 rotates, the second slot 650, together with the third slot 691, interacts with the peg 532 of the first lever 530 and the peg 542 of the second lever 540, respectively, causing both the pegs 532 and 542 to pivot inward toward the center of the folding body 510 and about the living hinge 537, folding the anterior and posterior haptics 30 and 40 inward toward the IOL base 50. The third peg 552 and fourth peg 562 interact with the first slot 640 and the third slot 691, causing the third lever 550 and the fourth lever 560 to advance toward the center of the folding body 510 at a slower rate than the first lever 530 and the second lever 540 due to the nature of the first slot 640. When the third lever 550 and the fourth lever 560 are actuated, the opposing sides of the IOL's base 50 are forced toward each other, folding the IOL 10 .

[0034] During folding, the anterior haptics 30 and the posterior haptics 40 fold against the base 50. With the anterior haptics 30 and the posterior haptics 40 folded, the third lever 550 and the fourth lever 560 press against opposite edges of the base 50, folding the base 50 and the haptics 30 and 40 together so that the folded IOL 10 drops into a delivery channel 670 in the folding body 510. Once positioned within the delivery channel 670, the plunger may be advanced to expel the folded IOL 10 from the folding device 500, for example, into the nozzle of an IOL injector. The folding device 500 can then fold the IOL 10 into a delivery configuration. Due to cooperating slots in the rotatable cover 610 and the alignment guide 690, the rotational motion of the rotatable cover 610 is translated into linear motion of the levers 530, 540, 550, and 560.

[0035] In other implementations, alignment guide 690 may be omitted because, in other implementations, folding body 510 may include grooves that levers 530, 540, 550, and 560 follow. For example, in FIG. 5 , levers 550 and 560 are received in slots 551 and 561, respectively, which constrain linear, radial movement of levers 550 and 560. Similarly, slots 517 and 519 may be included in folding body 510 to constrain linear, radial movement of first lever 530 and second lever 540.

[0036] Thus, when a user applies a rotational force to the rotatable cover 610, the rotation of the rotatable cover 610 is converted into linear motion as a result of interaction between pegs 532, 542, 552, and 562 of levers 530, 540, 550, and 560 and slots formed in the rotatable cover 610 and alignment guide 690, causing levers 530, 540, 550, and 560 to apply a force to the IOL 10, folding the IOL 10 into the delivery configuration. In some implementations, the first lever 530 and the second lever 540 begin to move inward as soon as the rotatable cover 610 begins to rotate. The slots 640 and 650 formed in the rotatable cover 610 may be configured to delay the inward advancement of the first lever 530 and the second lever 540 over a given amount of angular rotation of the rotatable cover 610. In some implementations, the third lever 550 and the fourth lever 560 are moving inward as soon as the rotatable cover 610 begins to rotate. In other implementations, the slots 650, 660 formed in the rotatable cover 610 may be configured to delay the inward advancement of the third lever 550 and the fourth lever 560 over a given amount of angular rotation of the rotatable cover 610.

[0037] In some implementations, in response to rotation of the rotatable cover 610, the first lever 530 and the second lever 540 advance before the third lever 550 and the fourth lever 560. This sequential movement can ensure that the haptics 30, 40 are pressed against the base 20 of the IOL 10 before the base 20 is collapsed into the delivery configuration.

[0038] As described above, once the IOL 10 is folded into a delivery configuration, the IOL 10 may be pushed along a delivery channel 670 by a plunger before being implanted in the eye. The delivery channel 670 may extend from the proximal end to the distal end of the folding body 510. The delivery channel 670 may be configured to align with a channel formed in the body of an IOL injector. The delivery channel 670 may also be configured to align with a delivery channel in the nozzle of the IOL injector.

[0039] Once IOL10 is folded into the delivery configuration, it may be pushed down into delivery channel 670 for implantation into the eye. In some implementations, upon rotation of rotatable cover 610 by a user, third lever 550 and fourth lever 560 converge toward the center of compartment 520, pushing IOL10 into the folded configuration. The folded IOL10 then drops into delivery channel 670, ready to be further advanced, for example, by a plunger.

[0040] In some implementations, the IOL 10 may be preloaded into the folding device 500. Preloading the IOL 10 can ensure that the IOL 10 remains sterile throughout the folding process prior to implantation. Additionally, preloading the IOL 10 can reduce the risk of the IOL 10 being damaged during loading into the folding device and / or injector.

[0041] 11-12 show another exemplary folding device 1100. Folding device 1100 operates in a manner similar to folding device 500 described above. For example, similar to folding device 500, folding device 1100 includes a folding body 1102 defining a central compartment 1104 adapted to receive IOL 10. A delivery channel 1106 is formed in a floor 1108 of central compartment 1104. Delivery channel 1106 is adapted to carry the folded IOL once it has been folded by folding device 1100 into a delivery configuration.

[0042] The folding device 1100 also includes two sets of levers 1110 and 1112. The levers 1110 are similar to the first and second levers 530 and 540, and the levers 1112 are similar to the third and fourth levers 550 and 560. In this example, the levers 1110 and 1112 all include living hinges 1114 that allow the levers 1110 and 1112 to extend because the hinges 1114 cause the levers 1110 and 1112 to unfold from their initial folded configuration as shown in FIG. 11 as they advance toward the center of the central compartment 1104. Each of the levers 1110 and 1112 includes a peg 1116 that extends perpendicularly therefrom.

[0043] Folding device 1100 also includes a rotatable cover 1117 that includes a first slot 1118 that receives peg 1116 of lever 1110 and a second slot 1120 that receives peg 1116 of lever 1112. However, folding device 1110 does not have a separate alignment guide. Rather, slots 1122 and 1124 may be formed in folding body 1102 that receive levers 1110 and 1112, respectively. Slots 1122 and 1124 constrain linear and radial movement of levers 1110 and 1112, respectively. Thus, alignment guides may be omitted.

[0044] Folding device 1100 operates similarly to folding device 500. Pegs 1116 of levers 1110 and 1112 are received in corresponding slots 1118 and 1120, and such rotation of rotatable cover 1117 in the direction of arrow 1126 causes levers 1110 and 1112 to move inward along corresponding slots 1122 and 1124, folding IOL 10 in a manner similar to that described above. In some implementations, slots 1118 and 1120 may be positioned and shaped to cause levers 1110 and 1112 to move sequentially. For example, slots 1118 and 1120 may be configured such that lever 1110 moves inward before lever 1112 when rotatable cover 1117 is rotated in the direction of arrow 1126. Sequential movement of levers 1110 and 1112 may be desirable to fold support 30 and support 40 onto base 50 before folding base 50.

[0045] The folding device 500 may be incorporated into an IOL injector. An exemplary IOL injector 710 is shown in Figures 7 and 8. In some cases, the IOL injector 710 may be disposable for a single use or after fewer than five uses, allowing a user to fold and implant an IOL with a single, disposable device.

[0046] 7 and 8 are exemplary schematic diagrams of an IOL injector 710 including an injector body 720, a plunger 730 adapted to reciprocate within a bore 740 formed in the injector body 720, and a nozzle 755 disposed at a distal end 760 of the injector body 720. The nozzle 755 defines a passageway 757 through which a folded IOL may be advanced and delivered into the eye through an opening 758. A delivery channel of a folding device 776, which may be delivery channel 670 of folding device 500 or delivery channel 1106 of folding device 1100, may be aligned with the bore 740 and / or the passageway 757. While the folding device 776 is shown schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is understood that the folding device 776 may be any folding device within the scope of the present disclosure. The bore 740, the delivery channel of the folding device 776, and the passageway 757 may combine and extend from the proximal end 750 of the injector body 720 to the distal end 760 of the injector body 720. The plunger 730 is received in and movable within the bore 740 such that the plunger 730 is slidable within the bore 740. In particular, the plunger 730 is slidable within the bore 740 to advance an IOL, such as IOL 770, within the delivery channel of the folding device 776 and the passageway 757 of the nozzle 755.

[0047] The IOL injector 710 also includes a longitudinal axis 775. The longitudinal axis 775 may extend along the plunger 730 and define the longitudinal axis of the plunger 730. The folding device 776 may include a storage compartment 780 operable to store the IOL 770 prior to insertion into the eye. In some cases, the folding device 776 may include a door 790 to provide access to the storage compartment 780. The door 790 may include a hinge 800 such that the door 790 can be pivoted about the hinge 800 to open the compartment 780. In other implementations, the folding device 776 may eliminate a door for attaching an IOL. In such examples, the IOL may be incorporated into the folding device 776 during assembly of the folding device 776. Thus, in such examples, the IOL injector 710 would be a preloaded IOL injector.

[0048] The injector body 720 may also include a tab 810 formed at the proximal end 750 of the injector body 720. The tab 810 may be manipulated by the finger of a user, such as an ophthalmologist or other medical professional, to advance the plunger 730 within the bore 740. The plunger 730 may include a body portion 900, a plunger rod 910 extending distally from the body portion 900, and a plunger tip 920 formed at the distal end of the plunger rod 910 and adapted to contact, for example, a folded IOL disposed in an IOL storage compartment 780 of a folding device 776 of the IOL injector 710. When the plunger 730 is displaced distally within the bore 740 in the direction of arrow 778, the plunger 730 engages and advances a folded IOL, such as IOL 770, contained within compartment 780.

[0049] Patients may occasionally require IOL replacement, and the procedure to replace the IOL can result in eye damage. The use of a two-piece IOL, for example, allows the replacement procedure to involve only the replacement of the optic, allowing the base to remain in place within the eye.

[0050] As described above, in some implementations, IOL 10 may be a two-component IOL, as shown in FIG. 10 . IOL 10 includes a base 1061 and an optic 1060 that are separately injected into a patient's eye. Thus, for a two-component IOL, base 1061 and optic 1060 may be housed in separate IOL injectors for insertion into the eye. In other implementations, the two components of the two-component IOL may be separately inserted into the eye using a single IOL injector. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 11-12 , IOL 10 may include a base 50 and haptics 30 and 40, which may be inserted separately from the optic and are located within the hollow base. For a single-component IOL (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ), optic 20 and haptics 30 and 40 form a single IOL that can be inserted into the eye as a single unit using a single IOL injector.

[0051] Thus, in some implementations, a user can place an integrated IOL into an IOL injector, for example, by loading the IOL into an IOL storage compartment of the IOL injector, which is accessed through a door. In some implementations, the IOL may be manually folded into a compressed or folded configuration before attachment to the IOL injector.

[0052] In the case of a two-piece IOL, in some implementations, a user may load the base (which may be similar to base 1061 or base 50) into an IOL storage compartment of an IOL injector, for example, via a door. The optic (which may be similar to optic 1060) may be introduced into an IOL storage compartment of a separate IOL injector, for example, via a door. In some cases, the IOL storage compartment may be accessed through a door similar to door 790. In some implementations, one or both of the base and optic may be manually folded into a compressed or folded configuration before attachment to the IOL injector.

[0053] In some implementations, the IOL may be preloaded into the storage compartment of the IOL injector, for example, during manufacturing or otherwise prior to distribution to the end user. Thus, with respect to a one-piece IOL, the one-piece IOL may be preloaded into the storage compartment of the IOL injector before receipt by the end user. With respect to a two-piece IOL, the base may be preloaded into the storage compartment of one IOL injector, and the optic may be preloaded into the IOL storage compartment of another IOL injector. As used herein, the term “preloaded” means that the IOL, whether one-piece or multi-piece (e.g., including two-piece) configuration, is not loaded into the IOL injector by the user, but rather is pre-installed in the IOL injector and is already contained within the IOL injector when the IOL injector is received by the user. The IOL injector may be packaged in sterile packaging when received by the user.

[0054] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, preloading an IOL into an IOL injector has advantages over manual loading and folding of the IOL into the IOL injector by the user. For example, manual loading and folding of the IOL can increase the opportunity for error, potentially resulting in unnecessary secondary manipulations or corrections during an already complex procedure. Manual loading and folding of the IOL can also introduce the possibility of contamination of the IOL, such as through human error or poor aseptic technique. Contamination of the IOL can compromise the patient's sterile environment, putting the patient at risk for infection or other harm.

[0055] 9 shows a view of the distal end 760 of the IOL injector with an IOL 770 therein in a rest position 777. The rest position 777 in FIG. 9 may correspond to the rest position 777 shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the rest position of the IOL is such that the distal edge of the optic 450 of the IOL 770 is in a rest position. It may be defined as a location that is substantially aligned with boundary 1900. Support 440, or a portion thereof, may extend beyond boundary 1900.

[0056] Various implementations of IOL folding devices described herein and within the scope of the present disclosure may be configured to fold an IOL base and / or IOL optic of a multi-piece IOL, or may be configured to fold a single-piece IOL. Various implementations of IOL folding devices and associated methods described herein may be used with IOL bases and / or optics that are manually loaded into the IOL folding device by a user or pre-loaded into the IOL folding device by a user prior to delivery.

[0057] Non-limiting examples of IOL injectors that may be adapted for use with the IOL folding devices described herein include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,854 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0256316, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0058] The present disclosure discloses a folding device for components of a multi-component intraocular lens, including a two-component IOL. The folding device may be coupled to an intraocular lens injector for implanting the folded components of the multi-component IOL. The IOL may be folded during delivery using an actuation action by the user to collapse the base, optic, or base / optic assembly into a delivery configuration. In some implementations, the anterior and posterior optics are first placed into a delivery configuration and position by pressing and holding haptics against the outer edge of a ring. The ring is then folded into the delivery configuration for advancement into the eye for implantation.

[0059] In some implementations, the intraocular lens folding device may include a folding body, and a first side actuator may be disposed within the folding body and extend horizontally through a slot on a first side of the folding body. A second side actuator may be disposed within a slot on a second side of the folding body and extend horizontally through the slot. A central section of the folding body may be configured to accommodate an IOL. Within the folding body, first and second levers are disposed to contact haptics of the IOL, and when a user inputs force into the first and second side actuators, the actuators engage with the first and second levers, rotate the levers, and generate a force against the haptics to press the haptics against the base. The folding body may further include third and fourth levers adapted to contact the base of the IOL. When a user inputs force into the first and second side actuators, the actuators engage the third and fourth levers, rotating the levers and generating a force against the base to collapse the base into a delivery configuration for delivery.

[0060] In another implementation, an intraocular lens folding device may include a circular folding body including a central compartment configured to accommodate an IOL. A rotatable cover may be disposed over the central compartment. Within the folding body, a first lever may contact the support and may have a peg extending vertically through a first slot in the cover. A second lever may contact the opposite support and may have a peg extending vertically through a second slot in the cover. When a user applies a rotational force to the cover, the cover guides the peg and the corresponding first and second levers to apply a force against the support to press the support against the base. The folding body may further include a third and fourth lever. Each of the third and fourth levers may have a peg extending vertically through a third and fourth slot in the cover, respectively. When the cover is rotated by a user, the cover guides the peg and the third and fourth levers to apply a force against the base to collapse the base into a delivery configuration for delivery.

[0061] The folding devices disclosed herein avoid direct contact between the IOL and the user folding the IOL because they use mechanical linkages to complete the folding of the IOL object. The use of mechanical linkages reduces the risk of folding errors and reduces the risk of introducing contamination to the folding device components and the IOL contained within the folding device throughout the folding and ejection of the IOL.

[0062] While the present disclosure provides numerous examples, the scope of the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, the foregoing disclosure contemplates a wide range of modifications, alterations, and substitutions. It will be appreciated that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure also includes the following inventions. The first aspect is 1. An intraocular lens (IOL) folding device comprising a circular folding body, a central compartment adapted to house an IOL, said IOL comprising: A first support portion; A second support portion; a base including a first edge and a second edge; a central section including: a first rotatable cover disposed on the central section of the folding body, the first rotatable cover including a first slot, a second slot, a third slot, and a fourth slot; a first lever disposed within the circular folding body, the first lever including a first peg extending into the first slot and a first pivot, the first lever adapted, upon rotation of the first rotatable cover, for the first peg to slidingly interact with the first slot and rotate the first lever about the first pivot, contact the first haptic of the IOL, and apply sufficient force against the first haptic of the IOL to press the first haptic against the base of the IOL; a second lever disposed within the circular folding body, the second lever including a second peg extending into the second slot and a second pivot, the second lever adapted, upon rotation of the first rotatable cover, for the second peg to slidingly interact with the second slot and rotate the second lever about the second pivot, contact the second haptic of the IOL, and apply sufficient force against the second haptic of the IOL to press the second haptic against the base of the IOL; a third lever disposed within the circular folding body, the third lever including a third peg extending into the third slot and a third pivot, the third lever adapted, upon rotation of the first rotatable cover, to cause the third peg to slidingly interact with the third slot and rotate the third lever about the third pivot to contact the first edge of the IOL and apply sufficient force against the first edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL; and a fourth lever disposed within the circular folding body, the fourth lever including a fourth peg extending into the fourth slot and a fourth pivot portion, the fourth lever adapted such that, upon rotation of the first rotatable cover, the fourth peg slidingly interacts with the fourth slot, rotates the fourth lever about the fourth pivot portion, contacts the second edge of the IOL, and applies sufficient force against the second edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL. The second aspect is An IOL folding device in a first aspect, further comprising a delivery channel positioned below the folding body and extending from the proximal end of the folding body to the distal end of the folding body, the delivery channel adapted to receive an IOL folded into a delivery configuration for delivery and adapted to align with the delivery channel in the body and nozzle of an IOL injector. The third aspect is The IOL folding device of the first aspect further comprises the IOL disposed within the central compartment. The fourth aspect is The IOL folding device of a third aspect further includes an optic disposed within the base. The fifth aspect is The IOL folding device of a fourth aspect further includes a second rotatable cover disposed above and coupled to the first rotatable cover. The sixth aspect is 1. An intraocular lens (IOL) injector, comprising: An injector body; a nozzle having a hollow interior disposed on a distal end of the injector body; a plunger adapted to reciprocate within the injector body and to contact and apply a force to an IOL disposed within the IOL injector, the IOL comprising: A first support portion; A second support portion; a base including a first edge and a second edge; a plunger including: A folding main body, a central compartment adapted to house the IOL; a first lever disposed within the folding body, the first lever adapted to contact the first haptic of the IOL and apply sufficient force to the first haptic of the IOL to press the first haptic against the base of the IOL; a second lever disposed within the folding body, the second lever adapted to contact the second haptic of the IOL and apply sufficient force to the second haptic of the IOL to press the second haptic against the base of the IOL; a third lever disposed within the folding body, the third lever adapted to contact the first edge of the IOL base and apply sufficient force against the first edge of the IOL base to fold the base of the IOL; and a folding body including a fourth lever disposed within the folding body, the fourth lever adapted to contact the second edge of the IOL base and apply sufficient force against the second edge of the IOL base to fold the base of the IOL. A seventh aspect is The folding body includes: a first side including a first slot; a second side disposed opposite the first side and including a second slot; a first side actuator disposed within the first slot and extending horizontally through the first slot, the first side actuator comprising: a first side actuator contact surface adapted for application of a manual force; a first link extending horizontally through the first slot on the first side of the folding body, the first link adjacent the first side actuator contact surface, the first link rotatably coupled to the first lever, and the first link adapted to horizontally rotate the first lever in response to application of a manual force to the first actuator contact surface and apply a force against the first haptic of the IOL sufficient to press the first haptic against the base of the IOL; a first side actuator including: a third link extending horizontally through the first slot on the first side of the folding body, the third link adjacent the first side actuator contact surface, engaging the third lever, and adapted to vertically rotate the third lever in response to application of a manual force to the first actuator contact surface to apply a force against the first edge of the IOL sufficient to fold the base of the IOL; a second side actuator disposed within the second slot and extending horizontally through the second slot, the second side actuator comprising: a second side actuator contact surface adapted for application of a manual force; a second link extending horizontally through the second slot on the second side of the folding body, the second link adjacent the second side actuator contact surface, the second link rotatably coupled to the second lever, and the second link adapted to horizontally rotate the second lever in response to application of a manual force to the second actuator contact surface to apply a force against the second haptic of the IOL sufficient to press the second haptic against the base of the IOL; An IOL injector in a sixth aspect further comprising a second side actuator, the fourth link extending horizontally through the second slot on the second side of the folding body, the fourth link adjacent to the second side actuator contact surface, engaging with the fourth lever, and adapted to rotate the fourth lever vertically in response to application of manual force to the second actuator contact surface and apply sufficient force to the second edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL. The eighth aspect is In a seventh aspect of the IOL injector, the first link and the second link rotate the first lever and the second lever before the third link and the fourth link engage the third lever and the fourth lever. A ninth aspect is The IOL injector of a seventh aspect, wherein the first side actuator and the second side actuator are adapted to simultaneously apply a manual force. A tenth aspect is The folding body is a circular folding body, and further includes a first rotatable cover disposed on the central section of the folding body, the first rotatable cover including a first slot, a second slot, a third slot, and a fourth slot; the first lever is disposed within the circular folding body and includes a first peg extending into the first slot and a first pivot portion, the first lever being adapted such that, upon rotation of the first rotatable cover, the first peg slidingly interacts with the first slot, rotates the first lever about the first pivot portion, contacts the first haptic of the IOL, and applies sufficient force against the first haptic of the IOL to press the first haptic against the base of the IOL; the second lever is disposed within the circular folding body and includes a second peg extending into the second slot and a second pivot portion, the second lever being adapted such that, upon rotation of the first rotatable cover, the second peg slidingly interacts with the second slot, rotates the second lever about the second pivot portion, contacts the second haptic of the IOL, and applies sufficient force against the second haptic of the IOL to press the second haptic against the base of the IOL; the third lever is disposed within the circular folding body and includes a third peg extending into the third slot and a third pivot, the third lever adapted, upon rotation of the rotatable cover, for the third peg to slidingly interact with the third slot and rotate the third lever about the third pivot to contact the first edge of the IOL and apply sufficient force against the first edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL; the fourth lever is disposed within the circular folding body and includes a fourth peg extending into the fourth slot and a fourth pivot, the fourth lever being adapted such that, upon rotation of the first rotatable cover, the fourth peg slidingly interacts with the fourth slot, rotates the fourth lever about the fourth pivot, contacts the second edge of the IOL, and applies sufficient force against the second edge of the IOL to fold the base of the IOL. 10 is an IOL injector according to a sixth embodiment. An eleventh aspect is An IOL injector in a tenth aspect, wherein the circular folding body further includes a second rotatable cover, the second rotatable cover being positioned above the first rotatable cover and coupled to the first rotatable cover. A twelfth aspect is An IOL injector in an eleventh aspect, wherein the injector body further includes a delivery channel, the delivery channel being positioned below the folding body and extending from the proximal end of the folding body to the distal end of the folding body, the delivery channel being adapted to receive an IOL folded into a delivery configuration for delivery, and being adapted to align with the delivery channel in the injector body and nozzle. A thirteenth aspect is The IOL injector of an eleventh aspect further includes the IOL disposed within the central compartment. A fourteenth aspect is The IOL injector of a thirteenth aspect further includes an optical component disposed within the base.

Claims

1. 1. An intraocular lens (IOL) folding device comprising: The intraocular lens (IOL) folding device comprises: A folding main body, The folding body includes: a central compartment adapted to house an IOL; A first side portion; a first slot extending from the first side into the central section; a second side disposed opposite the first side; a folding body including a second slot extending from the second side into the central compartment; a first lever disposed within the central compartment, the first lever adapted to engage a first haptic of the IOL; a second lever positioned opposite the first lever within the central compartment, the second lever adapted to engage a second support of the IOL; a third lever disposed within the central compartment, the third lever adapted to engage a first edge of the base of the IOL; a fourth lever disposed within the central compartment and adapted to engage a second edge of the base of the IOL; a first side actuator movably disposed within the first slot, the first side actuator adapted to actuate the first lever about a first axis and actuate the third lever about a second axis different from the first axis when the first side actuator is displaced inwardly toward the central section; a second side actuator disposed within the second slot, the second side actuator adapted to actuate the second lever about a third axis and actuate the third lever about a fourth axis different from the third axis when the second side actuator is displaced inward toward the central compartment.

2. 2. The IOL folding device of claim 1, further comprising a delivery channel formed in the floor of the folding body and extending from the proximal end of the folding body to the distal end of the folding body, the delivery channel adapted to receive an IOL folded into a delivery configuration for delivery by displacement of the first side actuator and the second side actuator.

3. The IOL folding device of claim 2 , wherein the delivery channel is adapted to align with a delivery channel in a nozzle of an IOL injector.

4. 2. The IOL folding device of claim 1, wherein the first side actuator comprises a first link and a second link extending through the first slot, the first link and the second link adapted to rotate the first lever and the second lever, respectively, when the second link is displaced inward through the first slot.

5. 5. The IOL folding device of claim 4, wherein the first link actuates the first lever before the second link actuates the second lever when the first link is displaced inward through the first slot.

6. 2. The IOL folding device of claim 1, wherein the second side actuator comprises a third link and a fourth link adapted to rotate the third lever and the fourth lever, respectively, when the second link is displaced inward through the second slot.

Images