Ophthalmic devices

Abstract

To provide an ophthalmic device that facilitates intraocular fixation of intraocular lenses within the eye. [Solution] An ophthalmic device used in scleral fixation of an intraocular lens according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a linear sliding member having a longitudinal direction, located at a predetermined distance from the end to be punctured into the eye, and an opening formed between the end and the sliding member, wherein the sliding member is formed to slide in only one direction toward the end in the longitudinal direction, and the size of the opening is variable as the sliding member slides toward the end.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ophthalmic device, and particularly to an ophthalmic device used for intrascleral fixation of an intraocular lens. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, in cataract surgery, an artificial intraocular lens is implanted into the eye in place of the extracted crystalline lens. In recent years, as a method for fixing an intraocular lens in the eye, intrascleral fixation, in which the support portion of the intraocular lens is embedded into the sclera forming the outer wall of the eyeball, has become widespread. In intrascleral fixation, it is necessary to pull the support portion of the intraocular lens inserted into the eye out of the eye for fixation, and instruments for this purpose have been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 6502431 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] An intraocular lens implanted in the eye may fall into the eyeball for some reason. In this case, the fallen intraocular lens is removed from the eyeball and a new intraocular lens is inserted, but this imposes a burden on the eyeball, so a technique for reusing the original intraocular lens is required. However, the instrument described in Patent Document 1 cannot realize intrascleral fixation by reusing the intraocular lens. Furthermore, there was also the problem that intrascleral fixation itself has high difficulty.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an ophthalmic device that facilitates intrascleral fixation using a fallen intraocular lens in the eyeball for reuse among intrascleral fixation procedures for intraocular lenses. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] An ophthalmic device used in scleral fixation of an intraocular lens, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises a linear sliding member having a longitudinal direction, located at a predetermined distance from the end to be punctured into the eye, and an opening formed between the end and the sliding member, wherein the sliding member is formed to slide in only one direction toward the end in the longitudinal direction, and the size of the opening is variable as the sliding member slides toward the end.

[0007] In an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening may be used to insert a support portion of an intraocular lens within the eye, and the sliding member may be slid toward its end within the eye to clamp the support portion of the intraocular lens in the opening.

[0008] In an ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the portion of the opening that holds the support portion for the intraocular lens may be provided with a projection.

[0009] An ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may have an opening provided by folding a resin thread and passing both ends through a sliding member.

[0010] An ophthalmic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may have an opening provided by a longitudinal notch at the tip of a resin strip.

[0011] In one embodiment of the ophthalmic device of this disclosure, the sliding portion may be formed to slide in only one direction toward the end by means of sawtooth provided along the longitudinal direction from the end where the opening is located, and claws provided on the sliding member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an ophthalmic device that facilitates scleral fixation of intraocular lenses, specifically in cases where an intraocular lens that has fallen into the eyeball is reused. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1]Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of an intraocular lens, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an eye in which an intraocular lens has been implanted. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an ophthalmic device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Figures 3(a) to 3(e) are schematic diagrams illustrating the use of an ophthalmic device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an ophthalmic device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Figures 5(a) to 5(e) are schematic diagrams illustrating the use of an ophthalmic device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereafter, an embodiment of the invention described herein (also referred to as the present invention) will be explained using the figures. Note that the figures are examples, and the present invention is not limited to those shown in the figures. For example, the proportions of each part of the illustrated ophthalmic device, its size relative to the eye, and its proportions relative to instruments and intraocular lenses are not limited to those shown. Also, please note that the proportions in each figure differ from the actual proportions for the sake of clarity.

[0015] Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of an example of an intraocular lens. The intraocular lens 1 has an optical part 2 and a support part 3. Although there are various types of intraocular lenses 1, this disclosure can be applied to any type of intraocular lens 1. Figure 1(b) is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an eye with an intraocular lens implanted inside the eye. In the example in Figure 1(b), an example is shown in which the intraocular lens 1 was implanted inside the eye by scleral fixation. When the direction of human line of sight is considered to be forward, the optical part 2 of the intraocular lens 1 is located behind the iris 102, and in the case of scleral fixation, the support part 3 of the intraocular lens is fixed to the sclera 101 of the eye. Although Figure 1(b) shows the case in which the lens has been completely removed, methods of implanting the intraocular lens 1 include removing the cloudy lens due to cataracts and placing and fixing the intraocular lens in the lens capsule, or suturing and fixing the intraocular lens 1 to the sclera 101 with sutures.

[0016] The intraocular lens 1 implanted in the eye by these methods may shift for some reason and fall into the eye. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an ophthalmic device that is particularly suitable for fixing a fallen intraocular lens by intrascleral fixation.

[0017] <First Embodiment> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an ophthalmic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ophthalmic device 10 may be used for intrascleral fixation of the intraocular lens 1. As shown in the drawing, the ophthalmic device 10 may be linear and have a length direction. Further, the ophthalmic device 10 may be formed of a sliding member 13 and a thread 14. In this case, the ophthalmic device 10 (the sliding member 13 and the thread 14) may be made of resin, for example, may be made of acrylic, silicone, nylon, or the like. The sliding member 13 and the thread 14 may be made of the same material or different materials. Further, since the ophthalmic device 10 remains placed in the eye together with the intraocular lens 1, it may be made of the same material as the intraocular lens 1, for example, PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Fluoride). The material of the ophthalmic device 10 is not limited to these.

[0018] Although details will be described later, the thickness of the ophthalmic device 10 as a whole may pass through a puncture hole formed by a 23 to 27 gauge needle, for example, may be within 0.4 to 0.7 mm.

[0019] The ophthalmic device 10 may include an end portion 11 to be punctured into an eye, a sliding member (slider) 13 that is slidable in the length direction at a portion spaced apart from the end portion 11 by a predetermined distance, and an opening 12 formed between the end portion 11 and the sliding member 13. The predetermined distance between the end portion 11 and the sliding member 13 may be a distance at which the sliding member 13 is positioned inside the eye when the ophthalmic device 10 is inserted into the eye from the end portion 11, and may be, for example, approximately 0.3 to 1.0 mm.

[0020] In the case of the ophthalmic device 10 shown in Fig. 2, the opening 12 is provided by folding a resin thread 14 and passing the folded end through the sliding member 13. The method for manufacturing the ophthalmic device 10 is not limited to that described above. For example, the opening 12 may be provided by folding the resin thread 14 and passing both ends of the thread 14 through the sliding member 13. Here, the sliding member 13 is formed to be slidable only in one direction along the length of the ophthalmic device 10 toward the end 11. For example, a claw may be formed on the sliding member 13 and serrations may be formed on the thread 14, and the meshing of these may restrict the sliding direction. Alternatively, processing that increases the friction between the thread 14 and the sliding member 13 may be applied to the thread 14 or the sliding member 13. Although the term "thread" is used herein, the member 14 only needs to be an elongated flexible resin member, and may also be referred to as a tube, a pipe, a rod, a ribbon, a strip, or the like.

[0021] The size of the opening 12 is configured to be variable by sliding the sliding member 13 toward the end 11. As will be described in detail later, the support portion 3 of the intraocular lens 1 is inserted into the opening 12. In this state, the sliding member 13 is slid toward the end 11 to reduce the size of the opening 12, so that the ophthalmic device 10 is configured to clamp the support portion 3. As shown in Fig. 2, on the side of the opening 12 that clamps the support portion 3, serrations like saw teeth or protrusions may be provided to improve the retention of the support portion 3.

[0022] Next, using Figure 3, the procedure for fixing the intraocular lens 1 that has fallen into the eye to the sclera 101 using the ophthalmic device 10 will be explained. First, as shown in Figure 3(a), a needle 6 is inserted into the sclera 101. The insertion point of the needle 6 may be around 2.0 to 2.5 mm from the cornea. Next, as shown in Figure 3(b), the ophthalmic device 10 is inserted into the eye through the puncture hole 7 made by the needle 6. Note that from Figure 3(b) onward, the cornea is not shown, and a transmissive view of the inside of the eye is shown. Next, as shown in Figure 3(c), the support portion 3 of the intraocular lens 1 inside the eye is inserted into the opening 12 by the surgeon. Note that the instrument operated by the surgeon may be inserted through a different puncture hole. From this state, as shown in Figure 3(d), the sliding member 13 is slid toward the end portion 11 by the surgeon using the instrument 8, the opening 12 is closed, and the support portion 3 of the intraocular lens 1 is held in place by the ophthalmic device 10. Subsequently, the other support portion 3 of the intraocular lens 1 is similarly clamped by the ophthalmic device 10 inserted from the opposite side, following the procedure shown in Figures 3(a) to (d). The positions of both ophthalmic devices 10 (i.e., the positions of the intraocular lens 1) may then be adjusted within the eye. After positioning is complete, the suture 14 remaining outside the sclera 101 may be ligated as shown in Figure 3(e), then cut and embedded within the sclera 101. However, the method of handling the suture 14 is not limited to this, as long as the ophthalmic device 10 can be fixed in place.

[0023] Thus, according to one embodiment of the ophthalmic device of this disclosure, the intraocular lens can be held by inserting the support portion of the intraocular lens into the opening and reducing the size of the opening to hold the lens in place. This makes it possible to easily perform scleral fixation of an intraocular lens located inside the eye.

[0024] <Second Embodiment> Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an ophthalmic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the ophthalmic device 20 may be linear and have a longitudinal direction, similar to the ophthalmic device 10. The ophthalmic device 20 may also be formed from a sliding member 23 and a strip 24. In the second embodiment as well, the ophthalmic device 20 (sliding member 23 and strip 24) may be made of resin, for example, acrylic, silicone, nylon, etc. The sliding member 23 and the strip 24 may be made of the same material or different materials. Furthermore, since the ophthalmic device 20 is placed in the eye together with the intraocular lens 1, it may be made of the same material as the intraocular lens 1, for example, PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Fluoride). However, the material of the ophthalmic device 20 is not limited to these.

[0025] Furthermore, the ophthalmic device 20, like the ophthalmic device 10, has a diameter that allows it to pass through a puncture hole made by a 23-27 gauge needle, and may be, for example, 0.4-0.7 mm in diameter.

[0026] The ophthalmic device 20 may have an end portion 21 that is inserted into the eye, a sliding member 23 that is slidable in the longitudinal direction at a predetermined distance from the end portion 21, and an opening 22 formed between the end portion 21 and the sliding member 23. The predetermined distance between the end portion 21 and the sliding member 23 may be the same as the predetermined distance between the end portion 11 and the sliding member 13 in the first embodiment.

[0027] In the case of the ophthalmic device 20 shown in Figure 4, an opening 22 is provided at the tip of a resin strip 24 by a notch along its length. That is, this notch functions as an opening 22 when opened by the surgeon during surgery. The ophthalmic device 20 may be manufactured by passing the notched tip through a sliding member 23. However, the manufacturing method of the ophthalmic device 20 is not limited to that described above. Here, the sliding member 23 is formed to slide in only one direction toward the end 21 along the length of the ophthalmic device 10. This may also be configured in the same way as the sliding member 13 and thread 14 of the ophthalmic device 10. Although it is described as a "strip," the member 24 may be any long, narrow shape made of flexible resin with a width, and may be called a band, strap, ribbon, tape, band, etc.

[0028] The opening 22 is configured to be variable in size as the sliding member 23 slides toward the end 21. As will be described in detail later, similar to the ophthalmic device 10, the support portion 3 of the intraocular lens 1 is inserted into the opening 22 of the ophthalmic device 20. In this state, the sliding member 23 is slid toward the end 21 to reduce the opening of the opening 22, so that the ophthalmic device 20 grips the support portion 3.

[0029] Next, the procedure for intrascleral fixation using the ophthalmic device 20 will be explained using Figure 5. First, as shown in Figure 5(a), the needle 6 is inserted into the sclera 101. This may be the same as the explanation of the ophthalmic device 10 using Figure 4(a), and the explanation will be omitted. Next, as shown in Figure 5(b), the ophthalmic device 20 is inserted into the eye through the puncture hole 7 made by the needle 6. Note that from Figure 5(b) onward, the cornea is not shown, and only intraocular transmission diagrams are shown. Next, as shown in Figure 5(c), the opening 22 of the ophthalmic device 20 inside the eye is opened by the operator using an instrument 8. Note that the instrument 8 operated by the operator may be inserted through a different puncture hole. Here, in the example of Figure 5(c), the shape of the opening 22 is shown as a rhombus, but the shape of the opening 22 is not limited to this and may be an ellipse.

[0030] Next, as shown in Figure 3(d), the support portion 3 of the intraocular lens 1, which is located inside the eye, is inserted into the opening 22 by the surgeon. From this state, as shown in Figure 3(e), the sliding member 23 is slid by the surgeon toward the end portion 21, the opening 22 is closed, and the support portion 3 of the intraocular lens 1 is held in place by the ophthalmic device 20. Subsequently, the other support portion 3 of the intraocular lens 1 is also held in place by the ophthalmic device 20 inserted from the opposite side, following the procedure shown in Figures 5(a) to (d). The positions of both ophthalmic devices 10 (i.e., the positions of the intraocular lens 1) may then be adjusted inside the eye. After positioning is complete, the strip 24 remaining outside the sclera 101 may be cut, and its end may be heat-treated and embedded in the sclera 101. Note that the method of processing the strip 24 is not limited to this, as long as the ophthalmic device 20 can be fixed in place.

[0031] Thus, with other embodiments of the ophthalmic device of this disclosure, the intraocular lens can also be held by inserting the support portion of the intraocular lens into the opening and reducing the size of the opening to hold the lens in place. This makes it possible to easily perform scleral fixation of intraocular lenses that are inside the eye.

[0032] While the present invention has been described based on various drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art will find it easy to make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] For example, the above description concerns the scleral fixation of an intraocular lens that has fallen into the eye. However, the ophthalmic device relating to this disclosure may also be applied when a new intraocular lens is inserted and fitted from outside the eye. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Intraocular lens 2 Optical Department 3. Support (Haptics) 6 needles 7 Puncture hole 8. Equipment 10 Ophthalmic Devices 11 End 12 Openings 13 Sliding member 14. Resin thread 20 Ophthalmic Devices 21 End 22 Opening 23 Sliding member 24 resin strips

Claims

1. An ophthalmic device used in scleral fixation of intraocular lenses, The aforementioned ophthalmic device is Linear and having a longitudinal direction, A sliding member that can slide in the longitudinal direction is provided at a predetermined distance from the end that is inserted into the eye, An opening formed between the end and the sliding member, Equipped with, The sliding member is formed to be slidable in only one direction toward the end along its length, The size of the opening is variable as the sliding member slides toward the end. Ophthalmic devices.

2. The opening is used to insert the support portion of the intraocular lens into the eye. The sliding member slides within the eye toward the end, causing the opening to clamp the support portion of the intraocular lens. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1.

3. The portion of the opening that holds the support portion of the intraocular lens is provided with a projection. The ophthalmic device according to claim 2.

4. The ophthalmic device is formed by folding a resin thread and passing both ends through the sliding member, The ophthalmic device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The ophthalmic device is provided with an opening formed by a notch along the length of a resin strip at its tip. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The sliding portion is formed so that it can slide in only one direction toward the end, by means of sawtooth provided along the longitudinal direction from the end where the opening is located, and claws provided on the sliding member. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1 or 2.

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