Iris dilator

Abstract

To provide an iris expander which may be introduced in a low profile into a patient's eye and expanded therein, avoiding direct contact with iris tissue.SOLUTION: An iris expander comprises a non-metallic, unitary, multi-segmented body which is expandable from a first state to a second state. The second state defines a larger footprint than the first state. The body is a closed loop defined by a plurality of segments connected by living hinges. The body has an inwardly facing inner surface and an outwardly facing outer surface. The living hinges are formed by sections of the body between the segments which are thinner between the inner surface and the outer surface than adjacent portions of the body. The living hinges define terminal ends of the segments. Each of the segments includes at least one lobe protruding outwardly from the outer surface, and at least one aperture with a channel extending therefrom into a portion of each segment. The channel is spaced inwardly on both the inner surface and the outer surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] To minimize intraoperative and postoperative complications from cataract extraction, the surgeon needs to have the best possible view of the intraocular tissues. There may be opportunities to detect small pupils due to pseudoexfoliation, posterior synechiae, use of miotics, or uveitis.

[0002] If the pupil cannot be adequately dilated for cataract extraction, there is a risk of iris damage, incomplete aspiration of lens fragments and cortical material, damage to the posterior capsule, ectopia, loss of vitreous body, and nucleus lodged in the vitreous cavity.

[0003] An increasing incidence of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome or IFIS has been noted. Citations from past and prospective studies indicate that IFIS is encountered approximately 2% of the time. (Chang, DF, Campbell JR, "Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome Associated With Tamsulosin", J. Cataract Refract. Surg. 2005; 31: 664-673). The majority of affected patients were found to be taking alpha-1 blockers such as tamsulosin ("Flomax") to address benign prostatic hyperplasia. Alpha-1 blockers relax the iris dilator muscle, which can make it difficult to dilate the pupil. Treatment prior to cataract extraction may include pharmacological approaches (NSAIDs, preservative-free epinephrine, viscoelastics), mechanical manipulations (iris hooks / retractors, iris rings / dilators), and iris surgery. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an iris expander including a non-metallic, unitary, multi-segmented body expandable from a first state to a second state, the body being defined by a plurality of segments connected by living hinges, the second state defining a larger footprint than the first state. Advantageously, in accordance with the present invention, the iris expander may be introduced into and expanded within a patient's eye with a low profile.

[0005] In another aspect of the invention, an iris expander is provided that includes a multi-segmented body expandable from a first state to a second state, the second state defining a larger footprint than the first state. At least one opening is formed in the body with the channel extending therefrom into a portion of the body and embedded therein such that no portion thereof is exposed outside the body. The channel is formed to receive a portion of an instrument to cause adjustment of the body. Advantageously, in accordance with the present invention, an iris expander that can be adjusted by an instrument can provide for avoidance of direct contact of the instrument with iris tissue.

[0006] These and other features of the present invention will become apparent through a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates the iris expander of FIG. 1 in a folded state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates lobes that can be used with the present invention. [Figure 4] 11A-11C are different views of a further iris extension formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 illustrates different channel configurations that can be used with the present invention. [Figure 4B]FIG. 2 illustrates different channel configurations that can be used with the present invention. [Diagram 5] 11A-11C are different views of a further iris extension formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 6] 11A-11C are different views of a further iris extension formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 7] 7 is a different view of the iris expander of FIGS. 4-6 in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a different view of the iris expander of FIGS. 4-6 in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 9] 7 is a different view of the iris expander of FIGS. 4-6 in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 10] 7 is a different view of the iris expander of FIGS. 4-6 in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 11] 11A-11C are different views of a further iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 12] 11A-11C are different views of a further iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 13] 11A-11C are different views of a further iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 14] 14 is a different view of an iris dilator in a folded state, similar to the iris dilator of FIGS. 11-13, but with frame-shaped lobes. FIG. [Figure 15] 14 is a different view of an iris dilator in a folded state, similar to the iris dilator of FIGS. 11-13, but with frame-shaped lobes. FIG. [Figure 16] 14 is a different view of an iris dilator in a folded state, similar to the iris dilator of FIGS. 11-13, but with frame-shaped lobes. FIG. [Figure 17] 11A-11C are different views of a further iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 18] 11A-11C are different views of a further iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 19] 11A-11C are different views of a further iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 shows the iris dilator of FIGS. 17-19 in a folded state. [Figure 21] 1A-1C illustrate various aspects of using an iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 22] 1A-1C illustrate various aspects of using an iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 23] 1A-1C illustrate various aspects of using an iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 24] 1A-1C illustrate various aspects of using an iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Diagram 25] 1A-1C illustrate various aspects of using an iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 26] 1A-1C illustrate various aspects of using an iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 27] 1A-1C illustrate various aspects of using an iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 28] 1A-1C illustrate various aspects of using an iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 29] 1A-1C illustrate various aspects of using an iris dilator formed in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] With reference to the drawings, an iris expander 10 is provided that includes a body 12 expandable from a first, folded state to a second, expanded state. The body 12 defines a larger footprint in the second state than in the first state. The expansion of the body 12 allows for introduction of the iris expander 10 in a low profile state and in situ expansion to expand the iris for an ophthalmic procedure, such as cataract extraction, and maintenance of the expanded state for the duration of the procedure. Following the procedure, the iris expander 10 can be folded and removed.

[0009] In a first embodiment, the body 12 is multi-segmented and defined by a plurality of segments 14 connected by living hinges 16. In this configuration, the body 12 can be integrally formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymeric material, including but not limited to thermoplastics, elastomers, and combinations thereof (e.g., thermoplastic / elastomeric copolymers). The body 12 should be biocompatible and sterilizable. The segments 14 are pivotable relative to one another by the living hinges 16 such that the body 12 is initially prepared in a first state and then expanded to a second state. The living hinges 16 provide pivot and / or release points to facilitate elastic deformation of the segments 14 when in the first state.

[0010] The living hinges 16 can be formed by thinned portions of the body 12 to define isthmuses between adjacent pairs of segments 14. The living hinges 16 can be formed during initial forming (e.g., molding) of the body 12 to have a thin, flexible profile, and / or the living hinges 16 can be prepared by a secondary manufacturing method that allows for the removal of material (e.g., cutting) to define the thinned portions. The living hinges 16 are sufficiently flexible to allow reversible bending therebetween, in the process allowing angular rotation about the joining living hinge 16 between two adjacent segments 14.

[0011] Based on the material selection and / or manufacturing technique of the body 12, the body 12 may be adapted to be manually expandable (e.g., the body 12 is formed from a thermoplastic material (e.g., polypropylene)) or to be self-expanding (e.g., the body 12 is formed from an elastomer or thermoplastic / elastomer material (e.g., elastomeric polyurethane)). If the body 12 is adapted to be manually expandable, the living hinge 16 need not have any inherent resilience or other bias for the expansion of the body 12. Rather, as described below, a manual force can be applied to the body 12 to achieve the expansion. The living hinge 16 can be formed to be sufficiently rigid such that once urged into such a position, the body 12 remains in a particular state in the second expanded state. This allows the body 12 to be maintained in a fixed state, such as the second state. Alternatively, if the body 12 is adapted to be self-expanding, the living hinge 16 can include an inherent resilience such that it has an internal bias toward the expanded second state. Such resilience can generate a force that urges the living hinge 16 toward the expanded state. This force also acts on the segments 14. Sufficient force must be generated not only to cause the expansion of the body 12, but also to overcome any resistance of the iris in the process of causing that expansion. The inherent resilience also provides a force to the living hinge 16 to maintain it in the expanded state. Preferably, the body 12 is initially formed in the second expanded state where self-expansion is desired.

[0012] The body 12 is formed as a closed loop intended to engage the edge of the iris around at least some portion of its circumference, and preferably the entirety, when in the expanded state. The body 12 can be of a variety of shapes, including being elliptical (e.g., circular) or polygonal (e.g., square). The segments 14 and living hinges 16 preferably extend continuously for the length of the body 12 without any interruption so as to prevent any portion of the iris from extending through the body 12. Additionally, the body 12 is preferably generally planar, occurring in a single plane of expansion as it expands from the first state to the second state.

[0013] It is envisioned that irises of 5.0 mm or less may require dilation to allow adequate visual access to the eye during an ophthalmic procedure. Preferably, the footprint of body 12 in the second state, as defined by exterior surface 29 of body 12 (FIGS. 4, 4A, 4B), defines a diameter of at least 7 mm, and more preferably at least 6 mm.

[0014] Referring to the drawings, the segments 14 can be provided in various lengths and shapes to provide the desired first and second states of the body 12. The body 12 in the second state can have a generally circular shape. In one variation, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, eight living hinges 16 may be provided that separate the body 12 into eight segments 14 where the segments 14 are not of the same length. As shown in Figure 2, the primary segments 14A each have an arc shape with the primary segments 14A positioned to bow outwardly from one another with respect to the body 12 in the first state. The remaining segments 14 are configured to be positioned within the primary segments 14A with the body 12 in the first state. As a non-limiting example, the four secondary segments 14B may each have approximately the same length as any one of the secondary segments 14B extending from each end of the primary segment 14A. Two tertiary segments 14C are provided, each connecting with a pair of secondary segments 14B. With this arrangement, as shown in Figure 2, the secondary segment 14B and the tertiary segment 14C may be folded and maintained inside the primary segment 14A as shown. The lobes 18 formed on the body 12 should be configured to at least inhibit, if not avoid complete inhibition, full folding of the body 12, particularly when the lobes 18 are disposed inside at least some of the segments 14 when the body 12 is in the first condition. Thus, the lobes 18 formed on the tertiary segment 14C should be shaped so as not to inhibit full folding of the secondary segment 14B inside the primary segment 14A.

[0015] With reference to Figures 4-19, the body 12 can be formed with equal length segments 14. Figures 4-10 show the body 12 having eight living hinges 16 that separate the body 12 into eight segments 14. Alternatively, the body 12 can be formed with four living hinges 16 that separate the body 12 into four segments 14, as shown in Figures 11-19.

[0016] The location of the living hinges 16 and the length of the segments 14 affect the configuration of the body 12 in the first state. FIG. 2 above provides a first state in which the body 12 is extendable outwardly along two Cartesian axes (indicated by the "X" and "Y" arrows in FIG. 2). FIGS. 7-10, 11-13 and 14-16 each show the body 12 in a first state in which the body 12 is extendable outwardly along one Cartesian axis (indicated by the "X" arrow in FIG. 7). Here, the body 12 is folded around two living hinges 16 that can face each other, defining a first end 32 and a second end 34. On the outside of all the segments 14, lobes 18 are located. The body 12 may contract along a perpendicular Cartesian axis (indicated by the "Y" arrow in FIG. 7) during expansion in this configuration. The living hinges 16 can be located at various intermediate points between the first end 32 and the second end 34 depending on the length of the corresponding segment 14. When the segments 14 are of the same length, the living hinges 16 are located approximately midway between the first end 32 and the second end 34. The living hinges 16 that are not located at the ends 32, 34 can act as release points to facilitate elastic deformation of the segments 14 in the first state. This allows the segments 14 to have a natural, resting arcuate shape in the second state, and yet be deformed to a generally straight shape with the body 12 in the first state. The release of the segments 14 from their deformed, straight state to their natural, resting state can impart an expansion force to the body 12 where its self-expansion is desired.

[0017] One or more lobes 18 may be provided on the body 12 to extend over a portion of the iris during implantation and / or expansion of the iris expander 10. The multiple lobes 18 may be equally spaced along a first end of the body 12, such as first end 24 of the body 12, and spaced apart relative to the body 12. The lobes 18 are positioned to receive a portion of the iris adjacent thereto. This provides a positioning function for the iris expander 10 relative to the iris, as well as additional stability while expanding the body 12 and holding the body 12 in the expanded state.

[0018] With reference to FIG. 3, lobes 18 may be provided along both the first end 24 and the second end 26 of the body 12. The lobes 18, 26 on the first and second ends 24 may be aligned around the body 12 to form a U-shaped pocket 28 directly between the upper and lower pair of lobes 18. The pocket 28 may receive a portion of the iris. Alternatively, with reference to FIGS. 4-6, the lobes 18 may be equally spaced, but out of phase, between the first end 24 and the second end 26, such that the lobes 18 alternately protrude from the opposed ends 24, 26 with respect to the body 12. This arrangement provides upper and lower stabilization without defining a pocket 28.

[0019] Lobes 18 may be rigidly formed (FIG. 3) or may have a continuous or frame-like shape in the open state. In addition, lobes 18 may be centrally (FIG. 4) or off-center (FIG. 17) positioned on segment 14. This allows for a variety of positions of lobes 18 relative to body 12 in a first state, as illustrated in a comparison of FIGS. 14-16 and 20.

[0020] 3, one or more lobes 18 can include an opening 20 extending therefrom from a channel 22. The channel 22 is configured to receive a portion of an instrument for positioning and / or causing expansion of the body 12. The channel 22 can be blind or can extend through the respective lobe 18 to a second opening 30 for exposure outside the adjacent segment 14. If the lobes 18 are frame-shaped, an instrument can be inserted into the open portion.

[0021] In a second embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to Figures 4-19, a channel 22 is arranged to extend through one of the segments 14 with an opening 20 exposed on a first end 24 of the body 12 along with the corresponding segment 14. Thus, the channel 22 is embedded within the segment 14 without any portion thereof being exposed to the exterior of the body 12, as shown diagrammatically in Figures 4A and 4B. The channel 22 is completely spaced inwardly from both the interior surface 27 and the exterior surface 29 of the body 12. This arrangement allows for localization of an instrument received within the channel 22 that is axially misaligned with respect to the iris tissue. The channel 22 may be blind (Figure 4A) or may extend to a second opening 30 (Figure 4B) that is externally exposed on the second end 26. In this arrangement, an instrument engaged within the channel 22 is located inside the edge of the iris. Thus, even with an instrument extending through the second opening 30, the instrument does not directly contact the iris. Preferably, the channels 22 extend along a longitudinal axis transverse to the expansion plane. Additionally, multiple channels 22, each with a corresponding opening 20, may be included within the body 12. The channels 22 may be evenly spaced about the body 12. Additionally, one lobe 18 may be disposed adjacent each of the channels 22, allowing for additional tissue stabilization at locations where forces may be applied for expansion.

[0022] With respect to the second embodiment, the arrangement of channels 22 within body 12 may be utilized in a variety of configurations for body 12, generally as described above with respect to the first embodiment. Body 12 may be multi-segmented with a number of segments 14. However, living hinges 16 are not required for the second embodiment of the present invention, and various hinges and other connections may be utilized between segments 14. In all other respects, the second embodiment may be implemented similarly to the first embodiment.

[0023] With reference to Figures 21-29, various aspects of introducing and using the iris expander 10 are shown. Although a particular shape of the body 12 is shown, it should be understood that the body 12 can be formed according to any of the configurations discussed herein, including both the first and second embodiments. With reference to Figure 21, a corneal incision 36 is first made in the eye of the patient to be treated. A typical corneal incision for cataract extraction can be utilized. The iris expander 10 is introduced into the eye with the folded body 12 in a first state. If the iris expander 10 is manually expandable, forceps F or other instrument can be used to insert the expander 10 through the corneal incision 36 and position the iris expander 10 within the iris I. The intrairis iris expander 10 is then positioned such that the edge of the iris is aligned with at least a portion of the lobe 18 (Figure 23). One or more instruments, such as a hook H (e.g., a Sinskey hook), can be used to properly position the iris expander 10 (FIG. 24). A secondary incision 38 in the cornea can be utilized if desired. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 25, the iris expander 10 is expanded by applying manual force in a generally reverse direction. As shown here, a particular segment 14, such as the primary segment 14A, can be expanded outward first. This partial expansion of the iris expander 10 allows for partial expansion of the iris I. The remaining portion of the body 12 can then be expanded as shown in FIG. 26. This continues until full expansion of the iris expander 10 is achieved. Once fully expanded (FIG. 28), the ophthalmic procedure can be performed. After the procedure, the iris expander 10 is folded and removed using a reverse procedure.

[0024] Due to the self-expansion, the iris dilator 10 can be maintained in the first state by an introducer C inserted through the corneal incision 36 (FIG. 29). The introducer C (e.g., a pusher plunger instrument) urges the iris dilator 10 from there into the iris I. Upon release, the iris dilator 10 expands to the second state. An instrument such as one or more hooks (e.g., Sinskey hooks) can be used to adjust the position of the iris dilator 10 as needed. Once fully expanded (FIG. 28), the ophthalmic procedure can be performed. After the procedure, the iris dilator 10 can be collapsed, for example by retraction into the introducer C.

Claims

1. 1. An iris dilator comprising: a non-metallic, unitary, multi-segmented body expandable from a first state to a second state defining a footprint larger than the first state, the body being in a closed loop defined by a plurality of segments connected by living hinges and having an inwardly facing inner surface and an outwardly facing outer surface, the living hinges being formed by sections of the body between the segments that are thinner between the inner surface and the outer surface than adjacent portions of the body; The living hinges define the ends of the segments, each of the segments including at least one opening with at least one lobe projecting outwardly from the outer surface and a channel extending therefrom into a portion of each of the segments, the channel being spaced inwardly of both the inner and outer surfaces such that an instrument received within the channel is axially offset relative to iris tissue and does not directly contact the iris.

2. The iris expander of claim 1 , wherein for at least one of said segments, a pair of said lobes projects from said outer surface and defines a U-shaped pocket therebetween.

3. The iris dilator of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises an elastomeric material.

4. The iris dilator of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a thermoplastic material.

5. The iris dilator of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a thermoplastic copolymer and an elastomeric copolymer.

6. The iris expander of claim 1 , wherein for at least one of the segments, the channel terminates in a second opening.

7. The iris expander of claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture is disposed on the segment so as to be evenly spaced around the body.

8. The iris expander of claim 1 , wherein expansion of the body from the first condition to the second condition occurs generally in an expansion plane.

9. The iris expander of claim 8 , wherein for each of the segments, the channel extends along a longitudinal axis disposed transverse to the expansion plane.

10. The iris expander of claim 1 , wherein for at least one of the segments, the at least one aperture is radially aligned with the lobe of the respective segment.

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