US5171241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for folding an intraocular lens and holding it in the folded state
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Surgical Vision Inc
•
Filing: 1990-04-02
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Granted: 1992-12-15
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Expires: 2010-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A device is described for folding an IOL and thereafter holding it in its folding state, which comprises a member foldable into two sections of substantially equally dimensions, each of said sections having a shoulder portion dimensioned to receive an edge of the optic of an unfolded IOL and to hold the IOL in the plane of the member when the member is in an unfolded state. A method of folding a foldable IOL along the diameter thereof comprises placing said IOL in the device of claim 1 so that the edges of the optic rest on the shoulders and the optic is substantially centered along the fold line of said member, and folding said sections together. A case is also described for the device which is capable of holding the device with an IOL in an unfolded state.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Buboltz
- 👤 Charles F. Hornback
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/16; A61F2/1662; A61F2/1664; A61F2/1691
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A device for folding an IOL and thereafter holding it in its folded state, which comprises a member foldable into two sections of substantially equal dimensions, each of said sections having a recessed shoulder portion dimensioned to receive an edge of the optic of an unfolded IOL and to hold the IOL in the plane of the member when the member is in an unfolded state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A device for folding an IOL and thereafter holding it in its folded state, which comprises a member foldable into two sections of substantially equal dimensions, each of said sections having a recessed shoulder portion dimensioned to receive an edge of the optic of an unfolded IOL and to hold the IOL in the plane of the member when the member is in an unfolded state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 1 which further comprises a slot substantially symmetrically disposed along a portion of the fold line of said member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein said slot extends beyond said shoulder portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 3 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein the slot begins at the outer edge of said member and extends beyond said shoulders.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 5 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein the slot is disposed about the area of each of said shoulder portions, so that the shoulder portions are centrally disposed within said slot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 1 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 2 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein each of said shoulder portions are semicircular.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 10 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the shoulders are triangular.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 12 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the shoulders are rectangular.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 14 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the sections are beveled along the fold line of the member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 16 wherein the beveled portion of each section is on the side which lies on the outside of said device when the device is in a folded position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 11 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 16 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1 which further comprises means for locking said device in the folded position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 20 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1 in combination with a case which is suitable for transporting said device having an IOL which is unfolded therein or has a folded IOL therein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 1 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case comprising a base for supporting said member and a top secured to said base in a foldable manner, and means for securing said device in said case, whereby in use said top folds over and covers and secures the folded IOL.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 23 wherein the case further comprises IOL stabilizing means extending from the base through the slot adjacent the IOL.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination according to claim 24 wherein the device has an opening through each section and the case further comprises means having a configuration on one portion to match the periphery of the optic, said means extending from one of the base or top made with openings in the device to secure the device in the case.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 24 which further comprises a second IOL stabilizing means attached to the top of the case for securing the IOL in the device when the top is folded over the base.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 1 in combination with a case therefore suitable for transporting said device having an unfolded IOL therein, said case having a slot therein for receiving said device with the IOL therein said slot being configured to enable a portion of said device to be gripped for removal and means for retaining said device within said slot until it is desired to remove it.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination according to claim 27 wherein said means comprises a friction fit between said device and said slot.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
60 words
A combination according to claim 27 wherein said case has a locking member recess and a release member slot, and said means comprises an arm movably secured to the underside of said case, a locking member on said arm sized to fit in the locking member recess and a release member sized to fit movably in said release member slot.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of folding a foldable IOL along a diameter thereof which comprises placing said IOL in the device of claim 1 so that the edges of the optic rest on the shoulders and the optic is substantially centered along the fold line of said member, and folding said sections together.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-15 | 1996-06-15 | 1996-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-15 | 2000-06-15 | 2000-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-15 | 2004-06-15 | 2004-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |