Allergan, Inc.

Thomas M McNicholas

Jim Deacon

Daniel G Brady

Shih-Liang S Yang

Crystal M Cunanan

An apparatus for inserting an intraocular lens through an incision into an eye includes a tube defining a hollow passage, an injector rod longitudinally moveable within the hollow passage and a force transfer assembly coupled to the injector rod. The injector rod has a distal portion adapted to contact the intraocular lens within the hollow passage of the tube to urge the intraocular lens distally through the hollow passage. The force transfer assembly is adapted to transfer sufficient force to the injector rod to effect the longitudinal movement of the injector rod and is further adapted to prevent the transfer of sufficient force to the injector rod to effect the longitudinal movement of the injector rod in response to an increased amount of force being applied to the force transfer assembly.

Lens protector for intraocular lens inserter

Apparatus for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) into eyes are disclosed. In one embodiment, such apparatus includes a hollow tube including an interior wall defining a hollow space through which an IOL is passed and an outlet through which the IOL is passed from the hollow space into an eye, and a lubricity enhancing component covalently bonded to the hollow tube at the interior wall in an amount effective to at least assist in facilitating the passage of the IOL through the hollow space.

IOL insertion apparatus with covalently bonded lubricant

Apparatus and methods for inserting foldable IOL's into the eye are disclosed. The present apparatus include a load chamber and an injection tube. A hand piece may be included which is structured to reinforce the injection tube, in particular the proximal end portion of the injection tube. The open distal end of the injection tube may be beveled, preferably so that the open distal end faces generally toward the right, so that the IOL can be inserted into the eye through a smaller incision in a controlled manner, for example, to reduce the need for post-surgical manipulation of the IOL in the eye. Methods for inserting IOL's into eyes of patients, particularly using the present apparatus, are also disclosed.

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Laguna Niguel, CA, United States of America

Thomas M McNicholas