IOL insertion tool with forceps

1. An instrument for double-folding an elastically deformable intraocular lens (IOL) and for inserting the double-folded IOL into the anterior chamber of a patient's eye, the instrument comprising:

(a) an elongate handle having a proximal end and a distal end;

(b) a first elongate member slidably disposed within the handle, the first elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end;

(c) a second elongate member slidably disposed within the handle, the second elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal ends of the first elongate member and the second elongate member being disposed forward of the distal end of the handle so as to provide an operative pair of forceps jaws for retaining an IOL;

(d) sliding means for sliding each of the elongate members back and forth within the handle;

(e) moving means for moving the distal end of the second elongate member with respect to the distal end of the first elongate member between (i) a closed jaw position wherein the distal end of the second elongate member is disposed proximal to the distal end of the first elongate member and (ii) an open jaw position wherein the distal end of the second elongate member is disposed distal to the distal end of the first elongate member; and

(f) a double-folding member reversibly attachable to the distal end of the handle, the double-folding member comprising an open proximal end, smooth converging interior side walls and an open distal end, the distal end being smaller than the proximal end, the converging walls being configured so as to double-fold an IOL as the IOL is moved by the forceps jaws between the proximal end of the double-folding member and the distal end of the double-folding member.

2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the first elongate member has an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being disposed most proximal to the second elongate member, the lower surface of the first elongate member at the distal end of the first elongate member being radiused so as to facilitate the downward folding of an IOL in the double-folding member.

3. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the sliding means comprises at least one slider element, the at least one slider element being slidably disposed in the handle and having an exterior slider knob disposed on the exterior of the handle, the at least one slider element also having interior edges disposed within slots which are defined within each of the elongate members when the elongate members are in the closed open jaw position.

4. The instrument of claim 3 wherein the at least one slider element is a spring loaded single slider element and wherein the interior edges comprise a distal edge and a proximal edge, the proximal edge being of greater length than the distal edge.

5. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the moving means comprises a biasing member for biasing the second elongate member towards the open jaw position and a stationary node for biasing the second elongate member towards the closed jaw position when the proximal end of the second elongate member is slid towards the distal end of the handle by the sliding means.

6. The instrument of claim 5 wherein the biasing member is a spring and the node is an adjustable lifting screw.

7. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the double-folding member further comprises an insertion tube coaxially disposed at the distal end of the double-folding member.

8. The instrument of claim 7 wherein the double-folding member comprises a shoulder at its distal end which prevents the first elongate member from entering the insertion tube.

9. An instrument for double-folding an elastically deformable intraocular lens (IOL) and for inserting the double-folded IOL into the anterior chamber of a patient's eye, the instrument comprising:

(a) an elongate handle having a proximal end and a distal end;

(b) a first elongate member slidably disposed within the handle, the first elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end;

(c) a second elongate member slidably disposed within the handle the second elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal ends of the first elongate member and the second elongate member being disposed forward of the distal end of the handle so as to provide an operative pair of forceps jaws for retaining an IOL;

(d) sliding means for sliding each of the elongate members back and forth within the handle, the sliding means comprising at least one slider element slidably disposed in the handle and having an exterior slider knob disposed on the exterior of the handle, the at least one slider element also having interior edges disposed within slots which are defined within each of the elongate members when the elongate members are in the closed open jaw position;

(e) moving means for moving the distal end of the second elongate member with respect to the distal end of the first elongate member between (i) a closed jaw position wherein the distal end of the second elongate member is disposed proximal to the distal end of the first elongate member and (ii) an open jaw position wherein the distal end of the second elongate member is disposed distal to the distal end of the first elongate member, the moving means comprising a biasing member for biasing the second elongate member towards the open jaw position and a stationary node for biasing the second elongate member towards the closed jaw position when the proximal end of the second elongate member is slid towards the distal end of the handle by the sliding means; and

(f) a double-folding member reversibly attachable to the distal end of the handle, the double-folding member comprising an open proximal end, smooth converging interior side walls and an open distal end, the distal end being smaller than the proximal end, the converging walls being configured so as to double-fold an IOL as the IOL is moved by the forceps jaws between the proximal end of the double-folding member and the distal end of the double-folding member.

10. The instrument of claim 9 wherein the double-folding member further comprises an insertion tube coaxially disposed at the distal end of the double-folding member.

11. The instrument of claim 10 wherein the double-folding member comprises a shoulder at its distal end which prevents the first elongate member from entering the insertion tube.

12. An instrument for double-folding an elastically deformable intraocular lens (IOL) and for inserting the double-folded IOL into the anterior chamber of a patient's eye, the instrument comprising:

(a) an elongate handle having a proximal end and a distal end;

(b) a first elongate member slidably disposed within the handle, the first elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end;

(c) a second elongate member slidably disposed within the handle the second elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal ends of the first elongate member and the second elongate member being disposed forward of the distal end of the handle so as to provide an operative pair of forceps jaws for retaining an IOL;

(d) sliding means for sliding each of the elongate members back and forth within the handle, the sliding means comprising a single spring loaded slider element slidably disposed in the handle and having an exterior slider knob disposed on the exterior of the handle, the slider element also having interior edges disposed within slots which are defined within each of the elongate members when the elongate members are in the closed jaw position;

(e) moving means for moving the distal end of the second elongate member with respect to the distal end of the first elongate member between (i) a closed jaw position wherein the distal end of the second elongate member is disposed proximal to the distal end of the first elongate member and (ii) an open jaw position wherein the distal end of the second elongate member is disposed distal to the distal end of the first elongate member, the moving means comprising a spring for biasing the second elongate member towards the open jaw position and an adjustable lifting screw for biasing the second elongate member towards the closed jaw position when the proximal end of the second elongate member is slid towards the distal end of the handle by the sliding means; and

(f) a double-folding member reversibly attachable to the distal end of the handle, the double-folding member comprising an open proximal end, smooth converging interior side walls and an open distal end, the distal end being smaller than the proximal end, the converging walls being configured so as to double-fold an IOL as the IOL is moved by the forceps jaws between the proximal end of the double-folding member and the distal end of the double-folding member.

13. The instrument of claim 12 wherein the double-folding member further comprises a support element, the support element being disposed so as to bias the distal end of the second elongate member toward the closed jaw position when the distal end of the second elongate member is disposed at the distal end of the double-folding member.

14. The instrument of claim 12 wherein the double-folding member further comprises an insertion tube coaxially disposed at the distal end of the double-folding member.

15. The instrument of claim 14 wherein the double-folding member comprises a shoulder at its distal end which prevents the, first elongate member from entering the insertion tube.