IP Library Granted Patent US 8,900,249
Granted Patent B2
US 8,900,249 · App. 11/584,997 · Granted Dec 2, 2014

Method of delivering temperature controlled intraocular lens

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,900,249
App. No.
11/584,997
Granted
Dec 2, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of delivering an intraocular lens into an eye is disclosed. The intraocular lens is heated. The intraocular lens is maintained within a desired temperature range. The intraocular lens is injected into the eye when the intraocular lens is within the desired temperature range.

Claims (39)

1. A method of delivering an intraocular lens into an eye comprising:

heating the intraocular lens to transfer heat to the intraocular lens while the intraocular lens is external to the eye; maintaining the intraocular lens within a heated desired temperature range determined based on temperature dependent characteristics of the intraocular lens within the heated desired temperature range; displaying a visual indication that the intraocular lens is within the heated desired temperature range while the intraocular lens is external to the eye; and injecting the intraocular lens into the eye in response to the visual indication that the intraocular lens is within the heated desired temperature range.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein maintaining the intraocular lens within a desired temperature range further comprises keeping the intraocular lens in a temperature range that allows it to be compressed.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein injecting the intraocular lens further comprises activating a motor to drive a plunger.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein injecting the intraocular lens further comprises releasing a spring to drive a plunger.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

delaying the injection of the intraocular lens into the eye until the intraocular lens reaches the desired temperature range.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising preventing injection of the intraocular lens before the visual indication is displayed.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein heating the intraocular lens to transfer heat to the intraocular lens while the intraocular lens is external to the eye comprises heating at least one of a heater disposed in or on a plunger, a heater disposed in or on a cartridge, or a heater disposed in or on an injector body.

8. A method of delivering a heated intraocular lens into an eye comprising:

activating a heater to transfer heat to the intraocular lens while the intraocular lens is external to the eye;

maintaining the intraocular lens within a heated desired temperature range determined based on temperature dependent characteristics of the intraocular lens within the heated desired temperature range;

providing an indication that the intraocular lens is within the heated desired temperature range while the intraocular lens is external to the eye; and

in response to the indication, delivering the intraocular lens into the eye while the intraocular lens is within the heated desired temperature range.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

using a feedback signal to control the heater.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

maintaining the heater at a constant temperature.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

receiving an input signal indicating that a heater is to be turned on.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

receiving an input signal indicating that a heater is to be turned off.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

delaying the delivery of the intraocular lens into the eye until the intraocular lens reaches the desired temperature range.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein maintaining the intraocular lens within a desired temperature range further comprises keeping the intraocular lens in a temperature range that allows it to be compressed.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein injecting the intraocular lens further comprises activating a motor to drive a plunger.

16. The method of claim 8 wherein injecting the intraocular lens further comprises releasing a spring to drive a plunger.

17. The method of claim 8 , further comprising preventing delivery of the intraocular lens before the indication is provided.

18. A method of injecting an intraocular lens into an eye comprising:

receiving an input signal indicating that a heater is to be turned on;

activating the heater to transfer heat to the intraocular lens while the intraocular lens is external to the eye;

receiving a feedback signal for controlling the heater; controlling the heater to maintain the intraocular lens within a heated desired temperature range determined based on temperature dependent characteristics of the intraocular lens within the heated desired temperature range;

sending a signal to deliver the intraocular lens into the eye while the intraocular lens is external to the eye in response to the intraocular lens being maintained within the heated desired temperature range.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

providing an indication that the intraocular lens is within the desired temperature range.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

activating a plunger to deliver the intraocular lens into an eye by activating a motor to drive the plunger.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

activating a plunger to deliver the intraocular lens into an eye by releasing a spring to drive the plunger.

Assignments (5)
CONFIRMATORY DEED OF ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 8, 2019 Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: NOVARTIS AG
To: ALCON INC.
Reel/Frame 051454/0788 →
MERGER Recorded May 31, 2011
From: ALCON, INC.
To: NOVARTIS AG
Reel/Frame 026376/0076 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2008
From: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
To: ALCON, INC.
Reel/Frame 021423/0785 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 21, 2008
From: ALCON MANUFACTURING, LTD.
To: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
Reel/Frame 021266/0729 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2006
From: BOUKHNY, MIKHAIL; CHON, JAMES; DOWNER, DAVID; VAN NOY, STEVE
To: ALCON MANUFACTURING, LTD.
Reel/Frame 018459/0607 →