Device for loading an intraocular lens into an injection cartridge

1. A device for the loading of a flexible intraocular lens into an injection cartridge having a receiving chamber for receiving a lens and a cannula, the device comprising:

a tubular element having an internal passage, said passage comprising a receiving section for receiving the lens in a non-folded state;

an intermediate truncated folding section and an end section capable of receiving the injection cartridge detachably, so that the truncated intermediate folding section leads into the receiving chamber of the injection cartridge;

a supporting element mounted in said receiving section having a proximal portion sized to receive the lens in the non-folded state and a distal portion in contact with the lens and having at least an upper arm which defines a convex face extending distally along and within the intermediate truncated folding section; and

a plunger comprising a rod that is mounted so as to be movable in the internal passage, capable of pushing the lens positioned in the receiving section through the truncated intermediate folding section to fold said lens gradually, then in the receiving chamber of the injection cartridge placed in the end section.

2. The device according to claim 1 , comprising a braking mechanism formed of one or more projections along the rod of the plunger which create at least resistance to a rearward return of the rod of the plunger in said internal passage, said end section being capable of detachably receiving a holding mechanism that extends in the internal passage up to its receiving section to longitudinally block a lens positioned in said receiving section against the free end of the rod of the plunger.

3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein said braking mechanism creates a blocking of the rearward return of the rod of the plunger in the internal passage and resistance to the forward movement of the rod of the plunger in the internal passage.

4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the holding mechanism includes an endpiece comprising a retaining rod sized to fit into the internal passage through the open distal end of said internal passage and into apposition against the lens.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the tubular element comprises side holes opening out into the receiving section to enable the passage of at least one of sterilizing agent, lubricants and a tool to position the haptic part of the lens relative to a rod of the holding endpiece.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the internal passage of the tubular element comprises an open distal end sized to receive the injection cartridge, the tubular element defining a longitudinal slot extending up to said distal end for receiving a flap of the injection cartridge.

7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal slot is of a bayonet type which blocks the injection cartridge in the end section by engagement of the flap in the longitudinal slot.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the internal passage of the tubular element comprises an open proximal end by which the supporting element is fitted into the receiving section.

9. The device according to claim 8 , wherein a tip of the supporting element has a conical end extending in the truncated folding section of the internal passage.

10. The device according to claim 9 , wherein a slot defined along the tip is offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the tip.

11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the conical end extends in the end section of the tubular element and is sized for insertion in the truncated inlet section of the receiving chamber of an injection cartridge placed in said end section.

12. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the conical end extends in the end section of the tubular element.

13. The device according to claim 8 , wherein said end section is capable of detachably receiving a holding mechanism, wherein the holding mechanism includes an endpiece comprising a retaining rod sized to fit into the internal passage through the open distal end of said internal passage and into apposition against the lens.

14. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the supporting, element comprises a tip with a head sized to fit into the receiving section, the tip defining a longitudinal slot between an upper arm and a lower arm into which a lens is fitted and which is also sized to translatably receive the rod.

15. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is loaded with a flexible intraocular lens and packed in a sterile pouch.

16. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising an injection cartridge designed to be loaded with a flexible intraocular lens the cartridge comprising a receiving chamber for receiving a lens in folded form extended by a cannula for the injection of the folded lens.

17. The device according to claim 16 , wherein the receiving chamber has a truncated section delimited on one side by an inlet hole of the receiving chamber and extended on the other side by a cylindrical section.

18. The device according to claim 17 , wherein said tube comprises, on its outer wall, a rectangular longitudinal flap extending radially outwards.

19. The device according to claim 16 , wherein said tube comprises, on its outer wall, a rectangular longitudinal flap extending radially outwards.

20. The device according to claim 1 , wherein a tip of said supporting element has a conical end extending in the truncated folding section of the internal passage, the supporting element further having a lower arm which defines a concave face opposing the convex face such that each face is shaped so as to form guiding surfaces for the folding of the lens.

21. The device according to claim 20 , wherein a slot defined along the tip is offset relative to a longitudinal axis of the tip.

22. A set comprising a loading device according to claim 1 and an injection cartridge, comprising a reception chamber and a cannula.