Intraocular lens package

Intraocular lens package for packing, shipping or storage of intraocular lenses including a base and a configured cavity for the containment of an IOL and a lens retainer cap fitting over and about the configured cavity to contain the IOL within a seat. The haptics rest on ramped surfaces adjacent to a centralized lens cavity which is supported by semi-tubular struts. A lens retainer cap positions on beveled support posts to form an upper surface of the lens cavity. Lens haptics fit between the support posts to prevent rotational movement of the IOL in the lens package. Tightening flanges in the lens retainer cap engage in ramped catches in the inner perimeter of the configured cavity to secure the lens retainer cap to the configured cavity. Differently configured cavity interiors accept different configurations of posterior and anterior chamber lenses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention pertains to an IOL lens package, and more 
particularly, pertains to packages for containment of either anterior or 
posterior chamber lenses enclosed in a cavity or chamber and secured 
within by a screw-on cap. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Representative prior art intraocular lens packages include U.S. Pat. Nos. 
4,173,281; 4,269,307; and 4,402,396. 
The present invention provides a new and novel lens package structure of 
the prior art. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The general purpose of the present invention is to provide lens carriage 
and storage packages which can contain different configured interior 
cavities for the safe containment and carriage of intraocular lenses, such 
as anterior chamber lenses and posterior chamber lenses, including vaulted 
or non vaulted haptics. Lenses can be plano-convex, bi-convex, 
concave-convex and other like shapes, and the loops of the intraocular 
lens can be either open loops or closed loops of one or more in number. 
According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an 
intraocular lens positioned in a lens cavity including a segmented seating 
surface and a configured central ring. Semi-tubular struts extend 
outwardly from the raised annular rim and lens cavity to a washer shaped 
circular support member which is interior to a raised annular rim. Haptics 
position upon a ramped segmented disc surrounding the lens cavity. 
Vertical support posts limit lens movement laterally, and the loops 
position between pairs of the support loops to preclude rotational 
movement within a central cavity. The support posts are also stops for a 
conical surface of the lens retainer cap. A lens retainer cap, including a 
shallow conically shaped disc positions and fastens over and about the 
cavity with peripheral flanges engaging ramped notched surfaces integral 
to a raised annular ring. Alternatively, the interior chamber 
configuration can be configured differently to accommodate differently 
styled lenses. 
One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a lens 
package suitable to optic inspection by the surgeon without removal of the 
optic from the protective package. 
Another aspect and significant feature of the present invention is a screw 
on containment cap which senses the optic within the lens chamber. 
Another aspect and significant feature of the present invention is a lens 
chamber offering minimal contact with the enclosed optic. 
Another aspect and significant feature of the present invention is an 
option of differently configured lens supports and chambers for 
differently configured lenses. 
Having thus described one embodiment of the present invention it is a 
principal objective hereof to provide an IOL lens package for the carriage 
and protection of IOL's utilizing a screw-on cap and configured cavity, 
that configured cavity assuming different support assemblies for 
differently styled lenses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a posterior intraocular lens 
package 10, the present invention including a base 12, a configured cavity 
14 positioned on the upper surface 13 of the base 12 and a lens retainer 
cap 16 which secures over and about the configured cavity 14 to retain and 
contain a posterior chamber intraocular lens as later described in detail. 
A lens is placed in and rests in the lens cavity 18 and is secured in the 
cavity by a almost flat conically shaped disc 20 integral to the lens 
retainer cap 16. Flanges 22-26 in the lens retainer cap 16 engage and 
secure within corresponding ramped catches 28, 30 and 32 integral to 
raised annular rim 34 to secure the lens retainer cap 16 to the configured 
cavity 14 and retain an IOL within the lens cavity 18 as later described 
in detail. A rectangular data placard surface 36 positions on the upper 
surface of the base 12. 
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the configured cavity 14 positioned on an 
upper surface 13 of the base 12 where all numerals correspond to those 
elements previously described. Ramped catches 28, 30 and 32 position on 
the inner side walls of the raised annular rim 34. The underneath sides of 
the catches are ramped upwardly each containing a series of notches 38, 40 
and 42 positioned on the ramped surface. A circular support member 44 much 
resembling a washer positions above the plane of the base 12 and within 
the raised annular rim 34 and extends inwardly from the inner walls of the 
raised annular rim 34 to support the outer portions of a segmented disc 46 
including sections 46a, 46b, 46c and 46d. Semi-tubular struts 48a, 48b, 
48c and 48d extend inwardly from the inner radius of the circular support 
member 44 and between respective segmented disc 46 sections to support the 
edges of the segmented disc 46 and to support a central configured rim 50 
as also illustrated in FIG. 5. The upper surfaces of the segmented disc 46 
are ramped and slope downwardly towards the center and inwardly towards 
the lens cavity 18 to accommodate lens loops as described later in detail. 
Beveled top rounded support posts 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d position 
vertically on the inner portion of the segmented disc sections 46a-46d and 
are extensions of the upper portion of the central configured rim 50. 
Inwardly and downwardly beveled and radiused support seats 54a, 54b, 54c 
and 54d position on the inner surface and just below the top of the 
support post 52a-52d to support an intraocular lens in the lens cavity 18 
as also illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the lens retainer cap 16 where all 
numerals correspond to those elements previously described. The retainer 
cap includes a circular raised fluted gripping rim 56 for actuation of the 
lens retainer cap 16 over and about the configured cavity 14. A circular 
support member 58 somewhat resembling a washer shape and having a finite 
width extends inwardly from the lower portion of the circular gripping rim 
56 to form an inner circular edge 60. An annular ring 62 extends 
downwardly from the inner circular edge 60. Flanges 22-26 extend 
downwardly and outwardly from the lower suface of the annular ring 62 to 
subsequently engage with the ramped catches 28, 30 and 32 for securement 
of the lens retainer cap 16 to the configured cavity 14. Three rectangular 
like mold processing holes 58a, 58b and 58c position over flanges 22-26. 
Flanges 22-26 include flange bars 64, 66 and 68 and flange support struts 
70a, 70b, 72a, 72b, 74a and 74b respectively. Locking teeth 76, 78 and 80 
position on the upper surface of flanges 22-26 for engagement with series 
of notches 38-42 in ramped catches 28-32. A shallow conically shaped 
member 20 extends inwardly and downwardly toward the center and contains a 
hole 82 with a rounded smooth lower smoothed lower edge 82a. Rounded edge 
82a provides a contact surface for high G-loadings if required to retain 
an IOL between the lens retainer cap 16 and the lens cavity 18 as 
illustrated in FIG. 6 but does not normally come in contact with the IOL. 
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the lens retainer cap where all numerals 
correspond to those elements previously described. Lens retainer cap 16 is 
positioned above the configured cavity 14 prior to IOL insertion and is 
rotated for sake of clarity of illustration and symmetry showing flange 
positioning. Shown in particular is the flat circular mating surface 84 
adjacent to the annular ring 62 and the placement of locking tooth 80 on 
flange 26, as well as other corresponding locking teeth and flanges. 
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional side section view of the configured 
cavity 14 taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2 where all numerals correspond to 
those elements previously described. Shown in particular is the lens 
cavity 18 and an end-on view of the ramped catch 28. A cavity mating 
surface 86 assuming the shape of a circle is formed by the upper edge of 
the raised annular rim 34 and mates with plat circular mating surface 84 
of the lens retainer cap 16. 
FIG. 6 best illustrates the mode of operation and illustrates a view in 
cross section of the intraocular lens package 10 with the lens retainer 
cap 16 engaged over and about the configured cavity 14 and retaining an 
IOL 88 within lens cavity 18 where all numerals correspond to those 
elements previously described. An IOL 88 engages and rests on and in 
appropriately sized beveled and radiused support seats 54a-54d and within 
lens cavity 18 as also illustrated in FIG. 7. Vaulted IOL loops 90a and 
90b position as illustrated over portions of the segmented disc 46. The 
exact segments of which they overlay are determined by a plurality of 
orientation schemes of the lens and its placement in the lens cavity 18 
and is not construed to be limiting in nature. The surface of the shallow 
conically shaped disc 20 conforms to the vaulted IOL loops 90a and 90b and 
an inner lower annular surface 20a of the conically shaped disc 20 
adjacent to hole 82 positions touching the upper surfaces of the support 
posts 52a-52d to contain the IOL 88 in the lens cavity 18. The rounded 
smooth lower edge 82a at the edge of hole 82 retains and comes in close 
proximity to but does not engage in contact with the planar surface or any 
other surface of the IOL 88. 
For purposes of illustration lens retainer cap 16 is shown with locking 
flange 22 engaged within ramped catch 28 as would other like locking 
flanges within their respective locking catches. The lens retainer cap 16 
is turned clockwise to engage locking flange 22 and like flanges fully 
into the ramped catch 28 and respective catches. The locking tooth 76 of 
flange 22 engages against the notched ramped under surface of ramped catch 
28 utilizing spring like qualities of the flange 22 as it is depressed 
downwardly by the under surface of the ramped catch 28 to press and engage 
the locking tooth 76 into a notch of notch series 38 and rotationally 
securing the lens retainer cap 16 in a fixed position over and above the 
configured cavity 14. Locking flanges 22-26 operate in unison within 
respective ramped catches 28-32 to secure the plat circular mating surface 
84 to the cavity mating surface 86 securing the IOL 88 as illustrated 
within the lens cavity 18. 
FIG. 7 illustrates a posterior IOL 88 within lens cavity 18 of configured 
cavity 14 where all numerals correspond to those previously described. IOL 
88 rests in the beveled and radiused support seats 54a-54d located in 
beveled top rounded support posts 52a-52d. As illustrated vaulted IOL loop 
90a positions between support post 52a and 52b and in a similar fashion 
vaulted IOL loop 90b positions between support posts 52c and 52d. 
Rotational movement of the IOL 88 is limited by the spacing between any 
two adjacent beveled top rounded support posts 52 between which the 
vaulted IOL loops 90a-90b are positioned. Of course the vaulted IOL loops 
90a and 90b can be positioned between other adjacent pairs of beveled top 
rounded support posts 52 and is not construed to be limiting as to the 
number of support posts utilized. Vaulted IOL loops 90a and 90b ends can 
position above opposing pairs of segmented disc 46 as illustrated in FIG. 
7 on sections 46 b and 46d and below conically shaped disc surface 20 of 
the lens retainer cap 16 
FIG. 8 illustrates a cutaway view of a locking flange engaging a ramped 
catch along line 8--8 of FIG. 6 where all numerals correspond to those 
previously described. Ramped catch 28 is shown in engagement with flange 
22 where the near side of the raised anular rim 34 has been cut away 
exposing and leaving the ramped catch 28 exposed. For brevity and clarity 
of illustration other notches and flanges are not illustrated in FIG. 8. 
As the lens retainer cap 16 is turned clockwise, locking tooth 76 and 
flange 22 are sprung downwardly against the notched ramped surface of the 
ramped catch 28 and against the inherent spring qualities of flange 22 and 
flange bar 64 to provide a pressure fit of the locking tooth 76 in one of 
the notches of notch series 38a-38n thus locking the lens retainer cap 16 
and preventing it from working loose by action of outside forces such as 
vibration. 
FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment top view of configured cavity 
100 for an anterior chamber lens where all numerals correspond to those 
previously described. Raised annular rim 102 being similar to raised rim 
34, ramped notched catches 104-108 correspond and are similar to ramped 
notched catches 28-32 and circular support member 110 corresponds to 
circular support 44. Lens retainer cap 16 functions in a similar manner 
and fits over and about the configured cavity 100 as in previously 
described figures. Portions of the configured cavity 100 inboard of 
circular support member 110 form a support for an anterior chamber IOL 112 
as illustrated in a cutaway view of the lens where the segmented disc 
halves 114a and 114b position centrally within and are ramped downwardly 
and outwardly from the center to the inner radius portion 110a of circular 
support member 110. Semi-tubular struts 116a and 116b position between the 
circular support member 110 and the configured central ring 118 and 
support the edges of the sloping segmented disc halves 114a and 114b 
therebetween. A lens cavity 120 is formed by the upper regions of the 
configured central ring 118 including a circular radiused support seat 
122. 
Pairs of vertical beveled haptic locating posts 124a-124b and 124c-124d 
position as illustrated on the surfaces of segmented disc halves 114a and 
114b and above the upper edge of the configured central ring 118. The 
upper beveled surface of haptic locating posts 124a-124d function as stops 
as do beveled top rounded sipport posts 52a-52d for the shallow conically 
shaped disc 20 of lens retainer cap 16. Semi-elliptical flat topped 
configured IOL positioner members 126 and 128 position on the surfaces of 
segmented disc halves 114a and 114b respectively. The flat side wall 
portion of configured IOL positioner members 126 and 128 adjacent to the 
configured central ring 118 position the anterior cavity IOL 112 within 
the lens chamber 120. Haptics 126a and 126b position over haptic locating 
posts 124a-124b and 124c-124d respectively to preclude rotation of the 
optic of the anterior chamber IOL 112 about its vertical axis when engaged 
in the lens package. Haptics 126a and 126b position over the downwardly 
sloping surfaces of segmented disc halves 114a and 114b. 
FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of the anterior chamber lens 
configured cavity 100 taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9 where all numerals 
correspond to those previously described. Shown in particular is a portion 
of an anterior chamber lens 112 on the circular radiused support seat 122 
of lens cavity 120 and the configuration of the downwardly ramped 
segmented disc halves 114a and 114b supporting the configured central ring 
118. 
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment top view of a configured 
cavity 150 for an intraocular lens having no haptic vaulting, where all 
numerals correspond to those previously described. Raised rim 152 is 
similar and corresponds to raised annular rim 34 and ramped notched 
catches 154-158, and are similar and correspond to ramped catches 28-32. 
Lens retainer cap 16 functions in a similar manner and fits over and about 
the configured cavity 150 as in previously described figures. 
A circular support member 160 much resembling a washer positions above the 
plane of the base 12 and within the raised annular rim 152 and extends 
inwardly from the inner walls of the raised rim 152 to support the outer 
portions of a segmented disc 162 including sections 162a, 162b, 162c and 
162d. Semi-tubular struts 164a, 164b, 164c and 164d extend inwardly from 
the inner radius of the circular support member 160 and between respective 
segmented disc 162 sections to support the edges of the segmented disc 162 
and to support a central configured ring 166 as also illustrated in FIG. 
12. The upper surfaces of the segmented disc 162 are horizontal and extend 
from the inner radius of the circular support member 160 towards the lens 
cavity 168 to accommodate non-vaulted lens loops as described later in 
detail. Beveled top rounded support posts 170a, 170b, 170c and 170d 
position vertically on the inner portion of the segmented disc sections 
162a-162d and are extensions of the upper portion of the central 
configured ring 166 as shown in FIG. 12. Inwardly and downwardly beveled 
and radiused support seats 172a, 172b, 172c and 172d position on the 
inner surface and just below the top of the support post 170a-170d to 
support an intraocular lens 174 in the lens cavity 168 as also illustrated 
in FIG. 12. 
FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-section view of FIG. 11 taken along line 
12--12, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously 
described. Shown in particular is a portion of a unvaulted intraocular 
lens 174 resting on radiused appropriately sized support seats 172a-172d 
and within lens cavity 168, as also illustrated in FIG. 11. Straight 
non-vaulted loops 176a-176b position as illustrated over portions of the 
segmented disc 162, but may overlay other segments as determined by a 
plurality of orientation schemes of the lens and its placement in the lens 
cavity 168. The surface of the shallow conically shaped disc 20 positions 
as previously described touching the upper surfaces of support posts 
170a-170d to contain the non-vaulted loop 174 in the lens chamber 168. 
Lens 174 is illustrated as plano-convex, but other shaped lens optics such 
as bi-convex or meniscus shaped lenses may be accommodated within lens 
chamber 168 with various and minor modifications to the support structures 
and is not construed to be limiting in scope or nature of the invention. 
Various modifications can be made to the present invention without 
departing from the apparent scope thereof.