Patent Description:
In recent years, an intraocular lens that can be inserted through a small incision has been available and often used in the clinical setting as phacoemulsification technology prevails, such intraocular lens being provided for alleviating post-surgical astigmatism and invasiveness of surgical procedures, and made of soft materials such as foldable silicon, acrylic resin, hydrogel or the like.

Further, there have also been provided various intraocular lens insertion devices for inserting such foldable intraocular lens through a smaller incision on an eye ball. According to those intraocular lens insertion devices, an intraocular lens folded small is allowed to be pushed out and into an eye through an insertion tube having a cylindrical shape, thus making it possible to insert the intraocular lens into the eye through a significantly smaller incision as compared to a conventional case requiring a pair of tweezers to be used for insertion.

Insertion methods of the intraocular lens insertion devices are broadly divided into a group of screw-type (screw style) and a group of push-type.

A push-type intraocular lens insertion device allows an operator to sensuously press an operation portion with his/her grip strength against resistance such as friction or the like between the intraocular lens and an inner wall of the insertion tube, and allows a pressure thus applied to be transmitted to the intraocular lens so as to push the same forward (e.g., see patent documents <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). According to such push-type intraocular lens insertion device, an insertion operation of the intraocular lens is not only simple, but can be performed with one hand, thereby allowing the operator to use his/her free hand to perform other operations when performing the insertion operation. However, the intraocular lens needs to be moved forward while balancing the friction resistance between the intraocular lens and the inner wall of the insertion tube with the pressure applied to the operation portion, thus making it relatively difficult to control the pressure applied to the operation portion. Further, a nozzle provided on a distal end of the intraocular lens insertion device is the narrowest portion in the insertion tube through which the intraocular lens passes. In this sense, a load generated as the intraocular lens passes through the nozzle becomes large, particularly when releasing an intraocular lens with high power therefrom and when an inner diameter of the nozzle is made small so as to match a smaller incision. Therefore, there is a possibility that the intraocular lens may be abruptly released into the eye, and that eye tissue may thus be damaged.

On the other hand, a screw-type intraocular lens insertion device comprises a plunger and a main body that are screwed together like an external thread and an internal thread. Such screw-type intraocular lens insertion device allows the plunger and a rod for pushing the intraocular lens to move to a lens advancement direction when an operation portion on an end portion of the plunger is twisted (e.g., see patent document <NUM>). According to those screw-type intraocular lens insertion devices, it is easy to control moving amounts of the plunger and the rod. In this sense, the intraocular lens can be prevented to some extent from being abruptly released into the eye, even when the load generated as the intraocular lens passes through the nozzle is large when releasing a thick intraocular lens and the inner diameter of the nozzle is made small. However, since both hands are needed to perform the insertion operation, operation of the screw-type intraocular lens insertion device is relatively more troublesome than that of the push-type intraocular lens insertion device to a certain extent.

<CIT>describes an intraocular lens inserter comprising predefined detent positions wherein the detent controls the motion of a mover. The intraocular lens is ejected from a cartridge into a patient's eye by using the predefined positions.

Further, <CIT> describes an intraocular lens insertion device comprising a knock mechanism for moving an operation portion repeatedly forward and backward so that an intraocular lens placed in a cartridge can be pushed stepwise.

The present invention relates to an intraocular lens insertion device as set forth in the appended claims.

In order to lower the possibility of abruptly releasing the intraocular lens into the eye when operating the push-type intraocular lens insertion device, there have been employed methods such as providing a slit on a distal end portion of the insertion tube, utilizing a spring to apply to the plunger a force in a direction opposite to a direction to which the lens is pushed, or the like (e.g., <CIT>). However, those methods are not sufficient in terms of preventing the intraocular lens from being abruptly released.

Here, in view of the aforementioned problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide an intraocular lens insertion device capable of more reliably controlling the releasing of an intraocular lens into an eye.

The invention according to a first aspect of the present invention is an intraocular lens insertion device for pushing out an intraocular lens by allowing an operation portion thereof to be pushed. This intraocular lens insertion device comprises: a lens contact portion for pushing out the intraocular lens; a transmitting portion for transmitting an external force applied to the operation portion to the lens contact portion; an insertion tube from which the intraocular lens is released to the outside after being pushed by the lens contact portion; and a stop means for temporarily stopping the lens contact portion as the intraocular lens passes through a vicinity of a distal end portion of the insertion tube.

The invention according to a second aspect of the present invention is provided with a plurality of the operation portions, and is thus capable of pushing out the intraocular lens in a step-wise manner.

The invention according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises a main body with the insertion tube fixed to a forward portion thereof, and the operation portion is provided on a backward portion thereof.

The invention according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises the main body with the insertion tube fixed to the forward portion thereof, and at least one of the operation portions is provided on the backward portion thereof.

According to the invention described in a fifth aspect through an eighth aspect, the stop means causes the lens contact portion to be temporarily stopped at a location within <NUM> from a distal end of the insertion tube.

According to the invention described in a ninth aspect through a twelfth aspect, the stop means causes the lens contact portion to be temporarily stopped as the intraocular lens passes through a nozzle section provided on the distal end of the insertion tube.

According to the intraocular lens insertion device of the present invention, the stop means causes the lens contact portion to be temporarily stopped as the intraocular lens passes thorough the vicinity of the distal end portion of the insertion tube, thus allowing the lens contact portion to be stopped before the intraocular lens is released even when a large external force against a reaction force of the operation portion is applied. In this way, the intraocular lens is prevented from being abruptly released into the eye. In this sense, the intraocular lens insertion device of the present invention is capable of releasing the intraocular lens with a small external force, thereby making it possible to more reliably control the releasing of the intraocular lens into the eye.

The present invention is capable of lowering the possibility of abruptly releasing an intraocular lens into an eye by allowing a lens contact portion to be temporarily stopped in the vicinity of a distal end portion of an insertion tube, as compared to a case in which the lens contact portion is not stopped.

In a case in which most part of the intraocular lens has been released into the eye from a distal end of the insertion tube after temporarily stopping the lens contact portion, the intraocular lens, without being further pushed, may enter the eye on its own due to an elasticity of the distal end portion of the insertion tube portion. In this case, in order to place the intraocular lens at a predetermined location in the eye, a small force is further applied to an operation portion so as to cause the lens contact portion to move forward, thereby lowering the possibility of abruptly releasing the intraocular lens into the eye.

Further, even when most part of the intraocular lens is remaining in the insertion tube, the momentum of the lens contact portion moving forward can be stopped by temporarily stopping the lens contact portion, thus lowering the possibility of abruptly releasing the intraocular lens into the eye.

A location at which the lens contact portion is temporarily stopped should be determined by various factors including a material of the insertion tube, a shape of a lumen of the insertion tube (such as an asymmetric shape, an oval shape, a rhombic shape, a circular shape or the like), a shape of the distal end portion of the insertion tube (such as a slit, a cut-out or the like), a shape of the intraocular lens including a supporting portion thereof, a material and a flexibility of the intraocular lens, a magnitude of a slide resistance between the intraocular lens and the insertion tube, or the like.

For example, with regard to an intraocular lens insertion device in which a slit is provided on the distal end portion of the insertion tube, the lens contact portion may be temporarily stopped at a location closer to the distal end of the insertion tube as compared to an intraocular lens insertion device in which no slit is provided on the distal end portion of the insertion tube.

Further, the most appropriate setting locations of an intraocular lens with a large flexibility and an intraocular lens with a small flexibility differ from one another.

As a measure of the location at which the lens contact portion is stopped, the lens contact portion may be temporarily stopped at somewhere between a location at which a pushing resistance of the operation portion reaches a maximum value and the distal end of the insertion tube.

As another measure, the location at which the lens contact portion is temporarily stopped may be determined based on a size of an optical portion of the intraocular lens. For example, when a diameter of the optical portion of the intraocular lens is <NUM>, the lens contact portion is temporarily stopped beyond <NUM> from the distal end of the insertion tube inwardly (from a bottom edge of a cut-out when a cut-out is formed on a nozzle section).

As described above, various factors need to be taken into account when determining the location at which the lens contact portion is temporarily stopped. Here, if the lens contact portion is stopped beyond <NUM> from the distal end of the insertion tube inwardly, the operation portion needs to be further pushed with a force almost as large as or lager than a force applied before the lens contact portion is stopped, in order to move the lens contact portion forward. In this sense, significant effect of restricting the intraocular lens from popping out can not be expected.

As a stop means for temporarily stopping the lens contact portion, there can be employed a method for mechanically and forcibly stopping the lens contact portion, a means for forcibly stopping the lens contact portion through an interaction between the intraocular lens insertion device and hands or fingers operating the same, or the like.

The operation portion may comprise a single portion pushed to temporarily stop the lens contact portion and further pushed thereafter. Alternatively, the operation portion may comprise a portion pushed to temporarily stop the lens contact portion and a portion further pushed thereafter. On the other hand, same lens contact portion is preferably used before and after being stopped.

An intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises a main body <NUM>, a cartridge <NUM> attached to the main body <NUM> and an operation portion <NUM>. A plunger <NUM> serving as a transmitting portion is connected to the operation portion <NUM>. A rod <NUM> for pushing out an intraocular lens <NUM> is provided on a distal end of the plunger <NUM>. The operation portion <NUM> is located away from one end 2a of the main body <NUM>. In this sense, the intraocular lens <NUM> placed in the cartridge <NUM> can be pushed out by the rod <NUM> as a whole as an operator pushes the operation portion <NUM>. Here, a type of disposable insertion tube that allows the operator or an assistant to place the intraocular lens <NUM> thereinside at the time of operation is generally called a cartridge.

In addition to the aforementioned structure, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises a stop means described later. Such stop means allows the rod <NUM> to first push the intraocular lens <NUM> by a predetermined distance and then be stopped temporarily before the intraocular lens <NUM> is released from the cartridge <NUM> toward the outside.

Here, in the following descriptions, a lens advancement direction (push-out direction) is referred to as a "forward direction", while a direction opposite to this direction is referred to as a "backward direction.

The main body <NUM>, the plunger <NUM> and the rod <NUM> are preferably formed by an injection-moldable synthetic resin, thus contributing to mass production thereof with low cost and favoring disposability (disposable).

Further, the intraocular lens <NUM> is made of a soft and foldable material such as silicon resin, acrylic resin, hydrogel or the like, and is unfolded after being released into an eyeball. Here, the intraocular lens <NUM> shown in <FIG> is folded.

The main body <NUM> is a cylindrical member. A restraint portion <NUM> serving as a stop means is provided on the one end 2a of the main body <NUM>. Further, the main body <NUM> has an engagement portion <NUM> for preventing the operation portion <NUM> from moving to the backward direction, an attachment groove <NUM> provided on an other end thereof for attaching the cartridge <NUM>, and a finger rest <NUM>.

The operation portion <NUM> has a first operation portion <NUM> and a second operation portion <NUM>. A spacing-keeping portion <NUM> is connected to proximal ends of both the first operation portion <NUM> and the second operation portion <NUM>, and is provided for separating the two by a predetermined distance in the lens advancement direction. The operation portion <NUM> is formed into a tipped "U" shape by bending a substantially rectangular member, and is connected to the plunger <NUM> through the first operation portion <NUM> thereof. A surface located on one side of the first operation portion <NUM> is referred to as a first operation surface 15a. An engagement-receiving portion <NUM> is provided on a distal end of the first operation portion <NUM> to which the spacing-keeping portion <NUM> is not connected.

The plunger <NUM> is capable of transmitting to the rod <NUM> an external force applied to the operation portion <NUM> in a direction of a lens advancement axis A. Further, the plunger <NUM> has a coil-spring-loaded rod <NUM> whose one end 20a is connected to an other side surface 15b of the first operation portion <NUM>, and a movable rod <NUM> connected to an other end 20b of the coil-spring-loaded rod <NUM>. The movable rod <NUM> is allowed to move either forward or backward inside the main body <NUM> in the direction of the lens advancement axis A. One end 21a of the movable rod <NUM> is connected to the other end 20b of the coil-spring-loaded rod <NUM>, while an other end 21b thereof is connected to a proximal end 7a of the rod <NUM>.

The rod <NUM> is capable of pushing out the intraocular lens <NUM> by virtue of the external force transmitted by the plunger <NUM>. A lens contact portion <NUM> is provided on a distal end of the rod <NUM>. Here, a heretofore known shape may be employed as the shape of the lens contact portion <NUM> provided on the distal end of the rod <NUM>.

A coil spring <NUM> is disposed on the coil-spring-loaded rod <NUM> in a manner such that while one end thereof abuts against the one end 2a of the main body <NUM>, the other end thereof abuts against the other side surface 15b of the first operation portion <NUM>. The operation portion <NUM> is thus biased to the backward direction due to a bias force of the coil spring <NUM>. In this way, the movable rod <NUM> is caused to be held in a position in which it abuts against an inner wall of the one end 2a of the main body <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the state in which the movable rod <NUM> abuts against the inner wall of the one end 2a of the main body <NUM> is referred to as a point of origin, for the sake of convenience in explanation.

The cartridge <NUM> comprises a lens placement section <NUM>, a transition section <NUM> and a nozzle section <NUM>, all of which are successively provided along the lens advancement axis A in this order. The intraocular lens <NUM> placed in the lens placement section <NUM> is pushed by the rod <NUM> and is thus caused to move therefrom and then pass through the transition section <NUM>. As a result, the intraocular lens <NUM> will be folded small and released as it is from the nozzle section <NUM> toward the outside, such nozzle section <NUM> having a substantially constant lumen diameter in the direction of the lens advancement axis A.

Further, a wing portion <NUM> is provided on both sides of the cartridge <NUM>, such wing portion <NUM> protruding to a direction orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A. The wing portion <NUM> is so formed that it can be engaged with and fitted to the attachment groove <NUM> provided on the other end of the main body <NUM>. Here, in starting an operation, a liquid such as a viscoelastic substance or the like allowing the intraocular lens <NUM> to move smoothly is generally injected into the cartridge <NUM> before attaching the same to the main body <NUM>.

The restraint portion <NUM> serves to restrain the operator's finger pushing the first operation portion <NUM> at a predetermined position, and the first operation portion <NUM> can be caused to enter the restraint portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, one end of the restraint portion <NUM> is connected to the one end 2a of the main body <NUM>, and the restraint portion <NUM> has an entrance groove <NUM> and a restraint surface <NUM> provided on an other end thereof.

The restraint surface <NUM> is a surface orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A. The entrance groove <NUM> substantially cuts through the center of the restraint surface <NUM>, linearly extends in a direction orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A, and is formed through the restraint portion <NUM> from the one end thereof to the other.

An engagement projection <NUM> is formed on one end of the engagement portion <NUM>, and is positioned on an outer edge portion where the entrance groove <NUM> and the restraint surface <NUM> intersect with one another. The engagement portion <NUM> is connected to the main body <NUM> through a connection plate <NUM> provided on an other end side of the engagement portion <NUM>. Further, the engagement projection <NUM> is allowed to tilt about the connection plate <NUM> to a direction orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A.

According to the aforementioned structure, once the nozzle section <NUM> has been inserted into the eye, an external force in the forward direction is applied to the operation portion <NUM> by pushing the first operation surface 15a with fingers from a state of the point of origin of the operation portion <NUM> (<FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, due to such external force in the forward direction applied to the operation portion <NUM>, the other side surface 15b of the first operation portion <NUM> is caused to contract the coil spring <NUM>, thereby allowing the plunger <NUM> and the rod <NUM> to move to the forward direction.

Subsequently, as shown in <FIG>, the first operation portion <NUM> arrives at the restraint portion <NUM>, and further enters the entrance groove <NUM>. Here, an operator's finger pushing the first operation surface 15a is caused to abut against the restraint surface <NUM> as soon as the first operation surface 15a and the restraint surface <NUM> have been made flush with one another. In this way, the operator is no longer able to push the operation portion <NUM> to the forward direction any further by pushing the first operation surface 15a, thereby allowing the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> to stop the lens contact portion <NUM> temporarily.

At the same time, the distal end of the first operation portion <NUM> abuts against the engagement projection <NUM> of the engagement portion <NUM>. Further, the engagement portion <NUM> is caused to deform in a direction orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A by further pushing the first operation portion <NUM>. Once the distal end of the first operation portion <NUM> has been engaged with the engagement portion <NUM>, the engagement portion <NUM> will elastically return to its original shape. In this way, the engagement-receiving portion <NUM> of the first operation portion <NUM> is engaged with the engagement projection <NUM>, thus preventing the operation portion <NUM> from moving to the backward direction.

By carrying out a first stage of operation as described above, the lens contact portion <NUM> provided on the distal end of the rod <NUM> is caused to abut against a circumference of an optical portion 8a of the intraocular lens <NUM> placed in the cartridge <NUM>, and push such intraocular lens <NUM> to the forward direction (<FIG>). According to the present embodiment, the operation portion <NUM> can no longer be pushed any further to the forward direction by pushing the first operation surface 15a once the first operation surface 15a and the restraint surface <NUM> have been made flush with one another. In this sense, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> allows the lens contact portion <NUM> to be stopped temporarily as the intraocular lens <NUM> passes through the nozzle section <NUM>. In this way, the intraocular lens <NUM> is allowed to be stopped at a predetermined location after moving from the lens placement section <NUM> to the transition section <NUM> and then to the nozzle section <NUM>, successively. Here, the predetermined location refers to a position where the intraocular lens <NUM> is about to be released from the nozzle section <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. In other words, the intraocular lens <NUM> at such predetermined location can already be completely released toward the outside once subjected to a moderate amount of force.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, the operator applies to the operation portion <NUM> an external force in the forward direction by pushing the second operation portion <NUM>. The first operation portion <NUM> is then allowed to move through the entrance groove <NUM> in the forward direction due to the external force applied to the operation portion <NUM> in the forward direction (<FIG>). In this way, the other side surface 15b of the first operation portion <NUM> is caused to further contract the coil spring <NUM>, thereby allowing the plunger <NUM> and the rod <NUM> to move to the forward direction.

As a second stage of operation, since the first operation surface 15a can no longer be pushed, the second operation portion <NUM> is pushed in order to further push the operation portion <NUM> into the main body <NUM>, thus allowing the lens contact portion <NUM> to release the intraocular lens <NUM> from the nozzle section <NUM> toward the outside (<FIG>). After releasing the intraocular lens, the lens contact portion <NUM> is left protruding from the nozzle section <NUM>, thereby making it possible to also adjust positions of supporting portions 8b and the optical portion 8a of the intraocular lens <NUM> released in the eye.

The intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> of the present embodiment allows the lens contact portion <NUM> for pushing out the intraocular lens <NUM> to be stopped temporarily before releasing the intraocular lens <NUM> from the nozzle section <NUM>. Particularly, the lens contact portion <NUM> can be stopped before releasing the intraocular lens <NUM>, even when a large external force against a reaction force of the operation portion <NUM> is applied, such reaction force of the operation portion <NUM> increasing as the intraocular lens <NUM> passes through the transition section <NUM> and arrives at the nozzle section <NUM>. In this way, the intraocular lens <NUM> can be prevented from being abruptly released into the eye. Therefore, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> allows the intraocular lens <NUM> to be released with a smaller external force at the second stage of operation, thus allowing the intraocular lens <NUM> to be easily inserted into the eye.

The position at which the lens contact portion <NUM> is temporarily stopped can be variously determined as described above. For example, the lens contact portion <NUM> can be temporarily stopped at somewhere in a range between a point when the reaction force of the operation portion <NUM> has exceeded a maximum value and a point when the intraocular lens <NUM> is completely released. In this sense, the intraocular lens <NUM> is allowed to be released with a smaller external force at the second stage of operation. In this way, the intraocular lens <NUM> can be further reliably prevented from being abruptly released, thus making it easy to insert the intraocular lens <NUM> into the eye.

Further, according to the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> of the present embodiment, the engagement portion <NUM> prevents the operation portion <NUM> from moving to the backward direction, once the first operation surface 15a and the restraint surface <NUM> have been made flush with one another. Therefore, at the second stage of operation, the intraocular lens <NUM> can be reliably pushed out from a pushed-out position thereof resulting from the first stage of operation, thus allowing the lens contact portion <NUM> to further reliably capture the intraocular lens <NUM>.

Further, the engagement portion <NUM> holds the operation portion <NUM> at a pushed position resulting from the first stage of operation, thereby making it possible to smoothly proceed to the second stage of operation by changing an operation direction of the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM>, and thus allowing the intraocular lens <NUM> to be easily inserted into the eye.

According to the aforementioned first embodiment, the lens contact portion is stopped temporarily as the operator's finger pushing the operation portion has come to abut against the stop means. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a lens contact portion is mechanically stopped temporarily by allowing an operation portion to abut against a stop means. Same reference numbers are used to describe the same parts as those in the aforementioned embodiment, thus omitting the descriptions of such parts for the sake of simplicity.

An intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises a main body <NUM> and an operation portion <NUM>. An insertion tube portion <NUM> in which an intraocular lens <NUM> has been placed in advance is attached to the main body <NUM>. In general, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> is a preload type intraocular lens insertion device fixed in a case not shown and packaged as well as shipped with the intraocular lens <NUM> placed thereinside. Here, in the present embodiment, the insertion tube portion is equivalent to an insertion tube.

The main body <NUM> is a cylindrical member. A first operation portion receiving surface <NUM> serving as a stop means is provided on one side across the lens advancement axis A at one end of the main body <NUM>, while a second operation portion receiving surface <NUM> is provided on an other side across the lens advancement axis A at the one end of the main body <NUM>. The second operation portion receiving surface <NUM> is located away from the first operation portion receiving surface <NUM> by a predetermined distance in the forward direction.

The insertion tube portion <NUM> comprises a lens placement section <NUM>, a transition section <NUM> and a nozzle section <NUM>, all of which are successively provided along the lens advancement axis A in this order. The insertion tube portion <NUM> with the intraocular lens <NUM> placed therein in advance is integrated into the main body <NUM>. Particularly, the insertion tube portion <NUM> is integrated into the main body <NUM> by allowing a proximal end thereof to be attached to an attachment portion formed on an other end 42b of the main body <NUM>.

In addition to the aforementioned structure, the operation portion <NUM> has a first operation portion <NUM> and a second operation portion <NUM>. The first operation portion <NUM> and the second operation portion <NUM> are formed into two halves, and are allowed to move relative to one another in the lens advancement direction A. According to the present embodiment, a plunger serving as a transmitting portion includes a first plunger and a second plunger, as described later.

As shown in <FIG>, the first operation portion <NUM> comprises a first operation surface 50a formed on a surface of one side thereof, and a first plunger <NUM> provided on an other side surface 50b. The first plunger <NUM> has an engagement rib <NUM> provided on a half surface 47a and having a longitudinal direction identical to the direction of the lens advancement axis A. Further, a push-out surface <NUM> substantially orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A is formed on a distal end of the first plunger <NUM>.

The second operation portion <NUM> comprises a second operation surface 55a formed on a surface of one side thereof, and a second plunger <NUM> provided on an other side surface 55b. Further, a rod <NUM> is connected to a distal end of the second plunger <NUM>. An engagement groove <NUM> whose longitudinal direction is identical to the direction of the lens advancement axis A is provided on a half surface 48a of the second operation portion <NUM>. In addition, on the distal end of the second plunger <NUM>, there is provided an abutting surface <NUM> to be abutted against by the push-out surface <NUM>.

The distal end of the first plunger <NUM> is inserted toward the second operation surface 55a in the forward direction along the lens advancement axis A, thereby allowing the engagement rib <NUM> to be engaged with the engagement groove <NUM> with the half surfaces 47a, 48a facing each other. In this way the first operation portion <NUM> and the second operation portion <NUM> are allowed to be integrally combined with one another. Further, the first operation portion <NUM> and the second operation portion <NUM> thus combined can slide relative to one another in the forward and backward directions, through the half surfaces 47a, 48a. At that time, the first operation surface 50a and the second operation surface 55a are made flush with one another when the push-out surface <NUM> has come to abut against the abutting surface <NUM>.

According to the aforementioned structure and as shown in <FIG>, the operator pushes the first operation surface 50a in the beginning so as to apply to the first operation portion <NUM> an external force in the forward direction. Due to such external force applied to the first operation portion <NUM> in the forward direction, the push-out surface <NUM> of the first plunger <NUM> is caused to push out the abutting surface <NUM> of the second plunger <NUM>, thereby allowing both the first operation portion <NUM> and the second operation portion <NUM> to move to the forward direction at the same time.

In this way, the other side surface 50b of the first operation portion <NUM> is caused to abut against the first operation portion receiving surface <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. In this sense, the first operation portion <NUM> can no longer move to the forward direction any further even if the operator continues to push the first operation surface 50a to the forward direction. At that moment, the first operation surface 50a and the second operation surface 55a are still flush with one another.

By carrying out a first stage of operation as described above, a lens contact portion <NUM> provided on a distal end of the rod <NUM> is caused to abut against a circumference of an optical portion 8a of the intraocular lens <NUM> placed in the insertion tube portion <NUM>, and push such intraocular lens <NUM> to the forward direction. According to the present embodiment, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> allows the lens contact portion <NUM> to be temporarily stopped as the intraocular lens <NUM> passes through the nozzle section <NUM>. In this way, the intraocular lens <NUM> is allowed to move from the lens placement section <NUM> to the transition section <NUM> and then to the nozzle section <NUM>, successively, and be stopped at a predetermined location.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, the operator pushes the second operation surface 55a so as to apply to the second operation portion <NUM> an external force in the forward direction. Since the second operation portion receiving surface <NUM> is located away from the first operation portion receiving surface <NUM> by the predetermined distance in the forward direction, the second operation portion <NUM> is allowed to move to the forward direction alone and independently from the first operation portion <NUM> due to the external force applied to the second operation portion <NUM> in the forward direction.

In this way, by carrying out a second stage of operation in which the second operation portion <NUM> is further pushed into the main body <NUM> while the first operation portion <NUM> can no longer be pushed any further, the intraocular lens <NUM> is released from the nozzle section <NUM> toward the outside by means of the lens contact portion <NUM>. After releasing the intraocular lens, the lens contact portion <NUM> is left protruding from the nozzle section <NUM>, thereby making it possible to also adjust positions of supporting portions 8b and the optical portion 8a of the intraocular lens <NUM> released in the eye.

The intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> of the present embodiment allows the lens contact portion <NUM> for pushing out the intraocular lens <NUM> to be stopped temporarily before releasing the intraocular lens <NUM> from the nozzle section <NUM>, thereby achieving the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

Further, the second operation surface 55a and the first operation surface 50a are flush with one another when starting the second stage of operation, thereby making it possible to start the second stage of operation by only moving a finger pressing the first operation surface 50a to the second operation surface 55a.

Furthermore, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> of the present embodiment does not require loading the intraocular lens <NUM> into the cartridge <NUM> at the time of operation or attaching such cartridge <NUM> to the main body <NUM>, thus making it possible to reduce errors in handling.

Furthermore, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> of the present embodiment is provided as a disposable system comprising the main body <NUM>, the intraocular lens <NUM> and the insertion tube portion <NUM>, all of which are designed for one-time use, thereby significantly reducing the risk of infection.

Furthermore, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> of the present embodiment is so packaged that it is fixed in a case not shown, thus preventing the operation portion <NUM> from being unintentionally pushed to the forward direction at the time of storing and shipping.

An intraocular lens insertion device 41a shown in <FIG> differs from the second embodiment in that a stop means thereof is a slide hole <NUM> provided on a main body <NUM>, such slide hole <NUM> being formed into a shape of oval parallel with the lens advancement axis A. Further, there is provided on a first plunger <NUM> a stop pin <NUM> protruding toward a direction orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A. The first plunger <NUM> is inserted into the main body <NUM> with the stop pin <NUM> thereof being inserted into the slide hole <NUM>, and is allowed to perform piston action as the stop pin <NUM> moves to the forward and back directions within a range of the slide hole <NUM>.

According to the intraocular lens insertion device 41a of the present modified embodiment, a lens contact portion <NUM> can be stopped before an intraocular lens <NUM> is released from a nozzle section <NUM>, by allowing the stop pin <NUM> to abut against a forward end 59a of the slide hole <NUM>, thus achieving the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

An intraocular lens insertion device of the present embodiment differs from the aforementioned first embodiment in that it comprises a knock mechanism. Here, same reference numbers are used to describe the same parts as those in the aforementioned embodiments, thus omitting the descriptions of such parts for the sake of simplicity.

An intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises a main body <NUM>, an operation portion <NUM>, a knock mechanism <NUM> allowing the operation portion <NUM> to move to the forward and backward directions with respect to the main body <NUM> and a cartridge <NUM> attached to an other end 62b of the main body <NUM>. Overall, the knock mechanism <NUM> repeatedly causes the operation portion <NUM> to move to the forward and backward directions, thereby allowing an intraocular lens <NUM> placed in the cartridge <NUM> to be pushed out in a step-wise manner.

The knock mechanism <NUM> is capable of pushing the intraocular lens <NUM> by a predetermined distance as the operation portion <NUM> is pushed to the forward direction, and allowing the operation portion <NUM> thus pushed to the forward direction to automatically move to the backward direction. The knock mechanism <NUM> has a plunger <NUM> integrally formed on the operation portion <NUM> and serving as a transmitting portion, a rod <NUM>, a coil spring <NUM> serving as a restoring member for biasing the plunger <NUM> to the backward direction, i.e., a moving-back direction, and later described engagement sections provided on an inner surface of the main body <NUM>.

Here, the main body <NUM>, the plunger <NUM> and the rod <NUM> are preferably formed by an injection-moldable synthetic resin, thus contributing to mass production thereof with low cost and favoring disposability (disposable).

The plunger <NUM> restricts a range of movement of the operation portion <NUM> to a predetermined range, and functions as a pushing force transmitting portion for transmitting an external force applied to the operation portion <NUM> by the operator to a lens contact portion 82a provided on a distal end of a push-out axis <NUM> of the rod <NUM>. The plunger <NUM> has an axis body <NUM> whose one end is provided with the operation portion <NUM>, and a pair of push-out members <NUM>, <NUM> formed on an other end of the axis body <NUM>. The operation portion <NUM> is integrated with the axis body <NUM>, and is formed into a shape of a disk by centrifugally expanding the one end of the axis body <NUM> in diameter.

The axis body <NUM> is equipped with the coil spring <NUM>, and is so formed that it can be movably inserted into the main body <NUM>. The pair of the push-out members <NUM>, <NUM>, is provided on the other end of the axis body <NUM> through a narrow joining section <NUM>. Further, there is provided on the conjunction portion <NUM> a stop pin <NUM> protruding toward a direction orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A.

The pair of the push-out members <NUM>, <NUM> is provided across the lens advancement axis A, and is formed into a branched shape on a distal end of the joining section <NUM>, substantially parallel with the lens advancement axis A. This pair of the push-out members <NUM>, <NUM> is allowed to elastically deform about proximal ends 76a, 76a connected to the joining section <NUM> and toward a direction orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A. Further, convex portions <NUM> protruding outwardly are formed on distal ends 76b, 76b of the push-out members <NUM>, respectively.

The rod <NUM> is not integrated with the plunger <NUM>, but provided independently therefrom. The rod <NUM> is capable of pushing out the intraocular lens <NUM> due to the external force transmitted thereto from the plunger <NUM>. The rod <NUM> has a sliding body <NUM>, a pair of engagement members <NUM>, <NUM> provided on one end of the sliding body <NUM>, and the push-out axis <NUM> provided on an other end of the sliding body <NUM>.

The sliding body <NUM> is a cylindrical member whose outer diameter is so large that the sliding body <NUM> is allowed to be movably inserted into the main body <NUM>. The sliding body <NUM> is also capable of holding the push-out axis <NUM> on the lens advancement axis A. Further, the sliding body <NUM> has a substantially flat abutting surface <NUM> provided on the one end thereof, such abutting surface <NUM> being orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A.

The pair of the engagement members <NUM>, <NUM> extends from a vicinity of an outer edge of the sliding body <NUM>, and is formed across and substantially parallel with the lens advancement axis A. The engagement members <NUM>, <NUM> are so formed that they become thinner from distal ends thereof toward proximal ends 81a connected to the sliding body <NUM>. The engagement members <NUM>, <NUM> are also allowed to elastically deform about such proximal ends 81a and toward a direction orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A. Further, on inner sides of the distal ends of the engagement members <NUM>, <NUM>, there are respectively provided concave portions <NUM> with which the aforementioned convex portions <NUM> are to be engaged. And, on outer sides of the distal ends of the engagement members <NUM>, <NUM>, there are respectively formed projections <NUM>.

Here, on both sides of the cartridge <NUM>, there is provided a wing portion <NUM> capable of elastically deforming toward a direction orthogonal to the lens advancement axis A. An engagement projection <NUM> is respectively provided on an inner side of a rear end of each wing portion <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> is so formed that the rear end of the wing portion <NUM> is caused to elastically deform toward the outside once an external force has been applied to a distal end of the wing portion <NUM> from the outside to the inside.

As shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> is a cylindrical member and has an oval slide hole <NUM> provided on a surface located on a side of one end 62a, such slide hole <NUM> serving as a stop means and being parallel with the lens advancement axis A. Further, on a surface located on a side of an other end 62b of the main body <NUM>, there are respectively provided, across the lens advancement axis A, rectangular receiving holes <NUM>, <NUM> with which the engagement projections <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> are to be engaged.

In addition, on an inner circumferential surface of the main body <NUM>, there are provided a fixation concave portion <NUM> for fixing the rod <NUM>, and a restriction convex portion <NUM> for restricting the rod <NUM> from moving back to the backward direction, both of which serve as the aforementioned engagement sections.

Next, the plunger <NUM> equipped with the coil spring <NUM> is inserted toward the one end 62a of the main body <NUM>, beginning with the push-out members <NUM>. At that time, the push-out members <NUM> are caused to pass between the engagement members <NUM> of the rod <NUM>, and the plunger <NUM> is kept being inserted into the main body <NUM> until the distal ends 76b of the push-out members <NUM> have come to abut against the abutting surface <NUM> (<FIG>).

Further, the stop pin <NUM> provided on the joining section <NUM> of the plunger <NUM> is movably inserted into the slide hole <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. In this way, the plunger <NUM> is allowed to move to the forward and backward directions within a range defined by the stop pin <NUM> abutting against one end 88a and an other end 88b of the slide hole <NUM>. In this sense, the operation portion <NUM> is allowed to move forward and backward in parallel with the lens advancement axis A.

In the following description, a location of the operation portion <NUM> (plunger <NUM>) when the stop pin <NUM> abuts against the one end 88a of the slide hole <NUM> is referred to as a point of origin. And, a location of the operation portion <NUM> (plunger <NUM>) when the stop pin <NUM> abuts against the other end 88b of the slide hole <NUM> is referred to as a push-out point.

Further, the coil spring <NUM> is disposed between the one end 62a of the main body <NUM> and the operation portion <NUM>, and serves to bias the operation portion <NUM> to the backward direction. When the operation portion <NUM> has been moved to the forward direction, the coil spring <NUM> is capable of restoring the same to an operation enabling position.

Here, the operation enabling position refers to a position of the operation portion <NUM> when it can be further pushed to the forward direction, namely, a state in which the stop pin <NUM> is located away from the other end 88b of the slide hole <NUM> toward the one end 88a thereof in the present embodiment. In this sense, the operation enabling position is not limited to a location of the operation portion <NUM> when the stop pin <NUM> abuts against the one end 88a of the slide hole <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> with the intraocular lens <NUM> placed therein is attached to the main body <NUM> having the knock mechanism <NUM>. The rear end of the wing portion <NUM> is caused to elastically deform toward the outside once the external force has been applied to the distal end of the wing portion <NUM> from the outside to the inside, thereby allowing the cartridge <NUM> to be inserted into the other end 62b of the main body <NUM>. At that time, once the external force applied to the distal end of the wing portion <NUM> has been removed, the wing portion <NUM> will be elastically restored, thereby causing the engagement projections <NUM> to be engaged with the receiving holes <NUM>, and thus allowing the cartridge <NUM> to be attached and fixed to the main body <NUM> (<FIG>).

In this way, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> is obtained, such intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> allowing the intraocular lens <NUM> to be pushed out by means of the knock mechanism <NUM>, and released from the cartridge <NUM> when it is folded small.

According to the aforementioned structure, the projections <NUM> will be disengaged from the fixation concave portion <NUM> of the main body <NUM> due to the external force applied to the operation portion <NUM> in the forward direction at the time of pushing the operation portion <NUM> into the main body <NUM> from the point of origin (<FIG>). At that time, as shown in <FIG>, the plunger <NUM> and the rod <NUM> are caused to move to the forward direction with contraction of the coil spring <NUM>.

Here, the stop pin <NUM> provided on the plunger <NUM> is allowed to move from the one end 88a toward the other end 88b within the slide hole <NUM> provided on the main body <NUM>, thereby allowing the plunger <NUM> and the rod <NUM> to freely perform piston action by a distance between the one end 88a and the other end 88b of the slide hole <NUM>. In this way, the plunger <NUM> and the operation portion <NUM> will be mechanically stopped at the push-out point once the stop pin <NUM> of the plunger <NUM> has arrived at the other end 88b of the slide hole <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. At that time, the plunger <NUM> and the operation portion <NUM> can no longer move to the forward direction.

Also, at that time, the engagement members <NUM>, <NUM> are caused to elastically deform inwardly with respect to the lens advancement axis A as the rod <NUM> moves to the forward direction, thereby allowing the projections <NUM> to move across the restriction convex portion <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, once the external force applied to the operation portion <NUM> has been removed, the plunger <NUM> will move to the backward direction due to a bias force of the coil spring <NUM>. Here, the stop pin <NUM> provided on the plunger <NUM> is allowed to move from the other end 88b (push-out point) toward the one end 88a within the slide hole <NUM>.

In this sense, the push-out members <NUM> are caused to move in between the engagement members <NUM>, <NUM> to the backward direction as the operation portion <NUM> moves from the push-out point toward the one end 88a. At that time, the projections <NUM> of the engagement members <NUM>, <NUM> are engaged with the restriction convex portion <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, thus stopping the rod <NUM> and restricting the same from moving to the backward direction. Also, at that time, the convex portions <NUM> of the push-out members <NUM> are caused to be engaged with the concave portions <NUM> of the engagement members <NUM>, <NUM>. In this way, the plunger <NUM> and the operation portion <NUM> are restored to the operation enabling position.

By carrying out a first stage of operation as described above, the lens contact portion 82a on the distal end of the push-out axis <NUM> is caused to abut against the circumference of the optical portion 8a of the intraocular lens <NUM> placed in the cartridge <NUM>, thereby allowing the rod <NUM> to push the intraocular lens <NUM> to the forward direction. According to the present embodiment, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> allows the lens contact portion 82a to be stopped temporarily as the intraocular lens <NUM> passes through the nozzle section <NUM>. In this sense, the intraocular lens <NUM> moves from the lens placement section <NUM> to the transition section <NUM> and then to the nozzle section <NUM>, and then, stops at a predetermined location.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, since the convex portions <NUM> of the push-out members <NUM> are engaged with the concave portions <NUM> of the engagement members <NUM>, <NUM>, both the plunger <NUM> and the rod <NUM> are allowed to move to the forward direction when further pushing the operation portion <NUM> restored to the operation enabling position into the main body <NUM>.

Here, the stop pin <NUM> of the plunger <NUM> in the operation enabling position is also allowed to move therefrom toward the other end 88b within the slide hole <NUM> provided on the main body <NUM>. In this way, the plunger <NUM> will be mechanically stopped at the push-out point once the stop pin <NUM> has arrived at the other end 88b of the slide hole <NUM>.

In this way, the push-out axis <NUM> is caused to release the intraocular lens <NUM> from the nozzle section <NUM> toward the outside by carrying out a second stage of operation in which the operation portion <NUM> restored to the operation enabling position is again pushed into the main body <NUM>. After releasing the intraocular lens, the lens contact portion 82a of the push-out axis <NUM> is left protruding from the nozzle section <NUM>, thereby making it possible to also adjust supporting portions 8b, 8b of the intraocular lens <NUM> released in the eye and the position of the intraocular lens <NUM>.

The intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises the knock mechanism <NUM> for automatically restoring the operation portion <NUM> to the operation enabling position, such operation portion <NUM> being pushed to push out the intraocular lens <NUM>. In this sense, the operator is not required to push out the intraocular lens <NUM> from a placement location thereof and then release the same with only one long stroke of pushing, thereby making it easy to control an operation pressure applied to the operation portion <NUM>. Further, the length of a stroke for each push-out action can be short even when operating with one hand, thus making one-handed operation easy.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> allows the intraocular lens <NUM> to be released to the outside by allowing the operation portion <NUM> to be pushed to the forward direction twice. In this way, a moving amount of the operation portion <NUM> can be reduced as compared to a conventional case in which the intraocular lens <NUM> is released to the outside with one-time action, thereby making it easy for the operator to adjust a moving amount of the intraocular lens <NUM>.

Furthermore, by carrying out the first stage of operation, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> allows the intraocular lens <NUM> to be mechanically stopped at a location where the intraocular lens <NUM> is about to be released from the nozzle section <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>, thus requiring no expertise to prevent the intraocular lens <NUM> from being abruptly released into the eye. Particularly, the intraocular lens <NUM> is already folded small when passing through the nozzle section <NUM>, thus requiring the operation portion <NUM> to be strongly pushed to the forward direction in order to push out the intraocular lens <NUM>. However, by carrying out the first stage of operation, the lens contact portion 82a is allowed to be mechanically stopped at the location where the intraocular lens <NUM> is about to be released from the nozzle section <NUM>, thereby preventing the intraocular lens <NUM> from being abruptly released even when a force pushing the operation portion <NUM> is strong, and thus releasing the intraocular lens <NUM> more safely.

Furthermore, by carrying out the second stage of operation requiring the operation portion <NUM> to be pushed strongly, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> allows the operation portion <NUM> to be automatically restored to the operation enabling position, thereby allowing the operator to operate the operation portion <NUM> at the same operation enabling position as that of the first stage of operation, thus making it easier to insert the intraocular lens <NUM> into the eye.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the operation portion <NUM> is located behind the main body <NUM>, thereby making an insertion operation of the intraocular lens <NUM> easier and one-handed operation possible so that the operator may use his/her free hand to perform other operations even at the time of performing the insertion operation.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the coil spring <NUM> serves to bias the operation portion <NUM> to the backward direction, thereby allowing the operation portion <NUM> to be more reliably restored to the operation enabling position.

According to the aforementioned embodiment, the knock mechanism <NUM> has the plunger <NUM> integrally formed on the operation portion <NUM>, the rod <NUM>, the coil spring <NUM> serving as a biasing member for biasing the plunger <NUM> to the backward direction, i.e., a moving-back direction, and the engagement sections provided on the inner surface of the main body <NUM>. However, the present invention is not limited to such configuration. As a matter of fact, a knock mechanism for use in a so called mechanical pencil can be employed as the knock system as long as the operation portion can be automatically restored to the operation enabling position. Further, other than the coil spring, a leaf spring, an elastic rubber or the like can be employed as the restoring member.

Further, according to the aforementioned embodiment, the intraocular lens is released to the outside by pushing the operation portion into the main body twice. However, the present invention is not limited to such configuration. As a matter of fact, the operation portion can be pushed into the main body three, four or even more times as long as the operation portion can be automatically restored to the operation enabling position.

An intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises a main body <NUM>, an operation portion <NUM> and a knock system <NUM>. An insertion tube portion <NUM> in which an intraocular lens <NUM> is placed in advance is attached to the main body <NUM>. The intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> is a preload type intraocular lens insertion device fixed in a case <NUM> and packaged as well as shipped with the intraocular lens <NUM> placed thereinside. Instead of a rectangular receiving hole with which a cartridge is to be engaged, an attachment portion <NUM> for attaching the insertion tube portion <NUM> is provided on a distal end of the main body <NUM>.

According to the aforementioned structure, the intraocular lens <NUM> is allowed to be released to the outside through two stages of operation just like the present embodiment. Further, the operation portion <NUM> is allowed to be automatically restored to an operation enabling position by means of the knock mechanism <NUM> at the time of operation.

The intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises the knock system <NUM> for automatically restoring the operation portion <NUM> to the operation enabling position, such operation portion <NUM> being pushed to push out the intraocular lens <NUM>. In this sense, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved with the present embodiment.

Further, the intraocular lens insertion device <NUM> of the present embodiment is so packaged that it is actually fixed in the case <NUM>, thus preventing the plunger <NUM> from being unintentionally pushed to the forward direction at the time of storing and shipping.

According to the aforementioned embodiments, the lens contact portion is left protruding from the nozzle section after releasing the intraocular lens to the outside. However, the present invention is not limited to such configuration. As a matter of fact, the lens contact portion may be configured to stay in the nozzle section, and the intraocular lens can be slowly released into the eye due to a shape recoverability thereof resulting from its elastic nature, even after the lens contact portion has stopped moving to the forward direction.

Furthermore, according to the aforementioned embodiments, the operation portion is allowed to move forward and backward in parallel with the lens advancement axis. However, the present invention is not limited to such configuration. As a matter of fact, the operation portion may be configured to move forward and backward in a direction orthogonal to the lens advancement axis. In this case, the operation portion is, for example, provided on a side surface of the main body, and the push-out point is located on an inner side direction (forward direction) of the main body, while the point of origin is located on an outer side direction (backward direction) thereof.

Furthermore, according to the aforementioned embodiments, the plunger serves as a transmitting portion. However, the present invention is not limited to such configuration. As a matter of fact, a link mechanism, a cam mechanism or the like can be employed as a transmitting portion by which the external force applied to the operation portion is transmitted to the lens contact portion.

Furthermore, according to the aforementioned embodiments, the insertion tube portion comprises the lens placement section. However, the present invention is not limited to such configuration. As a matter of fact, the insertion tube portion needs to comprise only the transition section and the nozzle section, and in such case, the lens placement section may be provided in the main body.

Claim 1:
An intraocular lens insertion device comprising:
a main body (<NUM>) with a lens advancement axis (A) extending therethrough and a rear end (2a);
a rod (<NUM>), including on the distal end thereof a lens contact portion (<NUM>) that is movable inside the main body (<NUM>) in a forward direction along said lens advancement axis (A) for pushing an intraocular lens;
an operation portion (<NUM>) located away from the rear end (2a) of the main body (<NUM>);
a plunger (<NUM>) that is connected to said rod (<NUM>) and to said operation portion (<NUM>) and is serving as transmitting portion for transmitting an external force applied to said operation portion (<NUM>) to said lens contact portion (<NUM>) for pushing the intraocular lens; and
an insertion tube (<NUM>), fixed to a forward portion of said main body (<NUM>), from which said intraocular lens is released to an outside after being pushed by said lens contact portion (<NUM>);
characterized in that
said operation portion (<NUM>) includes a first operation portion (<NUM>) with a first operation surface (15a) and a second operation portion (<NUM>) that is connected to said first operating portion (<NUM>) by a space-keeping portion (<NUM>) such that said second operation portion (<NUM>) is separated from said first operation portion (<NUM>) by a predetermined distance along the lens advancement axis (A); and
that said intraocular lens insertion device further comprises a restraint portion (<NUM>), provided on the rear end (2a) of the main body (<NUM>), , serving as a stop means for temporarily stopping said lens contact portion (<NUM>) as said intraocular lens passes through a vicinity of a distal end portion of said insertion tube (<NUM>) before said intraocular lens is released from said insertion tube (<NUM>), wherein
said restraint portion (<NUM>) comprises a restraint surface (<NUM>) being orthogonal to the lens advancement axis (A) and is configured to restrain an operator's finger that is pushing said first operation portion (<NUM>) in said forward direction at a predetermined position at which said first operation surface (15a) is flush with said restraint surface (<NUM>).