Patent ID: 7074227

Claim:
An instrument for double-folding an elastically deformable intraocular lens (IOL) and for inserting the double-folded IOL into the anterior chamber of a patient's eye, the instrument comprising: (a) an elongate handle having a proximal end and a distal end; (b) a first elongate member slidably disposed within the handle, the first elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; (c) a second elongate member slidably disposed within the handle, the second elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal ends of the first elongate member and the second elongate member being disposed forward of the distal end of the handle so as to provide an operative pair of forceps jaws for retaining an IOL; (d) sliding means for sliding each of the elongate members back and forth within the handle; (e) moving means for moving the distal end of the second elongate member with respect to the distal end of the first elongate member between (i) a closed jaw position wherein the distal end of the second elongate member is disposed proximal to the distal end of the first elongate member and (ii) an open jaw position wherein the distal end of the second elongate member is disposed distal to the distal end of the first elongate member; and (f) a double-folding member reversibly attachable to the distal end of the handle, the double-folding member comprising an open proximal end, smooth converging interior side walls and an open distal end, the distal end being smaller than the proximal end, the converging walls being configured so as to double-fold an IOL as the IOL is moved by the forceps jaws between the proximal end of the double-folding member and the distal end of the double-folding member.