DESCRIPTION
Background of the invention
Intraocular lenses (IOL) are optical devices which are designed for replacement of human natural crystalline lens in visual correction of cataract patients. Cataract is a phenomenon which occurs with age. The natural human eye loses its flexibility and becomes hard and opaque with age. In such circumstances the human natural lens is removed from the covering of the lens called capsule or capsular bag and then an IOL is placed into the capsular bag to restore vision.
The IOL consists of two parts, the optic and the haptic. The haptic which is elastic in nature, rests on the periphery of the capsular bag thereby supporting the optic and ensuring that the optical axis of the IOL is almost in line with the optical axis of the eye. Hence it is necessary for the capsular bag to retain its shape to help the surgeon place the IOL in it.
In some cases, the capsular bag is weak and hence it is difficult to place the IOL into it. So to retain its shape, a ring called capsular tension ring (Fig. 1) usually made of PMMA (Poly Methyl Metha Acrylate) is inserted into the capsular bag. This ring has two holes at its ends.
Capsular tension rings are usually placed within the capsular bag of the eye during surgery, using forceps. This process is quite tedious and it consumes time. Also the surgeon has to carefully handle the capsular tension ring as it is extremely small.
Detailed description of the invention
The present invention relates to an assembly of capsular tension ring (figl) and an injector to inject the same in to the capsular bag of the eye during cataract surgery. The present invention helps in easy handling of the capsular tension ring and considerably reduces the surgery time.
The body of the injector (Fig.2) has a cannula (Fig.3) attached to one of its end. The cannula is made up of stainless steel. The body of the injector has a part called the plunger (Fig.4) which moves to and fro within the body. The plunger of the injector has a hook attached to it and the hook (Fig. 5) moves within the cannula. The capsular tension ring has 2 holes at its ends. One of its holes is fixed to the hook and the plunger is pulled in partly so as not to stretch the capsular tension ring (Fig.6).
This assembly is then placed in a blister pack with a stopper at the end to let the capsular tension ring stay in the hook which is now within the cannula. When the stopper at the end is removed, the plunger retracts automatically due to the effect of the spring and pulls the capsular tension ring into the cannula. The assembly can then be pulled out of the blister. The cannula can then be inserted into the already made incision in the eye and the ring can be inserted into the capsular bag of the eye. The capsular bag regains its original shape within the capsular bag after the ring is unhooked.

We Claim,
1. A preloaded Capsular tension ring injector comprising the following:
a. A hollow cannula and
b. A flexible wire with a hook at the end to hold the capsular tension ring and retract it within the hollow cannula.
2. A specially designed blister pack within which the capsular tension ring assembly is packed. The blister pack comprising a foam piece to stop the plunger from retracting within the blister and to secure the capsular tension ring within the cannula.