An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion system for implanting IOLs into the eye.
The
insertion system includes an insertion cartridge that receives the IOL and cooperates
with a handpiece. The cartridge includes a longitudinal lumen from a loading chamber
to an open distal mouth that gradually narrows in dimension so as to fold the IOL
into a tube for insertion through an incision in the eye. A distal tip member of
a plunger rod in the handpiece enters the loading chamber of the cartridge and
urges the IOL therethrough. The distal tip member has a portion that enters the
folded IOL and is trapped therein for maximum control of IOL advancement. A soft
tip, such as silicone, may cover a longitudinally extending portion of the distal
tip to effect the IOL trapping. The distal tip member further has a portion that
engages and pushes the IOL optic. The pusher portion not only ensures positive
advancement of the IOL, but also limits the extent to which the distal tip member
becomes trapped inside the folded IOL, thus preventing potential damage thereto.
