Syringe assembly for inserting an intraocular lens

Abstract

The invention relates to an injector assembly (1) comprising: - an injector (3) having a plunger and a cannula (14) and designed to move an intraocular lens through the cannula (14) by a translational movement of the plunger; - a magnetic coupling (6); and - a drive unit (2) having a first coupling half (7) of the magnetic coupling (6), a motor (5) designed to drive the first coupling half (7) into a first rotational movement, and a housing (4) in which the first coupling half (7) and the motor (5) are encapsulated and which has an annular housing portion (11) delimiting a passage (19) having a circular cross-section. The injector (3) has a second coupling half (8) of the magnetic coupling (6), and the injector (3) and the second coupling half (8) are arranged in the passage (19). The first coupling half (7) is arranged around the annular housing portion (11) and is thus designed to perform the first rotational movement around the annular housing portion (11) and thus to drive the second coupling half (8) into a second rotational movement by means of a magnetic field of the magnetic coupling (6) which penetrates the annular housing portion (11). The injector (3) is designed to convert the second rotational movement into a translational movement of the plunger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a syringe assembly for inserting an artificial lens into a capsule of the eye. Background Technology

[0002] In cataract treatment, a small incision is typically made in the cornea of ​​the eye, large enough to allow a cannula to be inserted through it. After the corneal incision, the eye's lens is broken up using phacoemulsification and then aspirated from the eye's capsular bag. An artificial lens is then inserted into the eye. During this process, the artificial lens is folded to fit through a syringe cannula. The cannula is inserted into the capsular bag through the incision, and the folded artificial lens is pushed into the capsular bag through the cannula using a syringe. Within the capsular bag, the artificial lens unfolds and thus replaces the original lens.

[0003] The physician performing the treatment can manually press the plunger of the syringe, or the physician can use a motor-driven unit to move the plunger. A disadvantage is that conventional drive units can only be sterilized in a complex or inadequate manner. This means that the drive unit can only be used once and then must be disposed of.

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a syringe assembly having a syringe and a drive unit, wherein the drive unit can be easily sterilized. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The syringe assembly according to the invention comprises: a syringe having a plunger and a cannula and configured to move an intraocular lens through the cannula by translational movement of the plunger; a magnetic connector and a drive unit having: a first connecting half of the magnetic connector; a motor configured to drive the first connecting half into a first rotational movement; and a housing having the first connecting half and the motor encapsulated within the housing, and the housing having an annular housing portion defining a channel having a circular cross-section, wherein the syringe has a second connecting half of the magnetic connector, and the syringe and the second connecting half are arranged in the channel, wherein the first connecting half is arranged around the annular housing portion and is therefore configured to perform the first rotational movement around the annular housing portion, and thus drive the second connecting half into a second rotational movement by means of a magnetic field of the magnetic connector, the magnetic field penetrating the annular housing portion, wherein the syringe is configured to convert the second rotational movement into translational movement of the plunger.

[0006] The housing can be encapsulated by providing a magnetic connector and its magnetic field penetrating the annular housing portion. The drive unit with the encapsulated housing can be easily sterilized, for example, by exposing the drive unit to elevated temperatures and increased pressure in an autoclave. Because the drive unit can therefore be easily sterilized, it does not need to be disposed of after each treatment but can be reused for further cataract treatment. Since the syringe is arranged in the channel, it is advantageously fixed to prevent radial slippage relative to the longitudinal axis of the syringe. By providing a drive unit with a motor, the second connecting half can be rotated at a particularly uniform speed, resulting in a particularly uniform translational movement of the plunger. Therefore, the intraocular lens moves at a particularly uniform speed in the cannula, resulting in reduced likelihood of intraocular lens adhesion and slippage, and potential damage to the intraocular lens.

[0007] Preferably, the drive unit is a reusable component, while the syringe has disposable components. In this case, the entire syringe can be disposable. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the second connecting half is a reusable component that can also be sterilized, while the remainder of the syringe is disposable.

[0008] The first connecting half is preferably slidably mounted on the annular housing portion. This is advantageously a simple and inexpensive mounting method. Furthermore, the annular housing portion achieves a dual function by first forming part of the housing and thus facilitating the encapsulation of the first connecting half and thereby allowing the drive unit to be sterilized, and secondly, by acting as a support for the first connecting half. To support the first connecting half slidably on the annular housing portion, the first connecting half may have a non-magnetic sliding ring configured to slide on the annular housing portion. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the first connecting half has multiple non-magnetic sliding ring portions circumferentially spaced from each other and configured to slide on the annular housing portion.

[0009] Alternatively, it is conceivable to use a non-magnetic ball bearing to mount the first connecting half onto the annular housing portion.

[0010] According to the invention, the first connecting half has at least one permanent magnet, and the second connecting half has a soft magnetic material. Preferably, the second connecting half is made of a soft magnetic material. The permanent magnet magnetizes the soft magnetic material, and thus can drive the second connecting half into a second rotational motion. Soft magnetic material is cheaper than providing a permanent magnet in the second connecting half.

[0011] The first connecting half preferably has an annular permanent magnet holder and a plurality of permanent magnets, which are fastened to the permanent magnet holder at a certain distance from each other in the circumferential direction of the permanent magnet holder. It is particularly preferred that the permanent magnets are evenly arranged along the entire circumference of the permanent magnet holder.

[0012] Preferably, the second connecting half has a ring and a plurality of protrusions projecting radially outward from the ring, wherein each of the protrusions is precisely assigned to one of the permanent magnets. As a result, magnetic polarization is generated in each of the protrusions. The magnetic polarization of each protrusion makes the connection between the first and second connecting halves relatively strong, resulting in a relatively large force being transmitted from the first connecting half to the second connecting half to drive the second connecting half, without the second connecting half unintentionally moving past the first connecting half.

[0013] The permanent magnet is preferably polarized in the radial direction relative to the permanent magnet holder. Therefore, a particularly strong magnetic field is applied to the protrusion, resulting in a particularly strong connection between the first and second connecting halves.

[0014] The permanent magnets are preferably polarized alternately in opposite directions along the circumference of the ring in their respective cases. Therefore, the magnetic field lines of two adjacent permanent magnets reinforce each other, resulting in a particularly strong connection between the first and second connecting halves.

[0015] Preferably, each permanent magnet has a concave surface that faces inward relative to the radial direction of the permanent magnet holder, said surface being configured to slide on the annular housing portion such that the first connecting half is slidably mounted on the annular housing portion. Because it is the permanent magnet, not the permanent magnet holder, that slides on the annular housing portion, the frictional resistance during the first rotational movement is relatively low. It is conceivable that the first connecting half has a non-magnetic coating applied to the concave surface. The effect achieved is that the permanent magnet does not slide directly on the annular housing portion. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the permanent magnet is formed from permanent magnet particles and a plastic matrix, with the permanent magnet particles incorporated into the plastic matrix.

[0016] The drive unit preferably has a fastening device configured to secure the syringe so that it does not rotate. This prevents the syringe from rotating during the second rotational motion. Particularly preferably, the fastening device secures the syringe to a portion of the syringe that is distinct from the other portion, onto which the second connecting half acts. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1Schematic representations of preferred embodiments of the syringe assembly according to the invention are shown in different cross-sections, wherein, for illustrative purposes, the syringe of the syringe assembly is arranged outside the drive unit of the syringe assembly.

[0019] Figure 2 A syringe assembly is shown. Figure 1 Sections AA and BB are shown in the diagram, with the syringe mounted on the drive unit. Detailed Implementation

[0020] As from Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the syringe assembly 1 has a syringe 3, a drive unit 2, and a magnetic connector 6. The syringe 3 has an intraocular lens, a plunger, and a cannula 14, and is configured to move the intraocular lens through the cannula 14 by translational movement of the plunger. The drive unit 2 has a first connecting half 7 of the magnetic connector 6, a motor 5, and a housing 4, the first connecting half 7 and the motor 5 being encapsulated within the housing. The motor 5 is configured to drive the first connecting half 7 into a first rotational movement. The housing 4 has an annular housing portion 11 that defines a channel 19 having a circular cross-section. The syringe 3 has a second connecting half 8 of the magnetic connector 6, wherein the syringe 3 and the second connecting half 8 are arranged in the channel 19. The first connecting half 7 is arranged around the annular housing portion 11 and is therefore configured to perform the first rotational movement around the annular housing portion 11, and thus drive the second connecting half 8 into a second rotational movement by means of the magnetic field of the magnetic connector 6, which penetrates the annular housing portion 11. The syringe 3 is configured to convert the second rotational movement into translational movement of the plunger.

[0021] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first and second rotational movements can be performed about a common axis of rotation 24, wherein the center point of the circular cross-section of the channel 19 is located on the axis of rotation 24.

[0022] Therefore, syringe 3 is configured to convert the second rotary motion into the translational motion of the plunger, and syringe 3 may have a helical mechanism. To form a thread, for example, as... Figure 1 As shown, the syringe 3 may have a cylindrical section 16 in which a plunger is disposed. The cylindrical section 16 has internal threads, and the plunger has external threads, wherein the internal and external threads engage with each other. A second connecting half 8 may engage with the plunger, such that a second rotational motion is also transmitted to the plunger, resulting in a translational motion of the plunger.

[0023] like Figure 1It is also shown that the housing 4 can completely enclose all components of the drive unit 2. If the drive unit 2 has a power source 21 (e.g., a battery) configured to supply power to the motor 5, the power source 21 is also enclosed in the housing 4. The drive unit 2 may also have other components (such as a transmission unit and / or a receiving unit) configured to control the motor 5. These other components can also be enclosed by the housing 4.

[0024] from Figure 1 As can be seen, the syringe 3 may have a chamber 15 into which the intraocular lens is introduced. In this case, the plunger is configured to first move the intraocular lens into the cannula 14 and then remove it from the end of the cannula 14 opposite to the chamber 15. The chamber 15 may have a tapered section such that the intraocular lens is folded during translational movement before reaching the cannula 14.

[0025] It is conceivable that the drive unit 2 is a reusable component, while the syringe 3 has a disposable component. Here, the entire syringe 3 could be a disposable component. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the second connecting half 8 is a reusable component that can also be sterilized, while the remainder of the syringe 3 is a disposable component. In the case that the second connecting half 8 is a reusable component, a force-fit and / or form-fit connection can be provided between the second connecting half 8 and the plunger.

[0026] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first connecting half 7 is shown to have an annular permanent magnet holder 10 and a plurality of permanent magnets 9, which are fastened to the permanent magnet holder 10 at a certain distance from each other in the circumferential direction. The permanent magnets 9 are fastened to the inner surface of the permanent magnet holder 10 and thus protrude radially inward from the permanent magnet holder 10 relative to the permanent magnet holder 10. In particular, an even number of permanent magnets 9 are provided, which are uniformly distributed along the entire circumference of the permanent magnet holder 10. The permanent magnets 9 are polarized in the radial direction relative to the permanent magnet holder 10, wherein the permanent magnets 9 are polarized alternately in opposite directions along the circumference of the ring 12 in their respective cases. This is achieved by, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the first group of permanent magnets 9, which comprises half of the permanent magnets 9, the north pole 22 of the permanent magnet 9 is arranged away from the permanent magnet holder 10, and the south pole 23 of the permanent magnet 9 is arranged facing the permanent magnet holder 10. In the second group of permanent magnets 9, which comprises the other half of the permanent magnets 9, the south pole 23 of the permanent magnet 9 is arranged away from the permanent magnet holder 10, and the north pole 22 of the permanent magnet 9 is arranged facing the permanent magnet holder 10. Each permanent magnet from the second group of permanent magnets 9 is adjacent to two permanent magnets from the first group of permanent magnets 9.

[0027] The second connecting half 8 may have a ring 12 and a plurality of protrusions 13 projecting radially outward from the ring 12. The protrusions 13 are arranged to be uniformly distributed along the circumference of the ring 12, and the number of protrusions 13 is equal to the number of permanent magnets 9, such that each protrusion 13 is precisely assigned to one of the permanent magnets 9. The second connecting half 8 may be made of a soft magnetic material or may be constructed of a soft magnetic material. Specifically, the protrusions 13 and the ring 12 may be made of a soft magnetic material or may be constructed of a soft magnetic material. Specifically, the second connecting half 8 does not have permanent magnets. Figure 2 The dashed lines in the diagram represent the magnetic field lines of the magnetic connector 6. It can be clearly seen that the magnetic field lines of the two adjacent permanent magnets 9 are always reinforced.

[0028] As from Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can be seen that each of the permanent magnets 9 may have a concave surface that faces radially inward relative to the permanent magnet holder 10, said surface being configured to slide on the annular housing portion 11 such that the first connecting half 7 is slidably mounted on the annular housing portion 11. The radius of curvature of the concave surface may here be the same as the radius of curvature of the surface of the annular housing portion 11 that contacts the concave surface of the permanent magnet 9.

[0029] Figure 1 The drive unit is shown to have a fastening device 20 configured to fasten the syringe 3 so that the syringe does not rotate. The fastening device 20 can fasten the syringe 3 at a portion of the syringe 3 other than the plunger. The fastening device 20 can be, for example, a clamp protruding from the housing 4.

[0030] As from Figure 1 As can be seen, the housing 4 may have a housing portion that protrudes from the remaining housing 4 and has an annular housing portion 11. The motor 5 is arranged in the remaining portion of the housing 4. If the drive unit 2 has a power supply 21, the power supply 21 may also be arranged in the remaining portion of the housing 4. The motor 5 has a shaft 17 driven by the motor 5, and the drive unit 2 has a drive gear 18 that is fastened to the shaft 17, at least partially arranged in the remaining portion of the housing 4, and driven by the shaft 17. The outer side of the permanent magnet holder 10 is designed as a gear that engages in the drive gear 18, such that the motor 5 is configured to drive the second connecting half 8 via the shaft 17, via the drive gear 18, and via the first connecting half 7. If a fastening device 20 is provided, it may protrude from the housing 4 in the same direction as the housing portion protruding from the remaining housing 4.

[0031] The drive unit 2 may have a switch mounted on the exterior of the housing 4 and configured such that its actuation controls the motor 5. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the syringe assembly has a remote switch configured such that its actuation remotely controls the motor 5. For example, the remote switch could be a foot switch.

[0032] List of reference numerals

[0033] 1. Syringe assembly

[0034] 2 drive units

[0035] 3 Syringes

[0036] 4. Shell

[0037] 5 motors

[0038] 6. Magnetic connector

[0039] 7 First connecting half

[0040] 8 Second connecting half

[0041] 9 permanent magnets

[0042] 10. Ring-shaped permanent magnet holder

[0043] 11. Annular shell section

[0044] 12 rings

[0045] 13. Protrusion

[0046] 14. Intubation

[0047] 15 chambers

[0048] 16 tubes

[0049] 17-axis

[0050] 18 Drive gears

[0051] 19 channels

[0052] 20 Fastening devices

[0053] 21 Power Supply

[0054] 22 Arctic

[0055] 23 Antarctica

[0056] 24. Rotation axis

Claims

1. A syringe assembly comprising: a syringe (3) having a plunger and a cannula (14) and configured to move an intraocular lens through the cannula (14) by translational movement of the plunger; a magnetic connector (6) and a drive unit (2) having: a first connecting half (7) of the magnetic connector (6); a motor (5) configured to drive the first connecting half (7) into a first rotational movement; and a housing (4) in which the first connecting half (7) and the motor (5) are encapsulated, and the housing having an annular housing portion (11) defining a channel (19) having a circular cross-section, wherein, The syringe (3) has a second connecting half (8) of the magnetic connector (6), and the syringe (3) and the second connecting half (8) are arranged in the channel (19), wherein the first connecting half (7) is arranged around the annular housing portion (11) and is thus configured to perform the first rotational motion around the annular housing portion (11), and thus drive the second connecting half (8) into a second rotational motion by means of the magnetic field of the magnetic connector (6), the magnetic field penetrating the annular housing portion (11), wherein the syringe (3) is configured to convert the second rotational motion into a translational motion of the plunger, wherein the first connecting half (7) has at least one permanent magnet (9) and the second connecting half (8) has a soft magnetic material.

2. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein, The drive unit (2) is a reusable component, while the syringe (3) has a disposable component.

3. The syringe assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first connecting half (7) is slidably mounted on the annular housing part (11).

4. The syringe assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first connecting half (7) has an annular permanent magnet holder (10) and a plurality of permanent magnets (9), which are fastened to the permanent magnet holder (10) at a certain distance from each other in the circumferential direction of the permanent magnet holder (10).

5. The syringe assembly of claim 4, wherein, The second connecting half (8) has a ring (12) and a plurality of protrusions (13) that protrude radially outward from the ring (12) relative to the ring (12), wherein each of the protrusions (13) is precisely assigned to one of the permanent magnets (9).

6. The syringe assembly of claim 4, wherein, These permanent magnets (9) are polarized in the radial direction relative to the permanent magnet holder (10).

7. The syringe assembly of claim 6, wherein, These permanent magnets (9) are polarized in opposite directions alternately along the circumference of the ring (12) of the second connecting half (8) in their respective cases.

8. The syringe assembly of claim 4, wherein, Each of these permanent magnets (9) has a concave surface that faces radially inward relative to the permanent magnet holder (10), the concave surface being configured to slide on the annular housing portion (11) such that the first connecting half (7) is slidably mounted on the annular housing portion (11).

9. The syringe assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The drive unit (2) has a fastening device (20) configured to fasten the syringe (3) so that the syringe does not rotate.

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