Viscoelastic soft tip plunger

Abstract

To provide an improved viscoelastic soft tip plunger.SOLUTION: Systems, methods and devices for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) assembly into an eye may be provided. An apparatus for delivery of a lens component into an eye may include a housing. The apparatus may further include a plunger at least partially disposed in the housing, where the housing comprises an elongated portion and a viscoelastic soft tip at a distal end of the elongated portion, where the viscoelastic soft tip has a storage modulus of about 1 megapascal (MPa) to about 300 MPa and a loss module of about 1 MPa to about 300 MPa. The apparatus may further include a drive mechanism operatively coupled to plunger and configured to cause the plunger to translate in the housing. The apparatus may further include a nozzle which is operatively coupled to the housing and through which the plunger delivers the lens component into the eye.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure may relate generally to ophthalmic surgery, and more specifically, embodiments may relate generally to systems, methods, and devices for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) using a plunger having a viscoelastic soft tip. [Background technology]

[0002] The human eye can suffer from many diseases that can cause anything from mild deterioration to complete loss of vision. Contact lenses and glasses can compensate for some ailments, but eye surgery may be necessary in other cases. In general, eye surgery can be categorized into posterior segment procedures, such as vitreoretinal surgery, and anterior segment procedures, such as cataract surgery. Vitreoretinal surgery may address many different eye conditions, including, but not limited to, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole, retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane, and cytomegalovirus retinitis.

[0003] For cataract surgery, a surgical procedure may require an incision and the insertion of a tool into the eye to replace the cloudy lens with an intraocular lens (IOL). An insertion tool may be used to deliver the IOL into the eye. As an example, the insertion tool may include a plunger to push the IOL out of the nozzle of the insertion tool. To avoid damaging the IOL, the plunger may include a soft tip. These soft tip plungers are gentle on the IOL even though a large amount of force may be required to push the IOL through the nozzle of the insertion tool. However, the use of soft tip plungers may have drawbacks. When the soft tip plunger engages the IOL and moves through the nozzle, the soft tip may compress and store spring energy. When the soft tip exits the nozzle, it may suddenly expand and release the spring energy. Because the soft tip engages the IOL, this spring energy is transferred to the IOL and may lead to abrupt or self-ejection of the IOL from the nozzle. This is highly undesirable and can lead to complications, as the insertion of an IOL into the eye should be performed under controlled conditions. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a device for delivering a lens component into an eye. The device may include a housing and a plunger at least partially disposed within the housing, the housing including an elongated portion and a viscoelastic soft tip at a distal end of the elongated portion, the viscoelastic soft tip having a storage modulus of about 1 megapascal (MPa) to about 300 MPa and a loss modulus of about 1 MPa to about 300 MPa. The device may further include a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the plunger and configured to translate the plunger within the housing. The device may further include a nozzle operatively coupled to the housing, through which the plunger delivers the lens component into the eye.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for delivering a lens component into an eye. The method may include inserting a nozzle of an insertion tool into the eye. The method may further include actuating the insertion tool to move a plunger within the nozzle such that the plunger drives the lens component through the nozzle and into the eye, where a viscoelastic soft tip of the plunger engages the lens component, the viscoelastic soft tip having a storage modulus of about 1 MPa to about 300 MPa and a loss module of about 1 MPa to about 300 MPa. The method may further include placing the lens component with a capsular bag into the eye.

[0006] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the disclosure. In this regard, further aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] These drawings illustrate some particular aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be used to limit or define the present disclosure.

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a modular IOL with a lens portion disposed within a base portion, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a base portion of a modular IOL according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the lens portion of a modular IOL according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an insertion tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A illustrates the implantation of a modular IOL according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B illustrates the implantation of a modular IOL according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C illustrates the implantation of a modular IOL according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a plunger having a viscoelastic soft tip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a plunger having a viscoelastic soft tip, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a plunger with a viscoelastic soft tip pushing a lens component through a nozzle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows the soft-tipped plunger after it has emerged from the nozzle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates a plunger with a viscoelastic soft tip after it has exited the nozzle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations shown in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation on the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alternatives and further modifications to the described devices, apparatus, and methods, and any further applications of the principles of the present disclosure, are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. In particular, it can be fully contemplated that features, components, and / or steps described with respect to one or more implementations may be combined with features, components, and / or steps described with respect to other implementations of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some cases, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0010] The embodiments may generally relate to ophthalmic surgery. More specifically, the embodiments may generally relate to systems, methods, and devices for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs). The embodiments may include an insertion tool for preparing and delivering an IOL assembly into a patient's eye, including a plunger, a nozzle, and an IOL holder. The IOL embodiments may include a modular IOL including a base portion and a lens portion. In some embodiments, the plunger may include a viscoelastic soft tip. The viscoelastic soft tip may engage and drive the lens component through the nozzle. The lens component may be the IOL itself or an individual component of the modular IOL, such as the base portion of the lens portion. Advantageously, the viscoelastic soft tip should reduce the tendency of the soft tip plunger to perform undesirable abrupt or self-ejection of the IOL, for example, by release of stored spring energy due to compression of the soft tip. By appropriately selecting the viscoelastic properties of the viscoelastic soft tip, the stored spring energy should be released slowly, thus potentially reducing or even eliminating undesirable sudden and self-ejection of the IOL.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a modular IOL 10. The modular IOL 10 may be any suitable modular interocular lens. As illustrated, the modular IOL 10 may include a base portion 12 and a lens portion 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens portion 14 is disposed within the base portion 12. In operation, the modular IOL 10 may allow for the lens portion 14 to be modified or adjusted during or after surgery while the base portion 12 remains in place. By way of example, the modular IOL 10 may be implanted within an eye. After implantation, the lens portion 14 may be modified, adjusted, and / or replaced while the base portion 12 remains disposed within the eye. In at least one embodiment, the modular IOL 10 may be assembled within the eye. For example, the base portion 12 may be first implanted within the eye. The lens portion 14 may then be delivered into the eye and attached to the base portion 12.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates the base portion 12 of the modular IOL 10 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 12 includes a base 16 and a haptic extension 18. The haptic extension 18 may be an arm (or other suitable extension) extending from the base 16 and may stabilize the base portion 12 when it may be placed in a patient's eye. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 16 may define a hole 19, which may be located in the center of the base 16 as shown in FIG. 2. Although the hole 19 is shown as a through hole that passes through the base 16, it is contemplated that in embodiments the hole 19 may be a blind hole that does not pass through the base 16. For example, the base 16 may be a solid disk that is a blind hold in which the hole 19 does not pass through the base 16, rather than an annular ring in which the hole 19 passes through the base 16. The hole 19 may be defined by an inner circumferential surface 20 of the base 16. In at least one embodiment, a recessed groove 22 is formed in the inner periphery 20. The recessed groove 22 may include a lower rim 24 and an upper rim 26. The upper rim 26 may have an insider diameter that is the same as or larger than the outer diameter (excluding tabs 30 shown in FIG. 3) of the lens portion 14 so that the lens portion 14 can rest inside the hole 19 of the base 16. All or a portion of the lower rim 24 may have an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter (excluding tabs 30 shown in FIG. 3) of the lens portion 14 so that the lower rim 24 can act as a protrusion or detent for the lens portion 14 when the lens portion 14 is disposed within the hole 19 of the base 16. The base portion 12 may be one piece or may be formed from components that are combined or attached in any suitable manner.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 3, the lens portion 14 of the modular IOL 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens portion 14 includes an optic portion 28 and one or more tabs 30. Although FIG. 3 shows two of the tabs 30, an embodiment may include only one of the tabs 30, or alternatively, three, four, or more tabs 30. In addition, the tabs 30 on the lens portion 14 may be identical to one another or different. Although the tabs 30 are shown as being fixed to the optic portion 28, it should be understood that one or more of the tabs 30 can be actuated to transition from a compressed state for delivery into the hole 19 of the base 16 (e.g., shown in FIG. 2) to an uncompressed, expanded state for placement into the recessed groove 22 of the base 16 (e.g., shown in FIG. 2), thereby forming an interlocking connection between the base portion 12 and the lens portion 14. The outer curvature of the tabs 30 may have a radius that matches the inner radius of the recessed groove 22. This configuration should limit relative movement between the base portion 12 and the lens portion 14 once connected. In an embodiment, a suitable optic portion 28 may be shaped similar to the shape of the natural lens in the eye and may be made from a suitable material, such as silicone, acrylic, and / or combinations thereof. Although the optic portion 28 is shown as being circular, the optic portion 28 may be any suitable shape, such as an ellipse or oval, with the tab 30 disposed adjacent the major axis. This configuration thus defines a gap between the edge of the optic portion 28 along its minor axis and the inner circumferential surface 20 of the base 16. The gap may allow access for a probe or similar device to remove the lens portion 14 from the base portion 12 if separation is desired.

[0014] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the insertion tool 32. In some embodiments, the insertion tool 32 may include a drive mechanism 34, a plunger 36, a lens holder 38, and a nozzle 40. The plunger 36 may be disposed at least partially within the housing 35. For example, the plunger 36 may extend from the housing 35 and engage with the drive mechanism 34 outside of the housing 35. In other embodiments, the plunger 36 may be disposed within the housing 35. In some embodiments. the drive mechanism 34 may be operatively coupled to the plunger. As shown, the plunger 36 may include a viscoelastic soft tip 42. The insertion tool 32 may be operable to deliver a lens component 44 into the patient's eye. The lens component 44 may include any suitable component of an IOL, including the IOL itself or components of the modular IOL 10 shown in FIG. 2, such as the base portion 12 or the lens portion 14.

[0015] The drive mechanism 34 can be any suitable combination of components for actuating the plunger 36. For example, the drive mechanism 34 may use a lever and / or a pneumatic system. The plunger 36 may be operatively coupled to the drive mechanism 34. The drive mechanism 34 may actuate the plunger 36 by any suitable manner, including, but not limited to, an electric drive, a mechanical drive, a hydraulic drive, a pneumatic drive, and / or combinations thereof. The plunger 36 may be actuated to move within the lens holder 38. The lens holder 38 may be located in any suitable position within the insertion tool 32, for example, the lens holder 38 may be housed or inserted within the housing 35. The plunger 36 is actuated through the housing 35. In some embodiments, the lens holder 38 may be located between the drive mechanism 34 and the nozzle 40. In some embodiments, the lens holder 38 may house the lens component 44. In some embodiments, the lens component 44 may be loaded into the lens holder 38 in a deployed configuration. To deliver the nozzle 40, the lens holder 38 can be actuated to fold the lens component 44. As used herein, folding the lens component 44 is also intended to encompass rolling the lens component 44. For example, the haptic extensions 18 of the base portion 12 shown in FIG. 2 can be folded onto the base 16, which can then be folded or rolled. As a further example, the lens portion 14 shown in FIG. 2 can be folded or rolled into a folded configuration for delivery through the nozzle 40. As the plunger 36 moves within the lens holder 38, the plunger 36 can displace the lens component 44 within the nozzle 40. The viscoelastic soft tip 42 should engage the lens component 44 as it moves through the nozzle 40.

[0016] In some embodiments, the insertion tool 32 may be preloaded. That is, when provided to an end user, the insertion tool 32 may have the lens component 44 (e.g., modular IOL 10, base portion 12, or lens portion 14) already present in the insertion tool 32 in an unfolded state and ready for delivery. Preloading the insertion tool 32 with the lens component 44 should reduce the number of steps a user may need to take before delivering the lens component 44 into a patient's eye. Reducing the number of steps may reduce defects and risks associated with delivering the lens component 44 to a patient. Additionally, the amount of time required to deliver the lens component 44 may also be reduced. In some embodiments, the lens component 44 may be preloaded into the lens holder 38.

[0017] An exemplary technique for implanting a modular IOL 10 in a patient's eye 46 will now be described with respect to FIGS. 5A-5C. As shown in FIG. 5A, the insertion tool 32 may first deliver the base portion 12 into the patient's eye 46. In an embodiment, an incision 48 may be made in the eye 46 by a surgeon. For example, the incision 48 may be made through the sclera 50 of the eye 46. The incision 48 may be of any suitable width or length. Without being limited thereto, a suitable width and / or length may be less than about 4 millimeters. For example, the incision 48 may have a suitable width and / or length of about 1 millimeter to about 4 millimeters, about 1 millimeter to about 3 millimeters, about 2 millimeters to about 3 millimeters, or about 2 millimeters to about 2.5 millimeters. After the incision 48 is made, the nozzle 40 of the insertion tool 32 may be inserted through the incision 48 into the interior portion 52 of the eye 46. The insertion tool 32 may be actuated to deliver the base portion 12 into the capsular bag 54 of the eye 46. For example, the plunger 36 having the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may engage the base portion 12 and drive the base portion 12 (in a folded (or rolled) configuration) through the nozzle 40 and into the interior portion 52 of the eye 46. Upon delivery, the base portion 12 should unfold and fit within the capsular bag 54 of the eye 46, as shown in FIG. 5B. The haptic extensions 18 may be manipulated to engage, for example, within the equator 56 of the capsular bag 54. The haptic extensions 18 may engage the capsular bag 54 and secure the base portion 12 within the capsular bag 54.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 5C, the lens portion 14 may be disposed in the interior portion 52 of the eye 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens portion 14 is shown disposed within the base 16 of the base portion 12. Although not shown in FIG. 5C, the insertion tool 32 shown in FIG. 5A or other suitable insertion tool may be used to deliver the lens portion 14 into the eye 46. The lens portion 14 may be delivered in a folded (or rolled) configuration and unfolded after ejection from the insertion tool. The lens portion 14 may be disposed within the base 16 of the base portion 12 and secured to the base portion 12, for example, by using the tab 30 shown in FIG. 3, to form the modular IOL 10. However, the embodiments should not be limited to interlocking the lens portion 14 and the base portion 12 using the tab 30, and other suitable locking mechanisms may be used to secure the lens portion 14 to the base portion 12 to form the modular IOL 10. The base portion 12 may hold the lens portion 14 within the eye 46 such that the lens portion 14 can refract and focus light onto the retina (not shown).

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a plunger 36 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger 36 includes an elongated portion 58 and a viscoelastic soft tip 42. The elongated portion 58 may be formed from any suitable material. For example, suitable materials for the elongated portion 58 may include metals, such as, for example, stainless steel or titanium. However, the elongated portion 58 may be formed from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, polymers, metals, ceramics, or other suitable materials. The viscoelastic soft tip 42 may be coupled to a distal end 60 of the elongated portion 58. Any suitable technique may be used to couple the viscoelastic soft tip 42 to the elongated portion 58. For example, the coupling between the viscoelastic soft tip 42 and the elongated portion 58 may be achieved using extrusion, casting, molding, injection molding, insert molding, welding, adhesives, or any other desired or suitable method. In some embodiments, the coupling may be achieved using a combination of two or more of these methods. In some embodiments (not shown), the viscoelastic soft tip 42 and the elongated portion 58 may be one piece, with the viscoelastic soft tip 42 being an extension of the elongated portion 58 .

[0020] The elongated portion 58 may have any suitable dimensions. For example, the elongated portion 58 may have a length of about 0.5 centimeters to about 10 centimeters. By way of further example, the elongated portion 58 may have an outer diameter of about 0.05 centimeters to about 0.3 centimeters. The viscoelastic soft tip 42 may also have any suitable dimensions. For example, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may have a length of about 0.2 centimeters to about 1 centimeter. By way of further example, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may have an outer diameter of about 0.1 centimeters to about 0.8 centimeters. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the outer size and shape of the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may match the size and shape of the elongated portion 58, thereby creating a smooth transition between the elongated portion 58 and the viscoelastic soft tip 42.

[0021] The viscoelastic soft tip 42 may be adapted to provide a non-wearing engagement with a cushioning and / or lens component 44 (e.g., shown in FIG. 4 ), such as the base portion 12 (e.g., shown in FIG. 2 ) or the lens portion 14 (e.g., shown in FIG. 3 ). Thus, the hardness of the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may be selected, for example, to provide a non-wearing engagement with the cushioning and / or lens component 44. For example, the material forming the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may have a durometer value of 20A on the Shore hardness scale. In other examples, the material forming the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may have a durometer value of about 2000-50D on the Shore hardness scale. As used herein, durometer values ​​are Shore hardness values. However, the present disclosure is not so limited. Rather, these hardness values ​​are provided merely as examples. Thus, the material forming the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may have any suitable hardness desirable for a particular application.

[0022] In addition to hardness, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may also be characterized by viscoelasticity. For example, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may exhibit both viscous and elastic properties as it deforms. Due to the pressure applied when forcing the lens component 44 through the nozzle 40 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4), the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may deform, e.g., compress, as it is forced through the nozzle 40 while engaged with the lens component 44. By having elastic properties, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 should return to its original state when the stress is removed, e.g., after exiting the nozzle 40. However, if the viscoelastic soft tip 42 does not include sufficient viscous properties, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may return to its original state too quickly and unnecessarily push the lens component 44 as the viscoelastic soft tip 42 bounces back to its original state. Thus, embodiments may include selecting viscous properties such that the viscoelastic soft tip 42 slowly returns to its original state without undesirable auto-ejection of the lens component by bouncing back to its original state too quickly.

[0023] The viscoelastic properties of the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may be characterized by its storage modulus (or elastic modulus) (G') and loss modulus (G''). By way of example, the storage modulus and loss modulus of the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may be selected to provide a desired viscoelasticity. A suitable storage modulus of the viscoelastic soft tip 42 at room temperature (23°C) may range from about 1 megapascal (MPa) to about 300 MPa, from about 1 MPa to about 10 MPa, from about 10 MPa to about 50 MPa, or from about 50 MPa to about 300 MPa. For example, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may have a storage modulus at room temperature (23°C) of about 1 MPa, about 10 MPa, about 30 MPa, about 50 MPa, about 100 MPa, about 200 MPa, or about 300 MPa. A suitable loss modulus of the viscoelastic soft tip 42 at room temperature (23° C.) may range from about 1 MPa to about 300 MPa, from about 1 MPa to about 10 MPa, from about 10 MPa to about 50 MPa, or from about 50 MPa to about 300 MPa. For example, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may have a loss modulus at room temperature (23° C.) of about 1 MPa, about 10 MPa, about 30 MPa, about 50 MPa, about 100 MPa, about 200 MPa, or about 300 MPa. As used herein, storage modulus and loss modulus are measured at a frequency of 1 Hz using the standard test procedure set forth in ASTM D 4065 for dynamic mechanical analysis ("DMA"). One of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure should be able to select an appropriate storage modulus and loss modulus for the viscoelastic soft tip 42 for a particular application.

[0024] According to this embodiment, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may be formed from any suitable viscoelastic material. In particular, in some embodiments, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may be formed from any medically compatible viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic soft tip 42 may be formed from materials including, for example, polyurethanes, acetates, acrylates, polyesters, polyamides, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may include a viscoelastic polymer. Foams of the same material class may also be considered. In some embodiments, the elongated portion 58 and the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may include the same or similar materials.

[0025] 7 illustrates a plunger 36 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger 36 includes an elongated portion 58 and a viscoelastic soft tip 42. In contrast to the viscoelastic soft tip 42 illustrated in FIG. 6, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 is disposed about the distal end 60 of the plunger 36. The viscoelastic soft tip 42 can be disposed about the distal end 60 of the plunger 36 using any suitable technique, including but not limited to extrusion, casting, molding, insert molding, welding, adhesives, or any other desired or suitable method. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 can be attached about the distal end 60 of the plunger 36 using two or more of these methods.

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates a plunger 36 having a viscoelastic soft tip 42 forcing a lens component 44 through a nozzle 40, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the plunger 36 may include a viscoelastic soft tip 42 at its distal end 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 engages the lens component 44 and forces the lens component 44 through the nozzle 40. The viscoelastic soft tip 42 may be compressed or deformed by the force required to force the viscoelastic soft tip 42 and the lens component 44 through the nozzle 40. As a result of this deformation, the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may store spring energy. The viscoelastic soft tip 42 should advance through the nozzle 40 until the lens component 44 is ejected from the nozzle outlet 62. By adjusting the viscoelasticity of the viscoelastic soft tip 42, when the viscoelastic soft tip 42 exits the nozzle outlet 62, the stored spring energy should not be unnecessarily released upon the release of this compressive force. As a result, problems typically associated with soft tips, leading to undesirable rapid and self-expulsion of the lens component 44, can be reduced or even avoided in some cases by the use of a viscoelastic soft tip 42. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, a plunger 36 having a soft tip 64 without viscoelastic tuning would expand rapidly after exiting the nozzle outlet 62, and therefore may prevent retraction of the soft tip 64 back into the nozzle 40 for exit from the patient's eye. However, as shown in Figure 10, a plunger 36 having a viscoelastic soft tip 42 should expand slowly after exiting the nozzle outlet 62, allowing retraction back into the nozzle 40 so that the nozzle 40 can be removed from the patient's eye.

[0027] Although the foregoing description is generally directed to the use of a plunger 36 having a viscoelastic soft tip 42 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7) with a modular IOL 10 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1), it is contemplated that the viscoelastic soft tip 42 may be used in any suitable application to deliver a lens component, such as lens component 44 (e.g., FIG. 4). Lens component 44 may be a modular IOL 10, as is a particular component thereof (e.g., base portion 12 of FIG. 2 or lens portion 14 of FIG. 3), but lens component 44 may also include a non-modular IOL in which the base and lens portions of the IOL are fixed to one another and the lens portion cannot be replaced without removal.

[0028] The operation and structure of the present disclosure will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus and methods shown and described above are characterized as being preferred, various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for delivering an intraocular lens, comprising: The apparatus comprises: Housing and a plunger disposed at least partially within the housing, The plunger comprises an elongate portion and a viscoelastic soft tip at a distal end of the elongate portion; the viscoelastic soft tip has a storage modulus of 1 megapascal to 300 megapascals at 23° C.; the viscoelastic soft tip having a loss modulus of 1 megapascal to 300 megapascals at 23° C.; a pre-loaded lens within the housing; a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the plunger and configured to translate the plunger within the housing; a nozzle operatively coupled to the housing, through which the plunger delivers the pre-loaded lens into an eye.

2. The device described in claim 1, wherein the viscoelastic soft tip is positioned around the distal end of the elongated portion.

3. The device described in claim 1, wherein the viscoelastic soft tip comprises a viscoelastic polymer.

4. The device described in claim 1, wherein the viscoelastic soft tip comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acetate, acrylate, polyester, polyamide, foams thereof, and combinations thereof.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the preloaded lens is a non-modular lens.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the preloaded lens is a modular lens.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the viscoelastic soft tip has a durometer value of 2000 to 50D on the Shore hardness scale.

8. The device described in claim 1, wherein the storage modulus of the viscoelastic soft tip is 10 megapascals to 50 megapascals.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the loss modulus of the viscoelastic soft tip is between 10 megapascals and 50 megapascals.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is an electric drive unit, a mechanical drive unit, a hydraulic drive unit, a pneumatic drive unit, or a combination thereof.

11. A device for delivering an intraocular lens, comprising: The apparatus comprises: Housing and a plunger disposed at least partially within the housing, The plunger comprises an elongate portion and a viscoelastic soft tip at a distal end of the elongate portion; the viscoelastic soft tip having a storage modulus of 1 MPa to 300 MPa at 23° C.; a lens holder coupled to the housing; a preloaded lens in the lens holder; a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the plunger and configured to translate the plunger within the housing; a nozzle operatively coupled to the housing, through which the plunger delivers the pre-loaded lens into an eye.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the preloaded lens is a non-modular lens.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the preloaded lens is a modular lens.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the viscoelastic soft tip has a durometer value of 2000 to 50D on the Shore hardness scale.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the storage modulus of the viscoelastic soft tip is between 10 megapascals and 50 megapascals.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the loss modulus of the viscoelastic soft tip is between 10 megapascals and 50 megapascals.

17. An apparatus for delivering an intraocular lens, comprising: The apparatus comprises: Housing and a plunger disposed at least partially within the housing, The plunger comprises an elongate portion and a viscoelastic soft tip at a distal end of the elongate portion; the viscoelastic soft tip has a storage modulus of 10 megapascals to 50 megapascals at 23° C.; the viscoelastic soft tip has a loss modulus of 10 megapascals to 50 megapascals at 23° C.; a plunger, the viscoelastic soft tip comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of acetate, acrylate, polyester, polyamide, foams thereof, and combinations thereof; a pre-loaded lens within the housing; a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the plunger and configured to translate the plunger within the housing; and a nozzle operatively coupled to the housing, through which the plunger delivers the preloaded lens into the eye, the viscoelastic soft tip providing cushioning and wear-free engagement with the preloaded lens during translation of the drive mechanism and delivery through the nozzle.

18. The device described in claim 17, wherein the viscoelastic soft tip is disposed around the distal end of the elongated portion.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the preloaded lens is a non-modular lens.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the preloaded lens is a modular lens.

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