Push mechanism for connecting the drive mechanism handpiece with the intraocular lens cartridge

Abstract

A system, method, and device for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye is provided. The device includes an IOL cartridge including a nozzle, a compartment, a plunger, and a plunger case. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment, and the plunger case is in fluid communication with the compartment. The plunger is disposed within the plunger case. The plunger case includes a flexible member extending from an outer surface of the plunger case. The IOL cartridge is configured for removably attachment to a handpiece.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to ophthalmic surgery, and more particularly, some embodiments may generally relate to systems, methods, and devices for removably attaching a drive mechanism handpiece to an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] The human eye can be affected by many diseases that cause anything from mild deterioration to complete loss of vision. Contact lenses and eyeglasses can compensate for some diseases, but for others, eye surgery may be required. Generally, eye surgery can be categorized into posterior segment procedures, such as vitreoretinal surgery, and anterior segment procedures, such as cataract surgery.

[0003] For cataract surgery, the surgical procedure may require an incision and the insertion of an instrument into the eye to replace the cloudy lens with an IOL. An inserter instrument can be used to deliver the IOL into the eye. For example, the inserter instrument can include a plunger to push the IOL out of the nozzle of the inserter instrument. In some examples, the IOL can be pre-loaded into the inserter instrument. In other examples, a separate bay can be loaded into the inserter instrument. The plunger can engage the IOL to advance the IOL from the bay, through the nozzle, and into the eye. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a device for delivery of an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye. The device may include an IOL cartridge including a nozzle, a compartment, a plunger, and a plunger case. The compartment may be configured to receive the IOL. The nozzle may be in fluid communication with the compartment, and the plunger case may be in fluid communication with the compartment. The plunger may be disposed within the plunger case. The plunger case may include a flexible member extending from an outer surface of the plunger case. The IOL cartridge may be configured to be removably attached to a handpiece.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for delivering an IOL into an eye. The apparatus may include a handpiece including a housing and a push rod disposed within the housing. The housing may include a flexible clip. A distal end of the push rod may be configured to removably attach to an IOL cartridge.

[0006] In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for delivering an IOL into an eye. The method may include inserting a plunger case of an IOL cartridge into a housing of a handpiece. The plunger case may include a flexible member extending from an outer surface of the plunger case. The IOL cartridge may further include a nozzle, a plunger, a case, and a compartment containing the IOL. The compartment may further include the IOL and an IOL folding mechanism. The nozzle may be in fluid communication with the compartment. The plunger case may be in fluid communication with the compartment. The plunger may be disposed within the plunger case. The method may further include receiving a distal end of a push rod of the handpiece between flexible prongs of the plunger, and further inserting the plunger case into the housing of the handpiece, causing internal features of the housing to move the flexible prongs inward, releasing the plunger from the locked position and securing the distal end of the push rod between the flexible prongs. The method may further include receiving a portion of the flexible member within an aperture in a housing of the handpiece to lock the IOL cartridge to the handpiece.

[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a device for delivering an IOL. The device may include an IOL cartridge including a compartment for receiving the IOL, a plunger case having a distal end and a proximal end coupled to the compartment, and a plunger disposed within the plunger case. The plunger case may include a flexible member extending from an outer surface of the plunger case. The device may further include a handpiece configured to be removably coupled to the plunger case and including a housing and a push rod disposed within the housing and configured to releasably couple to the plunger of the plunger case.

[0008] 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.

[0009] These drawings illustrate some specific aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be used to limit or define the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of an IOL cartridge and handpiece according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a plunger according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a plunger disposed within a plunger case according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of a plunger case of an IOL cartridge that is removably attached to a handpiece, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of an IOL cartridge locked to a handpiece according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a side cross-sectional view of a plunger case disposed within a handpiece according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a side perspective view of a plunger that receives a push rod, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view of an insertion tool according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates the insertion of an IOL according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates the insertion of an IOL according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated 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 present disclosure is intended. Any alternatives and further modifications to the described apparatus, devices, or methods, and any further applications of the principles of the present disclosure, as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, are fully contemplated. In particular, it is 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's sake, the same reference numbers may, in some cases, be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a variety of preloaded IOL cartridge designs. These preloaded cartridges can be used with handpieces including different types of drive mechanisms. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure allow compatibility between different handpieces, such as disposable and reusable handpieces, and various preloaded IOL cartridge designs. Disposable handpieces can include non-powered drive mechanisms that are not electrically driven. Reusable handpieces can include electrically driven drive mechanisms (e.g., stator windings) as well as non-powered drive mechanisms (e.g., those that are simply manually pushed or screwed in, or manually actuated via fluid or elastic members such as springs). It should be noted that these types of handpieces are examples, and other types of handpieces or drive mechanisms can be utilized in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a standard connection mechanism that employs a push-only function for assembling a handpiece with a preloaded IOL cartridge, delivering the IOL, and, if necessary, detaching the handpiece from the used cartridge. The standard connection device allows different types of handpieces to be easily paired and utilized with the preloaded IOL cartridge for IOL insertion. After IOL insertion, the preloaded IOL cartridge can be easily removed from the reusable handpiece.

[0014] The handpiece can be secured to the preloaded IOL cartridge by sliding the end of the handpiece over the plunger case of the IOL cartridge. In certain embodiments, the plunger case can have a flexible member that engages with a clip on the handpiece to secure the handpiece around the plunger case.

[0015] Additionally, internal features of the handpiece can engage and inwardly press the resilient prongs of a plunger tail spring disposed within the plunger case of the IOL cartridge. The resilient prongs can be pressed inward to release the plunger from its initial locked position within the plunger case. The plunger can be locked to prevent movement during transport or storage. When the prongs of the plunger tail spring are compressed, the prongs can engage with the push rod of the handpiece. Once engaged, the push rod and plunger are ready to advance to deliver the IOL contained within the IOL cartridge. Once IOL delivery is complete, the handpiece can be detached from the used IOL cartridge by pressing a clip on the handpiece inward and sliding the IOL cartridge from within the handpiece.

[0016] 1 shows a partially exploded view of an IOL insertion tool 11 that may be formed by assembling a handpiece 10 and an IOL cartridge 12, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The handpiece 10 and the IOL cartridge 12 may be removably attached to one another. In operation, the handpiece 10 may be actuated to advance an IOL 14 from the IOL cartridge 12.

[0017] The IOL cartridge 12 may include a compartment 15 that houses the IOL 14. The IOL 14 may include a lens 16 and haptic extensions 18. The haptic extensions 18 may be side struts (or other suitable extensions) extending from the lens 16 that may stabilize the IOL 14 when it is disposed in a patient's eye. It should be understood that the IOL 14 is merely exemplary, and the techniques disclosed herein may be used with any suitable IOL. For example, a modular IOL (not shown) may be used that includes a lens portion disposable within a base having haptic extensions.

[0018] The IOL cartridge 12 may also include a nozzle 19 in fluid communication with the compartment 15. The IOL cartridge 12 may include a folding mechanism (not shown) for folding the IOL 14. For example, the IOL cartridge 12 may include a caliper or arm (not shown) for folding the IOL 14 for delivery into the eye. The plunger 24 may be movably disposed within a plunger case 26 of the IOL cartridge 12. In the illustrated embodiment, only the tail 25 of the plunger 24 is visible, and the tail 25 extends from the plunger case 26. The plunger case 26 may be a hollow, rigid member that removably attaches to the handpiece 10. The plunger case 26 may include flexible members 28 and 30 extending from an outer surface 32 of the plunger case 26. Tabs 34 and 36 may extend outward from the flexible members 28 and 30.

[0019] The handpiece 10 may be a rigid tubular member that may be utilized in conjunction with the IOL cartridge 12 to deliver the IOL 14 into the eye. The handpiece 10 may comprise a variety of materials, such as plastic and / or metal. It is noted that various handpieces may be used with different types of IOL cartridges. The handpiece 10 may include a motorized or non-motorized drive mechanism that may include a push rod 20 movably disposed within a housing 22 of the handpiece 10. The push rod 20 may be manually actuated via a rotatable dial 23 that may cooperate with a fluid or resilient member, such as a spring 27, or another actuation mechanism. The push rod 20 may be removably coupled to a plunger 24 that is movably disposed within a plunger case 26 of the IOL cartridge 12.

[0020] The housing 22 of the handpiece 10 may include slots 38 and 40. The slots 38 and 40 may be adjacent to flexible clips 50 and 52. The clips 50 and 52 may extend from opposite sides of the handpiece 10. For assembly, the plunger case 26 may be inserted into the housing 22 of the handpiece 10 such that the tabs 34 and 36 extend into the slots 38 and 40 to removably couple the IOL cartridge 12 to the handpiece 10 to form the insertion tool. Generally, for purposes of discussing and describing the various components and features of the handpiece 10 and IOL cartridge 12 of the IOL insertion tool 11, references to a proximal end or direction may refer more to a direction toward the end of the handpiece 10 that includes the rotatable dial 23, as per directional arrow 13. Similarly, references to a distal end or direction may refer more to a direction toward the end of the IOL cartridge 12 that includes the nozzle 19, as per directional arrow 17.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of plunger 24 according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Plunger 24 may be an elongated member having a plunger tip 65 positioned at a distal end of plunger 24. A tail 25 may be positioned on a proximal end 66 of plunger 24 opposite plunger tip 65. Proximal end 66 may include tail 25. Tail 25 may also include a first flexible prong 56 and a second flexible prong 62. An opening 59 positioned between first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62 may be configured to receive a portion of push rod 20 (e.g., shown in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, first end 54 and second end 60 of first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62, respectively, may be beveled, for example.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the plunger 24 positioned within the plunger case 26 in an initial or locked position, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The plunger case 26 may include a first aperture 58 and a second aperture 63. The second aperture 63 may be positioned opposite the first aperture 58. As illustrated, the plunger 24 may be positioned within the plunger case 26. The first end 54 of the first flexible prong 56 of the plunger 24 may protrude through the first aperture 58 of the plunger case 26. The second end 60 of the second flexible prong 62 may protrude through the second aperture 63 of the plunger case 26. With the first flexible prong 62 and the second flexible prong 64 received within the first aperture 58 and the second aperture 63, respectively, the plunger 24 may be locked in a locked position within the plunger case 26 with limited axial movement. The plunger case 26 may include a proximal end opening 64 adjacent the tail 25 of the plunger 24 and a distal end opening 67 adjacent the plunger tip 65. The proximal end opening 64 allows the push rod 20 (shown, for example, in FIG. 1 ) to contact the plunger 24. As previously described, the push rod 20 may be received within the opening 59 between the first flexible prong 56 and the second flexible prong 62. The first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62 may be configured to flex inwardly upon interaction with one or more features on an interior portion of the housing 22 of the handpiece 10 when the plunger case 26 is received within the housing 22. As the first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62 move inward, the plunger 24 is released from its locked position within the plunger case 26. As the first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62 flex inward, the first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62 may contact and lock the push rod 20 when it is received within the opening 59. The push rod 20 may then drive the plunger 24 through the plunger case 26 such that the plunger tip 65 moves through the distal end opening 67.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an IOL cartridge 12 locked to a handpiece 10 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the handpiece 10 may be positioned over and around a portion of the IOL cartridge 12, which may include the plunger case 26. As discussed with respect to FIG. 1, the handpiece 10 may include a housing 22, a flexible clip 52 formed as part of the housing 22, and a slot 40 disposed within the housing 22. The slot 40 may be adjacent to the flexible clip 52. As shown, the IOL cartridge 12 may be at least partially positioned within the housing 22 of the handpiece 10 such that the tab 36 of the IOL cartridge 12 extends into the slot 40, thereby locking the IOL cartridge 12 to the handpiece 10. The tab 36 of the IOL cartridge 12 abuts the clip 52. Although not shown, on the opposite side of the handpiece 10 , tab 34 of the IOL cartridge 12 may also lock into slot 38 on the housing 22 similar to how tab 36 locks into slot 40 .

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of an IOL cartridge 12 locked to a portion of a handpiece 10, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the IOL cartridge 12 is at least partially disposed within the handpiece 10. The IOL cartridge 12 may include a plunger 24 and a plunger case 26. The IOL cartridge 12 may be positioned within the handpiece 10 with tabs 34 and 36 of the plunger case 26 extending into slots 38 and 40 of the housing 22 to lock the IOL cartridge 12 to the handpiece 10. The tabs 34 and 36 may be formed on the ends of the flexible members 28 and 30 and may abut flexible clips 50 and 52 of the handpiece 10. In certain embodiments, the plunger case 26 may be attached to the handpiece 10 via protrusions 68 and 69 of the plunger case 26, which may extend into internal slots 70 and 71 adjacent first and second internal latches 53 and 55 of the handpiece 10. As shown, the push rod 20 of the handpiece 10 may be removably attached to a plunger 24 .

[0025] 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken in a different plane than the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 of another, more proximal portion of the plunger case 26 disposed within a more proximal portion of the handpiece 10, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The plunger case 26 may house a plunger 24 having a first flexible prong 56 and a second flexible prong 62. As shown, a first end 54 of the first flexible prong 56 and a second end 60 of the second flexible prong 62 may extend to contact first and second internal projections 72 and 74 of the handpiece 10. The first and second internal projections 72 and 74 may contact the first and second ends 54 and 60 and compress or move the first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62 inward during installation of the plunger case 26 within the handpiece 10. Inward movement of the first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62 may unlock or release the plunger 24 from a locked position (e.g., locked for transportation and / or storage as described above) by releasing portions of the first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62 from the first and second apertures 58 and 63, respectively, of the plunger case 26, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 3. As the first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62 are pushed inward by the first and second internal projections 72 and 74 of the handpiece 10, the distal end 76 of the push rod 20 is received within the opening 59 in the proximal end 66 of the plunger 24 and locked in position between the inwardly displaced or depressed first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62 of the plunger 24.

[0026] FIG. 7 provides a further illustration of the interaction between the distal end 76 of the push rod 20 shown in FIG. 6 and the proximal end 66 of the plunger 24. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates the push rod 20 secured to the plunger 24 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As further shown in FIG. 7, the opening 59 in the proximal end 66 of the plunger 24 is positioned between the first flexible prong 56 and the second flexible prong 62 of the plunger 24. The distal end 76 of the push rod 20 may be received within the opening 59 of the plunger 24 between the first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62. In some embodiments, the distal end 76 of the push rod 20 may include a first side protrusion 77 and a second side protrusion 79 between the first flexible prong 56 and the second flexible prong 62 that may be sized to fit within the opening 59 of the proximal end 66 of the plunger 24. When the distal end 76 of the push rod 20, including the first side protrusion 77 and the second side protrusion 79, is inserted into the opening 59 of the plunger 24, the first and second side protrusions 77 and 79 may push and pass through the first end 54 of the first flexible prong 56 and the second end 60 of the second flexible prong 62, respectively. Thus, the first and second side protrusions 77 and 79 of the push rod 20 may be disposed distal to the first end 54 of the first flexible prong 56 and the second end 60 of the second flexible prong 62, respectively. The first and second flexible prongs 56 and 62, which respectively comprise the first and second ends 54 and 60 of the plunger 24, may then be clamped internally onto the distal end 76 of the push rod 20 with the first and second ends 54 and 60 positioned proximal to the first and second side projections 77 and 79 of the distal end 76 of the push rod 20. Thus, the distal end 76 of the push rod 20 may be secured within the opening 59 of the plunger 24, thereby locking the push rod 20 to the plunger 24.

[0027] 8 illustrates a handpiece 10 removably attached to an IOL cartridge 12 to form an IOL insertion tool 11, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The IOL cartridge 12 may be at least partially disposed within the handpiece 10. The IOL cartridge 12 may be positioned with tabs 34 and 36 (shown, for example, in FIG. 5 ) on the plunger case 26 extending into slots 38 and 40 on the handpiece 10. As shown, tabs 34 and 36 extend into slots 38 and 40, respectively, and abut flexible clips 50 and 52 on the handpiece 10, respectively. To remove the IOL cartridge 12 from the handpiece 10, flexible clips 50 and 52 may be depressed and held while simultaneously, for example, pulling the IOL cartridge 12 away from and away from the handpiece 10. By depressing flexible clips 50 and 52, tabs 34 and 36 of flexible members 28 and 30, respectively, are forced inward, allowing them to be removed or released from slots 38 and 40 in housing 22 of handpiece 10. Plunger case 26, including flexible members 28 and 30, can then freely slide distally, according to arrow 81, through the interior of housing 22 and eventually out the distal end of handpiece 10.

[0028] 1-8 , an exemplary technique for assembling an insertion tool, such as IOL insertion tool 11, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure is described as follows. First, the plunger case 26 of the IOL cartridge 12 may be inserted into the handpiece 10. Once the plunger case 26 is inserted into the handpiece 10, the distal end 76 of the push rod 20 may be received within the opening 59 in the proximal end 66 of the plunger 24 (as best shown, for example, in FIG. 6 ). As the housing 22 of the handpiece 10 passes over the plunger case 26 during insertion of the IOL cartridge 12 into the handpiece 10, the first internal projection 72 and the second internal projection 74 on the inside of the housing 22 of the handpiece 10 pass along the first end 54 of the first flexible prong 56 and the second end 60 of the second flexible prong 62, respectively, thereby pushing the first and second flexible prongs 56 and 60 inward. First and second ends 54 and 60 are then positioned around first and second side projections 77 and 79, respectively, of push rod 20 to secure distal end 76 of push rod 20 between flexible prongs 56 and 62 of plunger 24 (e.g., best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 ). At this point, plunger 24 is unlocked from plunger case 26. As housing 22 of handpiece 10 moves to its final position around plunger case 26, tabs 34 and 36 of flexible members 28 and 30, respectively, of plunger case 26 extend into slots 38 and 40, respectively, of handpiece 10, as best seen in FIG. 5 , thus locking outer housing 22 of handpiece 10 to plunger case 26 and completing assembly of IOL insertion tool 11. The push rod 20 of the handpiece 10 can then be actuated or advanced forward in the distal direction to drive the plunger 24 axially forward through the plunger case 26 and the compartment 15 of the IOL cartridge 12, moving the IOL 14 from the IOL cartridge 12 into the eye.

[0029] To disassemble the assembled IOL insertion tool 11 (e.g., as best shown in FIG. 8 ), the flexible clips 50 and 52 may be depressed and held, thereby unlocking the plunger case 26 from the handpiece 10. The IOL cartridge 12 may then be pulled away from the handpiece 10, thereby sliding the plunger case 26 out of the handpiece 10 and thus separating the IOL cartridge 12 and the separate handpiece 10 from one another (e.g., as best shown in FIG. 1 ).

[0030] An exemplary technique for inserting an IOL, such as IOL 14, into a patient's eye 80 will now be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. An incision 82 may be made in the eye 80 by a surgeon. For example, the incision 82 may be made through the sclera of the eye 80. The incision 82 may be of any suitable width or length. After making the incision 82, the nozzle 19 of the IOL insertion tool 11 may be inserted through the incision 82 into an interior portion 88 of the eye 80. The IOL insertion tool 11 may be actuated to inject the IOL 14 into the capsular bag 90 of the eye 80.

[0031] In some embodiments, the IOL 14 may be delivered in a folded (or rolled) configuration and deployed after ejection from the IOL insertion tool 11. Upon injection, the IOL 14 should deploy and settle within the capsular bag 90 of the eye 80, as shown in FIG. 10 . The haptic extensions 18 may be manipulated to engage, for example, the equator of the capsular bag 90. The haptic extensions 18 may engage the capsular bag 90 to secure the IOL 14 within the capsular bag 90.

[0032] Use of the methods and systems described herein may provide numerous benefits and advantages over other IOL delivery systems. For example, as previously described, certain embodiments enable interchangeable use of different drive mechanisms with various preloaded IOL cartridge designs. This interchangeability provides a simplified and uniform process for pairing a drive mechanism with a preloaded IOL cartridge. Thus, various handpieces employing different types of drive mechanisms may be used with numerous different types of IOL cartridges, and thus with different types of IOLs. For example, a user may easily select between multiple types of drive mechanisms that the user desires to use depending on the type of IOL and / or type of IOL cartridge. Additionally, one user may prefer to use a first type of drive mechanism handpiece with a given IOL cartridge, while a different user may have the option of using a second type of drive mechanism handpiece with the same given type of IOL cartridge. Importantly, by enabling a common or standard connection for securing the handpiece to the IOL cartridge, the user experience of securing the handpiece to the IOL cartridge can be substantially the same regardless of the type of drive mechanism or type of IOL cartridge and therefore the IOL used, which can enhance ease of use and a streamlined IOL delivery procedure for the operator.

[0033] 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 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. According to aspect (1), there is provided a device for delivery of an intraocular lens (IOL), comprising: 1. An IOL cartridge comprising: A nozzle; a compartment for receiving the IOL, the nozzle being in fluid communication with the compartment; a plunger case in fluid communication with the compartment, the plunger case including at least one flexible member extending from an outer surface of the plunger case; a plunger disposed in the plunger case; wherein the plunger case is configured to be removably attached to a handpiece. The device includes: According to aspect (2), the handpiece further includes: Housing and a push rod disposed within the housing, the push rod including a distal end configured to be removably attached to the plunger; Includes: According to aspect (3), the housing of the handpiece includes at least one flexible clip configured to engage with the at least one flexible member of the plunger case. According to aspect (4), the plunger includes a tail including a plurality of flexible prongs extending to form an opening configured to receive the distal end of the push rod. According to aspect (5), a portion of the flexible prong extends through an aperture in the plunger case. According to aspect (6), the housing of the handpiece includes an internal protrusion configured to contact the portion of the flexible prong and move the flexible prong inward to lock the distal end of the push rod within the opening of the plunger. According to aspect (7), the portion of the flexible prong is inclined. According to aspect (8), the flexible prong is configured to clamp and secure the push rod. According to aspect (9), the compartment contains the IOL. According to aspect (10), there is provided a device for delivery of an intraocular lens (IOL), comprising: A handpiece, comprising: a housing including a flexible clip; a push rod disposed within the housing; wherein a distal end of the push rod is configured to be removably attached to an IOL cartridge. The device includes: According to aspect (11), the IOL cartridge further comprises: a compartment for receiving the IOL; a plunger case in fluid communication with the compartment, the plunger case configured to be removably attached to the handpiece; a plunger disposed in the plunger case; Includes: According to aspect (12), the plunger includes a tail including a plurality of flexible prongs extending to form an opening configured to receive the distal end of the push rod. According to aspect (13), a portion of the flexible prong extends through an aperture in the plunger case. According to aspect (14), the housing of the handpiece includes an internal protrusion configured to move the flexible prong inward to lock the distal end of the push rod within the opening of the plunger. According to aspect (15), a portion of the flexible prong is inclined. According to aspect (16), the flexible prongs are configured to clamp and secure the push rod. According to aspect (17), there is provided a method for delivery of an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye, comprising: inserting a plunger case of an IOL cartridge into a housing of a handpiece, the plunger case including at least one flexible member extending from an outer surface of the plunger case, and a plunger disposed within the plunger case; receiving a distal end of a push rod of the handpiece between a plurality of flexible prongs of the plunger; further inserting the plunger case into the housing of the handpiece, causing internal features of the housing to move the flexible prongs inward to release the plunger from a locked position and secure the distal end of the push rod between the flexible prongs; receiving a portion of the flexible member within an aperture in the housing of the handpiece to lock the IOL cartridge to the handpiece; The method includes: According to aspect (18), the method further includes actuating the push rod to cause the plunger to move the IOL from the compartment into the eye. According to aspect (19), the method further includes depressing at least one flexible clip of the housing of the handpiece to depress the at least one flexible member of the plunger case to release the plunger case from the handpiece. According to aspect (20), there is provided a device for delivering an intraocular lens (IOL), comprising: an IOL cartridge including: a compartment for receiving an IOL; a plunger case having a distal end and a proximal end coupled to the compartment; and a plunger disposed within the plunger case, the plunger case including a flexible member extending from an outer surface of the plunger case; a handpiece configured to be detachably coupled to the plunger case, the handpiece including a housing and a push rod disposed within the housing and configured to releasably couple to the plunger of the plunger case; The device includes:

Claims

1. 1. A device for delivery of an intraocular lens (IOL), comprising:

1. An IOL cartridge, comprising: A nozzle; a compartment for receiving the IOL, the nozzle being in fluid communication with the compartment; a plunger case in fluid communication with the compartment, the plunger case including at least one flexible member extending from an outer surface of the plunger case; a plunger disposed in the plunger case; Including, the plunger case is configured to be removably attached for insertion into a distal end of a handpiece; The handpiece further comprises: Housing and a push rod disposed within the housing, the push rod including a distal end configured to be removably attached to the plunger; Including, the plunger includes a tail portion defining an opening for receiving the distal end of the push rod and including a plurality of flexible prongs for clamping the distal end of the push rod received within the opening; a portion of the flexible prong extending through an aperture in the plunger case; the housing of the handpiece includes an internal protrusion configured to contact the portion of the flexible prong and move the flexible prong inward to lock the distal end of the push rod within the opening of the plunger, An apparatus comprising:

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing of the handpiece includes at least one flexible clip configured to engage the at least one flexible member of the plunger case.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the flexible prong is angled.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the flexible prongs are configured to clamp and secure the push rod.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the compartment contains the IOL.

6. 1. A device for delivery of an intraocular lens (IOL), comprising: A handpiece, comprising: a housing including a flexible clip; a push rod disposed within the housing; Including, a distal end of the handpiece configured to removably receive a plunger case of an IOL cartridge, the plunger case including a plunger; the handpiece, wherein the distal end of the push rod is configured to be removably attached to the IOL cartridge. Including, The IOL cartridge further includes: a compartment for receiving the IOL; the plunger case in fluid communication with the compartment, the plunger case configured to be removably attached to the handpiece; the plunger disposed in the plunger case; Including, the plunger includes a tail portion defining an opening for receiving the distal end of the push rod and including a plurality of flexible prongs for clamping the distal end of the push rod received within the opening; a portion of the flexible prong extending through an aperture in the plunger case; the housing of the handpiece includes an internal protrusion configured to move the flexible prong inward to lock the distal end of the push rod within the opening of the plunger; Device.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein a portion of the flexible prong is angled.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the flexible prongs are configured to clamp and secure the push rod.

9. A method of operating the device of claim 1 or claim 6, comprising: inserting the plunger case of the IOL cartridge into the housing of the handpiece, the plunger case including at least one flexible member extending from an outer surface of the plunger case, the plunger being disposed within the plunger case; receiving the distal end of the push rod of the handpiece between the flexible prongs of the plunger; further inserting the plunger case into the housing of the handpiece, causing internal features of the housing to move the flexible prongs inward to release the plunger from a locked position and secure the distal end of the push rod between the flexible prongs; receiving a portion of the flexible member within an aperture in the housing of the handpiece to lock the IOL cartridge to the handpiece; A method comprising:

10. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising actuating the push rod to cause the plunger to move the IOL from the compartment into the eye.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising depressing at least one flexible clip of the housing of the handpiece to depress the at least one flexible member of the plunger case to release the plunger case from the handpiece.

12. 1. A device for delivering an intraocular lens (IOL), comprising: an IOL cartridge including: a compartment for receiving an IOL; a plunger case having a distal end and a proximal end coupled to the compartment; and a plunger disposed within the plunger case, the plunger case including a flexible member extending from an outer surface of the plunger case; a handpiece configured such that the plunger case is removably received within a distal end of the handpiece, the handpiece including a housing and a push rod disposed within the housing and configured to releasably couple to the plunger of the plunger case; Including, the plunger defines an opening for receiving the distal end of the push rod and includes a plurality of flexible prongs for locking the distal end of the push rod received within the opening; the housing includes an internal protrusion configured to contact the flexible member and move the flexible member inward to lock the distal end of the push rod within the opening in the plunger. Device.

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