Injector having a groove extending helically in an injector tip

Abstract

The invention relates to an injector (20) for inserting an intraocular lens (1) into an eye (10), having an injector axis (26), an injector body (41), which delimits a folding chamber (21) and has an injector tip (22) with an opening (23), and having a plunger (42) which is arranged longitudinally movably in the injector body and is configured to deliver the intraocular lens, by a movement of the plunger in an insertion direction (40) of the injector, from the folding chamber (21) into the injector tip (22) and then out of the injector via the opening (23), wherein the injector tip is bevelled in the region of the opening (23) by means of the injector tip having an end face (27) which directly adjoins the opening and whose normal encloses with the injector axis an end-face angle different from 0°, wherein the injector tip has, on its inner wall, at least one helical groove (27) configured to pivot the intraocular lens, as the latter passes through the injector tip, in an injector circumferential direction (44) with respect to the injector axis.

Description

[0001] Injector with a helical groove in an injector tip. The invention relates to an injector for inserting an intraocular lens into an eye, wherein the injector has an injector tip with a helical groove. An intraocular lens can, for example, replace the natural lens of an eye during cataract treatment. In another example, the intraocular lens can be a phakic intraocular lens, which is inserted into the eye in addition to the natural lens, in particular to correct myopia. Figure 1 shows a cross-section of an exemplary intraocular lens 1. The intraocular lens 1 can be convex-concave and thus has a convex side 3 and a concave side 4. In addition, the intraocular lens 1 has an optical axis 2, a radial direction 6 related to the optical axis 2, and a circumferential direction 7 related to the optical axis 2. The intraocular lens 1 has a haptic 5,which in this embodiment is a plate haptic, wherein the haptic 5 has a first longitudinal end 8, which forms the end of the intraocular lens 1 opposite to the radial direction 6, and a second longitudinal end 9, which forms the end of the intraocular lens 1 in the radial direction 6. Figures 2 and 3 show an injector 20, by means of which the phakic intraocular lens 1 is inserted into an eye 10. The phakic intraocular lens 1 is to be inserted between the natural lens 12 of the eye 10 and the iris 13 of the eye 10. For this purpose, an incision is made in the cornea 11 of the eye 10, and an injector tip 22 is inserted into the eye 10 via the incision. The injector 20 has a folding mechanism, by means of which the intraocular lens 1 arranged in a folding chamber 21 is folded so thatthat the first side edge 80, which is arranged perpendicular to the first longitudinal end 8, and the second side edge 90, which is arranged perpendicular to the second longitudinal end 9 and facing away from the first side edge 80, are displaced towards one another. The intraocular lens 1 is then displaced from the injector 20 into the eye 10. The folding mechanism has a first wing 30, which is to be arranged facing away from the eye 10 in order to prevent the first wing 30 from touching the face while the intraocular lens 1 is being inserted into the eye 10. In Figure 2, the intraocular lens 1 is arranged, before it is folded, such that the convex side 3 faces a support surface 210 in the folding chamber 21. A viewer thus sees the concave side 4 when looking at the intraocular lens 1 stored in the loading chamber 21. This results in the intraocular lens 1 being subsequently folded in such a way thatthat the convex side 3 of the support surface 210 is arranged facing the folding chamber 21. However, this orientation leads to the intraocular lens 1 being inserted into the eye 10 with the incorrect orientation, in which the convex side 3 is arranged facing the natural lens 12, see the dashed line of the intraocular lens 1 in Figure 2. In Figure 3, the intraocular lens 1 is arranged, before being folded, such that the convex side 3 faces an observer looking in the direction of the folding chamber 21. This leads to the intraocular lens 1 subsequently being folded such that the convex side 3 of the support surface 210 is arranged facing away in the folding chamber. This ensures that the intraocular lens 1 enters the eye 10 with the correct orientation, as the concave side 4 is arranged facing the natural lens 12 and can thus optimally adapt to the natural lens 12,See the dashed line of the intraocular lens 1 in Figure 3. In this case, however, the intraocular lens 1 is subjected to strong mechanical stresses during the advance movement in the injector tip 22, which can lead to damage to the intraocular lens 1 and / or the injector tip 22. The object of the invention is therefore to provide an injector for inserting an intraocular lens into an eye, wherein the injector ensures correct orientation of the intraocular lens in the eye and avoids strong mechanical stresses in the intraocular lens during insertion of the intraocular lens into the eye. The injector according to the invention for inserting an intraocular lens into an eye has an injector axis, an injector body, and a piston. The injector body defines a folding chamber and has an injector tip having an opening. The piston is arranged and configured to be longitudinally displaceable in the injector body.The intraocular lens is conveyed from the folding chamber into the injector tip by displacing the piston in an insertion direction of the injector and then out of the injector via the opening. The injector tip is beveled in the region of the opening in that the injector tip has an end face that is directly adjacent to the opening and whose normal forms an end face angle with the injector axis that is different from 0°. The injector tip has at least one helically extending groove on its inner wall, which is designed to pivot the intraocular lens as it passes through the injector tip in an injector circumferential direction relative to the injector axis. In the event that the intraocular lens is not symmetrical to a mirror plane whose normal is parallel to the optical axis of the intraocular lens, the intraocular lens can be arranged in the folding chamber such that the intraocular lens is folded in such a way thatthat mechanical stresses in the intraocular lens are minimized. After the intraocular lens has been folded, it can be moved into the injector tip by means of the piston and transported out of the injector via the opening. By providing the groove, the intraocular lens can be pivoted such that the intraocular lens is oriented relative to the end surface such that the intraocular lens can be inserted into the eye in a correct orientation. It is preferred that the intraocular lens has an initial orientation before the intraocular lens is moved into the injector tip and an end orientation after the intraocular lens is moved out of the injector tip, wherein the at least one groove is configured to pivot the intraocular lens from the initial orientation to the end orientation by an intraocular lens angle around the injector axis.which lies in a range from 90° to 270°. Particularly preferably, the intraocular lens angle lies in a range from 150° to 210° or in a range from 170° to 190°. The webs preferably cover an angular range around the injector axis of less than 360°, in particular an angular range of a maximum of 330°, a maximum of 270°, or a maximum of 180°. The injector tip and the at least one groove are preferably dimensioned such that, during displacement of the piston in the insertion direction, the intraocular lens enters the at least one groove, then slides in the at least one groove, and is thereby pivoted. It is preferred that the injector has a folding mechanism configured to fold the intraocular lens by bringing the folding mechanism from a folding mechanism initial state to a folding mechanism final state in the folding chamber, wherein the folding mechanism has a projection,whose distal end, in the folding mechanism final state, protrudes from the injector in an injector radial direction relative to the injector axis. The injector radial direction can be oriented from the inside to the outside, whereby the projection protrudes outwards from the remaining injector. By pivoting the intraocular lens in the injector tip, the injector can be designed such that the end face can be oriented relative to the projection such that the projection can be oriented away from the eye during insertion of the intraocular lens into the eye, thereby preventing contact with the patient by the projection. The injector tip preferably has a maximum length edge fiber and a minimum length edge fiber, which is arranged facing away from the projection in the injector circumferential direction. This results in the projection being arranged facing away from the eye during insertion of the intraocular lens into the eye,The minimally short marginal fiber is arranged further inside the eye than the maximally long marginal fiber. As a result, the intraocular lens is displaced away from the cornea when it leaves the opening. It is preferred that the folding mechanism comprises a folding wedge that folds the intraocular lens when the folding wedge is inserted into the folding chamber. The injector may comprise a holder that holds the folding wedge and forms the projection. Upon insertion of the folding wedge into the folding chamber, the folding wedge can contact the center of the intraocular lens and press it in, so that two ends of the intraocular lens facing away from each other and perpendicular to the optical axis of the intraocular lens are displaced toward each other. In the initial state of the folding mechanism, the folding wedge can be arranged at a distance from the intraocular lens. In the final state of the folding mechanism, the folding wedge can contact the intraocular lens and have folded it. Alternatively, it is preferredthat the folding mechanism comprises a butterfly mechanism having a first wing and a second wing, which are configured to be brought into a coupling state and thus into a folding mechanism final state by pivoting about the injector axis, in which the first wing and the second wing jointly protrude from the injector in an injector radial direction relative to the injector axis and form the projection. The intraocular lens is preferably arranged and oriented in the folding chamber such that the folding mechanism folds the intraocular lens such that the convex side faces a support surface in the folding chamber. As a result, the mechanical stresses in the intraocular lens are particularly low. In the case where the folding mechanism comprises the folding wedge,For this purpose, the concave side can be arranged facing the folding wedge. The intraocular lens is preferably a phakic intraocular lens. Alternatively, the intraocular lens is preferably intended to replace a natural lens of the eye. The frontal surface angle is preferably in a range from 20° to 70° or from 30° to 60° or from 40° to 50°. According to the invention, the injector has a coordinate h that is oriented in the direction of the injector axis and increases with decreasing distance from the opening, and a respective ridge for each of the grooves, wherein the shape of the at least one ridge is described by a function Φ(h) that specifies the position of the ridge in the injector circumferential direction, by a radius r(h) that emanates from the injector axis and describes a passage arranged in the injector tip through which the intraocular lens must pass, and by a function m(h) that specifieshow deep the ridge protrudes from the radius r(h) toward the injector axis, where m(h)=0 means that the ridge is not present. Φ(h) can, for example, indicate the position of the part of the ridge that protrudes furthest inward at position h. According to the invention, the function Φ(h) is constant in a first end region extending from the opening, and m(h) is preferably greater than zero in the first end region. This ensures that the intraocular lens emerges from the opening without twisting. It is preferred that the function m(h) increases monotonically starting from a function value of zero. As a result, the intraocular lens advantageously does not encounter a step when it encounters the ridge, thereby preventing the intraocular lens from getting caught on the ridge. The function Φ(h) is preferably completely monotonically increasing. Alternatively, the function Φ(h) preferably has a local maximum and decreases in a second end region.which originates from the opening, decreases, in particular monotonically. This causes the intraocular lens to pivot opposite to the initial pivoting direction, i.e., opposite to the circumferential direction, whereby an uncontrolled exit of the intraocular lens from the opening can be avoided. In particular, the second end region extends from the maximum to the opening. The shape of the passage is preferably described by a function e(h), which is a ratio of a short semi-axis of an ellipse to a long semi-axis of the ellipse, wherein the short semi-axis and the long semi-axis at position h span a plane whose normal is parallel to the injector axis. It is particularly preferred that e(h)<1 applies to the function e(h) in a third end region originating from the opening.In particular, the short semi-axis is oriented from the maximum length edge fiber (24) to the minimum length edge fiber. For example, e(hEnde) can be in a range from 0.5 to 0.9 or from 0.6 to 0.8, where hEnde is the coordinate h at the opening. Alternatively, it is particularly preferred that e(hEnde)=1 and hEnde is the coordinate h at the opening. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached schematic drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a cross-section through an intraocular lens. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a cross-section of an eye and a conventional injector inserted into the eye, with a convex side of the intraocular lens facing a support surface of a folding chamber. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the cross-section from Figure 2, with a concave side of the intraocular lens facing the support surface of the folding chamber.Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of an injector according to the invention, Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a longitudinal section through the injector according to the invention, Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of an injector tip of the injector according to the invention, Figure 7 is a plot of a function r(h), Figure 8 is a plot of a function Φ(h), Figure 9 is a plot of a function m(h), Figure 10 is a plot of a function e(h), Figure 11 is a plot of a further function Φ(h), Figure 12 is a schematic representation of a plan view of the injector tip opposite to an insertion direction of the injector, Figure 13 is a schematic representation of a plan view of another injector tip in the insertion direction, and Figure 14 is a schematic representation of a plan view of a piston of the injector opposite to the insertion direction. As can be seen from Figures 4 to 6,An injector 20 for inserting an intraocular lens 1 into an eye 10 has an injector axis 26, an injector body 41, and a piston 42. The injector body 41 delimits a folding chamber 21 and has an injector tip 22 having an opening 23. The piston 42 is arranged so as to be longitudinally displaceable in the injector body 41 and is configured to convey the intraocular lens 1 from the folding chamber 21 into the injector tip 22 and then out of the injector 20 via the opening 23 by displacing the piston 42 in an insertion direction 40 of the injector 20. The injector tip 22 is beveled in the region of the opening 23, in that the injector tip 22 has an end face 27 that directly adjoins the opening 23 and whose normal encloses an end face angle with the injector axis 26 that is different from 0°. The injector tip 22 has at least one helical groove 27 on its inner wall, which is designedto pivot the intraocular lens 1 as it passes through the injector tip 22 in an injector circumferential direction 44 relative to the injector axis 26. A web 28 can be provided for each of the grooves 27, which web delimits the associated groove in the injector circumferential direction 44. It is conceivable that the insertion direction 40 is arranged parallel to the injector axis 26 and in particular coincides with the injector axis 26. The injector tip 22 and the at least one groove 27 can preferably be dimensioned such that during the displacement of the piston 42 in the insertion direction 40, the intraocular lens 1 enters the at least one groove 27, then slides 27 in the at least one groove and is thereby pivoted. The intraocular lens 1 may have a convex side 3 and a concave side 4 (see Figure 1) which is arranged away from the convex side 3 and which are designed to manipulate light by refraction or diffraction,In particular, to focus the light so that the intraocular lens 1 can produce an optical image. The intraocular lens 1 can be a phakic intraocular lens 1 or an intraocular lens 1 designed to replace a natural lens 12 of the eye 10. For example, the frontal angle can be in a range from 20° to 70°, or from 30° to 60°, or from 40° to 50°. Figure 4 shows that the intraocular lens 1 can have an initial orientation before the intraocular lens 1 is displaced into the injector tip 22 (in Figure 4, the intraocular lens 1 is shown arranged in the initial orientation in the folding chamber 21), and a final orientation after the intraocular lens 1 is displaced out of the injector tip 22 (in Figure 4, the intraocular lens 1 is shown arranged in the final orientation to the right of the injector tip 22). The at least one groove 27 can be configuredto pivot the intraocular lens 1, starting from the initial orientation into the final orientation, around the injector axis 26 by an intraocular lens angle that lies in a range from 90° to 270°, with an angle of 180° being shown in Figure 4. In particular, the intraocular lens angle can lie in a range from 150° to 210° or in a range from 170° to 190°. The injector 20 can have a folding mechanism that is configured to fold the intraocular lens 1 by bringing the folding mechanism from a folding mechanism initial state to a folding mechanism final state in the folding chamber 21, wherein the folding mechanism has a first wing 30 and a second wing 300. The first wing 30 and / or the second wing 300 can be coupled together by pivoting about the injector axis 26, for example by snapping into place, and reach a folding mechanism final state,such that the first wing 30 and the second wing 300 jointly protrude from the injector 20 in an injector radial direction 43 relative to the injector axis 26, thus forming a projection. The injector radial direction 43 can be oriented from the inside out, whereby the projection protrudes outward from the remaining injector 20. The first wing 30 can be rigidly arranged, so that only the second wing 300 can be pivoted toward the first wing 30. However, the injector 20 can also be designed such that the first wing 30 and the second wing 300 can move toward each other. As can be seen from Figure 5, the injector tip 22 can have a maximum-length edge fiber 24 and a minimum-length edge fiber 25, which is arranged facing away from the projection in the injector circumferential direction 44. The folding mechanism can have a folding wedge.which folds the intraocular lens 1 by inserting the folding wedge into the folding chamber 21. The injector 20 can have a holder that holds the folding wedge and forms the projection. The intraocular lens 1 can be arranged and oriented in the folding chamber 21 such that the folding mechanism folds the intraocular lens 1 such that the convex side 3 faces a support surface in the folding chamber 21. If the folding wedge is provided, this can be achieved, for example, by arranging the concave side 4 facing the folding wedge and the folding wedge contacting the concave side 4 when the folding mechanism is moved from the initial folding mechanism state to the final folding mechanism state. If the butterfly mechanism is provided, this can be achieved, for example, by pivoting the first wing 30 about the injector axis 26 toward the second wing 300. The injector 1 can have a coordinate h,which is oriented in the direction of the injector axis 26 and increases with decreasing distance from the opening 23 (see Figure 5), and have a respective web 28 for each of the grooves 27 (see Figures 5 and 6). Furthermore, the injector 1 can have a coordinate x arranged perpendicular to the coordinate h and a coordinate y arranged perpendicular to the coordinates h and x (see Figure 12). The shape of the at least one ridge 28 can be described by a function Φ(h) which indicates the position of the ridge 28 in the injector circumferential direction 44 (see Figures 8 and 11), by a radius r(h) (see Figure 7) which emanates from the injector axis 26 and describes a passage 45 arranged in the injector tip 22, which is to be passed through by the intraocular lens 1 (see Figure 5), and by a function m(h) (see Figure 9) which indicateshow deep the web 28 protrudes, starting from the radius r(h), in the direction of the injector axis 26 (see Figure 5). It is conceivable that Φ becomes larger in the injector circumferential direction 44. Φ(h) can, for example, indicate the position of that part of the web 28 which protrudes furthest inwards at position h. For the function arguments where m(h)=0, this means that the web 28 is not present. In addition, the shape of the passage 45 can be described by a function e(h), which is a ratio of a short semi-axis of an ellipse to a long semi-axis of the ellipse, whereby the short semi-axis and the long semi-axis at position h span a plane whose normal is parallel to the injector axis 26. If e(h)=1, this means that passage 45 has a circular cross-section; if e(h)<1, this means that passage 45 has an elliptical cross-section. hAnfang is the first position,at which the web 28 is formed. hEnde is the position at the opening 23. Figure 7 shows that r(h) can be completely monotonically decreasing. r(hEnde) can, for example, lie in a range from 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. r(hAnfang) can, for example, lie in a range from 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Figures 8 and 9 show that the function Φ(h) can be constant in a first end region emanating from the opening 23, and m(h) can be greater than zero in the first end region. As a result, the web 28 is oriented in the direction of the injector axis 26 in the entire first end region. The first end region can, for example, have an extension of longer than 1 mm and shorter than 5 mm in the direction of the injector axis 26. As can be seen from Figure 9, the function m(h) can monotonically increase starting from a function value of zero. It is also conceivable that the function m(h), after it has increased monotonically,reaches a maximum mmax and then decreases monotonically. It is conceivable that m(hEnde)>0, as shown in Figure 9, or that m(hEnde)=0. In the case that m(hEnde)>0, m(hEnde) can, for example, lie in a range from 0.05*mmax to 0.7*mmax. Figures 8 and 11 show that Φ(hEnde)-Φ(hAnfang)=π, but it is also conceivable that Φ(hEnde)-Φ(hAnfang) can lie in a range from 0.5*π (90°) to 1.5*π (270°) or from 0.75*π (135°) to 1.25*π (225°). Figure 8 shows that the function Φ(h) can be completely monotonically increasing. Figure 11 shows that the function Φ(h) can first increase monotonically to a maximum and then decrease monotonically to hEnde. As can be seen from Figure 10, for the function e(h) in a third end region, which starts from the opening 23,e(h)<1 applies. The short semi-axis can be oriented from the maximum length edge fiber 24 to the minimum length edge fiber 25. e(hEnde) can be in a range from 0.5 to 0.9 or from 0.6 to 0.8. Alternatively, it is conceivable that e(hEnde)=1 and, in particular, for the complete function, e(h)=1 applies. Figure 12 shows a first inner contour 31 to an eighth inner contour 38 of the injector tip 22, with the second inner contour 32 to the eighth inner contour 38 also being shown in Figure 6. From the first inner contour 31 to the eighth inner contour 38, it can be seen that two of the grooves 27 can be provided, although it is also conceivable that more than two of the grooves 27 are provided. The first inner contour 31 to the eighth inner contour 38 can each have a plurality of cells.wherein each of the cells represents the largest non-repeating component, and the cells are each constructed identically. In Figure 12, a first cell I and a second cell II are shown for the inner contour 32. The cells can, for example, be point-symmetrical or non-point-symmetrical. It is conceivable that the piston 42 is pivotably mounted about the insertion direction 40 so that the piston 42 can follow the pivoting of the intraocular lens 1. In the case that the injector 1 is configured to displace the piston 42 longitudinally by rotating the piston 42, a transmission can be provided that pivots the longitudinal end of the piston 42 facing the intraocular lens 1 synchronously with the intraocular lens 1. This can be done by means of a cam gear or a planetary gear. The longitudinal end of the piston 42 facing the intraocular lens 1 can be structured,to grip the intraocular lens 1. For example, the piston 42 can have a recess 46 or a plurality of recesses 46 at its longitudinal end facing the intraocular lens 1, see Figure 14. The recess 46 or the recesses 46 can, for example, be V-shaped (as shown in Figure 14). If the plurality of recesses 46 are provided, the recesses 46 can, in particular, be arranged intersectingly, see Figure 14. It is conceivable for the injector tip 22 to have a lubricating coating on its surface delimiting the passage 45. The coating can, for example, comprise glycerol monostearate, a hydrophilic polymer, or a soap. It is conceivable to produce the injector tip 22 by means of an injection molding process. For this purpose, a tool for carrying out the injection molding process can have a pivotable core. To avoid undercuts in the injector tip, it is conceivablethat the webs 28 cover an angular range around the injector axis 26 of less than 360°, in particular an angular range of a maximum of 330°, a maximum of 270°, or a maximum of 180°. Alternatively, it is conceivable to produce the injector tip 22 using a generative manufacturing process.

[0002] List of reference symbols 1 Intraocular lens 2 Optical axis 3 Convex side 4 Concave side 5 Haptic element 6 Radial direction 7 Circumferential direction 8 First longitudinal end 9 Second longitudinal end 10 Eye 11 Cornea 12 Natural lens 13 Iris 20 Injector 21 Folding chamber 22 Injector tip 23 Opening 24 Maximum length peripheral fiber 25 Minimum length peripheral fiber 26 Injector axis 27 Groove 28 Web 30 First wing 31 First inner contour 32 Second inner contour 33 Third inner contour 34 Fourth inner contour 35 Fifth inner contour 36 Sixth inner contour 37 Seventh inner contour 38 Eighth inner contour 40 Insertion direction 41 Injector body 42 Piston 43 Injector radial direction 44 Injector circumferential direction 45 Passage 46 Recess 51 First flank 52 second flank 80 first side edge 90 second side edge 210 contact surface 300 second wing h coordinate in the direction of the injector axis x coordinate y coordinate r radius angle of rotation m modulation depth e eccentricity

Claims

1. Injector for inserting an intraocular lens (1) into an eye (10), with an injector axis (26), an injector body (41) which delimits a folding chamber (21) and has an injector tip (22) which has an opening (23), and a piston (42) which is arranged to be longitudinally displaceable in the injector body (41) and is designed to convey the intraocular lens (1) by displacing the piston (42) in an insertion direction (40) of the injector (20) from the folding chamber (21) into the injector tip (22) and then via the opening (23) out of the injector (20), wherein the injector tip (22) is bevelled in the region of the opening (23) in that the injector tip (22) has an end face (27) which directly borders the opening (23) and whose Normal forms an end face angle with the injector axis (26) which is different from 0°,wherein the injector tip (22) has at least one helically extending groove (27) on its inner wall, which is designed to pivot the intraocular lens (1) as it passes through the injector tip (22) in an injector circumferential direction (44) relative to the injector axis (26), wherein the injector (1) has a coordinate h which is oriented in the direction of the injector axis (26) and becomes larger with decreasing distance from the opening (23), and a respective web (28) for each of the grooves (27), wherein the shape of the at least one web (28) is described by a function Φ(h) which specifies the position of the web (28) in the injector circumferential direction (44), by a radius r(h) which originates from the injector axis (26) and describes a passage (45) arranged in the injector tip (22), which passage extends from the intraocular lens (1) and by a function m(h) which indicateshow deep the web (28) projects from the radius r(h) in the direction of the injector axis (26), where m(h)=0 means that the web (28) is not present, the function Φ(h) being constant in a first end region emanating from the opening (23) and m(h) being greater than zero in the first end region.

2. The injector according to claim 1, wherein the intraocular lens (1) has an initial orientation before the intraocular lens (1) is displaced into the injector tip (22) and a final orientation after the intraocular lens (1) is displaced out of the injector tip (22), wherein the at least one groove (27) is configured to pivot the intraocular lens (1) from the initial orientation to the final orientation by an intraocular lens angle about the injector axis (26) that lies in a range of 90° to 270°.The injector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the injector (20) has a folding mechanism configured to fold the intraocular lens (1) in the folding chamber (21) by bringing the folding mechanism from a folding mechanism initial state to a folding mechanism final state. The folding mechanism has a projection whose distal end, in the folding mechanism final state, protrudes from the injector (20) in an injector radial direction (43) relative to the injector axis (26).

4. The injector according to claim 3, wherein the injector tip (22) has a maximum-length edge fiber (24) and a minimum-length edge fiber (25) arranged facing away from the projection in the injector circumferential direction (44). 5.Injector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the intraocular lens (1) has a convex side (3) and a concave side (4) which manipulate light for optical imaging of the intraocular lens (1) by refraction or diffraction, and is arranged and oriented in the folding chamber (21) such that the folding mechanism folds the intraocular lens (1) such that the convex side (3) is arranged facing a support surface (210) in the folding chamber (21).

6. Injector according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the function m(h) starts from a function value of zero. increases monotonically, in particular wherein the function Φ(h) is completely monotonically increasing.

7. Injector according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the function Φ(h) has a maximum and decreases, in particular decreases monotonically, in a second end region which emanates from the opening (23).

8. Injector according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shape of the passage (45) is described by a function e(h) which is a ratio of a short semi-axis of an ellipse to a long semi-axis of the ellipse, wherein the short semi-axis and the long semi-axis at the position h span a plane whose normal is parallel to the injector axis (26), wherein for the function e(h) in a third end region which emanates from the opening (23), e(h)<1 applies, in particular wherein the short semi-axis is oriented from the maximum-length edge fiber (24) to the minimum-length edge fiber (25).

Images