Conveyor unit for intraocular lens injector device and intraocular lens injector device with such conveyor unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conveyor unit for an intraocular lens injector device, the conveyor unit comprising a conveyor element storage device, a cassette receiver, and an actuator. The conveyor element storage device includes a gear mechanism, a conveyor element designed as a wire, strand, or tube, and a conveyor element holder around which the element is wound, the gear mechanism being configured to drive the holder and displace the element's distal end toward the cassette receiver.

Description

[0001] Conveyor Unit for Intraocular Lens Injector Device and Intraocular Lens Injector Device with such Conveyor Unit

[0002] The disclosure relates to a conveyor unit for an intraocular lens injector device and intraocular lens injector device with such conveyor unit.

[0003] The human eye can suffer from several diseases that can cause anything from a slight deterioration to a complete loss of vision. A contact lens or glasses can at least partially correct a visual impairment. However, if a lens becomes cloudy or opaque, also known as a "cataract", it may be advisable to remove the lens and replace it with an artificial one. This requires a surgical procedure in which tools are used. In one such procedure, the natural lens can be crushed by a rapidly oscillating needle through an opening in a patient's capsular bag, and the resulting particles can be suctioned off. Once the lens has been removed from the capsular bag, an artificial lens or intraocular lens can be inserted using an injector device.

[0004] An injector device usually has a conveyor unit that can be used to transport an intraocular lens placed in the injector device. It is possible that during this transportation process, the intraocular lens is folded and compressed during further transport by the injector device until it is pushed out of the injector device at a distal end, which is designed as a tip. The tip is inserted into a capsular bag of the patient so that the compressed intraocular lens can enterthe capsular bag and unfold there.

[0005] Such an injector device can be used multiple times, i.e. on several patients, if it is carefully sterilized before each operation. To ensure that sterilization is successful, it is almost unavoidable that such an injector device with its conveyor unit be disassembled into several parts and then reassembled after sterilization. Such processes as disassembling and assembling parts are processes that take place in an industrial plant under controlled conditions. They are not common in a doctor's office or hospital. If they are carried out anyway, these procedures take a relatively long time, can be prone to error, require trained personnel and involve complex logistics. These difficulties can be avoided if an injector device is used as a single-use product. The injector device is then used for a single operation on a single patient. After surgery, such an injector device is disposed of as waste, which makes sense from a medical point of view but may be undesirable from an ecological point of view. In addition, such injector devices often require the use of two hands, since both a reusable and a disposable injector device are relatively large and long and are perceived as being not very ergonomic. It is an object of the disclosure to provide a conveyor unit for an intraocular lens injector device that produces little waste, is safe to use and is easy and one-handed to operate. The object of the invention is further to provide an intraocular lens injector device with such a conveyor unit.

[0006] The object is achieved for the conveyor unit by the subject-matter of independent claim i and for the intraocular lens injector device by the subject-matter of independent claim 9. Advantageous further embodiments of the disclosure are the subject-matter of the subclaims.

[0007] The conveyor unit forthe intraocular lens injector device comprises:

[0008] - a conveyor element storage device,

[0009] - a cassette receiver for receiving an intraocular lens cassette, and

[0010] - an actuator for triggering a control device for a drive unit, wherein the conveyor element storage device comprises:

[0011] - a gear mechanism,

[0012] - a conveyor element which is designed as a wire or strand or tube, and

[0013] - a conveyor element holder around which the conveyor element is at least partially wound, wherein the gear mechanism is configured to be coupled to the drive unit and is configured to drive the conveyor element holder and thereby displace a distal end of the conveyor element towards the cassette receiver.

[0014] According to the disclosure, the conveyor element, which is formed as a wire or strand or tube, is at least partially wound around a conveyor element holder. Compared to a conventional conveyor unit, which uses an elongated and rigid plunger that requires approximately 100 mm of travel from the extended to the retracted state, a wounded conveyor element can significantly reduce the length of the conveyor unit. This makes it possible to achieve a conveyor unit length of approximately 50 mm or less. This allows for a relatively small package size forthe conveyor unit, thus little packaging waste, which is advantageous when shipping or storing the conveyor unit. The small length of the conveyor unit also allows for better handling and ergonomics. A wire, strand or tube may also be sized to provide sufficient compressive force at its distal end to transfer an intraocular lens through the intraocular lens cassette.

[0015] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the gear mechanism comprises a first gear member that is configured to be driven by the drive unit. In addition, the gear mechanism has a second gear member that is engaged to the first gear member and to the conveyor element holder. This makes it possible to displace the conveyor element in the longitudinal direction of the injector device if the drive unit has a drive shaft that is also arranged along the longitudinal direction or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the injector device. The gear mechanism also allows the use of a transmission gear, so that a desired speed and torque can be achieved for the movement of the conveyor element.

[0016] Preferably, the first gear member and the second gear member form a bevel gear or a friction wheel gear or a helical spur gear or a worm gear. Such a gear allows intersecting axes of the gear members, so that an injector device with a low overall height and good ergonomics is possible.

[0017] The conveyor element storage device comprises, in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, at least one guiding device for guiding the conveyor direction of the conveyor element. Since the conveyor element is wound around the conveyor element holder, it has relatively good elasticity and flexibility. The guiding device ensures that the conveyor element is guided in the desired direction during the process of unwinding from the conveyor element holder.

[0018] The guiding device can be a friction wheel or, in addition or as an alternative, a channel in which the conveyor element is at least partially guided. The guiding device enables reliable guidance of the relatively flexible conveyor element from the conveyor element holdertowards the injectortip over a relatively long distance.

[0019] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the conveyor element is wound along a helix around the conveyor element holder by more than 360°. This makes it possible to have a relatively long conveyor element while keeping the length and circumference of the conveyor element holder small, and thus to have a relatively short and ergonomic injector device.

[0020] The conveyor element holder can be a cam disc with a non-circular cross section. This al lows a variable conveyor speed of the conveyor element to be achieved at a constant speed of the gear mechanism and in particular of the second gear member. This is advantageous because, for example, a slow and careful movement of the conveyor element is made possible during the folding of the intraocular lens or shortly before the intraocular lens emerges from the injector device. Preferably, the conveyor unit has a data memory that is configured to transmit the data to the control device. The data memory can be provided with data of the received intraocular lens, whereby this data forms the basis for predetermined information for reliable transport of the intraocular lens to the distal end of the injector device. This can be, for example, information for controlling the drive unit and thus the conveyor element at a maximum permissible speed. It may also be information for controlling the drive unit and thus the conveyor element as a function of the distance traveled by the conveyor element through the injector device. The data can also be transmitted to a microscope and displayed in an eyepiece for an observer. The data can also be used for error prevention and fed to a data management system that is used to document a performed operation.

[0021] The intraocular lens injector device according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure comprises a conveyor unit as described above, a reusable and fluid-tight drive unit, a control device for controlling the drive unit and a coupling device which is configured to connect the drive unit to the gear mechanism of the conveyor unit. The conveyor unit can be treated as a disposable, whereas the drive unit, control device and coupling device can be reused, resulting in less waste than if the entire intraocular lens injector device had to be disposed of.

[0022] Further advantages and features of the disclosure are explained with reference to the following drawings, wherein:

[0023] Fig. i shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a conveyor unit with a coupled drive unit, in a cross-sectional view;

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a conveyor element and the associated conveyor element holder in a plan view;

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a conveyor element and the associated conveyor element holder with a helical line in a side view; and

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a gear mechanism and a transmission gear of the conveyor element storage device in a plan view.

[0027] Figure i shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a conveyor unit 3 according to the disclosure with a coupled drive unit 2, so that an intraocular lens injector device 1 is formed. The conveyor unit 3 comprises a conveyor element storage device 4, and a cassette receiver 5, which is designed to receive a cassette 6 with an intraocular lens 7. The conveyor unit 3 additionally comprises an actuator io which is suitable for triggering a control device n. The control device n is used to control the drive unit 2. The actuator io can trigger the control device n with a first line no, wherein the first line no can transmit the information about the status of the actuator io mechanically, electrically or via radio waves. The drive unit 2 can then be controlled by the control device 11 with a second line 111. The intraocular lens injector device may additionally comprise an injector cone 8, with which the intraocular lens 7 can be compressed, the injector cone 8 being connected to the conveyor unit 3 or being integrally formed by the cassette 6.

[0028] The conveyor element storage device 4 has a gear mechanism 41 with a first gear member 43 and a second gear member 44 in engagement therewith. The first gear member 43 can be directly connected to a coupling device 12, which enables a coupling to the drive unit 2. A transmission gear 42 can also be provided between the first gear member 43 and the coupling device 12, so that the speed and torque of the gear mechanism 41 can be adjusted to a desired range.

[0029] In this exemplary embodiment, the second gear member 44 is connected to a conveyor element holder 46 in such a way that rotation of the second gear member 44 about its axis 441 causes the conveyor element holder 46 to rotate. The conveyor element holder 46 may be a disc, see Figure 1, or a reel, spool, roll or drum. The conveyor element holder 46 is rotatably mounted about an axis 462, wherein the axis 462 extends the axis 441 of the second gear member 44. A conveyor element 45 is at least partially wound around the conveyor element holder 46. The conveyor element 45 may be a wire that is solid in cross-section. The wire can also have a cavity so that better flexibility can be achieved. In this case, the wire can also be referred to as a tube. It is also possible that several wires are formed together as a strand, which allows very good flexibility at high compressive strength. It is also possible that the wire is wound helically around a longitudinal axis and is therefore hollow cylindrical. The wire can be designed as a round wire or profile wire and made of metal or plastic, or a composite material made of plastic and fiberglass. The plastic can be polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide. The wire may have a metal core and a plastic sheath. If the wire has plastic on its outer surface, good adhesion of the wire to the conveyor element holder 46 can be achieved, so that when the wire is unwound, it does not slip off the conveyor element holder 46. At least part of the circumference of the wire can also be provided with a profile which engages in a counter-profile of the conveyor element holder 46, so that there is a slight risk of the wire slipping off and reliable transport is possible. Preferably, the wire has a diameter in the range of 0.3 to 2.0 mm, most preferably in the range of 0.8 to 1.2 mm. In order that the conveyor element 45 to be guided from the conveyor element holder 46 to the cassette receiver s and from there to the intraocular lens 7, it is possible to guide the conveyor element

[0030] 45 with a guiding device 47. As can be seen from Figure 2, the guiding device 47 can be a friction wheel 471. Alternatively, or additionally, the guiding device 47 can also be a channel 472, which forms a groove-shaped recess. The conveyor element 45 can be partially wound around the conveyor element holder 46, where it can reach a contact area of approximately 320°, see Figure 2. According to this embodiment, the conveyor element 45 runs from a proximal end 452 to the conveyor element holder

[0031] 46 and there along a portion of the periphery of the conveyor element holder 46 until it leaves the conveyor element holder 46 and is directed by a friction wheel 471 and a channel 472 in the direction of the cassette receiver 5. The proximal end 452 of the conveyor element 45 can also be firmly connected to the conveyor element holder 46, in which case a friction wheel 471 may not be required. The conveyor element 45 has a distal end 451, to which a cushion 453 can be attached. The cushion 453 enables good contact with the intraocular lens 7 so that it can be well folded and conveyed in the direction of the distal end 9 along the longitudinal axis 81 of the injector cone 8.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the conveyor element 45 and the associated conveyor element holder 46 in a side view, with the conveyor element 45 being wound along a helix line 461 or winding line around the circumference of the conveyor element holder 46. This makes it possible to wound the conveyor element 45 around the conveyor element holder 46 by more than 360°. This is advantageous because it allows a relatively long conveyor element 45 to be used with a relatively short length of the conveyor element storage device 4. If the length of the conveyor element 45 according to Figure 2 is insufficient to convey an intraocular lens 7 from the cassette 6 to the distal end 9 of the injector device 1, a longer conveyor element 45 can be used, see Figure 3, by winding it more than 360° around the conveyor element holder 46 with the same overall length as in the embodiment according to Figure 2. A longer conveyor element 45 allows for a longer conveying distance.

[0033] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the gear mechanism 41 in a plan view. Rotation from the drive unit 2 is received by the coupling device 12 and transmitted to the transmission gear 42. The transmission gear 42 is optional. It is also possible for the rotation of the drive unit 2 to be transmitted directly from the coupling device 12 to the first gear member 43. The first gear member 43 can be a worm that engages with a worm wheel as the second gear member 44. The axis 431 of the first gear member 43 is thus perpendicular to the axis 441 of the second gear member 44. A worm gear is advantageous because several teeth are engaged simultaneously and a relatively high power as well as a low-noise and vibration-damping operation can be achieved.

[0034] The conveyor unit 3 may also include a data storage device 50 that is set up to transmit data to the control device 11. The data may be information about the intraocular lens 7 to be used. The data may be transmitted to the control device 11 with a third line 113, which may be an electrical line or a radio signal. Depending on this information, the conveyor unit 3 can be driven accordingly.

[0035] The intraocular lens injector device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in Figure 1, has a reusable drive unit 2, which can be, forexample, a mechanically or electrical ly operated motor. The use of such a drive unit 2 makes it possible to very easily transport an intraocular lens 7 towards the distal end 9, by an operator having to actuate the actuator 10 for triggering the control device 11 of the drive unit 2 with only one hand. If the drive unit 2 is fluid-tight, it is not necessary to disassemble it into individual parts and to reassemble it. Instead, the fluid-tight drive unit 2 can be subjected to a sterilization process completely and without being disassembled. No specially trained personnel and no special logistics are required for this.

[0036] The conveyor unit 3 connected to the drive unit 2, with which the intraocular lens 7 can be conveyed, can be designed as a ready-assembled disposable part. Thus, the amount of waste produced is less than with an injector device that is to be completely disposed of.

[0037] List of Reference Signs: i intraocular lens injector device

[0038] 2 drive unit

[0039] 3 conveyor unit

[0040] 4 conveyor element storage device

[0041] 5 cassette receiver

[0042] 6 cassette

[0043] 7 intraocular lens

[0044] 8 injector cone

[0045] 81 longitudinal axis of injector cone

[0046] 9 distal end of intraocular lens injector device io actuator n control device

[0047] 12 coupling device

[0048] 41gear mechanism

[0049] 42 transmission gear

[0050] 43 first gear member

[0051] 431 axis of the first gear member

[0052] 44 second gear member

[0053] 441 axis of the second gear member

[0054] 45 conveyor element

[0055] 451 conveyor element distal end

[0056] 452 conveyor element proximal end

[0057] 453 cushion

[0058] 46 conveyor element holder

[0059] 461 helical line

[0060] 462 axis of conveyor element holder

[0061] 47 guiding device

[0062] 471 friction wheel

[0063] 472 channel

[0064] 50 data memory

[0065] 110 first line

[0066] 111 second line 112 third line

Claims

Claims1. A conveyor unit for an intraocular lens injector device, comprising: a conveyor element storage device, a cassette receiver for receiving an intraocular lens cassette, and an actuator for triggering a control device for a drive unit, wherein the conveyor element storage device comprises: a gear mechanism, a conveyor element which is designed as a wire or strand or tube, and a conveyor element holder around which the conveyor element is at least partially wound, and wherein the gear mechanism is configured to be coupled to the drive unit and is configured to drive the conveyor element holder and thereby displace a distal end of the conveyor element towards the cassette receiver.

2. The conveyor unit according to claim i, wherein the gear mechanism comprises a first gear member configured to be driven by the drive unit and a second gear member that is engaged to the first gear member and to the conveyor element holder.

3. The conveyor unit according to claim 2, wherein the first gear member and the second gear member form a bevel gear drive or a friction wheel drive or a helical spur gear drive or a worm gear drive.

4. The conveyor unit according to any one of claims ito 3, wherein the conveyor element storage device comprises at least one guiding device for guiding the conveyor direction of the conveyor element.

5. The conveyor unit according to claim 4, wherein the guiding device is a channel in which the conveyor element is at least partially guided.

6. The conveyor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conveyor element is wound along a helix around the conveyor element holder by more than 360°.

7. The conveyor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conveyor element holder is a cam disc having a non-circular cross section.

8. The conveyor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the conveyor unit comprises a data storage that is configured to transmit data to the control device.

9. An intraocular lens injector device, comprising: a conveyor unit according to any one of claims ito 8, a reusable and fluid-tight drive unit, a control device for controlling the drive unit, and - a coupling device configured to connect the drive unit to the gear mechanism of the conveyor unit.

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