Cam-Actuated IOL Base Folding for Consistent Haptic Extensions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraocular lens (IOL) delivery systems face challenges in folding and delivering modular IOLs with complex geometries, particularly due to issues with maintaining shape and consistent folding of haptic extensions, leading to difficulties in achieving uniform force application and stability during insertion.

Innovation Solution

A cam-actuated folding mechanism within an insertion tool that includes a slider and side arms with angled grooves, allowing for controlled and consistent force application to fold and deliver the IOL, ensuring uniform compression and stability, particularly focusing on the base portion with haptic extensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a traditional IOL delivery system is used, then the IOL can be delivered into the eye, but the folding of haptic extensions is inconsistent and the shape is not maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding consistencyVSAvoidshape maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is divided into distinct functional components: a bay for holding the IOL, a slider for linear motion, and side arms with angled grooves for folding action. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring consistent folding while maintaining shape during delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The angled grooves on the side arms act as intermediaries between the slider's linear motion and the folding action on the IOL haptics. These grooves translate the sliding motion into controlled folding movements, ensuring consistent and reliable shape maintenance throughout the delivery process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple steps are used for IOL delivery, then the IOL can be advanced and delivered, but the process is time-consuming and requires multiple handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery speedVSAvoiddelivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bay, slider, and side arms are integrated into a single unified delivery mechanism that combines holding, linear advancement, and folding actions into one continuous operation. This merging eliminates the need for separate steps for each function, significantly reducing delivery time and minimizing handling requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The IOL is pre-positioned in the bay with the haptic extensions arranged in a configuration that allows automatic folding during the delivery stroke. The angled grooves are pre-configured to guide the folding action, so that when the slider moves, the folding occurs automatically without requiring additional manual intervention or time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Force

If force is applied to fold the IOL, then the IOL can be compressed for delivery, but uniform force application is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression forceVSAvoidforce uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The side arms are designed with localized angled grooves that apply force specifically to the haptic extensions at the appropriate locations. This local quality ensures that force is applied uniformly across the haptics during folding, while the rest of the IOL structure remains unaffected. The geometry of the grooves ensures consistent force distribution throughout the compression process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3897458B1Cam actuated base folding mechanism
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 ALCON INC
  • EP3897458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3897458B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3897458B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) assembly into an eye may be provided. A device for delivery of the IOL into the eye may include a nozzle; a bay adjacent to the nozzle, wherein the bay is configured to contain the lens component and comprises a recess in a shape of a haptic extension; and a cam-actuated mechanism comprising a slider configured to move in a direction toward the nozzle; a side arm moveably disposed within the bay, wherein the side arm is positioned at an end of the slider, the end of the slider comprising a groove aligned with the side arm, wherein the groove extends from an outer edge of the slider into an interior portion of the slider, wherein the groove is angled to receive the side arm as the slider moves.