Cam-Actuated Optic Lockout for Intraocular Lens Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraocular lens (IOL) delivery systems face challenges in ensuring accurate placement and preventing rotation of lenses without haptics during folding and insertion, often requiring multiple steps and risking dislodgment due to external locks or tabs that complicate sterile procedures.

Innovation Solution

A modular IOL system with a cam-actuated optic lockout mechanism, featuring lens stop posts that protrude from the insertion tool's nozzle to guide and secure the lens, ensuring correct positioning and preventing rotation, while eliminating the need for external locks and reducing the risk of dislodgment, and allowing for folding exclusively within the nozzle to adhere to ISO standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If external locks or tabs are used to secure the IOL during folding and insertion, then the IOL positioning stability is improved, but the device complexity increases and the sterile procedure is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIOL positioning stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes external locks and tabs from the IOL delivery system, extracting the unnecessary components that complicated sterile procedures. The solution uses the IOL's own structural features (flanges, rims) interacting with the delivery tool's internal geometry to achieve securing without external locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The IOL design incorporates self-securing features where the lens itself (through its flanges and rims) interacts with the delivery tool's internal structures to maintain positioning stability. The system eliminates the need for separate locking components by making the IOL's own geometry perform the locking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple steps are used for IOL delivery, then the placement accuracy is improved, but the procedure time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement accuracyVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple IOL delivery functions into a single integrated tool that can perform folding, positioning, and insertion in one continuous motion. The delivery tool integrates the folding chamber, guide channels, and positioning features into a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate tools and steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The IOL is pre-folded and pre-positioned within the delivery tool before insertion into the eye. The folding chamber and guide channels are designed to automatically guide the IOL through the correct folding and positioning sequence as the tool is inserted, eliminating the need for separate folding and positioning steps during surgery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the IOL is folded within the nozzle, then the sterility is improved and ISO standards are met, but the folding precision control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesterilityVSAvoidfolding precision control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different geometric characteristics to different regions of the delivery tool: the folding chamber has specific curvature radii and surface geometries designed to control folding, while the guide channels have precise dimensional features to control positioning. Each region is optimized for its specific function with locally appropriate geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The folding chamber incorporates curved surfaces with specific radius values that guide the IOL through controlled folding motions. The curved geometry of the folding chamber walls and the rounded features of the guide channels provide smooth, predictable folding paths that maintain precision while ensuring sterility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3863565B1Cam-actuated optic lockout mechanism
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 ALCON INC
  • EP3863565B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3863565B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3863565B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices, for delivery of a lens portion of a modular intraocular lens into an eye, may be provided. A device may include a housing; a nozzle positioned at an end of the housing, wherein an interior of the nozzle comprises a floor, the floor including an aperture; and a cam-actuated mechanism positioned within the housing, comprising: a lens stop comprising a base and a post, wherein the post is movably disposed within the aperture; and a slider configured to move in a direction toward the lens stop, wherein the lens stop is positioned at a distal end of the slider, the slider comprising a slot that is aligned with a portion of the base of the lens stop and configured to receive the portion of the base as the slider moves.