Deformable Injector Plunger Geometry for Lower Tip Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injectors for intraocular lenses face mechanical stress issues that can damage the plunger and/or tip during the insertion process, leading to potential damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A deformable plunger with a specially designed contact surface and recess structure, featuring multiple groups of points and contours, allows for uniform distribution of mechanical stress, reducing the likelihood of damage by adapting to the tip's shape and minimizing stress concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the plunger is pushed into the tip, then the intraocular lens can be inserted into the capsular bag, but the plunger and tip are under mechanical stress leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger cross-sectional area is varied along its length, with the smallest area at the longitudinal end that enters the tip. This geometric parameter change allows the plunger to fit through the tip opening while distributing mechanical stress more favorably, reducing the risk of damage to both the plunger and tip during insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger is designed with a deformable cushion that can change shape during insertion. The cushion deforms elastically as the plunger is pushed into the tip, allowing dynamic adaptation to the tip's internal geometry and stress distribution, which reduces mechanical stress concentrations and prevents damage.
2Ease of operation
If the plunger cross section is reduced at the longitudinal end, then the plunger can be pushed into the tip, but mechanical stress increases causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger features localized geometric variations where the cross-sectional area changes along its length. The region with the smallest cross-section is specifically positioned at the longitudinal end for tip insertion, while other regions maintain larger cross-sections to preserve overall structural strength and resist mechanical stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger incorporates a deformable cushion material that combines elastic properties with structural integrity. This composite structure allows the plunger to be inserted into the tip while the cushion deforms to accommodate stress, preventing damage to both the plunger and tip.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The deformable plunger design evenly distributes mechanical stress, minimizing the risk of damage to the plunger and tip, ensuring smooth and efficient insertion of intraocular lenses into the capsular bag.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable plunger with a specially designed contact surface and recess structure, featuring multiple groups of points and contours, allows for uniform distribution of mechanical stress
Data Source
AI summary
A plunger for an injector to inject an intraocular lens into the capsular bag of an eye has a deformable cushion and a contact surface with a cutout in which an imaginary reference point is arranged. The plunger has two points groups, each having a design point arranged on an outer contour, an inner contour point arranged on an inner contour, and a reference point. For each of the point groups, the distance from the design point to a circle or a closed curve is equal to the distance from the inner contour point to the reference point, the design point, the inner contour point and the reference point lie on a straight line, and the inner contour point lines between the design point and the reference point. The distance from the inner contour point to the reference point is different for at least two of the point groups.