Disposable Plunger Tip for Intraocular Lens Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intraocular lens (IOL) delivery systems face challenges such as the need for sterilization of plungers, limited versatility with different cartridge sizes, and difficulties in providing soft tips for reusable plungers made of autoclavable materials.
Innovation Solution
A plunger system comprising a disposable tip segment and a reusable base segment, where the disposable segment is securely attached to the reusable segment using a fastening mechanism, allowing for easy replacement and disposal after use, and can be molded with a soft tip for accommodating different cartridge sizes and providing a biologically compatible, flexible pushing surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plunger is made as a single reusable component that can be sterilized, then reliability and reusability are improved, but the complexity of sterilization processes increases and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is divided into two segments: a reusable base segment that remains in the delivery system and a disposable tip segment that is attached to the cartridge. The disposable tip segment is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for sterilization of the portion that contacts the eye, while the reusable base segment never contacts the eye and therefore does not require sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip segment of the plunger is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after one use. This eliminates the need for sterilization processes and allows for cost-effective production using soft materials that would be inappropriate for reusable autoclavable components.
2Manufacturing precision
If the plunger is designed to accommodate a specific cartridge lumen size, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different cartridge sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger tip segment is made disposable and can be easily replaced. Different tip segments can be manufactured with different dimensions to match different cartridge lumen sizes. The reusable base segment remains the same, providing a universal interface while the disposable tips provide size-specific precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable base segment of the plunger is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple cartridge types. By combining this universal base with interchangeable disposable tips, the system achieves both precision fit for specific cartridge sizes and versatility across different cartridge types.
3Ease of operation
If the plunger tip is made from soft material for biological compatibility, then ease of operation is improved, but difficulty in providing soft tips for autoclavable plungers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is segmented into a reusable base made of autoclavable material and a disposable tip made of soft, biologically compatible material. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific requirements without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable tip segment can be made from soft materials such as silicone or soft acrylics that are biologically compatible and easy to operate with, without concern for sterilization. These materials can be molded directly into the desired shape and discarded after use.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an intraocular lens delivery system with a multi-segment plunger. More particularly, the present invention relates to an intraocular lens delivery device that includes a disposable plunger tip segment that can be attached and removed from a reusable plunger base segment.