Dual-Function Ophthalmic Injector With Foldable Wing Handle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intraocular lens (IOL) injectors face challenges such as cumbersome handle designs that hinder functionality when switching between push and screw modes, variability in piston end point due to elastic plungers, and difficulty in achieving precise advancement stages, leading to potential eye injury and uncontrolled lens insertion.

Innovation Solution

A dual-function injector with a foldable wing handle and adjustable threaded ridge that allows seamless switching between push and screw modes, minimizing piston end point variability and enhancing precise advancement through tactile and auditory feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a handle plate is included in the injector housing for push function, then push operation is enabled, but the handle plate obstructs screw function operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual-function capabilityVSAvoidscrew function operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle plate is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned in different locations on the injector housing. This dynamic repositioning capability enables the handle plate to be out of the way during screw operation while remaining available for push operation when needed, thus resolving the obstruction problem while maintaining dual-functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If an elastic plunger is used on the piston rod, then the piston can adapt to different lens conditions, but the piston endpoint becomes variable and imprecise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston adaptability to lens conditionsVSAvoidpiston endpoint precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A tactile feedback mechanism is integrated into the injector system to provide the surgeon with precise information about the piston's position and endpoint. This feedback system compensates for the variability introduced by the elastic plunger, allowing the surgeon to accurately determine when the piston has reached its endpoint despite the plunger's elastic deformation under different lens conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the piston rod is advanced through multiple feed stages, then precise lens positioning is achieved, but it becomes difficult to reliably and consistently advance the piston rod

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens positioning precisionVSAvoidpiston rod advancement consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Tactile feedback elements are incorporated at each feed stage to provide the surgeon with consistent and reliable information about the piston rod's position. This feedback mechanism ensures that the surgeon can consistently and reliably advance the piston rod through multiple feed stages, achieving precise lens positioning while maintaining ease of operation through consistent tactile guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 injector provides a stable, cost-effective solution for precise and controlled IOL insertion, reducing the risk of eye injury and simplifying storage and procurement by eliminating the need for multiple devices.

Implementation Method 1

the injector body has at least one foldable (or pivotable) wing or wing handle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFolding mechanism: Folding

Implementation Method 2

the injector body has at least one threaded ridge which, in screw operation, forms an internal thread for the screw thread of the piston rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew thread engagement: Screw

Implementation Method 3

When using an elastic plunger (such as a silicone plunger) at the piston tip, it is not possible to precisely determine the overall length of the piston. Depending on the lens material used, lens geometry, diopter, viscoelastic solution, temperature, feed rate, etc., the elastic plunger is compressed (i.e., shortened) or elongated (i.e., lengthened) to a greater or lesser extent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3773332B1Dual function injector
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 MEDICEL
  • EP3773332B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3773332B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3773332B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An injector (11) is shown and described, in particular for example an injector for ejecting an intraocular lens for the purpose of injecting the latter into an eye or an injector for implanting a corneal endothelial tissue, comprising an elongate injector body (13) which has a piston rod passage (16) and in which an injector piston rod (15) having a screw thread (33) is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner, wherein the injector (11) is provided with two operating modes for the displacement of the injector piston rod (15) and is able to be switched between said modes, wherein the first operating mode defines an ejection operation and the second operating mode defines a screwing operation. According to the invention, provision is made that the injector body (13) has at least one retractable and deployable wing grip (27, 28), wherein the operating mode is set to ejection operation by the deployed position and the operating mode is set to screwing operation by the retracted position. According to the invention, provision can be made that the injector piston rod comprises a stop element. The stop element is preferably mounted displaceably on the piston rod. The stop element is particularly preferably configured as a soft stop.