Heated Intraocular Lens Container for Smaller Incision Implantation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lens implantation technologies face challenges in achieving a small incision size due to the need for folding and inserting lenses through a 2.5 mm incision, with temperature playing a crucial role in lens flexibility and deployment.
Innovation Solution
A container system with integrated or connected heating devices is used to heat the lens to a target temperature of 25° C. to 40° C., enhancing flexibility and enabling further reduction of incision size by making the lens more supple and facilitating faster deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the lens is stored at room temperature or cooled temperature, then the lens maintains structural stability during storage, but the lens becomes less supple and requires larger incision for insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is pre-heated in the storage container before use to enhance its suppleness. The heating device is integrated into the container and activates automatically or upon user input, preparing the lens in advance for minimally invasive insertion through a small incision while maintaining structural integrity during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature of the lens is changed from storage temperature (room temperature or cooled) to a higher temperature (e.g., 37°C or body temperature) using the integrated heating device. This parameter change enhances the lens material's suppleness and flexibility, allowing it to be folded into a smaller configuration for insertion through a reduced incision size.
2Length of moving object
If the lens is heated to enhance suppleness, then the lens can be rolled up smaller for smaller incision, but the container system becomes more complex with integrated heating device
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is merged with the storage container to form an integrated functional unit. This combination allows the lens to be heated and stored in the same device, reducing the need for separate heating equipment and minimizing the overall system complexity while achieving the goal of smaller folded lens size.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage container with integrated heating device can automatically heat the lens to the required temperature without requiring external intervention. The system may include temperature sensors and control mechanisms that autonomously regulate the heating process, eliminating the need for manual heating steps and reducing operational complexity.
3Speed
If the lens is heated before insertion, then the lens deploys faster after insertion, but the energy consumption of the container system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is pre-heated to body temperature or slightly above before insertion, which activates the heat-responsive properties of the lens material in advance. This preliminary heating action ensures that the lens deploys rapidly upon insertion into the eye, as the temperature differential is already minimized, reducing the energy required during the actual deployment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens material exhibits a phase transition or significant property change at a specific temperature threshold. By heating the lens to this critical temperature in the storage container, the lens material transitions to a more compliant state that enables rapid deployment after insertion. The heating device is designed to reach this critical temperature efficiently, minimizing energy consumption while achieving the desired phase transition effect.
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 system allows for a smaller incision and faster unfolding of the lens, improving surgical efficiency and reducing complications by ensuring the lens is flexible and ready for insertion.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device integrated in the container, and/or a connection device for a heating device, for heating the lens pre-loaded in the magazine within the container
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a container system (200) for storing an intraocular lens (90). The container system (200) comprises a container (210) for storing a lens (90) and a heating device (220) for heating the lens (90) in the container (210). A heated lens (90) is more supple and can be rolled up better and smaller, such that a cut opening in an eye can be further reduced.