Implant Delivery Shuttle Assembly for Consistent Intraocular Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implant delivery devices for intraocular injections suffer from inconsistent implant delivery speeds due to manual user input, leading to potential impact on non-targeted tissues in the eye during intravitreal injections.
Innovation Solution
An auto delivery device that decouples implant delivery speed from user input, utilizing a shuttle assembly and dampener mechanism to ensure consistent and controlled implant insertion into the eye, with visual and tactile feedback for completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of the delivery device is used, then ease of operation is improved, but implant delivery speed consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device uses a spring-loaded shuttle assembly that automatically pushes the implant through the cannula without requiring continuous manual pressure. The spring mechanism self-regulates the delivery speed based on the pre-loaded force, eliminating variability caused by user manipulation while maintaining ease of operation through a simple trigger activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shuttle assembly is pre-loaded with a spring mechanism before use, storing mechanical energy that is then released at a controlled rate during implant delivery. This preliminary preparation ensures consistent delivery speed independent of user input force, as the spring releases energy at a predetermined rate rather than requiring continuous manual control.
2Productivity
If higher implant delivery speed is used, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors to non-target tissues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the parameter of delivery speed control from user-dependent variable speed to spring-controlled constant speed. The spring mechanism releases stored energy at a predetermined rate, ensuring the implant exits the cannula at a safe, consistent speed that is neither too fast (causing tissue damage) nor too slow (reducing productivity), thus optimizing both parameters simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If the implant delivery speed is decoupled from user input, then implant delivery consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded shuttle assembly is a self-regulating mechanism that automatically maintains consistent delivery speed without requiring external control systems, sensors, or complex electronics. The mechanical spring naturally provides feedback control by releasing stored energy at a constant rate, achieving precision delivery speed consistency while keeping the device structure simple and reliable.
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
Ensures safe and consistent implant delivery by maintaining a controlled speed independent of user force, reducing the risk of non-target tissue impact and ensuring complete implant ejection from the needle before withdrawal.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member (17) positioned within a dampener housing (15)... Axial movement of the shuttle assembly, and hence automatic delivery of the implants, is caused by a release of a pre-loaded biasing force exerted by the resilient member (17) on the shuttle assembly (14)
Implementation Method 2
The friction slider (16) can form an airtight seal with the inside surface (20) of the dampener housing (15)... The axial movement speed of the shuttle assembly (14) is controlled by the interaction of the friction slider (16) with the inside surface (20) of the dampener housing (15)
Data Source
AI summary
Implant delivery devices, methods of device assembly and methods of using those devices are presented where the delivery device uses an automatic implant delivery mechanism that eliminates variability in pusher wire speeds by providing a needle assembly having one or more implants positioned within a proximal end of a needle cannula, a dampener assembly and a shuttle assembly located within a housing along with the activation member which holds the shuttle assembly in cocked or pre-tensioned state. A lock can be engaged with the activation member to prevent premature firing or triggering of the device.