Intraocular Implant Injection Assembly Azimuthal Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular implant technologies face challenges in ensuring precise azimuthal orientation and mechanical integrity during injection, which can affect the proper deployment and positioning of the implant within the eye.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a snap-fit engagement mechanism between the optics and haptics portions, with haptics wings that unfold sequentially during injection, and a syringe system with angled edges and orientation indicators to maintain the implant's azimuthal orientation and mechanical integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the haptics portion is designed with outwardly extending wings for engagement, then the mechanical integrity during injection is improved, but the complexity of the device structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The haptics portion is segmented into a cylindrical body and multiple outwardly extending wings that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the wings to provide enhanced mechanical engagement features without requiring complete redesign of the entire haptics structure, thus improving mechanical integrity while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The haptics portion with its wings is designed to be received within the syringe barrel, with the wings nesting within the internal diameter of the syringe. This nested configuration allows the complex winged structure to be contained within a simpler outer housing, improving mechanical integrity through the wing-syringe engagement while masking the structural complexity within the nested arrangement
2Ease of manufacture
If the optics and haptics portions are connected by snap-fit engagement, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the reliability of the connection may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fit engagement features are pre-configured on both the optics portion and haptics portion during manufacturing. The protrusions and recesses are preliminarily formed to ensure proper alignment and engagement, allowing for easy assembly while maintaining connection reliability through pre-engineered mating features that guide the components into proper engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit connection utilizes composite structural features combining rigid engagement protrusions with compliant engagement surfaces. This composite approach allows the connection to be easily formed through snap-fit assembly while maintaining reliability through the combination of rigid structural elements and compliant materials that ensure secure engagement
3Productivity
If the syringe is designed with angled forward edge for haptics unfolding, then the productivity of implant deployment is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is designed with an asymmetric angled forward edge rather than a symmetric rounded tip. This asymmetric geometry creates a predetermined azimuthal orientation as the haptics unfold during injection, enabling faster deployment productivity while the angled features are manufactured with precision to establish the required orientation relationship between the syringe and implant components
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the haptics wings are tinted to block parasitic light, then the harmful factors are reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The haptics wings are selectively tinted in specific regions where parasitic light blocking is most critical, rather than uniformly tinting the entire structure. This local quality approach reduces parasitic light in key areas while minimizing manufacturing complexity by applying tinting only where necessary rather than throughout the entire haptics assembly
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An injectable intraocular implant including an optics portion and a resilient, flexible haptics portion mounted coaxially with the optics portion and a method for inserting the implant into the eye.