Intraocular Lens Haptic Folding for Small-Incision Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lens delivery systems face challenges in efficiently folding and inserting implants through small incisions with high consistency and reliability, particularly for intraocular lenses with haptics, which can complicate the surgical process.
Innovation Solution
A haptic folding mechanism is employed to fold the leading haptic onto the optic body before insertion, utilizing a lifter arm and lever arm configuration to lift and constrain the haptic, allowing for precise manipulation and insertion through a nozzle into the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional implant delivery system is used, then the implant can be inserted into the eye, but the haptics cannot be consistently folded and positioned for precise placement through small incisions
Solution Approach 1:
The implant delivery system is segmented into distinct functional components: the implant bay holds the implant, the haptic lifter separately manages haptic positioning, and the actuator independently controls the folding sequence. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling precise haptic folding while simplifying the overall delivery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic lifter performs preliminary action by pre-positioning and pre-folding the haptics before the implant is delivered into the eye. The lifter arm engages the haptic in advance within the implant bay, folding it onto the optic body before ejection. This preliminary folding ensures consistent haptic configuration and simplifies the delivery operation through the incision.
2Reliability
If the implant is delivered through small incisions, then patient recovery is improved, but consistent haptic folding and positioning becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic lifter mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the lever arm system. When the actuator advances the implant, the lever arm automatically rotates and the lifter arm engages the haptic without requiring additional manual intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable and consistent haptic folding while avoiding the need for complex externally-controlled folding devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter arm is designed with rotational freedom around the pin, allowing it to dynamically adapt its position as the implant is advanced. The lever arm provides dynamic mechanical advantage, automatically adjusting the folding force and position based on the implant's movement through the delivery system. This dynamic design ensures consistent haptic folding reliability without requiring overly complex fixed-position mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual haptic folding is performed, then the surgeon has control over positioning, but the folding consistency and reliability vary across different implants and surgeons
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic lifter acts as an intermediary mechanism between the surgeon's manual actuation and the implant's haptic folding. The lever arm and lifter arm translate the surgeon's simple actuator movement into precise, consistent haptic folding actions. This intermediary mechanism standardizes the folding process across different implants and surgeons, achieving high folding consistency while maintaining ease of automation through the mechanical lever system.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus that can be used to fold an intraocular lens or other implant before inserting it into an eye in various locations using variable surgical techniques. Some embodiments may comprise or consist essentially of a haptic folding mechanism configured to fold one or more haptics onto the top of an optic prior to the optic being folded into a nozzle. In some embodiments, a leading haptic lifter or lifting mechanism can be configured to raise and constrain a leading haptic during implant delivery. This leading haptic folding mechanism can actively lift the leading haptic onto the top of the optic.