Intraocular Lens Holder-Cartridge Assembly for Optical Element Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Accidental inversion and sticking of optical elements during manufacturing, sterilization, transport, and storage of accommodating intraocular lenses with multiple optical components, and the risk of improper implantation into the eye.

Innovation Solution

A combination of a lens holder and lens injector cartridge with primary and secondary spacer components to ensure proper alignment and separation of optical elements, preventing accidental inversion and ensuring correct implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If optical elements are kept together during manufacturing and storage, then handling is simplified, but optical element surfaces may stick together during sterilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling simplicityVSAvoidsurface sticking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder device divides the lens system into separable components by inserting spacers between optical elements. The spacers create physical separation that prevents surface sticking during sterilization while allowing the elements to be handled as a grouped unit when loaded into the holder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Spacer components act as intermediary elements positioned between optical elements. These spacers serve as mediators that prevent direct contact between optical surfaces, eliminating the sticking problem while maintaining a compact configuration for handling and storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If lens holder and cartridge are separated, then sterilization is easier, but alignment precision during loading decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization easeVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The holder and cartridge are merged into a single integrated assembly with fixed geometric relationships. Alignment features such as guide pins, tapered interfaces, and keyed connections are built into the combined structure, ensuring precise positioning of the lens relative to the injection site while allowing the entire assembly to be sterilized together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple spacers are added to ensure proper positioning, then lens orientation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens positioning accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder device integrates multiple functions into single components. Spacers serve dual purposes of separation and positioning; the holder structure provides both mechanical support and alignment references; coupling features simultaneously secure the lens and define its orientation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Asymmetric features are incorporated into the holder and spacer design to encode orientation information. Irregular shapes, asymmetric coupling interfaces, and non-uniform spacer placements provide built-in guidance that ensures the lens is positioned and oriented correctly without requiring complex active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4023191B1Combination of lens holder and lens injector cartridge for intraocular lens with multiple optical elements
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 AKKOLENS INT BV
  • EP4023191B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4023191B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP4023191B1 patent drawingFigure 9~12

AI summary

The present invention relates to a combination of a lens, a lens holder and a lens injector cartridge for an intraocular lens with multiple optical components, wherein the lens holder is provided with coupling means, to couple the lens holder to the lens injector cartridge or wherein the lens holder is integrally formed with the lens injector cartridge; wherein the lens injector cartridge comprises a loading chamber to receive the lens; wherein the lens holder comprises a spacer component, wherein the spacer component is to be coupled to the lens wherein the spacer component separates at least two optical components of the intraocular lens.