Intraocular Lens Injector With Collapsible Body and Hydraulic Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular lens (IOL) injectors face challenges in delivering IOLs with precise control and consistency due to high peak axial forces required for ejection, leading to uncontrollable ejection and potential user errors, especially in delicate ocular surgeries.
Innovation Solution
The IOL injector features a collapsible injector body and hydraulic or ribbed damping systems to provide smooth and controlled axial motion, reducing the overall length and improving ergonomics, allowing for precise delivery of IOLs by collapsing the injector body to advance the lens from a storage location to a dwell location and using hydraulic or ribbed dampers to manage axial movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high peak axial forces are applied to eject the IOL, then the IOL can be delivered from the injector, but the ejection becomes uncontrollable and prone to user errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic damper system with fluid-filled chambers and restrictors to replace direct mechanical force application. The hydraulic system provides controlled, damped motion that delivers the IOL with consistent force while eliminating uncontrollable peak forces, thereby maintaining delivery efficiency while dramatically improving ejection control and reducing user errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of force delivery by introducing viscous damping through hydraulic fluid and adjustable restrictors. This transforms the force profile from high-peak impulsive forces to a controlled, gradual force application, enabling precise control over the ejection process while maintaining effective IOL delivery.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the injector body is made rigid and extended, then structural stability is maintained, but the device becomes less ergonomic and harder to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a collapsible section with telescoping sleeves that allow the injector body to dynamically change its length. During non-use, the injector collapses to a compact size for easy handling and storage. During IOL delivery, the sleeves extend to provide the necessary structural stability and length, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and ergonomics through dynamic adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible section utilizes a telescoping sleeve structure where one sleeve is nested within another. This nested configuration allows the injector to compact its length while maintaining structural integrity when extended, providing both ergonomic compactness for handling and sufficient structural stability during IOL delivery operations.
3Speed
If the plunger moves quickly to advance the IOL, then delivery speed is improved, but the motion becomes uncontrollable and may cause sudden ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic damper system controls plunger motion by forcing fluid through restrictors, creating viscous resistance that dampens rapid movements. This allows the plunger to advance the IOL at controlled speeds, preventing sudden ejections while maintaining efficient delivery. The hydraulic system naturally limits maximum speed while enabling smooth, controlled motion throughout the ejection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic damper provides inherent feedback control through fluid pressure resistance. As the plunger moves, it encounters resistance proportional to its velocity, automatically slowing down as pressure builds. This passive feedback mechanism prevents runaway fast motion and sudden ejections, maintaining controlled advancement speed throughout the IOL delivery process.
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 solution enables controlled and consistent delivery of IOLs, reducing user fatigue and minimizing the risk of sudden ejection, enhancing precision and usability during ocular surgeries by providing a stable and intuitive handling experience.
Implementation Method 1
The IOL injector features a collapsible injector body and hydraulic or ribbed damping systems to provide smooth and controlled axial motion
Implementation Method 2
The IOL injector features a collapsible injector body and hydraulic or ribbed damping systems to provide smooth and controlled axial motion
Data Source
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AI summary
IOL injectors and associated methods are described. An IOL injector may include a collapsible portion configured to reduce the length of the IOL injector when the collapsible portion is altered from an uncollapsed configuration to a collapsed configuration. In some instances, an IOL may be advanced from a storage location to a dwell location when the collapsible portion is altered from the uncollapsed configuration to the collapsed configuration. An IOL injector may include one or more of a hydraulic damper and a ribbed damper.