IOL Injector Plunger With Compression Arms for Controlled Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IOL injectors face challenges in efficiently delivering intraocular lenses (IOLs) due to issues such as manual installation risks, potential contamination, and inefficient compression mechanisms that can lead to unwanted axial folding or deformation of IOLs during insertion.
Innovation Solution
An IOL injector plunger with flexible compression arms that apply lateral inward forces to guide the IOL into a compressed configuration, coupled with a plunger tip for axial advancement, allowing controlled delivery through a tapered channel, and decoupling mechanism to maintain compression during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of IOL is used during insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination risk increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The IOL injector is designed to automatically compress and deliver the IOL without requiring manual manipulation by the surgeon. The compression arms and plunger mechanism perform the insertion task autonomously after the IOL is loaded into the injector, eliminating the need for manual handling during the critical insertion phase and thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The injector device serves as an intermediary between the surgeon and the IOL. Instead of the surgeon directly handling and inserting the IOL, the injector mediates the process by automatically grasping, compressing, and delivering the IOL through the incision, thus reducing contamination risk while preserving surgical control and ease of operation.
2Productivity
If compression mechanisms are applied to IOL during insertion, then delivery efficiency is improved, but axial deformation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The compression arms are designed to apply compression forces at specific locations on the IOL (at the haptics) rather than uniform compression across the entire IOL. This localized compression approach allows efficient delivery through the incision while preserving the overall shape and integrity of the IOL optic and central structure, preventing axial deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression arms are configured to dynamically adjust their compression force and configuration during the insertion process. The arms can flex and adapt to the IOL shape, applying just enough compression to facilitate delivery through the incision while releasing or reducing compression once the IOL is properly positioned, thereby maintaining IOL shape integrity while improving delivery efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If IOL is compressed for delivery through small incision, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The injector device is segmented into distinct functional components: a body for holding the IOL, compression arms for collapsing the IOL, and a plunger for delivering the compressed IOL. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall operation while achieving the complex task of IOL compression and delivery through a small incision.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression arms and plunger are nested within the injector body, with the compression arms positioned around the IOL in a retracted state and the plunger positioned behind the compression arms. During operation, these nested components sequentially activate to first compress the IOL and then deliver it, reducing the device's profile when not in use while maintaining the capability for effective IOL insertion.
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 ensures controlled compression and delivery of IOLs with reduced manual handling, minimizing contamination risks and preventing axial deformation, thereby enhancing the efficiency and safety of IOL insertion.
Implementation Method 1
each compression arm having a proximal end coupled to the plunger, and a tapered distal end forming a compression arm tip. In an initial compression arm configuration, the compression arms are laterally splayed... In response to inward lateral forces applied to outer lateral surfaces of the compression arms, the compression arms are adapted to flex toward one another
Data Source
AI summary
An IOL injector plunger having IOL compression arms is described.