IOL Injector Loading Chamber Geometry for Consistent Lens Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IOL injectors lack consistency in loading and often damage intraocular lenses during insertion, particularly when using smaller incisions, due to the delicate nature of the lenses and the need for precise orientation.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a loading chamber with a tapered edge and a vial featuring a convexly curved interior surface and a flexible arm to maintain the lens, allowing for consistent folding and orientation of the IOL within the injector, ensuring minimal damage during loading and insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If an IOL is folded and compressed to fit through smaller incisions, then the incision size is reduced, but the likelihood of damaging the delicate lens increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveincision sizeVSAvoidlens damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The loading chamber pre-folds the IOL in a controlled manner before insertion, so the folding action is performed in advance during loading rather than forced during insertion, reducing damage risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The loading chamber provides a cushioned environment with rounded surfaces and controlled geometry that protects the delicate IOL during the folding and loading process, preventing damage before insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If manual loading techniques are used to insert IOL through small incisions, then surgical control is improved, but the consistency of loading and orientation becomes unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical controlVSAvoidloading consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The loading chamber geometry automatically guides the IOL into the correct folded configuration and orientation through its predetermined internal surfaces, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and ensuring consistent loading

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The loading chamber uses specific geometric parameters (rounded corners, tapered sections, surface curvatures) to control the IOL's folding behavior, transforming the loading process from manual manipulation to geometry-driven automatic configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the IOL is loaded without proper folding mechanisms, then the loading process is simpler, but the IOL may be expelled in incorrect orientation or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading mechanism complexityVSAvoiddelivery predictability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The loading chamber features rounded corners, curved surfaces, and spherical geometry that naturally guide the flat IOL into a folded configuration through smooth mechanical contact, ensuring reliable delivery without complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP1971291A2Apparatus and methods for loading of an IOL injector
Publication Date: 2008.09.24 BAUSCH & LOMB INC

AI summary

An IOL injector body including an injector body segment defining a portion of a lumen, and a first loading chamber component coupled to the injector body segments and a second loading chamber component hingedly coupled to the first loading chamber component. The second loading chamber component is capable of rotating about an axis that is parallel to the lumen. An IOL vial including a vial base and an injector guide ratably mounted in said base, whereby an injector can be inserted along the injector guide and rotated such that a folded IOL can be obtained in the injector. A method of loading an IOL injector with an IOL the method that comprises inserting the IOL injector body into a vial and rotating the IOL injector body relative to the vial to obtain the IOL in the IOL injector body.