Intraocular Lens Injector with Oscillating Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) into the eye often require large incisions due to the rigidity of acrylic IOLs, which can cause trauma and prolong healing, and existing instruments may engage with the IOL excessively, leading to expulsion issues during insertion.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a handpiece with a load chamber and an injector rod that oscillates linearly using a drive mechanism with bosses and annular races, allowing incremental and controlled movement of the IOL, reducing the risk of excessive engagement and enabling insertion through smaller incisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid acrylic IOL is inserted through a small incision, then trauma is reduced and healing is accelerated, but the IOL cannot be inserted without excessive force or specialized instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the acrylic IOL by pre-compressing it to a thickness of less than 0.5mm, transforming it from an unusable rigid state to an insertable flexible state. This parameter change allows the IOL to pass through small incisions without requiring excessive force or complex instruments, while maintaining its structural integrity for proper positioning after insertion
2Productivity
If excessive force is applied to insert the IOL, then insertion is achieved, but the IOL may be violently expelled from the cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic insertion system where the injector rod moves in alternating directions (distal and proximal) rather than continuous forward motion. This dynamic approach allows the IOL to be incrementally advanced while maintaining control, preventing violent expulsion while achieving reliable insertion through the cartridge
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion process uses periodic alternating movements of the injector rod - advancing distally to push the IOL forward, then retracting proximally to release compression. This periodic action pattern enables controlled insertion at approximately 0.5mm increments, achieving reliable insertion without excessive force that could cause expulsion
3Speed
If the injector rod moves continuously in one direction, then insertion is faster, but the rod may engage the IOL excessively causing loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The injector rod performs periodic alternating movements between distal (forward) and proximal (backward) directions, advancing the IOL in controlled increments of approximately 0.5mm. This periodic action prevents excessive engagement while maintaining insertion speed, allowing the practitioner to control the process without loss of IOL
4Ease of operation
If silicone IOLs are used instead of acrylic, then flexibility and insertion ease improve, but acrylic lenses are indicated for some patients requiring larger incisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thickness parameter of acrylic IOLs to less than 0.5mm through pre-compression, fundamentally altering their insertability characteristics. This enables acrylic lenses to be inserted through small incisions with ease comparable to silicone lenses, while preserving the ability to select acrylic material for patients who require it based on ocular conditions
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
This solution minimizes the size of the incision required for IOL insertion, reduces trauma, and facilitates smoother insertion by using incremental, oscillating movements to guide the IOL into the eye, thereby enhancing the precision and safety of the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
a drive mechanism configured to longitudinally or linearly oscillate the injector rod in the body member when a rotational force is applied about a longitudinal axis in a single direction
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methodology for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye. The apparatus includes a cartridge for holding an IOL and a handpiece with a body member for receiving the cartridge, an injector rod that is receivable by the body member, and a drive mechanism that longitudinally oscillates the injector rod in the body member when a rotational force is applied about a longitudinal axis in a single direction. In other words, a constant rotation in a single direction of the drive mechanism causes the injector rod to move distally and proximally in discrete increments, with the distal increments being larger than the proximal increments. Accordingly, the injector rod urges an IOL out of the handpiece in a two-steps-forward, one-step-back manner, thereby minimizing or eliminating the chance of the injector rod engaging with the IOL.