Automated IOL Injector Plunger Control Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering intraocular lenses (IOLs) into the eye, such as phacoemulsification and manual injectors, face challenges with inconsistent force profiles and potential damage to the lens due to axial compression, especially during injection through small incisions.
Innovation Solution
An automated IOL injection device with an electric drive system and control circuit that translates a plunger to engage and fold the lens, allowing material relaxation at a critical point to reduce internal stress, thereby minimizing axial compression force and preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If automated mechanical injectors are used to provide uniform force profiles, then injection consistency is improved, but the varying injection forces as the lens becomes more highly compressed can still result in damage or permanent deformation of the IOL
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the plunger advancement speed based on real-time feedback from the force sensor. As the lens becomes more compressed during injection, the system automatically reduces the advancement speed to maintain force within safe limits, preventing lens deformation while ensuring complete injection.
Solution Approach 2:
A force sensor provides real-time feedback on the compression force applied to the lens during injection. This feedback is used by the control system to monitor and adjust the plunger advancement, ensuring that the force remains within a predetermined safe range throughout the injection process.
2Productivity
If the plunger is advanced quickly to implant the lens, then productivity is improved, but the axial compression force on the lens increases suddenly at a critical point causing material stress
Solution Approach 1:
The injection process is divided into multiple phases with different speeds. The plunger advances quickly during low-compression phases and slows down automatically when approaching the critical point where compression force increases, creating a periodic variation in speed that protects the lens while maintaining overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from high-speed advancement to low-speed advancement dynamically based on the compression force feedback. This dynamic speed adjustment allows the system to maintain high productivity during safe phases while protecting the lens during critical high-compression phases.
3Device complexity
If manual injectors are used for IOL implantation, then device complexity is reduced, but the injection force becomes inconsistent and requires two hands making the procedure cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical injection system is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. An electric motor drives the plunger through a controlled mechanism, eliminating the need for manual two-handed operation while providing consistent, programmable injection forces through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-control through automated feedback mechanisms. The force sensor continuously monitors compression force and the control system automatically adjusts plunger advancement without requiring manual intervention, making the procedure easier while maintaining precision.
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 device ensures uniform and controlled delivery of the IOL with reduced risk of deformation, providing a more precise and reliable method for implanting lenses through small incisions.
Implementation Method 1
an electric drive system disposed within the housing and comprising an electric motor
Implementation Method 2
retracting the plunger from the critical point to a sufficient distance for material of the intraocular lens to relax
Data Source
AI summary
An IOL injection device comprises a tubular housing with a plunger longitudinally disposed within the tubular housing. The device is configured so that when the plunger is translated towards the front of the device, its tip engages an intraocular lens insertion cartridge mounted at or near the front end of the housing. The IOL injection device further comprises a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to perform the steps of advancing the plunger to a critical point at which an axial compressive force on the lens suddenly increases, retracting the plunger from the critical point to a sufficient distance for material of the intraocular lens to relax, pausing to allow the material of the intraocular lens to relax, advancing the plunger to the critical point a second time, and continuing to advance the plunger beyond the critical point to implant the intraocular lens.