Intraocular Lens Injector Plunger Guide and Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lens injectors require complex manipulation and lack precise control, making it difficult for surgeons to insert artificial lenses into the eye without overshooting, especially with one-handed operation.
Innovation Solution
An IOL injector with a guide element that guides the plunger axially and securely holds a disposable plunger needle, providing rotational stability and tactile feedback through a varying radial distance running surface, allowing for precise control and easy assembly/disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a thread connection is used between plunger and main body, then exact guiding of the plunger is achieved, but both hands are required for operation and it is difficult to hold the device straight
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a reusable main body and a disposable plunger assembly. This segmentation allows the complex guiding mechanism to be integrated into the main body while keeping the plunger simple and easy to replace, enabling one-handed operation with precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
A specialized coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the plunger and main body, providing both precise guidance and easy attachment/detachment. This intermediary structure enables the plunger to be accurately positioned while allowing rapid exchange without requiring both hands.
2Ease of operation
If a slidable plunger with simple push operation is used, then one-handed operation is enabled, but extremely fine control is required and overshooting cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates tactile feedback mechanisms through the plunger structure and running surface design, allowing the surgeon to sense the position and movement of the lens during insertion. This feedback enables precise control with one hand by providing tactile cues about lens deployment status.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger and lens assembly are designed with dynamic characteristics that provide controlled resistance during movement. The running surface geometry creates varying friction forces that give the surgeon tactile feedback and mechanical advantage for precise positioning.
3Ease of operation
If complex guiding means are used in the main body, then plunger control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is designed as a disposable component that is replaced after each use. This allows complex guiding features to be integrated into the reusable main body while the disposable plunger remains simple, reducing overall device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into the main body structure, including guiding surfaces, locking mechanisms, and tactile feedback elements. This consolidation provides precise plunger control without requiring separate complex components, simplifying the overall device design.
Data Source
AI summary
An injector for inserting an intraocular lens into an eye, comprising a main body (10) and a plunger (50). A guide element (30) is connected to the distal end of the plunger to laterally guide the plunger during movement along a longitudinal axis (L). The distal end of the guide element has a structure for fastening a plunger needle to the guide element. A radial guide pin (40) is in aligned radial bores of the guide element and plunger and extends into a longitudinal slot (17) of the main body to prevent twisting and to secure the guide element to the plunger. A retaining element (24) interacts with a running surface on the perimeter of the plunger, the running surface having a variable radial distance from the longitudinal axis so as to cause an axial resistance force which depends on the axial position of the plunger.