Intraocular Lens Injector Seal Removal Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injectors for intraocular lenses risk damaging the lens during insertion due to contact with seals or storage fluid, particularly when the seal is pierced or the lens passes through the seal, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The injector arrangement features a first and second seal that are removed by holders abutting stops, allowing the lens to be safely inserted without direct contact with the seals, and includes a design where the insertion component and injector can be sterilized together for reduced contamination and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal is used to seal the insertion component, then the storage liquid and intraocular lens are protected, but the intraocular lens may be damaged when the seal is pierced or pressed by the piston
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: the insertion component with the seal, the holder that removes the seal, and the piston that pushes the lens. This segmentation ensures that the piston never contacts the seal, eliminating the risk of lens damage while maintaining sealing protection during storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is pre-attached to the insertion component and the holder is pre-configured to remove the seal before the piston operates. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the seal removal mechanism is in place before the lens is pushed, preventing any potential contact between the piston/seal and the lens.
2Ease of operation
If the seal is removed manually, then the seal can be taken off, but manual handling increases contamination risk and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The holder automatically removes the seal from the insertion component through a mechanical pushing action. The system is self-servicing in that the act of inserting the insertion component into the injector body automatically triggers the seal removal through the holder mechanism, eliminating the need for manual seal removal and reducing contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal removal function is merged with the insertion component insertion action. The holder is integrated into the injector body, and when the insertion component is pushed in, the holder automatically pushes the seal off the insertion component. This combines multiple functions (seal removal and component insertion) into a single automated action.
3Ease of manufacture
If the insertion component and injector are assembled before sterilization, then the assembly process is simplified, but contamination risk increases during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with modular components (injector body, insertion component, holder, seal) that can be assembled in a controlled environment and then sterilized as a complete unit. The segmentation allows for pre-assembly without compromising the ability to sterilize all components together, eliminating contamination risks while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 design minimizes the risk of lens damage during operation and simplifies the assembly process by allowing the seals to be removed without manual handling, ensuring the lens is not contacted during operation, and reducing contamination risks through sterilization of assembled components.
Implementation Method 1
An injector for inserting the intraocular lens into the capsular bag has a coating that makes it easier for the intraocular lens to slide in the injector
Implementation Method 2
a first seal (6) disposed on the outside of the insertion component (2) and sealing the interior of the insertion component (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an injector assembly comprising an insertion component (2) and an injector (1) that has: a first stop (14) and a receiving portion (3) which has a first wall (4) and a second wall (5) spaced apart from one another and which is designed to slidably receive the insertion component (2) between the first wall (4) and the second wall (5), the insertion component having a preserving liquid and an intraocular lens that is provided in the interior of the insertion component (2) and is surrounded by the preservation liquid; and a first seal (6) that is provided on the exterior of the insertion component (2) and that seals the interior of said insertion component (2), wherein the insertion component (2) has a first holder (12) which is fastened to the first seal (6) and projects outwards therefrom and which is designed to abut the first stop (14) when the insertion component (2) is introduced into the receiving portion (3), and to remove the first seal (6) when the insertion component (2) is introduced further into the receiving portion (3), thereby exposing the interior of the insertion component (2).