Intraocular Lens Injector With Segmented Folding And Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injector systems for intraocular lenses face challenges in precise loading and folding of lenses, leading to potential rotation and contamination issues, as well as the risk of lens damage during insertion, due to the reliance on a single component for locking and folding.
Innovation Solution
The development of an injector system with separate components for locking and folding, featuring a magazine with a holder for precise lens placement, a folding body for section-wise folding, and a slide for axial displacement to ensure reproducible insertion and unfolding, while maintaining sterility and minimizing manual handling risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single component is used for both locking and folding the lens, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and precision of lens placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The injector is divided into separate functional components: a holder component for securing the lens in a fixed position, and a folding component for collapsing the lens. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability and precision while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary element between the lens and the folding mechanism. It provides a stable reference position and precise alignment, ensuring that the lens is correctly positioned before folding occurs, thereby improving placement precision without requiring a more complex integrated design.
2Ease of operation
If manual loading of the lens into the injector is performed, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of contamination and rotation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to receive the lens in a pre-defined, sterile configuration before insertion into the eye. The lens is secured in the holder in a controlled manner that prevents rotation and contamination, allowing the surgeon to simply attach the pre-prepared assembly without manual handling risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder serves as a sterile intermediary barrier between the external environment and the lens. It maintains sterility during loading and transport, and provides a controlled interface for lens insertion, thereby reducing contamination and rotation risks while keeping the operation simple.
3Length of moving object
If the lens is folded around a folding rib, then the lens can be inserted through a small incision, but the risk of lens damage during folding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding process is segmented into controlled stages: first the lens is secured in the holder, then folded around the folding rib in a controlled manner, and finally locked in place. This segmentation allows for gentle, controlled folding that minimizes stress on the lens while achieving the necessary compact size for small incision insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder provides a cushioning, protective interface between the folding rib and the lens. It distributes the folding forces evenly and prevents direct contact that could cause damage, thereby protecting lens integrity while enabling successful folding for small incision implantation.
Data Source
Figure 1.a
Figure 1.b
Figure 1.c
AI summary
The present invention relates to an injector system (100) for implanting an intraocular lens (90) into an eye, and to a magazine (40) for the injector system. The present invention proposes an injector system which serves for implanting a lens into an eye and which comprises the following component parts: an injector body (10) with a front end (10a) and a rear end (10b); a needle arranged on the front end of the injector body and providing a transport channel (31) for a lens that is to be implanted, wherein a lens can be delivered to the transport channel via a preferably lateral admission opening (32); a magazine with a receiving area (44) for at least one lens, which can be secured in the receiving area by means of a retainer (60), wherein the magazine is arranged such that a lens can be delivered to the transport channel via the preferably lateral admission opening; a folding body (51) which can be inserted into the magazine and into the admission opening in order to push the lens into the transport channel in such a way that the lens is foldable at least in part around the folding body; and a slide (20) which is movably arranged, preferably axially, in the injector body and can be pushed into the transport channel via the front end of the injector body in such a way that the lens can be pushed out of the transport channel. The injector according to the invention is particularly suitable for all soft, foldable intraocular lenses. It is easily adaptable to different lens types and can be used as a pre-loaded disposable injector.