Intraocular Lens Insertion Device Off-Axis Support Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraocular lens insertion devices face challenges in suitably folding and ejecting intraocular lenses due to issues with support part bending, leading to potential damage and unintended direction restoration, increasing surgical processes.

Innovation Solution

An intraocular lens insertion device with a plunger that extrudes a deformable lens along an extrusion axis, featuring an installation part where support parts are placed closer to the proximal end than the optical part, and an off-axis movement part that deforms and moves the support parts from a direction different from the extrusion axis to facilitate proper folding and insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the support part is bent and placed above the optical surface, then the intraocular lens can be inserted through a small incision, but the support part may be damaged or restore in unintended direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveincision sizeVSAvoidsupport part integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The off-axis movement part performs preliminary deformation of the support part before extrusion, positioning it closer to the proximal end than the optical part in advance. This preliminary action ensures the support part is properly configured before insertion, reducing the risk of damage or unintended restoration during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The off-axis movement part acts as an intermediary mechanism between the installer and the intraocular lens. It applies pressure from a direction different from the extrusion axis to deform and move the support part, providing controlled manipulation that prevents damage while achieving the desired configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the support part is pressed by the extrusion member while sandwiched between the optical part and extrusion member, then the entire intraocular lens can be extruded, but the support part may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextrusion efficiencyVSAvoidsupport part integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of pressing the support part only along the extrusion axis, the off-axis movement part applies force from a different direction (off-axis). This dimensional change in force application allows the support part to be properly deformed and positioned without the concentrated pressure that causes damage during conventional extrusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The off-axis movement part performs the deformation and positioning of the support part before the extrusion process begins. By completing this action in advance, the support part is already in the correct configuration when extrusion starts, eliminating the need for damaging pressure during the extrusion itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Length of moving object

If the support part is bent to fold the intraocular lens, then the lens can be inserted through small incision, but the surgical process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveincision sizeVSAvoidsurgical process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The off-axis movement part and the extrusion function are integrated into a single device system. The installation part holds the intraocular lens in a pre-deformed state with the support part positioned closer to the proximal end, combining the deformation and insertion functions into one streamlined process that reduces surgical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively folds and ejects intraocular lenses with reduced risk of damage and unintended direction restoration, simplifying the surgical process by ensuring proper alignment and deformation of support parts.

Implementation Method 1

an off-axis movement part that presses the support part of the intraocular lens installed in the installation part from a direction different from the extrusion axis to deform and move the support part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2974696B1Intraocular lens insertion device and intraocular lens insertion system
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 NIDEK CO LTD
  • EP2974696B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2974696B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2974696B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An intraocular lens insertion device (10) includes: a plunger (300) that extrudes a deformable intraocular lens (1) into an eye along an extrusion axis (A), the deformable intraocular lens (1) including an optical part (2) and one or a plurality of support parts (3) extending outward from a periphery of the optical part (2); an installation part (130) in which the intraocular lens (1) is installed in a state where at least one support part (3) is placed closer to a proximal end side than the optical part (2); and an off-axis movement part (177) that presses the support part (3) of the intraocular lens (1) installed in the installation part (130) from a direction different from the extrusion axis (A) to deform and move the support part (3). With such a configuration, the intraocular lens can be suitably folded and ejected.