Intraocular Lens Insertion Device with Pivotable Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraocular lens insertion devices face challenges in safely loading and folding lenses without damaging them, particularly when using small incisions, and often require complex manipulation steps that increase the risk of error and haptic pinching.
Innovation Solution
A device with articulated half-shells and a pivotable cover member that forms a closed chamber for the lens, allowing for visual confirmation of lens positioning and reducing the risk of jamming, with a design that enables folding and injection through small incisions without damaging the lens, and simplifies the manipulation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a cartridge without gripping grooves is used (US 4,681,102), then the structure is simpler, but the lens edges cannot be reliably gripped during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into two separate components: a gripping device with grooves for securing the lens, and a folding device for folding the lens. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function - the gripping device reliably holds the lens during folding, while the folding device efficiently performs the folding operation, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and reliable lens gripping.
2Ease of operation
If grooves are made shallower towards the nozzle (US 5,499,987), then the nozzle insertion is facilitated, but the lens edges cannot be reliably gripped when the cartridge is opened wide
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the gripping function from the folding function into distinct devices, the cartridge can maintain deep gripping grooves throughout its structure without compromising nozzle insertion. The gripping device with adequate groove depth reliably secures the lens during wide opening, while the folding device handles the nozzle insertion task, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable lens gripping and ease of nozzle insertion.
3Device complexity
If a single hinge cartridge is used, then the structure is simpler, but the lens folding is not optimal requiring a relatively large diameter injector tip
Solution Approach 1:
The folding operation is separated from the cartridge structure and performed by a dedicated folding device. This allows the cartridge to maintain a simple single-hinge design while the folding device provides the optimized multi-stage folding action that reduces the lens diameter to fit through small incisions with narrow injector tips, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and optimal lens folding.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple manipulation steps are required for lens loading and preparation, then the lens can be properly positioned, but the risk of error and haptic pinching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device and folding device are combined in a coordinated system where the gripping device automatically secures the lens and the folding device automatically performs the folding operation. This merging of functions into an integrated system reduces the need for multiple manual manipulation steps, thereby maintaining precise lens positioning while reducing the risk of human error and haptic pinching.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for receiving an intraocular lens (33), comprising a first and a second half-shell (13, 15) which are connected to each other in an articulated manner by a first joint (29) and which can be moved relative to each other from an open position into a closed position. The half-shells (13, 15) form an open chamber (46) in the open position and an enclosed chamber (39) in the closed position. According to the invention, a covering element (45) is pivotally arranged on the longitudinal side of the first of the two half-shells (13), said covering element covering the open chamber (46) in the open position and being positioned substantially outside of the enclosed chamber (39) in the closed position. According to the invention, a movable or pivotal stopper (59) can be provided which delimits the open chamber (46) in the ejection direction of the lens in the open position and is positioned substantially outside of the enclosed chamber (39) laterally to the ejection passage in the closed position. In a preferred embodiment, at least one stopper (59) is molded on the covering element (45). The invention further relates to a method for folding an intraocular lens (33) using said device.