IOL Insertion Apparatus Spring-Dampened Advancement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional IOL insertion tools rely on manual operation, leading to inconsistent force application during IOL advancement, which can result in undesirable folding outcomes.

Innovation Solution

An automated IOL insertion apparatus with a handpiece body containing a folding chamber and an advancement system. The advancement system includes a spring-biased advancement carriage with a dampening system, and an elongated advancement plunger to ensure consistent and controlled advancement of the IOL through the folding chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual operation is used to advance the IOL through the folding chamber, then the operator can control the advancement process, but inconsistent force application leads to undesirable folding results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding qualityVSAvoidconsistency of force application

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The advancement carriage is designed to automatically advance the IOL through the folding chamber using a spring mechanism, eliminating the need for manual plunger operation. The system serves itself by using the carriage's inherent mechanical properties (spring bias) to provide consistent advancement force, thereby resolving the inconsistency problem while maintaining folding quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical plunger system is replaced with an automated advancement carriage system that uses spring mechanics to provide consistent force. This substitution eliminates human variability in force application while maintaining the mechanical advancement function, directly addressing the reliability issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If an automated spring-biased advancement carriage is used to advance the IOL, then consistent force application is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of force applicationVSAvoidadvancement system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The advancement carriage combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it houses the spring mechanism, provides the dampening function, and performs the IOL advancement action. By merging these functions into one carriage assembly, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining consistent force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The advancement carriage serves multiple purposes: it acts as a guide for the IOL, provides spring-biased advancement force, and incorporates dampening to control the advancement speed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving reliable consistent force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If a dampening system is added to control the advancement carriage motion, then the folding precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding precisionVSAvoiddampening system components

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dampening system is pre-integrated into the advancement carriage design, so the damping action occurs automatically as the carriage moves forward. This preliminary preparation of the damping mechanism eliminates the need for separate control steps or additional complexity during the actual folding process, achieving precision without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 automated system ensures consistent and predictable force application, resulting in a higher percentage of properly folded lenses compared to conventional manual methods, while being self-contained and not requiring external power.

Implementation Method 1

The advancement carriage may include a spring system biasing the advancement carriage in a distal direction toward the second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The advancement carriage may include a dampening system to dampen motion of the advancement carriage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS12201514B2Systems and methods for intra-ocular lens advancement

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 ALCON INC

AI summary

An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus includes a handpiece body having a distal tip and a proximal section. The IOL insertion apparatus also includes a folding chamber located within the handpiece body, the folding chamber shaped to fold an IOL advancing through the folding chamber. The IOL insertion apparatus also includes an advancement system. The advancement system includes an advancement carriage movable between a first position and a second position within the handpiece body. The advancement carriage includes a spring system biasing the advancement carriage in a distal direction toward the second position and a dampening system to dampen motion of the advancement carriage. The advancement system further includes an elongated advancement plunger that includes a distal end to advance the IOL through the folding chamber and a proximal end connected to the advancement carriage.