Intraocular Lens Injector Gear Train for One-Handed Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional injectors for intraocular lenses either require two hands due to their screw thread design or lack control and precision, and often rely on internal driving forces like springs or motors, which are not cost-effective or simple to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A one-handed injector with a gear train mechanism that uses a toothed gear and gear rack to transmit force manually, allowing for precise control over the piston rod and lens ejection without internal driving forces, featuring a ratchet mechanism to prevent backward motion and enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a screw thread design is used for the injector, then control precision and force sensation are improved, but the device requires two hands for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a holding hand region and an actuating hand region. The separation of functions allows one hand to hold the injector body while the other hand operates the actuating element, resolving the contradiction between control precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A transmission mechanism acts as an intermediary between the actuating element and the piston rod. This mechanism translates the actuating motion into precise piston rod movement, enabling control precision without requiring two-handed operation of the same component.
2Ease of operation
If a syringe design is used for the injector, then one-handed operation is enabled, but control precision and force sensation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanism serves as an intermediary that provides mechanical advantage and control precision. It translates the actuating force into controlled piston rod movement, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining control precision through the mechanical transmission system.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism changes the parameters of force transmission by providing mechanical advantage. This allows the operator to apply smaller forces while achieving the same piston rod movement, improving control precision during one-handed operation.
3Extent of automation
If internal driving forces (springs or motors) are used, then automated lens ejection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses manual actuation by the operator instead of internal springs or motors. The operator directly controls the piston rod movement through the actuating element and transmission mechanism, eliminating the need for complex internal driving forces while maintaining automated lens ejection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal driving forces (springs or motors) are extracted from the device. Instead, the system relies on manual actuation transmitted through a simplified transmission mechanism, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the desired lens ejection function.
4Measurement precision
If manual actuation of screw thread is used, then control precision is improved, but force application becomes less strong due to force absorption by the thread
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanism acts as an intermediary that provides mechanical advantage. It translates the actuating force into amplified piston rod movement, enabling strong force application while maintaining control precision through the mechanical transmission system.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism changes the force transmission parameters by providing mechanical advantage. This allows the operator to apply stronger forces to the piston rod while maintaining control precision, overcoming the force absorption issue of screw thread designs.
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
Enables controlled, low-force ejection of intraocular lenses with one hand, reducing operator fatigue and maintaining precision during eye surgery, while being cost-effective and simple to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
The displacement mechanism comprises a gear train, by means of which the piston rod can be actuated for the purposes of ejecting a lens
Implementation Method 2
The gear train is a rack gearing, in particular including at least one gear rack and at least one first toothed gear
Implementation Method 3
featuring a ratchet mechanism to prevent backward motion and enhance stability
Data Source
AI summary
An injector for ejecting an intraocular lens into an eye, comprisesa longitudinal injector body, in which an injector piston rod can be guided in an axially displaceable manner,an injector nozzle at a front end of the injector body, in the direction of which the injector piston rod can be displaced,a displacement mechanism for pushing the injector piston rod forwards, andan actuating element for the manual actuation of the displacement mechanism.Thedisplacement mechanism includes a transmission mechanism, by means of which the actuating element and the injector piston rod can be placed in an articulated driving connection, andan operating region for the actuation of the actuating element is formed at a longitudinal side of the injector body.