Magnetic Coupling Intraocular Lens Injector Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive units for injectors used in inserting intraocular lenses are difficult to sterilize effectively, leading to single-use disposal and potential damage to the lenses due to uneven movement.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic coupling system with an encapsulated drive unit, allowing for easy sterilization by elevated temperature and pressure, and a motor-driven mechanism that ensures a uniform translational movement of the piston and intraocular lens, reducing the risk of sticking and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional drive unit is used for the injector, then the intraocular lens can be moved through the cannula, but the drive unit cannot be adequately sterilized and must be disposed of after single use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical drive unit with a magnetic field-based drive system. The magnetic coupling transmits rotational motion from the first coupling half to the second coupling half through magnetic attraction/repulsion forces, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact and complex mechanical components that are difficult to sterilize. This substitution enables the drive unit to withstand autoclave sterilization processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary between the motor and the injector components. The motor drives the first coupling half, which generates a magnetic field that couples with the second coupling half, transmitting motion without physical contact between the two halves. This intermediary magnetic field transmission allows the drive unit components to be simplified and made sterilizable while maintaining functional integrity.
2Ease of operation
If manual pressing of the piston is used, then the injector can be operated, but the movement speed is inconsistent and may cause lens damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated motor-driven magnetic coupling system. The motor provides consistent rotational speed to the first coupling half, which translates through magnetic coupling to the second coupling half, ensuring uniform rotational movement of the piston. This eliminates the variability and inconsistency inherent in manual pressing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling system automatically maintains consistent speed and motion transmission without requiring manual intervention or skill. The motor self-regulates to provide uniform rotational speed, and the magnetic coupling inherently maintains consistent force transmission, making the system self-regulating and eliminating operator-dependent variability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the drive unit is designed for easy sterilization, then it can be reused, but the motor integration and magnetic coupling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is segmented into distinct functional components: the motor, the first coupling half, the magnetic coupling mechanism, and the second coupling half. Each component can be independently designed, manufactured, and sterilized. The magnetic coupling separates the motor from the injector components, allowing the motor to be protected during sterilization while the injector components can be sterilized separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that allows the motor to be physically separated from the sterilizable components. The motor remains in the protected first coupling half while the second coupling half can be sterilized independently. This intermediary magnetic transmission enables the complex function to be achieved through simpler, sterilizable components.
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 the reuse of the drive unit, reduces the likelihood of lens damage through uniform movement, and facilitates easy sterilization, making the system more efficient and cost-effective for cataract treatments.
Implementation Method 1
drive the second coupling half into a second rotational movement by means of a magnetic field of the magnetic coupling penetrating the annular housing section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an injector assembly (1), comprising: - an injector (3), which has a plunger and a cannula (14) and is designed to move an intraocular lens through the cannula (14) by means of a translational motion of the plunger; - a magnetic coupling (6); and - a drive unit (2), which has a first coupling half (7) of the magnetic coupling (6), a motor (5), which is designed to drive the first coupling half (7) into a first rotational motion, and a housing (4), within which the first coupling half (7) and the motor (5) are encapsulated and which has an annular housing portion (11), which delimits a channel (19) having a circular cross-section. The injector (3) has a second coupling half (8) of the magnetic coupling (6), and the injector (3) and the second coupling half (8) are arranged in the channel (19). The first coupling half (7) is arranged around the annular housing portion (11) and is thus designed to perform the first rotational motion around the annular housing portion (11) and thus to drive the second coupling half (8) into a second rotational motion by means of a magnetic field of the magnetic coupling (6), which magnetic field penetrates the annular housing portion (11). The injector (3) is designed to convert the second rotational motion into the translational motion of the plunger.