Magnetically Coupled Implant Delivery for Small-Incision Eye Surgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implant delivery systems for eye surgery, particularly intraocular lenses, face challenges in efficiently delivering implants through small incisions while maintaining control and reducing system complexity and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

A magnetically coupled power delivery system using a drive module with a magnetically coupled drive shaft and driver, sealed components, and a hydraulic mechanism to advance the implant through a nozzle, allowing for precise delivery of implants like intraocular lenses via a small incision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a powered drive module with magnetic coupling is used to advance the plunger, then the delivery system achieves automated control and precision, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical drive mechanisms with a magnetic coupling system. The driver component generates a magnetic field that magnetically couples to the driven component, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact and complex transmission mechanisms. This substitution achieves automated control while reducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field serves as an intermediary between the driver and driven components. Instead of direct mechanical coupling, the magnetic field transmits force and motion control, allowing for precise automated operation while simplifying the mechanical architecture through non-contact interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sealed components are used to allow sterilization and reusability, then environmental impact and sustainability improve, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring internal system states increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization capabilityVSAvoidinternal system state detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical coupling mechanisms with magnetic coupling, allowing components to be sealed together without mechanical penetrations. The magnetic field can penetrate non-magnetic sealing materials, enabling complete sealing for sterilization while maintaining operational capability through non-contact magnetic interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field acts as an intermediary that can penetrate sealing barriers. This allows the internal system states to be detected and controlled through the seals without requiring mechanical openings, thus maintaining both sealed reliability and detectability through magnetic field interaction across the seal interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If hydraulic pressure is used to advance the implant, then the delivery efficiency and control are improved, but the system complexity and potential harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidfluid leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent supplements or replaces hydraulic mechanisms with magnetic driving forces. The magnetic coupling system can generate sufficient force to advance the implant without requiring high-pressure fluid systems, thereby reducing the risk of fluid leakage while maintaining delivery efficiency and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field serves as an intermediary force transmission mechanism that eliminates the need for high-pressure hydraulic fluids. This substitution reduces harmful factors such as fluid leakage and contamination while maintaining the ability to efficiently and controllably advance the implant through the delivery system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system enables efficient, controlled delivery of intraocular lenses through small incisions, reduces system complexity, and facilitates sterilization and reusability, minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a drive shaft, which can be operated by a battery-powered motor to advance the plunger. Some embodiments of the drive shaft may be magnetically coupled to the motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

an apparatus for delivering an implant, such as an intraocular lens, using hydraulic pressure or fluid flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS12350145B2Magnetically coupled power delivery for surgical implants

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 ALCON INC

AI summary

A magnetically coupled drive module for delivering an implant to an eye. An implant may be stored, advanced, and delivered to an eye using a powered drive module. The drive module may be decoupled and sterilized for reuse.