Oscillating Injector Rod for Intraocular Lens Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) into the eye often require large incisions due to the rigidity of acrylic IOLs, which can cause trauma and prolong healing, and existing instruments may engage with the IOL excessively, leading to expulsion issues during insertion.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a handpiece with a load chamber and an injector rod that oscillates in discrete increments to gently urge the IOL into the eye, minimizing engagement and allowing the IOL to recover from deformation, thereby reducing the risk of expulsion and enabling smaller incisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a rigid acrylic IOL is inserted through a small incision, then the incision size is minimized reducing trauma and healing time, but the IOL cannot be inserted without excessive force or risk of expulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The injector rod transitions from a static pushing mechanism to a dynamic oscillating mechanism that moves back and forth longitudinally. This oscillation allows the rod to gently urge the IOL forward in discrete increments while permitting the IOL to recover from deformation, reducing the risk of engagement beyond a predetermined limit and enabling insertion through smaller incisions without excessive force
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism converts continuous rotational motion into periodic longitudinal oscillation of the injector rod. The rod oscillates forward and backward in a controlled manner, creating periodic action that allows the IOL to be inserted incrementally while preventing excessive engagement and reducing insertion force requirements
2Speed
If the injector rod engages the IOL by a large amount to push it through, then the insertion speed is increased, but the IOL may be violently expelled from the cartridge or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating mechanism applies partial action by moving the injector rod forward in discrete increments rather than continuous motion. The rod advances a small distance, allows the IOL to recover, then advances again. This partial action prevents excessive engagement that would cause violent expulsion while maintaining controlled insertion progress
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating motion provides beforehand cushioning by allowing the IOL to recover from deformation between forward pushes. The backward motion of the oscillation cycle creates a cushioning effect that prevents excessive stress accumulation and reduces the risk of the IOL being violently expelled from the cartridge
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 apparatus allows for incremental and controlled insertion of IOLs, reducing trauma and promoting faster healing by minimizing incision size and preventing excessive engagement with the IOL, thus enhancing the efficiency and safety of the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
the subsequent proximal increment allows the IOL to recover to a certain extent under its own resiliency
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methodology for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye. The apparatus includes a cartridge for holding an IOL and a handpiece with a body member for receiving the cartridge, an injector rod that is receivable by the body member, and a drive mechanism that longitudinally oscillates the injector rod in the body member when a rotational force is applied about a longitudinal axis in a single direction. In other words, a constant rotation in a single direction of the drive mechanism causes the injector rod to move distally and proximally in discrete increments, with the distal increments being larger than the proximal increments. Accordingly, the injector rod urges an IOL out of the handpiece in a two-steps-forward, one-step-back manner, thereby minimizing or eliminating the chance of the injector rod engaging with the IOL.