Telescoping Plunger for Intraocular Lens Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraocular lens (IOL) insertion tools require separate plungers for advancement and deployment, which can complicate surgical procedures and increase incision size, limiting efficiency and precision.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping plunger system with a first and second plunger portion that advance simultaneously during the initial stage and decouple for independent advancement of the deployment portion, allowing for both stages of IOL insertion with a single plunger, reducing the need for multiple tools and minimizing incision size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate plungers are used for advancement and deployment, then each plunger can be optimized for its specific function, but the device complexity increases and incision size must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate plungers (advancement plunger and deployment plunger) into a single integrated telescoping plunger system. The first plunger portion handles advancement through the folding chamber while the second plunger portion handles deployment, both within one unified structure that reduces overall device complexity and allows smaller incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single plunger is segmented into two functional portions: a first plunger portion for advancement and a second plunger portion for deployment. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a unified structure that reduces complexity compared to using two separate plungers.
2Ease of operation
If separate plungers are used for advancement and deployment, then each stage can be controlled independently, but surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping plunger allows dynamic configuration where the first and second plunger portions can move independently relative to each other. The second plunger portion can telescope beyond the first portion during deployment while both remain coupled during advancement, enabling flexible control of each stage without requiring separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The single telescoping plunger performs multiple functions: it advances the IOL through the folding chamber and subsequently deploys it through the incision. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for sequential use of separate plungers, reducing surgical time while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Device complexity
If a single plunger is used for both advancement and deployment, then device complexity is reduced, but the plunger must perform multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is segmented into distinct first and second plunger portions with specialized functions. The first portion is optimized for advancing the IOL through the folding chamber, while the second portion is optimized for deploying the IOL through the incision. This segmentation enables the single plunger to perform multiple functions effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping mechanism allows the plunger to dynamically adapt its configuration during the surgical procedure. The second plunger portion can telescope relative to the first portion to transition from advancement mode to deployment mode, providing the versatility needed to perform multiple functions with a single device.
4Area of stationary object
If a single plunger is used for both advancement and deployment, then incision size is minimized, but control precision during deployment may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the plunger into two portions with distinct functions, the design maintains precision for deployment control. The second plunger portion is specifically designed for deployment with appropriate geometric features and interaction with the IOL haptics, ensuring precise control even though it is part of a single integrated plunger system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus may include a hand piece body having a distal tip, an IOL folding chamber, and IOL a dwell position, and a telescoping plunger having a first plunger portion and a second plunger portion. The first plunger portion and second plunger portion may be arranged to simultaneously advance through a first portion of a displacement of the telescoping plunger, and one of the first and second plunger portions may be arranged to advance through a second portion of the displacement of the telescoping plunger.