Patent Publication Number: US-11642219-B2

Title: Removable cap actuation for an intraocular lens cartridge

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/890,859, filed Aug. 23, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/048,333, filed Jul. 6, 2020. The entire contents of each of these applications are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to eye surgery and, more particularly, some embodiments may generally relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for removably attaching a drive mechanism handpiece to an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge that folds the IOL upon removal of a cap. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The human eye can suffer a number of maladies causing mild deterioration to complete loss of vision. While contact lenses and eyeglasses can compensate for some ailments, ophthalmic surgery may be required for others. Generally, ophthalmic surgery may be classified into posterior segment procedures, such as vitreoretinal surgery, and anterior segment procedures, such as cataract surgery. 
     For cataract surgery, a surgical procedure may require incisions and insertion of tools within an eye to replace the clouded lens with an IOL. An insertion tool can be used for delivery of the IOL into the eye. By way of example, the insertion tool may include a plunger for forcing the IOL out of the nozzle of the insertion tool. In some instances, the IOL may be preloaded in the insertion tool. In other instances, a separate compartment may be loaded into the insertion tool. The plunger may engage the IOL to advance the IOL from the compartment, through a nozzle, and into the eye. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge that manipulates the IOL upon removal of a cap. The IOL cartridge comprises a housing, a nozzle coupled to the housing, and an actuator coupled to the housing. The housing may include a compartment configured to receive an IOL, and the nozzle may be in fluid communication with the compartment. The actuator may be configured to slide along an exterior portion of the housing relative to the compartment from a first position to a second position to actuate a mechanism to manipulate the IOL for delivery. The IOL cartridge may further include a cap, which may at least partially cover the nozzle, the housing, and the actuator. The cap may be configured to advance the actuator from the first position to the second position and to expose the nozzle as the cap is removed from the IOL cartridge. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides an IOL cartridge that folds the IOL upon removal of a cap. The IOL cartridge comprises the cap, a nozzle and a housing comprising a slide. The slide comprises two sets of internal ramps. A compartment configured to receive an IOL is disposed within the housing. An interior portion of the slide is exposed to the compartment. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment. The cap covers the nozzle and the slide. The cap is configured to expose the nozzle and advance the slide to move the internal ramps to fold the IOL upon removal of the cap. The IOL cartridge may also include a plunger case that is in fluid communication with the compartment, wherein a plunger is movably disposed within the plunger case. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for delivery of an IOL into an eye. The method comprises attaching an IOL cartridge to a handpiece. The IOL cartridge comprises a cap, a nozzle, and a housing comprising a slide. The cap covers the nozzle and the slide. A compartment comprising an IOL is disposed within the housing. An interior portion of the slide is exposed to the compartment. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment. The IOL cartridge may also include a plunger case that is in fluid communication with the compartment, wherein a plunger is movably disposed within the plunger case. The method further includes removing the cap to expose the nozzle and advance the slide to fold the IOL. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These drawings illustrate certain aspects of some of the embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be used to limit or define the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a top perspective view of an insertion tool including an IOL cartridge with a removable cap, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates the insertion tool of  FIG.  1    without the cap shown, in order to illustrate components beneath the cap that are configured in an initial non-actuated position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a cutaway side view of the cap at least partially covering the IOL cartridge with a slide of the IOL cartridge in an initial non-advanced position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a bottom view of the slide of the IOL cartridge of  FIG.  3    in the initial non-advanced position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a cutaway top perspective view of the IOL cartridge without depicting the cap and the slide in order to show components beneath the slide that are in an initial non-actuated configuration, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a top view of the IOL cartridge of  FIG.  5   , in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a cutaway top view of the IOL cartridge with the cap disposed over the IOL cartridge, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a cutaway side perspective view of the IOL cartridge with the slide in the initial non-advanced position, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a cutaway top view of the IOL cartridge with the cap removed and the slide in an advanced position, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a cutaway side perspective view of the IOL cartridge with the cap removed and the slide in the advanced position, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a cutaway top view of the IOL cartridge with internal folding components in their actuated positions, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an IOL cartridge removably attached to a handpiece; and 
         FIGS.  13  and  14    illustrate implantation of an IOL in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure may be intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, instruments, methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In particular, it may be fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with reference to one or more implementations may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with reference to other implementations of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some instances the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an intraocular lens cartridge (“IOL cartridge”) that folds the IOL upon removal of a cap. The cap may initially cover a nozzle of the IOL cartridge to protect the nozzle from any damage during storage and/or shipping. Removing the cap exposes the nozzle and also actuates a folding mechanism of the IOL cartridge to fold the IOL for delivery into an eye. The IOL cartridge may be a preloaded cartridge that is preloaded with the IOL. The IOL cartridge may be part of a modular delivery system that includes a universal interface for removable attachment to various handpieces that include different types of drive mechanisms. 
     Particular embodiments of the present disclosure allow interchangeability between different handpieces such as disposable and reusable handpieces, and the IOL cartridge. The disposable handpieces may include manual drive mechanisms (e.g., manually actuated via pushing or screwing, and/or manually actuated via a fluid or a resilient member such as a spring) that are not electrically powered. The reusable handpieces may include the manual drive mechanisms as well as electrically powered drive mechanisms (e.g., stator windings). It should be noted that these types of handpieces are examples and that other types of handpieces or drive mechanisms may be utilized in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Particular embodiments of the present disclosure allow assembling of the handpiece to the IOL cartridge, delivering the IOL, and disengaging the handpiece from the used IOL cartridge, if needed. The universal interface allows the different types of handpieces to be easily paired to and utilized with the IOL cartridge for IOL implantation. A handpiece may be secured to the IOL cartridge by sliding an end of the handpiece over the plunger case of the IOL cartridge to form an insertion tool. Once the insertion tool is formed, the IOL may be delivered into an eye. After the IOL implantation, the IOL cartridge can be easily detached from the handpiece (e.g., a reusable handpiece) by pulling the handpiece from the IOL cartridge. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a top perspective view of an insertion tool  10  including an IOL cartridge  12 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. A removable cap (“cap”)  16  may cover the IOL cartridge  12 . The cap  16  may be removed (e.g., pulled or pushed in a direction indicated by a directional arrow  20 ) from the IOL cartridge  12  to expose a nozzle (not shown) of the IOL cartridge  12 . Additionally, removal of the cap  16  rotates internal components of the IOL cartridge  12  to manipulate an IOL, such as by folding and/or compressing the IOL (not shown) for delivery into an eye. 
     The insertion tool  10  may include a handpiece  26  removably attached to the IOL cartridge  12 . It should be noted that various handpieces may be used with different types of IOL cartridges. The handpiece  26  may include an electrically powered or a non-electrically powered drive mechanism that may include a push rod  34  extending along a length of the handpiece  26 . The push rod  34  may be movably disposed within the handpiece  26  and may be manually actuated via a rotatable knob  35 , which may cooperate with a fluid or a resilient member such as a spring  37  or another actuation mechanism. The push rod  34 , upon actuation, may advance a plunger (not shown) that may be movably disposed within the plunger case  28 . In general, for the purposes of discussing and describing the various components and features of the handpiece  26  and the IOL cartridge  12 , reference to a proximal end or direction may refer to a direction more towards an end of the handpiece  26  comprising the rotatable knob  35 , according to a directional arrow  23 . Likewise, reference to a distal end or direction may refer to a direction more towards an end of the IOL cartridge  12  comprising the cap  16 , according to the directional arrow  20 . 
     The IOL cartridge  12  may include a plunger case  28 . The plunger case  28  may be a rigid, hollow, and tubular member that may be inserted into the handpiece  26  and secured therein via a projection  30  that extends from the plunger case  28 . The projection  30  is mated (e.g., via rotation) to the handpiece  26  via a slot  32  of the handpiece  26 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates the insertion tool  10  of  FIG.  1    without the cap  16  shown in order to illustrate components beneath the cap  16  that are configured in an initial non-actuated position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The IOL cartridge  12  includes a nozzle  36  that is positioned at a distal end  38  of a housing  40  of the IOL cartridge  12 . The housing  40  may include a compartment  41  which may be in fluid communication with the nozzle  36 . The compartment  41  may contain an IOL  25 . The IOL  25  may be any suitable intraocular lens. The IOL  25  may include a lens portion  27  and haptic extensions  31 . The haptic extensions  31  may be side struts (or other suitable extensions) extending from the lens portions  27  that may stabilize the IOL  25  when it may be disposed within the patient&#39;s eye. It should be understood that the IOL  25  is merely exemplary and that techniques disclosed herein may be used with any suitable IOL. For example, a modular IOL (not shown) that includes a lens portion disposable in a base with haptic extensions can also be used. 
     The housing  40  may include a movable or slidable actuator, such as slide  42 , that is movably disposed within tracks  44  of the housing  40 . The tracks  44  may be integrated into lateral portions  46  of the housing  40 . The cap  16  (e.g., shown on  FIG.  1   ) may cover the housing  40  and the nozzle  36 . An interior portion (not shown) of the cap  16  may contact the slide  42  and move the slide  42  in a direction indicated by the directional arrow  20 , as the cap  16  is removed. For example, the slide  42  may be moved from an initial first position to a second position. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide  42  is in an initial non-advanced position, or first position. In this initial position, the cap  16  has not been removed and the IOL  25  is in an unfolded and uncompressed state. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a cutaway side view of the cap  16  at least partially covering the IOL cartridge  12  with the slide  42  in the initial non-advanced position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, an interior portion  48  (e.g., an interior top portion) of the cap  16  may include a latch  52  that extends (e.g., upward) into a notch  54  positioned on an underside of an extension  56  of the slide  42  to removably fasten the cap  16  to the slide  42 . As the cap  16  is pulled in a direction indicated by the directional arrow  20 , the cap  16  moves the slide  42  forward in the direction  24 . Moving the cap  16  causes the latch  52  of the cap  16  to disengage from the notch  54  of the slide  42  due to the latch  52  dropping, in elevation, along a tapered portion  58  of the nozzle  36 , thereby releasing the cap  16  from the IOL cartridge  12 . As previously noted, the cap  16  covers the nozzle  36  and the housing  40  (including the slide  42 ) of the IOL cartridge  12 . The plunger  29  may be movably disposed within the plunger case  28 . The plunger  29  may extend lengthwise within the plunger case  28 . It should be noted only a portion of the plunger  29  is shown. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a bottom view of the slide  42  of the IOL cartridge  12  of  FIG.  3    in the initial non-advanced position (i.e., the cap  16  is not removed from the IOL cartridge  12  and the IOL  25  is in an unfolded state), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion (e.g., a bottom portion  43  of the slide  42 ) of the slide  42  may completely circumferentially encompass the housing  40 . The bottom portion  43  may be configured to contact a slide stop  45  of the housing  40 . The slide stop  45  may extend outward from a bottom exterior portion  47  of the housing  40 . The slide stop  45  may prevent the slide  42  from sliding off or separating from the housing  40  of the IOL cartridge  12 , as the slide  42  moves forward upon removal of the cap  16 . 
       FIG.  5    is a cutaway top perspective view of the IOL cartridge  12  without depicting the cap  16  (e.g., shown on  FIG.  1   ) and the slide  42  (e.g., shown on  FIG.  2   ) in order to show components beneath the slide  42  that are in an initial non-actuated configuration, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the IOL cartridge  12  is coupled to the handpiece  26 . An interior portion  60  of the housing  40  of the IOL cartridge  12  may include the compartment  41 . The compartment  41  may include one or more mechanisms, which may include one or more sets of IOL manipulators, for engaging with the IOL  25  in order to fold, splay, straighten, or otherwise manipulate the IOL  25 . For example, a folding mechanism may include edge rollers  62  pivotably attached to the interior portion  60 . Pins (not shown) may extend laterally from the edge rollers  62  into the interior portion  60  of the housing  40 , thereby enabling rotation (e.g., in a vertical direction) of the edge rollers  62 . The interior portion  60  may also include compression arms  64  that are also pivotably disposed within the interior portion  60  via pins  66  which extend vertically through the compression arms  64  into the interior portion  60  to allow rotation (e.g., in a lateral direction) of the compression arms  44 . The compression arms  64  may include projections  68  that may extend upward to contact internal ramps (not shown) of the slide  42 . The IOL  25  may be disposed at a center of the interior portion  60 , within the compartment  41 , and between the compression arms  64  and the edge rollers  62 . The IOL  25  may be preloaded and held in place within grooves  65  of the edge rollers  62 . The edge rollers  62 , upon actuation (i.e., removal of the cap  16 ), rotate inward and downward (e.g., vertical rotation) to fold the IOL  25 . Simultaneously, upon actuation, the compression arms  64  laterally rotate inward to compress the haptic extensions  31 . Once compressed and folded, the IOL  25  is ready for delivery through the nozzle  36 . 
       FIG.  6    is a top view of the IOL cartridge  12  of  FIG.  5   , in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure. Pins  63  extend from the edge rollers  62  into the interior portion  60 , thereby enabling rotation of the edge rollers  62 , upon removal of the cap  16  (e.g., shown on  FIG.  1   ). Removal of the cap  16  causes rotation of the edge rollers  62  and the compression arms  64  thereby folding and compressing the IOL  25  for delivery through the nozzle  36 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a cutaway top view of the IOL cartridge  12  with the cap  16  disposed over the IOL cartridge  12 , in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure. The cap  16  provides protective coverage for the IOL cartridge  12  and maintains the IOL  25  (e.g., shown on  FIG.  5   ) in a non-folded state during storing and/or shipping of the IOL cartridge  12 . The slide  42  may include internal ramps  70  that are aligned with the projections  68  of the compression arms  64 . The internal ramps  70  may extend inward from lateral portions  72  of the slide  42 . The internal ramps  70  may be configured to guide the projections  68  along the internal ramps  70 , as the cap  16  is removed. The compression arms  64  may rotate inward (e.g., lateral rotation) as the cap  16  is removed and the projections  68  move along the internal ramps  70  thereby compressing the haptic extensions  31  (e.g., shown on  FIG.  5   ). 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a cutaway side perspective view of the IOL cartridge  12  with the slide  42  in the initial non-advanced position, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure. The cap  16  is not shown to illustrate the initial non-advanced position of the slide  42  before actuation of the edge rollers  62  and the compression arms  64 , as shown on  FIGS.  5  and  6   . Although not illustrated, an opposite side of the IOL cartridge  12  is configured similarly to the side that is depicted. The slide  42  may include an internal ramp  74  that is aligned with a lower portion  76  of the edge roller  62 . The internal ramp  74  may extend upward and may be configured to guide and receive the lower portion  76  of the edge roller  62 , as the cap  16  is removed. As the lower portion  76  is contacted by the internal ramp  74 , the edge roller  62  may rotate vertically to fold the IOL  25  (e.g., shown on  FIG.  5   ). As the cap  16  is removed, the internal ramps  74  of the slide  42  may advance to contact the lower portions  76  of the edge rollers  62 , which may cause the lower portions  76  of the edge rollers  62  to be lifted or raised. The raising or lifting of the lower portions  76  may cause the edge rollers  62  to rotate, resulting in other portions of the edge rollers  62  in contact with the IOL  25 , such as the grooves  65 , to push the IOL  25  downward, thereby folding the IOL  25 . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a cutaway top view of the IOL cartridge  12  with the cap  16  removed and the slide  42  in the advanced position, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure. With the removal of the cap  16  (e.g., shown on  FIG.  1   ), the internal ramps  70  of the slide  42  have been advanced and the projections  68  of the compression arms  64  have moved along the internal ramps  70  to flat portions  78  of the slide  42 . The flat portions  78  are adjacent to apexes  80  of the internal ramps  70 . In the illustrated configuration, the compression arms  64  are laterally rotated inward and the haptic extensions  31  (shown on  FIGS.  5  and  6   ) are compressed. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a cutaway side perspective view of the IOL cartridge  12  with the cap  16  removed and the slide  42  in the advanced position, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure. As previously noted, the opposite side of the slide  42  may be configured similarly to the side that is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide  42  is in the advanced position and the IOL  25  is in a folded state (not shown). The internal ramp  74  has been advanced and the lower portion  76  of the edge roller  62  has been vertically rotated and is positioned on a flat portion  82  that may be adjacent to an apex  84  of the internal ramp  74 . Upon advancement of the internal ramps  74  of the slide  42 , the lower portions  76  of the edge rollers  62  are vertically rotated and positioned on the flat portions  82 , and the IOL  25  is in a folded state. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates a cutaway top view of the IOL cartridge  12  with the edge rollers  62  and the compression arms  64  in their rotated positions, in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure. The cap  16  has been removed to advance the slide  42  (e.g., shown on  FIG.  10   ) thereby actuating the edge rollers  62  and the compression arms  64 . In the illustrated embodiment, the slide  42  is not shown to allow viewing of the edge rollers  62  and the compression arms  64  in their rotated (actuated) positions. The edge rollers  62  have rotated vertically to fold the IOL  25 , and the compression arms  64  have rotated laterally to compress the haptic extensions  31  (shown on  FIGS.  5  and  6   ) of the IOL  25 . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the insertion tool  10  in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger case  28  may be disposed within a housing  92  of the handpiece  26  and secured therein via the projection  30 . The plunger case  28  is in fluid communication with the compartment  41 . An interior portion  93  of the slide  42  is exposed to the compartment  41 . As previously noted, the plunger  29  may be movably disposed within the plunger case  28 . After the cap  16  is removed thereby advancing the slide  42  forward, the push rod  34  of the handpiece  26  may be actuated to advance the plunger  29  forward to deliver the IOL  25 , in the folded and compressed state, from the compartment  41  through a passage  94  and the nozzle  36 , and into a patient&#39;s eye. The passage  94  may extend from the compartment  41  and through the nozzle  36 . After delivery of the IOL  25 , the nozzle  36  may be removed from the patient&#39;s eye. Then, the handpiece  26  may be rotated to release the projection  30  of the IOL cartridge  12  from the slot  32  of the handpiece  26 . The handpiece  26  may then be pulled from the IOL cartridge  12  to disengage the IOL cartridge  12  from the handpiece  26 . The used IOL cartridge  12  may then be disposed. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 12   , an exemplary technique for assembling the IOL cartridge  12  to the handpiece  26  to form the insertion tool  10 , in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure is described as follows. 
     First, the plunger case  28  of the IOL cartridge  12  with the cap  16  disposed thereon, may be inserted into the handpiece  26  to secure the IOL cartridge  12  to the handpiece  26  thereby forming the insertion tool  10 , as shown on  FIG.  1   , for example. Then, the cap  16  may be removed to expose the nozzle  36 . As the cap  16  is removed, the IOL  25  is manipulated to be in a folded and compressed configuration, as shown on  FIG.  11   , for example. As previously mentioned, in additional or alternative embodiments, in addition to or instead of folding the IOL  25 , the cap  16 , slide  42 , and/or the housing  40  of the IOL cartridge  12  may be configured such that removal of the cap  16  causes one or more portions of the IOL  25 , such as the haptic extensions  31 , to be straightened or splayed. Upon actuation of the push rod  34 , the plunger  29  may advance forward to deliver the IOL  25  from the compartment  41  through the nozzle  36 . To disassemble the insertion tool  10  after delivery of the IOL  25 , the IOL cartridge  12  may be rotated and pulled out from the handpiece  26  thereby sliding the plunger case  28  out from the handpiece  26  to form a separate IOL cartridge  12  and a separate handpiece  26 . 
       FIGS.  13  and  14    illustrate an exemplary technique for implantation of the IOL  25  into an eye  96  of a patient in accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG.  13    illustrates an incision  100  may be made in the eye  96  by a surgeon. For example, the incision  100  may be made through the sclera of the eye  96 . The incision  100  may be a suitable width or length. Without limitation, the suitable width and/or length may be less than 3 millimeters, and in some instances may be less than 2 millimeters. After the incision  100  is made, the nozzle  36  of the insertion tool  10  may be inserted through the incision  100  into an interior portion of the eye  96 . The insertion tool  10  may be actuated to dispense the IOL  25  into a capsular bag  108  of the eye  96 , as shown on  FIG.  14   . 
     The IOL  25  may be delivered in a folded (or rolled configuration) and allowed to unfurl after ejection from the insertion tool  10 . Upon dispensation, the IOL  25  should unfurl and settle within the capsular bag  108  of the eye  96 , as shown on  FIG.  14   . The haptic extensions  31  may be manipulated, for example, to engage an equator of the capsular bag  108 . The haptic extensions  31  may engage the capsular bag  108  to secure the IOL  25  in the capsular bag  108 . 
     Use of the methods and systems described herein may provide numerous benefits and advantages over other IOL delivery systems. For example, folding or other manipulation of the IOL may be streamlined. The integrated functionality of the folding or other manipulation of the IOL  25  with the removal of the cap  16  of the IOL cartridge  12  may ensure that the IOL insertion tool  10  is used correctly and may guard against potential user errors. For example, in order to expose the nozzle  36  of the IOL cartridge, the cap  16  must first be removed, thus causing the IOL  25  to be folded and put into a proper configuration for delivery. This integrated functionality of the removable cap  16  may thus ensure that a proper sequence of steps for preparing, configuring, and delivering an IOL are followed, and therefore may guard against premature delivery or ejection of the IOL  25  prior to proper folding or other configuring. 
     Additionally, the interchangeable utilization between different drive mechanisms and the preloaded IOL cartridge offers a simplified and uniform process for pairing drive mechanisms to preloaded IOL cartridges. Thus, a variety of handpieces employing different types of drive mechanisms may be used with each of numerous different types of IOL cartridges, and therefore different types of IOLs. For example, a user may readily select between multiple types of drive mechanisms he or she wishes to use depending on the type of IOL and/or the type of IOL cartridge. Additionally, while one user may prefer to use a first type of drive mechanism handpiece for a given IOL cartridge, a different user may have the option of using a second type of drive mechanism handpiece for the same given type of IOL cartridge. Importantly, by allowing for a common, or standard interface for securing the handpieces to the IOL cartridges, the user experience of securing a handpiece to an IOL cartridge may be substantially the same, regardless of the type of drive mechanism or type of IOL cartridge, and thus IOL, being used, which may also increase ease-of-use for an operator as well as streamline IOL delivery procedures. 
     It is believed that the operation and construction of the present disclosure will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus and methods shown or described above have been characterized as being preferred, various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims.