Patent ID: 12245932

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As shown inFIGS.1,3, and4, a cartridge2has a first opening7, a second opening8, a channel6, which extends from the first opening7to the second opening8and has a taper9, an intraocular lens11and a cartridge plunger10. The intraocular lens11is arranged in the channel6between the first opening7and the second opening8. The cartridge plunger10is arranged in the channel6between the intraocular lens11and the second opening8and is set up to first preload the intraocular lens11by displacing the cartridge plunger10toward the first opening7, then to fold the intraocular lens11by displacing it in the taper9and then to push the lens out of the channel6via the first opening7. The channel6is closed along its entire circumference or at least partially open on at least one side of the circumference. The cartridge2is set up to be coupled to a syringe3, so that a fluid30can be forced into the channel6via the second opening8with the syringe3and the cartridge plunger10can thereby be propelled in a direction of insertion22toward the first opening7. The channel6is thus set up to allow the fluid30to pass from the syringe3to the cartridge plunger10, so that the cartridge plunger10can be propelled in the direction of the first opening7as the channel6is increasingly filled with the fluid30. The cartridge plunger10has a first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51, a second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52and a fluid line50, which extends from the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51to the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52and with which the fluid30can be forced from the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52to the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51and then to the intraocular lens11, compareFIGS.1,3,5, and7. The cartridge plunger10is thus set up to allow the fluid30to pass from the side of the cartridge plunger10facing away from the intraocular lens11to the side of the cartridge plunger10facing the intraocular lens11. On the side of the cartridge plunger10facing the intraocular lens11, the fluid30wets the intraocular lens11and thereby reduces its friction.

As can be seen fromFIGS.1,3to5, and7to17, the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51, projected in the direction of insertion22, can have a larger cross section than the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52, projected in the direction of insertion22. The beginning and the end of the fluid line50belong to the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52and to the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51. If the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51has elevations and/or depressions, as shown for example inFIG.13, then the entire surface of the cartridge plunger10facing the intraocular lens11belongs to the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51. If the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52has elevations and/or depressions, as is shown for example inFIGS.7to16, the elevations and depressions belong to the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52.

It is conceivable that the cartridge plunger10seals the channel6in the region of the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51, such that no fluid30can pass the cartridge plunger10on its outer circumference. This achieves the effect that the intraocular lens11, in particular a haptic element27of the intraocular lens11, cannot be clamped between the cartridge plunger10and a wall of the channel6. In addition, the fluid30only reaches the intraocular lens11via the fluid line50.

FIGS.1,3, and17show that the channel6has a first channel portion6a, in which the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52is arranged before the fluid30is forced into the channel6, and which has a first cross section, the normal of which is parallel to the direction of insertion22and essentially corresponds to the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52projected in the direction of insertion22, and may have a second channel portion6b, which is arranged between the first channel portion6aand the first opening7and has a second cross section, the normal of which is arranged parallel to the direction of insertion22and which is larger than the first cross section, wherein the distance from the first opening7to the first channel portion6ais longer than the extent of the cartridge plunger10in the direction of insertion22. For example, a transition from the first channel portion6ato the second channel portion6bmay be realized with a step6c. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the transition is accomplished with a diffuser.

FIGS.7to16show that the cartridge plunger10may have a first portion54, which has the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51and is flexible, a second portion55, which has the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52, and a third portion56, which is arranged between the first portion54and the second portion55and has a recess58a, which is set up to receive parts of the first portion54when the cartridge plunger10enters the taper9. In addition, the third portion56may have a further recess58b, which is set up to receive other parts of the first portion54when the cartridge plunger10enters the taper9. The cartridge plunger10thus has essentially the form of a T before it enters the taper9and essentially the form of a pin when the cartridge plunger10is displaced up to the first opening7. The pin may have for example a rectangular, circular, or oval cross section. The cartridge plunger10, in particular the first portion54of the cartridge plunger10, may include or consist of silicone.

FIGS.4,5, and7show that, before the cartridge plunger10enters the taper, the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51and the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52may have a rectangular form. It is also conceivable that, before the cartridge plunger10enters the taper, the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51and the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52have a circular or oval form.

The first portion54may have a groove60a,60b,60d,60eon its side facing away from the intraocular lens11, compareFIGS.9to14. The groove60amay for example be arranged at a radially inner end of the side of the first portion54facing away from the intraocular lens11, compareFIG.9. It is also conceivable that the cartridge plunger10has two of the grooves60a, which are arranged opposite with respect to the third portion56.

It is also conceivable that several of the grooves60b,60d, and60eare provided, which are arranged at different distances from the third portion56, compareFIGS.10to12.FIGS.10to12also show that the grooves60b,60d, and60emay have a different form. The grooves60b,60dmay be at least partially angular in cross section. The grooves60d,60emay be at least partially round in cross section. It is also conceivable that the grooves60ein the cartridge plunger may be configured as alternately round and angular in cross section.

FIGS.10and13show that the cartridge plunger10may have one or more front-side grooves61on its side facing the intraocular lens11. As a result, a contact area of the intraocular lens11on the cartridge plunger10is reduced, whereby the intraocular lens11is less likely to stick to the cartridge plunger10. The front-side grooves61amay for example be angular in cross section, compareFIG.10. It is also conceivable that the front-side grooves61bare round in cross section, compareFIG.13.

The fluid line50may also have a fork57, such that the fluid line50has two partial fluid lines50a,50bdownstream of the fork57. As a result, the fluid30can exit at two different openings at the first cartridge-plunger longitudinal end51and can thus be distributed more evenly in the channel6downstream of the cartridge plunger10. It is also conceivable that the fluid line50has several of the forks. As a result, the channel6has at least three partial fluid lines.

The cartridge2may have a first cover, which seals the first opening7. This can avoid contamination of the intraocular lens11while the cartridge2is being stored. In the event that the intraocular lens11is a hydrophilic intraocular lens to be stored in a storage liquid, escape of the storage liquid from the channel6can be avoided by the first cover and the cartridge plunger10. In addition, the cartridge2may have a second cover, which seals the second opening8. In order to couple the cartridge2to the syringe3, the second cover must first be removed.

FIG.1shows that the intraocular lens11may have an optical body26, which is arranged completely between the taper9and the cartridge plunger10. In addition, the intraocular lens11may have a haptic element27, which is attached to the optical body26. It is conceivable that both the optical body26and the haptic element27are in a relaxed state.

As can be seen fromFIGS.1and3, the cartridge2may have a tip12, in which the first opening7is arranged and which is set up to be inserted into the capsular bag of an eye. The tip12may be formed as tapering in the direction of the first opening7. In addition,FIGS.1and3show that the channel6may be straight, which means that the channel6has no curve and/or no deflection. According to a further exemplary embodiment, however, the channel6may have a deflection.

In addition,FIGS.1and3show that the cartridge2may have a cartridge adapter4, which is set up to be in engagement with a syringe adapter5of the syringe3in order to couple the cartridge2to the syringe3. The cartridge adapter4may be for example a male adapter of a Luer connection23, as shown inFIGS.1and3. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the cartridge adapter4is a female adapter of a Luer connection23or part of a clamping closure, a snap-in closure, a bayonet closure or a screw closure.

FIG.3shows an injector1, which has the cartridge2and the syringe3, wherein the cartridge2is coupled to the syringe3. The syringe3contains the fluid30and the injector1is set up to displace the cartridge plunger10in the direction of insertion22toward the first opening7by forcing the fluid30into the channel6via the second opening8with the syringe3.

FromFIGS.6to16it can be seen that the cartridge plunger10may have at its end facing the syringe3a cartridge-plunger recess53, which is set up to receive the longitudinal end of the cannula19facing the cartridge plunger10when the cartridge2is coupled to the syringe3. The cartridge-plunger recess53may be formed by a widening of the fluid line50, wherein the widening is arranged in the region of the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52.

FIGS.2,3, and17show that the syringe3may have a cannula19, through which the fluid30can be forced out of the syringe3. The cannula19may be of such a length that it protrudes into the channel6. In addition, the cannula19may be formed as rigid. The syringe3may have a cylinder14and a syringe plunger15, which is mounted in the cylinder4in a longitudinally displaceable manner, wherein the cylinder14and the syringe plunger15delimit a cylinder interior18, in which the fluid30is arranged and which is connected to the cannula19in a fluid-conducting manner.

InFIG.17, the injector1is shown at five different points in time before and after its assembly and in its operation, the time progressing from left to right. At the first point in time, the cartridge2and the syringe3are separated from one another. At the second point in time, the beginning of a coupling of the cartridge2to the syringe3is shown, with the cartridge adapter4and the syringe adapter5touching. At the third point in time, the cartridge2and the syringe are even closer together and completely coupled to one another. This can be performed for example by screwing the cartridge adapter4to the syringe adapter5. The cannula19can be of such a length that, when the cartridge2is coupled to the syringe3, as shown at the third point in time, the cannula19displaces the cartridge plunger10so far in the direction of the first opening7that the intraocular lens11is preloaded. It is conceivable that the intraocular lens11is also folded thereby. By preloading and optionally folding the intraocular lens11, a force of resistance R1is generated between the haptic element27of the intraocular lens11and the wall of the channel6in the region of the taper9and sealing of the channel6is brought about by the intraocular lens11. If the syringe plunger15in the injector1is displaced from a first position, cf.FIG.2and the third point in time inFIG.17, along the direction of insertion22to a second position, cf.FIG.3and the fourth point in time inFIG.17, the cylinder interior18is reduced and the fluid30is forced from the cylinder interior18into the cannula19. The fluid30then flows out of the cannula19and enters the channel6in a region between the cartridge plunger10and the second opening8. From there, the fluid30reaches the intraocular lens11via the fluid line50. The friction of the fluid30in the fluid line50generates a force of resistance R2.

Depending on the force of resistance R2, by fluid friction in the fluid line50and a force of resistance R3in the form of friction between the cartridge plunger10and the wall of the channel6, there is an acceleration of the cartridge plunger10. During this phase, the force of resistance R1is larger than the force F effectively acting on the cartridge plunger10due to the fluid pressure. R1>>F. The acting force is initially only sufficient to preload the intraocular lens11. At the same time, the cartridge plunger10is displaced in the direction of the first opening7due to a force F exerted by the fluid30on the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52. Due to the friction of the cartridge plunger10on the wall of the channel6, the force of resistance R3is generated. In this phase (R2>R3)<R1. By suction and the resulting displacement of the cartridge plunger10as a result of the fluid friction R2, the contact surface area of the fluid30on the side of the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52increases. By further pressing of the syringe plunger15, the fluid pressure in the channel6additionally increases, resulting in an additional increase in the force acting on the cartridge plunger10, such that the cartridge plunger10is displaced in the direction of the first opening and the intraocular lens11is folded thereby.

At the fourth point in time, the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52is arranged in the first channel portion6aand the fluid30also acts on the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52. At the fifth point in time, the second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52is arranged in the second channel portion6band the fluid30additionally acts on the side of the first portion54facing away from the intraocular lens11. Assuming that the pressure of the fluid30is the same at the fourth point in time and the fifth point in time, the force F is stronger at the fifth point in time than at the fourth point in time, so that: F>R1. It is consequently then possible to push the intraocular lens11out of the first opening7.

As can be seen fromFIG.3, the cartridge2may have a cartridge adapter4and the syringe3may have a syringe adapter5, through which the cannula19extends, wherein the cartridge adapter4and the syringe adapter5are in engagement with one another, whereby the cartridge2is coupled to the syringe3and the injector1is sealed in the region of the cartridge adapter4and the syringe adapter5. In order to bring the cartridge adapter4into engagement with the syringe adapter5, this can be performed with a movement of the cartridge2relative to the syringe3in a direction opposite to the direction of flow that the fluid30in the cannula19assumes when it is forced out of the syringe3, or against the direction of insertion22. The cartridge adapter4and the syringe adapter5may be set up to be in positive engagement with one another when the cartridge2is coupled to the syringe3.FIG.3shows that the cartridge adapter4and the syringe adapter5may form a Luer connection23. In the case of the Luer connection23, the injector1is sealed at those surfaces of the cartridge adapter4and the syringe adapter5where the cartridge adapter4and the syringe adapter5touch. With the Luer connection23it is conceivable that the cartridge adapter4is the male adapter and the syringe adapter5is the female adapter, as is also shown inFIG.3. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the cartridge adapter4is the female adapter and the syringe adapter5is the male adapter. As an alternative to the Luer connection23, the cartridge adapter4and the syringe adapter5may form a clamping closure, a snap-in closure, a bayonet closure or a screw closure.

The injector1may have an adapter interior21, which is directly adjacent to the second opening8and is delimited by the cartridge adapter4. In addition, the syringe3may have a tube20, which has a first longitudinal end24and a second longitudinal end25. The first longitudinal end24is attached to the cylinder14and the syringe adapter5is attached to the second longitudinal end25. It is conceivable that the cannula19extends through the tube21. As a result, the cannula19can be attached particularly firmly to the cylinder14.

FIGS.1and3show that the cartridge2may have a cartridge wing13, which protrudes outward from the remaining cartridge2. As a result, the cartridge2can be gripped easily and thus easily coupled to the syringe3by hand.FIGS.2and3show that the cylinder14may have at its end facing away from the cannula19a handle16, which protrudes outward from the remaining cylinder14. In addition, the syringe plunger15may have at its end facing away from the cannula19a thickening17, which protrudes outward from the remaining syringe plunger15.

The fluid may include a lubricant and/or a physiological saline solution or consist of the lubricant and/or the physiological saline solution. The lubricant may be an ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD). The ophthalmic viscoelastic device has a comparatively high viscosity and is therefore particularly suitable for propelling the cartridge plunger10.

It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1Injector2Cartridge3Syringe4Cartridge adapter5Syringe adapter6Channel6aFirst channel portion6bSecond channel portion6cStep7First opening8Second opening9Taper10Cartridge plunger11Intraocular lens12Tip13Cartridge wing14Cylinder15Syringe plunger16Handle17Thickening18Cylinder interior19Cannula20Tube21Adapter interior22Direction of insertion23Luer connection24First longitudinal end25Second longitudinal end26Optical body27Haptic element30Fluid50Fluid line50aPartial fluid line50bPartial fluid line51First cartridge-plunger longitudinal end52Second cartridge-plunger longitudinal end53Cartridge-plunger recess54First portion55Second portion56Third portion57Fork58aRecess58bFurther recess60a,60b,60d,60eGroove61Front-side groove62Transverse-side groove