Patent ID: 8246631

Claim:
An injector device for injecting an IOL comprising an optic into an eye, said injector device comprising: a) a device body having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal opening therebetween, said distal end comprising an open tip for delivering said IOL from said injector device into the eye; b) a plunger for sliding movement through first and second stages of advancement in said longitudinal opening, said second stage of advancement occurring within at least a portion of a narrowing section of said longitudinal opening, said plunger comprising: i) a rigid shaft having a proximal end and a distal tip; and ii) a compressible sleeve having proximal and distal ends, said sleeve placed on said shaft adjacent said distal tip thereof, said device body and said sleeve configured such that, during the first stage of advancement, said sleeve is in an uncompressed condition and arranged such that said distal tip extends forwardly of said sleeve and said distal tip is configured and arranged to directly contact and push said optic and during a second stage of advancement, said sleeve is in a compressed condition and arranged such that the distal end of the sleeve extends forwardly of the distal tip so as to be able to directly contact and push said optic.