Plunger Linkage Method For Ophthalmic Medical Device

1 . A method of injecting a substance into an eye comprising:

receiving an input;

in response to the input, advancing a mechanical linkage interface until a mating surface on an end of the mechanical linkage interface contacts a plunger interface on an end of the plunger;

further advancing the mechanical linkage interface, thereby advancing the plunger to expel a substance contained in a dispensing chamber; and

retracting the mechanical linkage interface without substantially retracting the plunger to prevent reflux of the substance.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

recognizing a connection between a disposable tip segment and a limited reuse assembly.

3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

activating a temperature control device to alter the temperature of a substance contained in a dispensing chamber.

4 . The method of claim 3 further comprising:

receiving an input from a thermal sensor; and

controlling the temperature control device based on the input from the thermal sensor.

5 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

reading dosage information; and

in response to the dosage information, advancing the mechanical linkage interface.

6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

preventing reuse of the disposable tip segment.

7 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

recognizing the removal of the disposable tip segment from the limited reuse assembly.

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein when the mechanical linkage interface is retracted, the plunger remains in substantially the same position.

9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

activating an actuator to advance the mechanical linkage interface.

10 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

indicating that the substance is ready to be delivered into an eye.

11 . A method of operating an ophthalmic injection system comprising:

recognizing a connection between a disposable tip segment and a limited reuse assembly;

activating a temperature control device to alter the temperature of a substance contained in a dispensing chamber;

reading dosage information;

in response to the dosage information, advancing a mechanical linkage interface to advance a plunger to expel the substance from the dispensing chamber;

retracting the mechanical linkage interface without substantially retracting the plunger to prevent reflux of the substance;

preventing reuse of the disposable tip segment; and

recognizing the removal of the disposable tip segment from the limited reuse assembly.

12 . The method of claim 11 further comprising:

receiving an input from a thermal sensor; and

controlling the temperature control device based on the input from the thermal sensor.

13 . The method of claim 11 wherein when the mechanical linkage interface is retracted, the plunger remains in substantially the same position.

14 . The method of claim 11 in which preventing reuse of the disposable tip segment further comprises blowing a fuse.

15 . The method of claim 11 further comprising:

activating an actuator to advance the mechanical linkage interface.

16 . The method of claim 11 further comprising:

indicating that the substance is ready to be delivered into an eye.

17 . The method of claim 11 wherein when the mechanical linkage interface is retracted, the plunger remains in substantially the same position.

18 . A method of injecting a drug into an eye comprising:

recognizing a connection between a disposable tip segment and a limited reuse assembly;

activating a temperature control device to alter the temperature of a drug contained in a dispensing chamber;

receiving an input from a thermal sensor;

controlling the temperature control device based on the input from the thermal sensor;

indicating that the drug is at the proper temperature and ready to be delivered into an eye;

advancing a mechanical linkage interface until a mating surface on an end of the mechanical linkage interface contacts a plunger interface on an end of the plunger;

further advancing the mechanical linkage interface to advance the plunger to expel a substance contained in a dispensing chamber;

retracting the mechanical linkage interface without substantially retracting the plunger to prevent reflux of the substance; and

recognizing the removal of the disposable tip segment from the limited reuse assembly.

19 . The method of claim 18 further comprising:

reading dosage information; and

advancing the mechanical linkage interface based on the dosage information.

20 . The method of claim 18 wherein when the mechanical linkage interface is retracted, the plunger remains in substantially the same position.