Intraocular lens injector
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for implanting an intraocular lens into an eye are described. For example, an intraocular lens injector may include a plunger and an injector body that includes an insertion depth guard and a nozzle extending therefrom. The insertion depth guard is disposed at a distal end of the injector body to limit a distance that the nozzle penetrates the eye. The intraocular lens injector may also include a biasing element configured to generate a counterforce to distal movement of the plunger through the injector rod. An example intraocular lens injector may include a biasing element to produce a counterforce that opposes advancement of the plunger through the injector body. The counterforce provides for a more continuous advancement of the plunger while reducing or substantially eliminating abrupt changes in the rate at which the plunger is advanced through the injector body.
1. An intraocular lens injector comprising:
an injector body comprising:
a bore defined by an interior wall;
an insertion depth guard disposed at a distal end of the injector body, the insertion depth guard comprising a flanged surface;
a nozzle extending distally beyond the insertion depth guard;
a tab formed at a proximal end thereof of the injector body,
a groove extending through the tab; and
an aperture aligned with the groove;
a plunger slideable in the bore; and
a plunger stop comprising a protrusion, wherein the plunger stop is removably received in the groove such that the protrusion extends through the aperture and into a slot formed in the plunger, and
wherein the plunger comprises a cantilevered member, wherein the bore comprises a shoulder, and the aperture formed in the injector body aligns with the slot formed in the plunger when the cantilevered member engages the shoulder.
2. The intraocular lens injector of claim 1 , wherein the flanged surface is a curved surface.
3. The intraocular lens injector of claim 2 , wherein the curved surface is a spherical surface.
4. The intraocular lens injector of claim 1 , wherein the plunger comprises:
a body portion; and
a biasing element disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the body portion, the biasing element deformable upon engagement with the injector body to produce a force resistive to further advancement of the plunger through the bore.
5. The intraocular lens injector of claim 4 , wherein the biasing element comprises a channel, and wherein the body portion of the plunger extends through the channel.
6. The intraocular lens injector device of claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered member deflectively engages the interior wall of the bore as the plunger is advanced through the bore.
7. The intraocular lens injector of claim 1 further comprising an advancement stop removably coupled to the plunger, the advancement stop adapted to limit an amount by which the plunger is permitted to advance through the bore.