Intraocular lens delivery system with a disposable plunger segment and method of use therefor

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an intraocular lens delivery system with a multi-segment plunger. More particularly, the present invention relates to an intraocular lens delivery device that includes a disposable plunger tip segment that can be attached and removed from a reusable plunger base segment.

1 . A disposable plunger tip segment for an intraocular lens delivery system, the disposable segment comprising:
 an elongated body having a proximate end and a distal end;   a fastening mechanism, which is a projection, a cavity or both, at the proximate end of the elongated body; and   a pushing surface at the distal end of the elongated body;   wherein:   i. the elongated body and fastening projection or cavity are integrally molded of single polymeric material;   ii. the fastening mechanism is configured to releasably, but securely and rigidly, attach the disposable segment to a reusable plunger segment of the intraocular lens delivery system; and   iii. the single polymeric material has a flexural modulus of at least 3500 MPa.   
     
     
         2 . A disposable segment as in  claim 1  wherein the fastening mechanism is a cavity that lockably receives a projection extending from the reusable segment. 
     
     
         3 . A disposable segment as in  claim 2  wherein the pushing surface is provided by a soft push tip that is overmolded onto the elongated body at the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A disposable segment as in  claim 3  wherein the soft push tip is formed of a material having an elongation at break of at least 200%. 
     
     
         5 . A disposable segment as in  claim 1  wherein the single polymeric material is a thermoplastic material and has a flexural modulus of at least 30,000 MPa. 
     
     
         6 . A disposable segment as in  claim 1  wherein the disposable segment forms a kit in conjunction with a disposable tool that is used to attach and detach the disposable segment from the reusable segment and/or a cartridge that is attachable and detachable from the handpiece. 
     
     
         7 . An intraocular delivery system, the system comprising:
 an elongated housing having a length;   a plunger having a disposable tip segment and a reusable base segment wherein:   i. the reusable segment of the plunger is disposed within the housing and movable along the length of the housing;   ii. the reusable segment includes a fastening mechanism at a distal end thereof;   iii. the fastening mechanism of the reusable segment is a projection or a cavity;   iv. the disposable segment includes an elongated body, a fastening mechanism at a proximate end of the elongated body and a pushing surface at a distal end of the elongated body;   v. the fastening mechanism of the disposable segment is a projection or cavity;   vi. the projection or cavity of the fastening mechanism of the reusable segment mates with the projection or cavity of the disposable segment of the fastening mechanism of the disposable segment to releasably, but securely and rigidly, fasten the disposable segment to the reusable segment;   vii. the elongated body and fastening projection or cavity of the disposable segment are integrally molded of a single polymeric material; and   viii. the single polymeric material has a flexural modulus of at least 3500 MPa.   
     
     
         8 . A system as in  claim 7  further comprising a cartridge fastened to the housing wherein the cartridge includes an opening at a distal end of the cartridge and the opening has a maximum internal diameter that is less than 4 millimeters. 
     
     
         9 . A system as in  claim 7  wherein the fastening mechanism is a cavity that lockably receives a projection extending from the reusable segment. 
     
     
         10 . A system as in  claim 7  wherein the pushing surface is provided by a soft push tip that is overmolded onto the elongated body at the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A system as in  claim 10  wherein the soft push tip is formed of a material having an elongation at break of at least 200%. 
     
     
         12 . A system as in  claim 7  wherein the single polymeric material is a thermoplastic material and has a flexural modulus of at least 30,000 MPa. 
     
     
         13 . A system as in  claim 7  wherein the disposable segment forms a kit in conjunction with a disposable tool that is used to attach and detach the disposable segment from the reusable segment and/or a cartridge that is attachable and detachable from the handpiece. 
     
     
         14 . A method of using the system of  claim 7 , the method including:
 advancing the plunger to move an intraocular lens into any eye of a mammal;   releasing the disposable segment from the reusable segment after location of the intraocular lens within the eye of the mammal;   disposing of the disposable segment.   
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 14  wherein the disposable segment is an original segment and further comprising:
 attaching second disposable segment to the reusable segment.   
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 15  wherein second disposable segment is sized and/or shape to correspond to a different cartridge than the original disposable segment.