Cartridge for applying medicament to an eye from a dispenser

Abstract

A cartridge for actuating a piston-like or accordion-like dispenser-vial for applying medicament to an eye. The cartridge includes a housing for holding the dispenser-vial and a telescoping cylinder for compressing the dispenser-vial in the longitudinal direction to actuate the vial. The cartridge includes a locking mechanism for locking the telescoping cylinder to restrict its movement and a trigger mechanism for releasing the cylinder from the locked position so that a drop is released from the dispenser. The housing includes a finger for engaging the lower eyelid and exposing the conjunctival cul de sac.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThe invention relates to a cartridge for applying medicament to an eye from a vial-dispenser of the type which is actuated by compression of the vial between its nozzle and its bottom wall.2. Description of Related ArtThere are various dispensers which are known for applying medicament to an eye. A typical eye-drop container includes a flexible vial storage portion and a nozzle for dispensing drops of medicament into the eye by squeezing the vial between its side walls. Less common, but more precise, are accordion-like or piston-like dispensers which are actuated by squeezing the vial between a bottom wall and the nozzle so as to compress the vial in its longitudinal direction, rather than from its sides. It is these accordion-like or piston-like dispensers with which the cartridge of the present invention is particularly adapted for use. An example of a new and improved piston-like dispenser is the subject of my co-pending U.S. ap...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which can accurately d

Problems solved by technology

Most people encounter difficulty in applying drops to their eyes.

The eye is a very sensitive body part and individuals find it difficult to control reflexive blinking when applying drops thereto.

Also, eye drop users often have poor vision.

Poor vision makes it difficult to position the tip of the dropper bottle over the eye and frequently causes drops to be incorrectly applied to the nose or cheek.

Additionally, elderly people often have difficulty holding a dropper bottle steady or encounter difficulty in squeezing the bottle to apply a proper quantity of the medicament.

Even if the liquid medicament is properly applied to the eye, the medicament's effectiveness is limited.

However, because of the difficulty encountered in steadying the droppe

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