Nozzle for an ophthalmic fluid delivery device

Abstract

The nozzle for a fluid delivery device includes a nozzle wall having opposing inner and outer nozzle surfaces and at least one opening configured to selectively deliver fluid to a target site of a user during use of the fluid delivery device. The at least one opening is defined by the inner opening surface and extends through the nozzle wall from the inner nozzle surface to the outer nozzle surface. The outer nozzle surface is configured to be directed toward the user's eye during use of the fluid delivery device. The outer nozzle surface is configured to be at least hydrophobic. At least a portion of the inner opening surface is configured to be hydrophilic.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 400,832, filed August 25, 2022, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to nozzles for ophthalmic fluid delivery devices. [Background technology]

[0003] Non-gravitational fluid delivery devices are known for the non-gravitational delivery of fluids (e.g., ophthalmic medications and / or viscous ophthalmic medications) to a portion of a user (e.g., the user's eye, nose, and / or mouth). For ophthalmic and other applications, such fluids are typically based on aqueous formulations (i.e., those that are primarily water but are isotonic with other bodily fluids, such as tears). U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 931,482 (the "'482 Application"), filed May 13, 2020, by Stowe and entitled "Non-Gravitational Fluid Delivery Device For Ophthalmic Applications," the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a non-gravitational fluid delivery device. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary fluid delivery device 100 from the '482 Application. The fluid delivery device 100 includes an applicator 102 and a cartridge 104 removably positioned within the applicator 102.

[0004] 2 shows an exemplary cartridge 104 from the '482 application. Cartridge 104 includes a housing 206 and a head 208 attached to housing 206. Head 208 may optionally include a protective head cover 210. As shown in FIG. 3, housing 206 forms a chamber 312 that is a fluid reservoir or in which a fluid is contained.

[0005] Head 208 is coupled to housing 206 for dispensing fluid from chamber 312. Generally, head 208 is in at least temporary fluid communication with chamber 312 and defines a nozzle 314 and an air inlet port 316. Head 208 also includes a cap 318 and a wall 320 that are at least partially movable relative to nozzle 314. Cap 318 remains in a closed position except when fluid is about to be or is being dispensed from nozzle 314, at which time cap 318 transitions to an open position.

[0006] Head 208 is in fluid communication with chamber 312 and forms a retention chamber 322 positioned between nozzle 314 and wall 320. Wall 320 is a membrane or elastomeric wall that is sufficiently "squeezable" or flexible to deform in response to a striking force applied to wall 320. When a force is applied to wall 320, wall 320 deforms toward nozzle 314, thereby reducing the volume of retention chamber 322 and forcing fluid out of nozzle 314. The movement of wall 320 back to its natural state after being struck fills retention chamber 322 with fluid from chamber 312, preparing it for another dispense of fluid.

[0007] As shown in Figure 4, the nozzle 314 may include two slit openings 424, 426 through which fluid is dispensed from the holding chamber 322. The openings 424, 426 extend through a nozzle wall 428 of the nozzle 314 from an inner nozzle surface 430 of the nozzle wall 428 to an outer nozzle surface 432 of the nozzle wall 428. The nozzle-opening configuration shown in Figure 4 is only one example of the nozzle-opening configurations shown and described in the '482 Application. For example, the '482 Application discusses that the nozzle 314 may have an array of openings, two slit openings 424, 426, or a single opening, and also describes or illustrates a variety of different shapes and sizes of the opening(s).

[0008] 4 , when the cap 318 is in the closed position, it can abut a head engagement surface 434 of the head 208 that at least partially surrounds the nozzle 314. During such engagement, the cap 318 is spaced from the nozzle 314 to form a moisture chamber 436 between the outer nozzle surface 432 and the cap 318. Spaced apart from the nozzle 314 in the closed position helps reduce the likelihood of contamination of the nozzle 314 by the cap 318, as the nozzle 314 is not in direct contact with the cap 318. Even with this spacing, excess fluid and / or external contaminants (e.g., dust and / or other small particles) can collect on the outer nozzle surface 432 of the wall 428 during use of the fluid delivery device 100. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In one aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, a nozzle for a fluid delivery device includes a nozzle wall having opposing inner and outer nozzle surfaces and at least one opening configured to selectively deliver fluid to a target site of a user during use of the fluid delivery device. The at least one opening is defined by the inner opening surface and extends through the nozzle wall from the inner nozzle surface to the outer nozzle surface. The outer nozzle surface is configured to be directed toward the user's eye during use of the fluid delivery device. The outer nozzle surface is configured to be at least hydrophobic. At least a portion of the inner opening surface is configured to be hydrophilic.

[0010] In one aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, a nozzle for a fluid delivery device includes a nozzle wall having opposing inner and outer nozzle surfaces and at least one opening configured to selectively deliver fluid to a target site of a user during use of the fluid delivery device. The at least one opening is defined by the inner opening surface and extends through the nozzle wall from the inner nozzle surface to the outer nozzle surface. The outer nozzle surface is configured to be directed toward a user's eye during use of the fluid delivery device. The outer nozzle surface is at least hydrophobic through at least one of a micropattern on the outer nozzle surface, a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating on the outer nozzle surface, a material forming the outer nozzle surface that is naturally hydrophobic or superhydrophobic, a chemical modification of the outer nozzle surface, and nanometer-sized features on the outer nozzle surface. At least one of the inner nozzle surface and the inner opening surface is configured to be hydrophilic through at least one of a hydrophilic coating on said at least one of the inner nozzle surface and the inner opening surface, a material forming at least one of the inner nozzle surface and the inner opening surface being naturally hydrophilic, and a chemical modification of the outer nozzle surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] For a better understanding, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a prior art non-gravity fluid delivery device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the components of the prior art non-gravity fluid delivery device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the component of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the component of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a nozzle according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of FIG. 5. [Figure 7]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the fluid delivery device having the nozzle of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 6 is a side view of a portion of the nozzle of FIG. 5, including a portion of the nozzle in an alternative configuration. [Figure 9] 2 is a front perspective view of the nozzle of FIG. 1, including a portion of the nozzle in an alternative configuration. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of a fluid delivery device, including portions of the fluid delivery device in alternative configurations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] As used herein, the term "user" can be used interchangeably to refer to an individual who prepares, assists, and / or performs the operation of a tool and / or an individual who prepares, assists, and / or performs a procedure.

[0014] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" can also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used herein, can specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0015] As used herein, the term "and / or" may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0016] As used herein, phrases such as "between X and Y" can be interpreted to include X and Y.

[0017] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of X and Y" can be interpreted to include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y. For example, if an element is described as having at least one of X and Y, the element can, at a particular time, include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y, and the selection can vary from time to time. In contrast, the phrase "at least one of X" can be interpreted to include one or more Xs.

[0018] When an element is referred to as being "on," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element, it will be understood that the element can be directly on, attached to, or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to, for example, as being "directly in contact with," there are no intervening elements. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that a reference to a structure or feature that is located "directly adjacent" to another feature can have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature, but that a structure or feature that is located "adjacent" to another feature need not have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0019] In this specification, terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various elements, but it will be understood that these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a "first" element discussed below could also be referred to as a "second" element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. The order of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the claims or drawings unless otherwise specified.

[0020] Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the present invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the present invention. Thus, the description of a range should be considered to specifically disclose all possible subranges as well as individual numerical values ​​within that range. For example, description of a range such as 1 to 6 should be considered to specifically disclose subranges such as 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 1 to 5, 2 to 4, 2 to 6, 3 to 6, and so forth, as well as individual numbers within that range, such as 1, 1.1, 2, 2.8, 3, 3.2, 4, 4.7, 4.9, 5, 5.5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0021] The present invention comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of the following features in any combination:

[0022] 5-7 illustrate an exemplary nozzle 538 designed in accordance with the present disclosure. The nozzle 538 and / or other teachings disclosed herein may be applicable to non-gravity fluid delivery devices (e.g., the non-gravity fluid delivery device 100 of FIGS. 1-4 and / or any of the non-gravity fluid delivery devices disclosed in the '482 application), gravity fluid delivery devices (e.g., a standard eyedropper), and / or any other fluid delivery device. In the exemplary configuration of FIGS. 5-6, the nozzle 538 is part of a non-gravity fluid delivery device 540 and is integrally formed with a head 542 of a cartridge 544. The non-gravity fluid delivery device 540, head 542, and cartridge 544 may be substantially the non-gravity fluid delivery device 100, head 208, and cartridge 104 shown in FIGS. 1-4, respectively, or may be substantially modified versions thereof.

[0023] Although the nozzle 538 has been described as being formed integrally with the head 542, the nozzle 538 may be formed separately from the head 542 and attached thereto.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5 , the nozzle 538 includes an opening 546 through which a fluid (e.g., an ophthalmic medication and / or a viscous ophthalmic medication) can be dispensed into a user's eye. The fluid may be an ophthalmic fluid having an aqueous formulation. However, the nozzle 538 may be applicable to deliver the fluid to any desired target area of ​​a user, such as, for example, at least one of the user's nose, mouth, ear(s), limb(s), torso, neck, and / or eye. The exemplary opening 546 shown in FIG. 5 is oval-shaped. As shown in FIGS. 5-7 , the opening 546 extends through a nozzle wall 548 of the nozzle 538 from an inner nozzle surface 550 of the nozzle wall 548 to an outer nozzle surface 552 of the nozzle wall 548. The opening 546 is defined by an inner opening surface 570 of the nozzle 538 extending between the inner nozzle surface 550 and the outer nozzle surface 552. The outer nozzle surface 552 is configured to be directed substantially toward the target area of ​​the user during use. Inner nozzle surface 550 is disposed opposite outer nozzle surface 552 and is therefore configured to be pointed substantially away from a user's target site during use.

[0025] The head 542 may include a head-engaging surface 554 that at least partially surrounds the nozzle 538. The head-engaging surface 554 may be spaced from the outer nozzle surface 552 such that an inner head surface 556 extends between the head-engaging surface 554 and the outer nozzle surface 552. As shown in FIG. 7 , a cap 758 of the head 542 may abut against the head-engaging surface 554 when in the closed position. In the closed position, the cap 758 is spaced from the nozzle 538 to form a moisture chamber 760 between the outer nozzle surface 552 and the cap 758. Spaced apart from the nozzle 538 in the closed position may help reduce the likelihood of contamination of the nozzle 538 by the cap 758, as the nozzle 538 is not directly contacted by the cap 758. However, even with this spacing, excess fluid and / or external contaminants (e.g., dust and / or other small particles) may collect on the outer nozzle surface 552 during use of the fluid delivery device 540.

[0026] To help prevent the collection of any excess fluid / external contaminants and / or to help remove such fluid / contaminants while on the outer nozzle surface, the outer nozzle surface 552 is configured to be at least hydrophobic, or in some configurations superhydrophobic. In other words, the outer nozzle surface 552 is configured so that the effective contact angle of a droplet (e.g., a droplet of fluid dispensed through the nozzle 538) on the outer nozzle surface 552 is greater than 90 degrees, e.g., 120 degrees. The hydrophobic outer nozzle surface 552 may also be configured so that the sliding angle of a droplet (e.g., a droplet of fluid dispensed through the nozzle 538) on the outer contact surface 552 is less than 45 degrees. In certain configurations, it may be beneficial for the hydrophobicity of the outer nozzle surface 552 to be at a superhydrophobic level. The superhydrophobic outer nozzle surface 552 may be configured so that the effective contact angle is at least 150 degrees. The superhydrophobic outer nozzle surface 552 may also be configured to have a sliding angle of up to 45 degrees, preferably less than 25 degrees. The outer nozzle surface 552 can be made hydrophobic (and, if desired, superhydrophobic) through the use of a variety of different hydrophobic mechanisms and combinations thereof.

[0027] The first hydrophobic feature includes a micropattern 562 etched into, formed with, formed with, and / or disposed on the outer nozzle surface 552. FIGS. 5-8 show one example of a micropatterned outer nozzle surface 552. The micropattern 562 includes a plurality of protrusions 564. The protrusions 564 may be arranged in a substantially sinusoidal pattern. The plurality of protrusions 564 provides hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties to the outer nozzle surface 552. Each of the protrusions 564 may have a height H of about 5 to about 25 micrometers and a width W of about 5 to about 25 micrometers. The distance D between the peaks or free ends 866 of adjacent protrusions 564 may be about 5 to about 50 micrometers.

[0028] Although the micropattern 562 is shown as a sinusoidal micropattern 562, the micropattern 562 may be configured in any other manner to provide hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties. For example, the micropattern 562 may exhibit various geometric shapes (e.g., pillars, grooves, plates, cones, depressions, etc.). The micropattern 562 may be substantially uniform (e.g., exhibiting a single repeating feature of substantially constant dimensions) and / or may exhibit a substantially repeating pattern (e.g., multiple features varying in one or more of size, shape, and spacing defining a regularly repeating pattern). The micropattern 562 may be defined, at least in part, in relation to the size and / or spacing of the geometric elements forming the micropattern 562. The micropattern 562 may be configured to mimic the surface topography of certain surfaces of natural organisms that provide hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties, such as, for example, lotus leaves and shark skin. In the case of a lotus leaf micropattern, the plurality of protrusions 564 may at least partially mimic the size, shape, and / or spacing of the lotus leaf papillae. Thus, the outer nozzle surface 552 including the lotus leaf micropattern may embody hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties similar to those of a natural lotus leaf. Additional description of surfaces including lotus leaf micropatterns is provided in Latthe et al., "Superhydrophobic Surfaces Developed by Mimicking Hierarchical Surface Morphology of Lotus Leaf," Molecules 19 (2014) 4256-83, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0029] 7, in the closed position, the cap 758 is spaced apart from the protrusion 564. Spaced apart the cap 758 from the protrusion 564 in the closed position helps reduce the chance of contaminating the protrusion 564 and / or damaging the protrusion 564 with the cap 758, as the protrusion 564 may be spaced apart from the inside of the cap 758.

[0030] 8, the second hydrophobicity mechanism includes adding nanometer-sized features 868 to the outer nozzle surface 552. The nanometer-sized features 868 may add nanoscale roughness to the outer nozzle surface 552 and at least partially provide hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties to the outer nozzle surface 552. The nanometer-sized features 868 may have a height of, for example, about 100 to about 200 nanometers. If protrusions 564 are provided, the nanometer-sized features 868 may at least partially add nanoscale roughness to the protrusions 564.

[0031] A third hydrophobicity mechanism involves applying one or more coatings of a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic material (e.g., a non-polar polymer, a fluorinated polymer, a non-polar siloxane, or a silicone-like material, etc.) to the outer nozzle surface 552. The coating(s) may be covalently bonded to the outer nozzle surface 552, for example, to chemically link the coating(s) to the outer nozzle surface 552 and increase the adhesion strength between the coating(s) and the outer nozzle surface 552. The coating, when applied, manipulates the effective contact angle of the outer nozzle surface 552 so that the outer nozzle surface is at least hydrophobic (e.g., in some configurations, superhydrophobic).

[0032] If protrusions 564 are provided, protrusions 564 may be at least partially coated with a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic material. Similarly, if nano-sized features 868 are provided, nano-sized features 868 may be at least partially coated with a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic material. The coating(s) may, in certain applications, naturally create nanoscale roughness on outer nozzle surface 552. Thus, if desired, the use of separate nanometer-sized features 868 may be omitted if such nanoscale roughness is created via coating(s).

[0033] A fourth hydrophobicity mechanism involves configuring the nozzle material forming the outer nozzle surface 552 to be at least hydrophobic (e.g., in some configurations, to be superhydrophobic). To so configure the nozzle material, the nozzle material may be selected or chemically modified so that some or all of the exposed groups on the outer nozzle surface 552 are non-polar, fluorinated, or otherwise have inherently hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties. For example, the nozzle material forming the outer nozzle surface 552 may be a naturally hydrophobic material or a naturally superhydrophobic material. Chemical modification of the outer nozzle surface 552 can be performed before use of the fluid delivery device 540. When the outer nozzle surface 552 is chemically modified, the effective contact angle of the outer nozzle surface 552 is manipulated so that the outer nozzle surface is at least hydrophobic. When provided, the protrusions 564 may be configured to have hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties via the nozzle material if they are formed from the same nozzle material as the outer nozzle surface 552 and / or are integrally or monolithically formed as one piece with the outer nozzle surface 552. Similarly, when provided, the nanosized features 868 may be configured to have hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties via the nozzle material if they are formed from the same nozzle material as the outer nozzle surface 552 and / or are integrally or monolithically formed with the outer nozzle surface 552.

[0034] Any of the hydrophobic features disclosed herein can be used alone, in combination with each other, or in combination with any suitable hydrophobic / superhydrophobic feature to achieve a desired hydrophobicity on the outer nozzle surface 552. Additionally, any of the hydrophobic features disclosed herein can be used alone, in combination with each other, or in combination with any suitable hydrophobic / superhydrophobic feature to achieve superhydrophobicity on the outer nozzle surface 552. By way of example only, the outer nozzle surface 552 may be configured as superhydrophobic through a combination of a first hydrophobic feature (micropatterning 562) and a third hydrophobic feature (a hydrophobic material coating).

[0035] The hydrophobic outer nozzle surface 552 (which may be superhydrophobic in certain configurations) is beneficial in that it may exhibit, at least in part, “self-cleaning” behavior. For example, during use of the fluid delivery device 540, excess fluid droplets may “roll off” the hydrophobic outer nozzle surface 552 (e.g., by gravity or capillary action), and contaminants on the outer nozzle surface 552 may be carried outward with them as they “roll off” the outer nozzle surface 552. Thus, by being hydrophobic, the outer nozzle surface 552 may be “self-cleaning” by, at least in part, preventing the collection on the outer nozzle surface 552 of any excess fluid that might remain on the outer nozzle surface if the outer nozzle surface 552 were not hydrophobic. The hydrophobic outer nozzle surface 552 may also be “self-cleaning” by utilizing the fluid droplets “rolling off” the outer nozzle surface 552 to remove from the outer nozzle surface 552 at least a portion of external contaminants that might remain on the outer nozzle surface if the outer nozzle surface 552 were not hydrophobic.

[0036] The hydrophobic outer nozzle surface 552 is also beneficial in that it may at least partially help retain fluid within a holding chamber (such as holding chamber 322 in FIGS. 3-4) against a pressure gradient. Because the outer nozzle surface 552 is at least hydrophobic (i.e., the contact angle between the outer nozzle surface 552 and the fluid is at least 90 degrees, or at least 150 degrees if superhydrophobic), the Laplace pressure between the holding chamber and the outside of the nozzle 538 adjacent the outer nozzle surface 552 at least partially overcomes forces that may encourage fluid within the holding chamber to undesirably leak through the nozzle 538. An example of a force that may be overcome by Laplace pressure is the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid within the holding chamber.

[0037] Although nozzle 538 is shown as having a single oval opening 546, nozzle 538 may have any number of openings, with each opening having any desired shape. For example, as disclosed in the '482 application, nozzle 538 may have an array of openings (e.g., conical openings), a single stepped opening, a single wavy stepped opening, a single "bow tie" opening, a single S-shaped opening, and / or two slit openings. As shown in Figures 9-10, opening 546 may also be rectangular.

[0038] The micropatterns and topologies described and illustrated in this disclosure can be practically created and reproduced at low cost using plastic microinjection molding. For example, low surface energy polypropylene or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) materials, which are common materials used to create ophthalmic eye droppers, may be used in conjunction with micromolding techniques to create the geometric shapes and hydrophobic / superhydrophobic surface patterns discussed herein. Opposite sides of the nozzle 538 may each be defined by an outer hard steel tool for the micromolding process. The outer hard steel tools may be joined together to form a molded cavity in the shape of the nozzle 538. Appropriate draft angles may be required on all features to allow for easy separation of the tools after plastic injection.

[0039] While only the outer nozzle surface 552 is shown as being hydrophobic or superhydrophobic, any other surface of the fluid delivery device 540 may also, or instead, be configured to be hydrophobic / superhydrophobic in a manner similar to that described above. For example, at least one of the head-engaging surface 554 and the inner head surface 556 may be at least hydrophobic. In certain examples, the inner head surface 556 may include nanometer-sized features 868 that add nanoscale roughness to the inner head surface 556. Any hydrophobic / superhydrophobic surface may provide at least the same “self-cleaning” and / or fluid retention benefits as described above.

[0040] While at least one surface of the fluid delivery device 540 is superhydrophobic, it is contemplated that at least one other surface of the fluid delivery device 540 may be configured to be hydrophobic via one or more of the hydrophobic mechanisms described above and / or via other known hydrophobic mechanisms that provide hydrophobic properties. The hydrophobic surface has an effective contact angle of at least 90 degrees between the hydrophobic surface and a droplet (e.g., a droplet of fluid dispensed through the nozzle 538) disposed thereon. As one example, the outer nozzle surface 552 may be superhydrophobic and the inner head surface 556 may be hydrophobic.

[0041] Although at least the outer nozzle surface 552 is described as being at least hydrophobic, at least one “inner” surface of the nozzle 538 and / or head 542 may be hydrophilic. A hydrophilic surface has an effective contact angle of less than 90 degrees between the hydrophilic surface and a droplet placed on the hydrophilic surface. For example, at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 may be configured to be hydrophilic. The outer nozzle surface 552 can be made internal through the use of a variety of different hydrophilic mechanisms and combinations thereof.

[0042] The first hydrophilic mechanism involves applying one or more coatings of a hydrophilic material (e.g., oxide, silicon dioxide(s), glass-like PECVD coating, etc.) to at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner orifice surface 570. The hydrophilic coating(s) may be covalently bonded to the respective surface(s), for example, to chemically bond the coating(s) to the respective surface(s) and increase the strength of adhesion between the coating(s) and the respective surface(s). When applied, the coating manipulates the effective contact angle of at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner orifice surface 570 such that at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner orifice surface 570 is hydrophilic.

[0043] The second hydrophilic mechanism involves configuring the nozzle material forming at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 to be hydrophilic. To so configure the nozzle material, the nozzle material forming at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 can be selected or chemically modified so that some or all of the exposed groups of at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 have hydrophilic properties. For example, the nozzle material forming at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 can be a naturally hydrophilic material (e.g., a hydrophilic plastic such as some grades of (PET) or polyethylene terephthalate). Chemical modification of at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 can be performed prior to use of the fluid delivery device 540. When at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 is chemically modified, the effective contact angle of at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 is manipulated so that the outer nozzle surface is hydrophilic.

[0044] The hydrophilic mechanism of coating and / or chemically modifying at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 to make them hydrophilic is particularly useful when at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 is formed from a naturally hydrophobic material (e.g., polypropylene).

[0045] Any of the hydrophilic features disclosed herein can be used alone, in combination with each other, or in combination with any suitable hydrophilic feature to achieve the desired hydrophilicity of at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570. Ideally, each of the inner surfaces of the holding chamber and / or nozzle 538 (including the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570) is hydrophilic because this configuration helps resist the formation of air bubbles inside the nozzle 538 and / or holding chamber (which can interfere with fluid ejection) by more strongly encouraging aqueous solutions to wet all such inner surfaces. However, it is possible to achieve the same, similar, or at least some resistance to bubble formation even when at least one of the inner nozzle surface 550 and the inner opening surface 570 is at least partially hydrophilic.

[0046] In certain configurations of nozzle 538, less than the entire extent of inner opening surface 570 from inner nozzle surface 550 to outer nozzle surface 552 is hydrophilic. In such configurations, inner opening surface 570 may include a transition directly between the hydrophilic portion and the outer nozzle surface. This transition is thus adjacent to outer nozzle surface 552 and spaced apart from inner nozzle surface 550. Figure 11 shows one example of such a nozzle 538 configuration.

[0047] The opening 546 of the nozzle 538 of FIG. 11 tapers at least partially inward as it extends from the inner nozzle surface 550 to the outer nozzle surface 552. Thus, the inner opening surface 570 includes a sloped portion 1172 and a transition portion 1174 that extends directly in the direction of fluid ejection from the sloped portion 1172 to the outer nozzle surface 552. In the configuration of FIG. 11 , the sloped portion 1172 is configured to be hydrophilic via any one or more of the hydrophilic features described above and / or any other suitable hydrophilic features, while the transition portion 1174 is configured to be at least hydrophobic via any one or more of the hydrophobic features described above and / or any other suitable hydrophobic features. The length of the transition portion 1174, measured in the direction of fluid ejection, may be less (e.g., significantly less) at the transition portion 1174 than the width of the opening 546, measured in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid ejection.

[0048] The hydrophobicity of the transition portion 1174 may be the same as or different from the hydrophobicity of the outer nozzle surface 552. For example, the transition portion 1174 may have a less hydrophobicity than the hydrophobicity of the outer nozzle surface 552, such that the hydrophobicity transitions more smoothly from the hydrophilic sloped portion 1172 to the hydrophobic outer nozzle surface 552. As another example, the transition portion 1174 may be hydrophobic and the outer nozzle surface 552 may be superhydrophobic.

[0049] Although the head-engaging surface 554 is described above as being spaced from the outer nozzle surface 552 by the inner head surface, the head-engaging surface 554 may form a single, continuous surface with the outer nozzle surface 552. In such a case, the cap 758 may include at least one protrusion that extends toward and contacts the head-engaging surface 554 when the cap 758 is in the closed position. The at least one protrusion may be integrally formed with the cap 758 as a single piece, or may be formed separately and then attached to the cap 758. A separately formed protrusion may be formed from a resilient material and / or may be in the form of an O-ring. An exemplary configuration of a cap 758 having a separately formed resilient protrusion 1176 and a head-engaging surface 554 that forms a single, continuous surface with the outer nozzle surface 552 is shown in FIG. 11 .

[0050] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the above exemplary aspects, those skilled in the art will understand that various additional aspects may be contemplated. For example, the particular method described above for using the device is merely exemplary. Those skilled in the art will readily be able to determine any number of tools, sequences of steps, or other means / options for arranging the above-described device or its components in a substantially similar position to that shown and described herein. To maintain clarity in the figures, certain components of the illustrated overlapping components have not been specifically numbered; however, those skilled in the art will understand the element numbers to be associated with unnumbered components based on the numbered components. No distinction between similar components is intended or implied solely by the presence or absence of element numbers in the figures. Any of the described structures and components may be integrally formed as a single unitary or monolithic part, or may be composed of separate subcomponents, and any of these configurations may involve any suitable stock or custom components and / or any suitable material or combination of materials. Any of the described structures and components may be disposable or reusable, as desired for a particular use environment. Any component may include user-perceptible markings to indicate the material, composition, at least one dimension, etc., associated with that component, which may assist the user in selecting a component from an array of similar components for a particular use environment. The term "substantially" is used herein to indicate a quality that is largely, but not necessarily entirely, the specified quality, with "substantial" quality acknowledging the possibility of the inclusion of some relatively small amounts of non-quality items. While certain components described herein are shown as having particular geometric shapes, all structures of the present disclosure may have any suitable shape, size, configuration, relative relationship, cross-sectional area, or any other physical characteristic desired for a particular application. Any structure or feature described with reference to one embodiment or configuration may be provided in any other embodiment or configuration, alone or in combination with other structures or features.Because it would be impractical to describe each of the other aspects and configurations as having all of the options described with respect to all of the other aspects and configurations, a device or method incorporating any of these features should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure, as determined based on the following claims and any equivalents thereof.

[0051] Other aspects, objects, and advantages can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A nozzle for an ophthalmic fluid delivery device, comprising:

1. A nozzle comprising: a nozzle wall having opposing inner and outer nozzle surfaces; and at least one opening configured to selectively deliver fluid to a user's eye during use of the ophthalmic fluid delivery device, wherein the at least one opening is defined by an inner opening surface and extends through the nozzle wall from the inner nozzle surface to the outer nozzle surface, the outer nozzle surface configured to be directed toward the user's eye during use of the fluid delivery device, the outer nozzle surface configured to be at least hydrophobic, and at least a portion of the inner opening surface configured to be hydrophilic.

2. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the outer nozzle surface is configured to be at least hydrophobic via at least one of a micropattern or nano-sized features on the outer nozzle surface.

3. The nozzle of claim 2 , wherein the micropattern on the outer nozzle surface is defined by a plurality of micro-sized protrusions.

4. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the outer nozzle surface is superhydrophobic, having a sliding angle of less than 45 degrees for a droplet on the outer contact surface.

5. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the outer nozzle surface is configured to be at least hydrophobic via forming the outer nozzle surface from a material that is at least hydrophobic.

6. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the outer nozzle surface is configured to be at least hydrophobic via a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating on the outer nozzle surface.

7. The nozzle of claim 6 , wherein the coating is covalently bonded to the outer nozzle surface.

8. The nozzle of claim 6 , wherein the coating can be comprised of at least one of a non-polar polymer, a fluorinated polymer, and a silicone material.

9. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the inner nozzle surface is configured to be hydrophilic.

10. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic portion of the inner opening surface is configured to be hydrophilic via a hydrophilic coating.

11. The nozzle of claim 10 , wherein the hydrophilic coating is covalently bonded to the inner opening surface.

12. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic portion of the inner opening surface is configured to be hydrophilic by forming the hydrophilic portion of the inner opening surface from a hydrophilic material.

13. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic portion of the inner opening surface is configured to be hydrophilic via chemical modification.

14. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic fluid delivery device is a non-gravity ophthalmic delivery device for delivering a fluid having an aqueous formulation.

15. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the inner opening surface includes a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion, the hydrophobic portion being between the hydrophobic portion and the outer nozzle surface.

16. 1. A nozzle for an ophthalmic fluid delivery device, comprising: a nozzle wall having opposing inner and outer nozzle surfaces; and at least one opening configured to selectively deliver fluid to an eye of a user during use of the ophthalmic fluid delivery device, the at least one opening being defined by an inner opening surface and extending through the nozzle wall from the inner nozzle surface to the outer nozzle surface, the outer nozzle surface being configured to be directed toward the eye of the user during use of the fluid delivery device; the outer nozzle surface is a micropattern on the outer nozzle surface; a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating on the outer nozzle surface; a material forming said outer nozzle surface that is naturally hydrophobic or superhydrophobic; chemical modification of the outer nozzle surface; and nanometer-sized features on the outer nozzle surface; At least one of the inner nozzle surface and the inner orifice surface is a hydrophilic coating on at least one of the inner nozzle surface and the inner orifice surface; a material forming at least one of the inner nozzle surface and the inner orifice surface that is naturally hydrophilic; and a chemical modification of the outer nozzle surface.

17. 17. The nozzle of claim 16, wherein the outer nozzle surface is superhydrophobic with a sliding angle of less than 45 degrees for a droplet on the outer contact surface.

18. 17. The nozzle of claim 16, wherein the outer nozzle surface is at least hydrophobic via the hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating on the outer nozzle surface, the hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating being covalently bonded to the outer nozzle surface.

19. 17. The nozzle of claim 16, wherein at least one of the inner nozzle surface and the inner opening surface is configured to be hydrophilic via the hydrophilic coating on at least one of the inner nozzle surface and the inner opening surface, the hydrophilic coating being covalently bonded to at least one of the inner nozzle surface and the inner opening surface.

20. The nozzle of claim 16 , wherein the inner nozzle surface and the inner opening surface are each configured to be hydrophilic.

21. 17. The nozzle of claim 16, wherein the ophthalmic fluid delivery device is a non-gravity ophthalmic delivery device for delivering a fluid having an aqueous formulation.

22. The nozzle of claim 16 , wherein the inner opening surface includes a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion, the hydrophobic portion being between the hydrophobic portion and the outer nozzle surface.

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