Nozzle for a fluid delivery device

Abstract

The goal is to deliver fluids easily. A nozzle (100) for a fluid delivery device includes a nozzle head. The nozzle head defines an internal head chamber (122) for fluid. The nozzle head has at least one nozzle opening (130) configured to selectively deliver fluid from the head chamber through the nozzle opening to a target site during use of the device. The nozzle head is at least partially formed from a deformable material. The nozzle head is selectively deflectable between an open state in which the at least one nozzle opening is at least partially open, allowing fluid to flow therethrough, and a closed state in which the at least one nozzle opening is at least partially closed, restricting fluid flow therethrough.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 422,468, filed November 4, 2022, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure generally relates to nozzles for fluid delivery devices. The present disclosure also generally relates to fluid delivery devices and methods of delivering fluid to a user's eye using the fluid delivery devices. [Background technology]

[0003] Conventional eye drop systems often include a preservative in the dispensed fluid to prevent bacterial or viral growth. A filter can be used to at least partially prevent the preservative from reaching the user's eye, but this filter may not be applicable to all types of fluids / dosage forms. Preservative-free eye drop systems often include an integrated barrier / filter and a one-way valve. An example of such an eye drop system is a multi-dose preservative-free (MDPF) bottle. U.S. Patent No. 9,345,616, entitled "LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR DUCT," issued May 24, 2016 to Grevin et al. (the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), discloses an MDPF bottle with a one-way valve that prevents backflow of fluid and bacteria into the MDPF bottle.

[0004] However, certain MDPF bottles may be difficult for certain users to administer drops because the squeeze force required to expel drops from such MDPF bottles may be greater than that required for non-MDPF bottles. Furthermore, the structural design of conventional MDPF bottles provides only substantially "vertical" delivery of fluid. In certain instances, delivery of fluid at a different angle, e.g., substantially "horizontal," may be more desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one aspect, a nozzle for a fluid delivery device, alone or in combination with any other aspect, comprises a nozzle head. The nozzle head defines an internal head chamber for a fluid. The nozzle head has at least one nozzle opening configured to selectively deliver fluid from the head chamber through the nozzle opening to a target site during use of the device. The nozzle head is at least partially formed from a deformable material. The nozzle head is selectively deflectable between an open state in which the at least one nozzle opening is at least partially open, allowing fluid to flow therethrough, and a closed state in which the at least one nozzle opening is at least partially closed, restricting fluid flow therethrough.

[0006] In one aspect, a fluid delivery device for delivering fluid to a user's eye, alone or in combination with any other aspect, comprises a cartridge and an applicator. The cartridge includes a reservoir and a nozzle coupled to the reservoir. The reservoir has an inner reservoir chamber configured to contain a fluid. The head chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber such that the fluid can selectively flow from the reservoir chamber to the head chamber. The applicator is configured to house the cartridge. The applicator includes an actuator for selectively operating the nozzle head between an open state and a closed state.

[0007] In one aspect, a method for delivering fluid to a user's eye, alone or in combination with any other aspect, includes providing a fluid delivery device. A cartridge is inserted into an applicator. An applicator opening of the applicator is aligned with the user's eye. An actuator is activated to operate a nozzle head from an open state to a closed state. When the nozzle head is operated from the open state to the closed state, fluid is delivered from a head chamber through the nozzle and the applicator opening to the user's eye. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] For a better understanding, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective front view of a nozzle for a fluid delivery device, including the nozzle in a first state. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the nozzle components of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a front perspective view of the nozzle of FIG. 1, including the nozzle in a second state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the nozzle components of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a cartridge including the nozzle of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a fluid delivery device including the cartridge of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] As used herein, the term "and / or" may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0012] As used herein, phrases such as "between X and Y" can be interpreted to include X and Y.

[0013] When an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled" with another element, it will be understood that the element may be directly on, connected to, or coupled with the other element, and that intervening elements may be present. Those skilled in the art will also understand that a reference to a structure or feature disposed "adjacent" another feature may not have an overlapping or underlying portion with the adjacent feature.

[0014] Although terms such as "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various elements, it will be understood that these elements are not to be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a "first" element discussed below could 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 specifically indicated otherwise.

[0015] Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the 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 invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed not only individual numerical values ​​within that range, but also all possible subranges. For example, description of a range such as 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 1 to 5, 2 to 4, 2 to 6, 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numbers and partial numbers within that range, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5.5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0016] The present invention comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of the following features in any combination:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary nozzle 100 designed in accordance with the present disclosure. The nozzle 100 may include an adapter 102 having an inner adapter surface 104 and an outer adapter surface 106. The inner adapter surface 104 may define an inner adapter chamber 108 extending longitudinally between a first adapter opening 110 and a second adapter opening 112. The term "longitudinal" is used herein to indicate a substantially vertical direction in the orientation of FIG. 1, where the "longitudinal" direction is designated as "LO."

[0018] The adapter 102 may be defined by longitudinally adjacent first and second adapter portions 114, 116. The first adapter opening 110 may be located in the first adapter portion 114, while the second adapter opening 112 may be located in the second adapter portion 116. As shown in FIG. 1 , the first adapter portion 114 may be shaped substantially as a cylinder, and the second adapter portion 116 may be shaped substantially as a frustum of a cone. However, the first adapter portion 114, the second adapter portion 116, and / or the adapter 102 (as a whole) may have any desired shape for any given use environment.

[0019] The nozzle head 118 is connected to the outer adapter surface 106 and extends longitudinally from the outer adapter surface along the longitudinal axis X of the nozzle 100. In particular, the nozzle head 118 includes a first head end 120 connected to the outer adapter surface 106 at the second adapter portion 116. The first head end 120 is positioned on the outer adapter surface 106 such that an inner head chamber 122 of the nozzle head 118 is in fluid communication with the adapter chamber 108 via the second adapter opening 112. The head chamber 122 is defined by an inner head surface 124 of the nozzle head 118 and is configured to selectively retain a fluid (e.g., an ophthalmic treatment liquid, which may be an ophthalmic treatment fluid having a viscosity of about 1 cps to about 200 cps). The nozzle head 118 may be substantially hollow such that the head chamber 122 extends longitudinally between the first head end 120 and a second head end 126 longitudinally opposite the nozzle head 118.

[0020] The nozzle head 118 also includes a head body 128 extending substantially longitudinally and spaced apart between the first head end 120 and the second head end 126. The head body 128 may include one or more nozzle openings or slits 130 (three nozzle openings or slits 130 are shown here by way of example) configured to selectively deliver fluid from the head chamber 122 to a target site through the nozzle openings or slits during use. As shown in FIG. 1 , the nozzle openings 130 extend laterally through the head body 128 adjacent the second head end 126, although the nozzle 100 may be configured such that the nozzle openings 130 are at any other desired longitudinal location along the head body 128. The term “lateral” is used herein to indicate a direction substantially perpendicular to the “longitudinal” direction; in FIG. 1 , the “lateral” direction is indicated as “LA.” The nozzle openings 130 may be evenly spaced along the circumference of the head body 128. A portion of the head body 128 may also define a bellows 132 configured to be selectively compressed and decompressed longitudinally under a striking force applied manually by a user, a striking force applied mechanically by a mechanism (e.g., a solenoid-type actuator, etc.), and / or an inherent elastic deformation bias of the bellows 132 itself.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1-2, the nozzle head 118 has an open state in which the nozzle opening 130 is at least partially open, allowing fluid to flow therethrough. The nozzle head 118 is selectively deflectable between an open state (Figures 1-2) and a closed state (Figures 3-4). In particular, the nozzle head 118 can be longitudinally compressed from the open state toward the closed state in response to an external longitudinal compressive force applied to the nozzle head 118. At least a portion of the nozzle head's compressibility is provided by a bellows 132, which longitudinally compresses in response to an applied external compressive force.

[0022] The compressibility of the nozzle head may also be provided, at least in part, through the natural properties of the material selected to form the nozzle head 118. For example, the second head portion 134 of the head body 128 (i.e., the portion of the head body 128 in the longitudinal direction between the bellows 132 and the second head end 126) may be at least partially formed from a deformable material. In such a case, an external compressive force not only compresses the bellows 132, but also compresses at least the second head portion 134. Any other portion of the head body 128, such as the first head portion 136 (i.e., the portion of the head body 128 in the longitudinal direction between the bellows 132 and the first head end 120), and / or the bellows 132 portion, may be at least partially formed from a deformable material to compress under an applied longitudinal compressive force. Thus, the bellows 132 and / or the deformable material enable the nozzle head 118 to be longitudinally compressed from an open state to a closed state under an applied longitudinal compressive force.

[0023] 1-4 , when the nozzle head 118 is compressed to the closed state, the compression of the second head portion 134 urges the nozzle opening 130 to at least partially close. Thus, when the nozzle head 118 is in the closed state, not only is the longitudinal length L of the nozzle head 118 reduced, but the nozzle opening 130 is also at least partially closed. The closure (or at least partial closure) of the nozzle opening 130 restricts and / or prevents fluid from flowing through the nozzle opening 130.

[0024] 2, each nozzle opening 130 may have a generally elliptical shape when in an open state, with a longitudinal opening length significantly shorter than a lateral opening width. The shape of the nozzle openings 130 is selected to allow for relatively easy at least partial closure of the nozzle openings. The nozzle openings 130 may have any shape as desired to achieve the opening / closing characteristics described herein.

[0025] After reaching the closed state, the nozzle head 118 may be selectively biased (e.g., expanded / decompressed) to the open state via an external longitudinal pressure relief force (i.e., an external force opposite to the external longitudinal compression force) applied to the nozzle head 118. In addition to, or instead of, the external longitudinal pressure relief force, biasing the nozzle head 118 back to the open state may additionally or alternatively be achieved via natural properties of the material of the nozzle head 118. For example, the nozzle head 118 may also be at least partially formed from an elastic material in addition to being at least partially formed from a deformable material. In such a case, the elastic properties of the nozzle head 118 may bias the nozzle head 118 to at least partially expand from the closed state toward the open state upon removal of the external compression force.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the nozzle 100 includes a shield wall 138 having a first shield end 140 connected to the outer adapter surface 106 at the second adapter portion 116. The shield wall 138 extends from the adapter 102 along a longitudinal axis to a second shield end 142. The shield wall 138 is coaxial with the nozzle head 118 such that the shield wall 138 at least partially surrounds a portion of the nozzle head 118. When the nozzle head 118 is in the open state (FIG. 1), the nozzle opening 130 is longitudinally offset from the shield wall 138, so that the shield wall 138 does not "cover" the nozzle opening 130. However, in the closed state (FIG. 3), the nozzle opening 130 is longitudinally aligned with the shield wall 138 and is therefore "covered" by the shield wall 138. The shield wall 138 (or at least a portion thereof) may be at least translucent or opaque.

[0027] The nozzle 100 also includes a closure plate 144 having longitudinally opposed first and second plate ends 146, 148. The first plate end 146 is connected to the second head end 126. When the nozzle head 118 is in the open position (FIG. 1), the closure plate 144 is spaced apart from the shield wall 138. However, when the nozzle head 118 is in the closed position (FIG. 3), the first plate end 146 engages the second shield end 142. As shown in FIG. 3, when the nozzle head 118 is in the closed position, an inner surface 352 of the shield wall 138, the outer adapter surface 106, the first plate end 146, and an outer nozzle surface 354 of the nozzle head 118 collectively form and define a humidity chamber 350.

[0028] 5, the nozzle 100 may be part of a cartridge 556 that also includes a container 558. The container 558 has an inner container chamber 560 configured to contain a fluid (e.g., an ophthalmic treatment liquid, which may be an ophthalmic treatment fluid having a viscosity of about 1 cps to about 200 cps). The container 558 may also include external threads 562 configured to selectively mate with internal threads 564 on the inner adapter surface 104 to couple and secure the nozzle head 118 to the container 558. When secured to the container 558, the head chamber 122 is in fluid communication (e.g., selectively in fluid communication) with the container chamber 560 such that fluid selectively flows from the container chamber 560 into the head chamber 122 through a container opening 566.

[0029] Container 558 may be a multi-dose preservative-free (MDPF) bottle with a one-way liquid valve and a separate filtered port for pressure equalization. An example of such an MDPF bottle is discussed in U.S. Patent No. 9,345,616, entitled "LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR DUCT," issued May 24, 2016, to Grevin et al., the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, container 558 may be any desired holder / device configured to contain a fluid. Furthermore, although nozzle 100 is described as "threaded" onto container 558 via internal threads 564, nozzle 100 may be coupled and / or secured to container 558 in any suitable manner. Other attachment features (e.g., a force-fit interference nub and / or anti-twist features) may be provided in addition to internal threads 564 / external threads 562 to further secure nozzle 100 to container 558. The nozzle 100 may be attached to the container 558 (whether via threads 562 / 562 and / or any other attachment feature) such that a liquid and bacteria seal is formed between the nozzle 100 and the container 558. This seal may be formed in a sterile manufacturing environment prior to use. However, the nozzle 100 may also be configured such that the nozzle 100 and the container 558 are integrally or monolithically formed as a single piece.

[0030] The cartridge 556 may be provided to a user at the time of use. The cartridge 556 may be provided fully assembled, or may be provided in a pre-assembled state where the user then couples the nozzle 100 to the container 558. As shown in FIG. 6 , the cartridge 556 may be inserted into an applicator 668 configured to receive the cartridge 556. Thus, the cartridge 556 and the applicator 668 collectively define a fluid delivery device 670 (e.g., a non-gravity fluid delivery device). The fluid delivery device 670 may be provided to a user fully assembled, with the cartridge 556 already loaded into the applicator 668, or may be provided in a pre-assembled state where the user then loads the cartridge 556 into the applicator 668.

[0031] Applicator 668 includes an actuator 672, a dispensing mechanism 674, at least one trigger 676 operably connected to actuator 672 and dispensing mechanism 674, and an applicator opening 678 through which fluid can be selectively released from applicator 668 and fluid delivery device 670. The applicator 668 may be similar to, modified from, or include elements (e.g., a sensor) of the applicator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,510,809, entitled "NON-GRAVITATIONAL FLUID DELIVERY DEVICE FOR OPHTHALMIC APPLICATIONS," issued to Stowe on November 29, 2022 (the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein), the applicator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,707,381, entitled "OCULAR PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATOR WITH LIGHT-ASSISTED ALIGNMENT AND AIMING," issued to Stowe on June 25, 2023 (the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein), or any other suitable applicator.

[0032] Applicator 668 may also include a power supply 680 and an electronic control unit ("ECU") 682. Power supply 680 may be a rechargeable battery, such as a small LiPo coin cell battery. ECU 682 may be operably coupled to power supply 680, actuator 672, dispensing mechanism 674, and trigger 676. Thus, at least one of power supply 680, actuator 672, dispensing mechanism 674, and trigger 676 may be operably connected to at least one other of power supply 680, actuator 672, dispensing mechanism 674, and trigger 676 via ECU 682. Actuator 672 may be a bistable solenoid (shown in FIG. 6 ), a linear actuator, or any other suitable actuator.

[0033] Dispensing mechanism 674 may include a motor portion 684 that comprises, includes, or houses a motor (e.g., an electric motor) and a force-application portion 686 that is movable relative to motor portion 684 via the motor. Actuation of dispensing mechanism 674 (e.g., via actuation of the motor) moves force-application portion 686 toward container 558, applying a force to the container (e.g., a lateral force that "squeezes" container 558). The applied force is configured to urge a predetermined amount of fluid from container 558 longitudinally into head chamber 122. Dispensing mechanism 674 (or ECU 675) may be calibrated by a user or medical professional to select the amount of fluid dispensed by dispensing mechanism 674 into head chamber 122.

[0034] Once the cartridge 556 is loaded into the applicator 668, the nozzle head 118 may be maintained in a closed state (e.g., via an actuator 672) so as to form the humidity chamber 350. By holding the nozzle head 118 in a closed state, the nozzle opening 130 is fully or at least partially enclosed within the humidity chamber 350 and therefore at least partially protected from outside contaminants.

[0035] When desired, a user may align applicator opening 678 with a target site (e.g., the user's eye) and then actuate trigger 676 (e.g., by depressing trigger 676) to activate actuator 672 and dispensing mechanism 674. For example, actuated trigger 676 may send an activation request signal to ECU 675, which in turn sends an activation signal to each of actuator 672 and dispensing mechanism 674. Activated dispensing mechanism 674 applies a force to container 558 that urges a predetermined amount of fluid from container 558 longitudinally into head chamber 122. Activated actuator 672 moves to a loading position ( FIG. 6 ) before, during, or after dispensing mechanism 674 dispenses fluid from container 558. When actuator 672 moves to the loading position, nozzle head 118 expands to an open state, at least partially opening nozzle opening 130.

[0036] Movement of the actuator 672 to the loading position may directly and / or indirectly expand the nozzle head 118 to the open state. For example, the actuator 672 may be connected to the closure plate 144, such as the second plate end 148. This may be directly connected (as shown in FIG. 6 ) or indirectly connected via one or more intermediate components. In such a configuration, when the actuator 672 moves to the loading position, the actuator 672 applies a longitudinal pressure-relief force to the closure plate 144 that pulls and / or biases the closure plate 144 away from the shield wall 138, which in turn expands / decompresses the nozzle head 118 to the open state. Thus, the actuator 672 may directly expand the nozzle head 118 to the open state.

[0037] The natural properties of the nozzle head 118, if formed from a rubber or deformable material, may also directly cause the nozzle head 118 to at least partially expand to the open state. For example, prior to use, the actuator 672 may apply a longitudinal compressive force to the closure plate 144 that holds the nozzle head 118 in a closed position against the resilient bias of the nozzle head 118. When the actuator 672 is activated, the actuator 672 may simply move the closure plate 144 to the loaded position without pulling or biasing the closure plate 144 away from the adapter 672. However, once the actuator 672 is moved to the loaded position, the longitudinal compressive force is at least partially relieved such that the internal bias of the nozzle head 118 decompresses the nozzle head 118 and allows it to longitudinally expand to the open state. Thus, activation of the actuator 672 may indirectly cause the nozzle head 118 to transition to the open state, while the internal bias of the nozzle head 118 directly causes this transition. However, the fluid delivery device 670 may be configured such that the elastic properties of the actuator 672 and the nozzle head 118 may each at least partially directly transition the nozzle head 118 to an open state in their respective manners described above.

[0038] Although fluid is described as being urged into head chamber 122 via force provided by dispensing mechanism 674, fluid may also, or instead, be urged into head chamber 122 via negative pressure generated in head chamber 122 when nozzle head 118 moves from a closed state to an open state. In other words, movement of nozzle head 118 to the open state may be configured to generate sufficient negative pressure in head chamber 122 / reservoir 558 to draw fluid from reservoir chamber 560 into head chamber 122.

[0039] When the nozzle head 118 reaches the open state, the nozzle opening 130 is at least partially opened and aligned with the applicator opening 678. The actuator 672 then moves from the loading position to the striking position. This movement of the actuator 672 can occur in response to actuation of the same trigger 676 described above, or in response to actuation of a second trigger 676. As the actuator 672 moves to the striking position, the actuator 672 applies a longitudinal compressive force to the closure plate 144. The longitudinal compressive force correspondingly urges the closure plate 144 toward the shield wall 138, thus urging the nozzle head 118 (optionally against an internal bias of the nozzle head 118) to compress into the closed state. The compression of the nozzle head 118 pressurizes the head chamber 122 to such an extent that fluid within the head chamber 122 is expelled laterally from the head chamber 122, through the nozzle and applicator openings 130, 678, and toward the user's eye. Thus, fluid flow changes direction within nozzle head 118 (e.g., by approximately a 90 degree change in direction in some use environments) from a longitudinal or "vertical" flow (from container chamber 560 into and along at least a portion of head chamber 122) to a transverse or "horizontal" flow (from the head chamber through nozzle opening 130). Nozzle 100 thus converts a substantially "vertical" fluid delivery from container 558 to a substantially "horizontal" fluid delivery from fluid delivery device 670. Actuator 672 can be calibrated by a user or medical professional to provide a predetermined longitudinal compressive force so that the same fluid delivery device 670 can be used for a variety of fluids having different levels of viscosity.

[0040] When the nozzle head 118 is compressed at least partially closed, the nozzle opening 130 at least partially closes, terminating the emission of fluid. Thus, closing the nozzle opening 130 may prevent a small, terminal portion of the emitted fluid from exiting the nozzle 100. Such a cut-off helps to provide a consistent dosage of fluid (in terms of amount and droplet / stream size / shape) to the user during each use.

[0041] As the closure plate 144 moves vertically to engage the shield wall 138, the humidity chamber 350 is also formed / closed. Enclosing the nozzle opening 130 within the humidity chamber 350 not only helps protect the nozzle opening 130 from external contaminants, but also at least partially prevents air from drying out any excess fluid in or near the nozzle opening 130. In other words, the closed humidity chamber 350 helps support a humid and humid environment within the humidity chamber 350. The humidity and moisture at least partially prevent excess fluid cutoff or otherwise remaining (from the end portion) in or near the nozzle opening 130 from drying out and potentially causing obstructions along the flow path through the nozzle opening 130. Furthermore, because the nozzle opening 130 is at least partially enclosed within the humidity chamber 350, it is not necessary to completely close the nozzle opening 130. Instead, the nozzle opening 130 may be closed enough that fluid impedance prevents fluid from leaking out toward the end of the ejection process.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6 , the applicator 668 (or any other portion of the fluid delivery device 670) may include at least one germicidal light emitting diode (LED) 688 of violet or ultraviolet light. The violet or ultraviolet light emitted by the LED may have a wavelength of about 200 nm to about 400 nm. The germicidal LED 688 may be positioned within the applicator 668 such that the humidity chamber 350 (or at least a portion of the humidity chamber 350) and at least one of the nozzle openings 130 are selectively exposed to an LED light cone 690 emitted from the germicidal LED 688. The germicidal LED 688 may be powered via the power source 680 and controlled via the ECU 682 to be turned on and off by the ECU 682. For example, the ECU 682 may be programmed with a disinfection routine such that excess fluid within the humidity chamber and / or within or near at least one of the nozzle openings 130 is periodically at least partially disinfected via activation of the germicidal LED 688. The disinfection routine may be designed so that the germicidal LED 688 is activated before a dispense event, after a dispense event, when the humidity chamber 350 is closed, and / or when the humidity chamber 350 is opened (i.e., when the closure plate 144 is vertically spaced from the shielding wall 138).

[0043] Although the germicidal LED 688 is shown as being external to the humidity chamber 350, the germicidal LED 688 may be positioned within the humidity chamber 350. For example, the germicidal LED 688 may be present within the humidity chamber 350 and connected to at least one of the adapter 102, the nozzle head 118, the shielding wall 138, and the closure plate 144.

[0044] The fluid delivery device 670 can be a single-use or multi-use device. In the case of multi-use, the user may utilize the device 670 in the manner described above until the container 558 is emptied. The cartridge 556 may be removed and replaced once emptied. The container 558 may be configured to be a single-use or a refillable container 558. The nozzle 100 may also be configured for single or multi-use. In the case of multi-use, the nozzle 100 may be at least partially removed from the empty container 558 and then recoupled to the container 558 after the container has been refilled or after being coupled to a container 558 holding a different fluid.

[0045] Although the cartridge 556 is described as being part of a fluid delivery device 670 that also includes the applicator 668, the cartridge 556 can itself define the fluid delivery device 670. In other words, in certain use cases, the applicator 668 may not be provided as part of the fluid delivery device 670, and instead a user may function as the “applicator.” In such cases, a user may selectively manipulate the cartridge 556 to dispense fluid from the reservoir chamber 560 into the head chamber 122 (e.g., by “squeezing” the reservoir 558), to move the nozzle head 118 between open and closed states (e.g., by vertically moving the closure plate 144), and, as desired, to expel fluid from the head chamber 122 (e.g., by providing a vertical compressive force on the nozzle head 118 via the closure plate 144).

[0046] Additionally, the user may apply force to the reservoir 558 instead of the applicator 668 including the dispensing mechanism 674 , which in turn urges fluid from the reservoir 558 into the head chamber 122 .

[0047] It is contemplated that the nozzle 100 and / or fluid delivery device 670 may also include a removable nozzle cap for the nozzle 100. The cap, when coupled to the nozzle 100, may be configured to hold the nozzle head 118 closed and engage the closure plate 144 with the shield wall 138 via a longitudinal compressive force. The nozzle cap may be selectively removed from the remainder of the nozzle 100 prior to use.

[0048] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly illustrated 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 specific 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, any of which 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 be provided with user-perceptible markings to indicate the material, composition, at least one dimension, etc., associated with the component, and the user-perceptible markings may, in some cases, assist the user in selecting a component from an array of similar components for a particular use environment. The "predetermined" condition may be determined at any time before the structure being manipulated actually reaches that condition, with the "predetermined" occurring at the latest just before the structure achieves the predetermined condition. The term "substantially" is used herein to indicate a quality that is largely, but not necessarily completely, the specified quality, and "substantial" quality acknowledges 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 aspect or configuration may be provided in any other aspect or configuration, either alone or in combination with other structures or features, as it would be impractical to describe each of the aspects and configurations discussed herein as having all of the options discussed with respect to all of the other aspects and configurations. Devices or methods 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.

[0049] 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 a fluid delivery device, said nozzle comprising: a nozzle head defining an internal head chamber for a fluid; the nozzle head having at least one nozzle opening configured to selectively deliver fluid from the head chamber to a target site through the nozzle opening during use of the device; the nozzle head is at least partially formed from a deformable material; a nozzle head selectively deflectable between an open state in which the at least one nozzle opening is at least partially open to allow fluid to flow through the nozzle opening and a closed state in which the at least one nozzle opening is at least partially closed to restrict fluid flow through the nozzle opening.

2. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle head is at least partially formed from a deformable and resilient material.

3. the nozzle head includes a first head end, a second head end, and a head body extending between the first head end and the second head end and spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the head body defines a bellows configured to be selectively compressed to urge the fluid through the at least one nozzle opening.

4. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle head is at least partially compressed longitudinally to at least partially close the at least one nozzle opening when the nozzle head transitions from the open state to the closed state.

5. The nozzle of claim 4 , wherein the nozzle head at least partially expands longitudinally to at least partially open the at least one nozzle opening when the nozzle head transitions from the closed state to the open state.

6. The nozzle of claim 1 , further comprising a shield wall surrounding at least a portion of the nozzle head.

7. 7. The nozzle of claim 6, wherein a portion of the shielding wall is at least partially vertically aligned with the at least one nozzle opening when the nozzle head is in the closed state, and wherein the shielding wall is at least partially vertically offset from the at least one nozzle opening when the nozzle head is in the open state.

8. The nozzle of claim 6 , wherein a humidity chamber is defined between an outer surface of the nozzle head and an inner surface of the shroud when the nozzle head is in the closed state.

9. the nozzle head includes a first head end, a second head end, and a head body extending between the first head end and the second head end and spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; the at least one nozzle opening is adjacent the second head end; the nozzle further includes a closure plate connected to the second head end; 9. The nozzle of claim 8, wherein the closure plate engages the shield wall to at least partially define the humidity chamber when the nozzle head is in the closed position, and the closure plate is spaced longitudinally from the shield wall when the nozzle head is in the open position.

10. The nozzle of claim 1 , further comprising an adapter connected to the nozzle head for selectively securing the nozzle to a fluid-holding vessel.

11. the nozzle head includes a first head end connected to the adapter, a second head end, and a head body extending between the first head end and the second head end and separated in a longitudinal direction; The nozzle of claim 10 , wherein the at least one nozzle opening is adjacent the second head end.

12. a shielding wall extending longitudinally from the adapter and surrounding at least a portion of the nozzle head; a closure plate connected to the second head end, the closure plate engaging the shield wall when the nozzle head is in a closed position and being longitudinally spaced from the shield wall when the nozzle head is in an open position, such that the adapter, the shield wall, and the closure plate collectively define a humidity chamber; and The nozzle of claim 11 further comprising:

13. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one nozzle opening comprises a plurality of nozzle openings.

14. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is an ophthalmic treatment fluid and the target site is an eye of a user.

15. 1. A fluid delivery device for delivering fluid to an eye of a user, comprising: a cartridge including a reservoir and the nozzle of claim 1 coupled to the reservoir, the reservoir having an inner reservoir chamber configured to contain a fluid, the head chamber being in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber such that the fluid can selectively flow from the reservoir chamber to the head chamber; an applicator configured to receive the cartridge, the applicator including an actuator for selectively manipulating the nozzle head between the open and closed positions; A fluid delivery device comprising:

16. The fluid delivery device of claim 15 , wherein the fluid delivery device is a non-gravity fluid delivery device.

17. 16. The fluid delivery device of claim 15, wherein an actuator compresses the nozzle head toward the closed state to expel the fluid from a holding chamber through the at least one nozzle opening, the at least one nozzle opening at least partially closing when the nozzle head is compressed.

18. When the application is activated, the actuator: a loading position, the nozzle head being decompressed to the open state as the actuator moves to the loading position, and 16. The fluid delivery device of claim 15, wherein the actuator moves from the loading position to a striking position, compressing the nozzle head to the closed state when the actuator moves to the striking position, and the fluid from the head chamber is released from the head chamber when the nozzle head is compressed.

19. 1. A method of delivering fluid to an eye of a user, the method comprising: Providing the fluid delivery device of claim 15; inserting the cartridge into the applicator; aligning an applicator opening of the applicator with the eye of the user; activating the actuator to operate the nozzle head from the open state to the closed state; delivering fluid from the head chamber through the nozzle and the applicator opening to the user's eye when the nozzle head is operated from the open state to the closed state; A method comprising:

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