Device for dispensing of eye drop solution

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for dispensing of eye drop solution from an associated squeezable container (2). The device comprises two arms (3) connected in a hinge (4). The arms are configured to accommodate the container 5 there between with the container in an orientation of 45-90 degrees, such as substantially 90 degrees, relative to a longitudinal extension of the arms, so that when the arms are pressed towards each other, a pressure (P) is applied to the container resulting in drops of the solution being dispensed. The arms are further configured to engage with and thereby accommodate different sizes of containers, the sizes including both bottles and pipettes comprising the eye drop solution to be dispensed. The arms are preferably dimensioned and shaped so that they are configured to be manually pressed towards each other by a user's fingers, palm(s), or a combination thereof.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR DISPENSING OF EYE DROP SOLUTION

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing eye drop solution from an associated squeezable container. In particular, it relates to a device that can be used for different sizes of containers including those of bottles and pipettes comprising the eye drop solution to be dispensed.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Many people need to use eye drop solution for treatment of temporary or chronical eye diseases, such as glaucoma, dry eye disease, uveitis, post- operatively (all eye diseases), corneal eye diseases, infectious eye diseases and several others. Patients, health care professionals, and patient relatives often struggle with dispensing eye drops due to problems with holding the bottles or pipettes containing the eye drop solutions, and some patients are even unable to squeeze out drops due to reduced strength or mobility in the hands. Such difficulties with dispensing the eye drops can decrease adherence of the treatment. For glaucoma patients, this has been linked to poorer prognosis of the disease, i.e. worsening of the visual field. Presently used devices primarily support getting the eye drop administered correctly to the eye. They do not specifically facilitate getting the drop out and they are designed solely to fit either a bottle or a pipette, and sometimes only one specific type of container. Furthermore, existing devices are often unsuitable for persons with disabilities in the fingers.

[0006] Hence, an improved device for dispensing eye drop solution from an associated squeezable container would be advantageous.

[0007] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for dispensing eye drop solution from an associated squeezable container, wherein the device can be used for both bottles and pipettes. It is an object of at least some embodiments of the present invention to provide a device for dispensing eye drop solution from an associated squeezable container, wherein the device can facilitate the dispensing of eye drop solution by holding the container substantially perpendicular to the eye.

[0009] It is another object of at least some embodiments of the present invention to provide a device for dispensing eye drop solution from an associated squeezable container, wherein the device is easier to handle manually by people having low strength or low mobility in the fingers.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The above-described object and several other objects are intended to be obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing a device for dispensing of eye drop solution from an associated squeezable container, the device comprising two arms connected in a hinge, which arms are configured to:

[0013] - accommodate the container there between with the container in an orientation of 45-90 degrees, such as 80-90 degrees, such as 85-90 degrees, such as substantially 90 degrees, relative to a longitudinal extension of the arms, so that when the arms are pressed towards each other, a pressure is applied to the container resulting in drops of the eye drop solution being dispensed, and

[0014] - engage with and thereby accommodate different sizes of containers, the sizes including those of both bottles and pipettes comprising the eye drop solution to be dispensed.

[0015] Eye drop solution is typically delivered either in a bottle or in a pipette which is to be manually dispensed into an eye either by the person needing the eye drops or by an assisting person. Studies made during the development of the present invention have shown that with this device, the dispensing has been significantly easier to perform - especially for persons having low strength or mobility in the hands. Typical dimensions of pipettes are 8-10 mm in width, 60-90 mm in length, and 5-12 mm in thickness, whereas the dimensions of the bottles are larger and can vary significantly. However, the scope of protection is not limited to these dimension. With the present invention, one device can be used to both bottles and pipettes thereby limiting the number of necessary aids to a minimum. This is particularly advantageous for persons that need different types of eye drop solution with some of them being delivered from bottles and others being delivered from pipettes. As an example, Glaucoma patients face life-long treatment with several different eye drops, typically 2-5 different bottles and pipettes at a time. It will therefore be convenient for the patient to be able to use one dispenser for all types of the needed treatment. However, it is also advantageous for health care people assisting a number of people needing different treatments, since all the types of required containers can be used with one device, so that it is not relevant to carry around different assist aids. Even though the device can hold different sizes of containers, the intention is that only one container at a time is used.

[0016] By "squeezable" is meant that the container is designed for being deformed by applying a pressure to the walls of the container in order to dispense eye drop solution therefrom. The pressure is typically manually applied as will be described in further details below. It does not exclude that some of the eye drop solution could also run out of the container, if it is held with the opening facing downwards but without any pressure being applied.

[0017] If found relevant, the device can also be combined with the existing assist aid devices, such as cups to be arranged around the eye, if there is a need to support the eye drop getting correctly administered to the eye.

[0018] The aim of the present invention is to provide an all-round solution adding value to not only patients but also to inhouse hospital and domestic carers with the potential to increase adherence to treatment, persistency and better everyday lives for patients, their families, and healthcare professionals.

[0019] The hinge may be in the form of two mutually rotating parts, such as a pin rotating within a matching hole. Alternatively it may be a film hinge which can be a connecting part of significantly lower thickness and thereby stiffness than the arms. In such embodiments, the whole device can be made as one coherent unit. Any type of hinge that make the device function as intended is covered by the scope of protection. This includes embodiments where the hinge includes one or more parts made from other another material than the rest of the device.

[0020] In some embodiments of the invention, mutually facing surfaces of the arms comprise two recesses of different shape and / or size configured to accommodate a bottle and a pipette, respectively. The two recesses may be in the same arm so that bottles and pipettes are to be arranged in the device in the same way. This may facilitate the handling, including lowering the risk of unintentionally dropping a container during arrangement thereof in the device - especially for persons having limited mobility in the hands. However, the scope of protection also comprises embodiment have the two recesses in different arms.

[0021] Alternatively or in combination with recesses, the secure holding of the container between the arms may be facilitated by elastic deformation and / or a high surface roughness of the arms.

[0022] The device may comprise at least one pair of recesses arranged opposite each other on mutually facing surfaces of the arms, and each of the at least one pair of recesses may be configured to accommodate a bottle or a pipette. By such a design, it may be easier to ensure that the container is held in the desired orientation, because it can be supported over a larger part of its circumference.

[0023] In a device comprising recesses, the mutually facing surfaces may further comprise at least one protrusion arranged and configured to apply a pressure to the container when the arms are pressed towards each other during use. Hereby it may be possible to squeeze and thereby deform the container by a necessary amount with less force applied than what would be needed with a similar device without such a protrusion.

[0024] In embodiments comprising at least one protrusion, each of the at least one protrusion may be dimensioned and shaped to be at least partly located in one of the recesses when there is no container accommodated between the arms.

[0025] Hereby a compact design can be obtained which may be an advantage in relation to storage. In embodiments comprising two recesses, one of the mutually facing surfaces may comprise both two recesses, and the other of the mutually facing surfaces may comprise at least one protrusion arranged and configured to apply a pressure on the container when the arms are pressed towards each other during use.

[0026] In such embodiments as just described, the device may comprise one protrusion arranged and configured to apply a pressure to a container accommodated in the recess which is closest to the hinge between the two arms during use. An example of such an embodiment will be shown in the figures.

[0027] In any of the above-described embodiments, an outer surface of at least one of the arms may be provided with at least one depression arranged at or near an end of the arm opposite the hinge. By placing a finger in a depression when using the device, a better grip may be obtained.

[0028] The arms are preferably dimensioned and shaped so that they are configured to be manually pressed towards each other by a user's fingers, palm(s), or a combination thereof. By allowing for holding and pressing by use of the palm(s) will make it easier to dispense the eye drops for some persons with limited strength or mobility in the fingers.

[0029] The device may be made from polymer or polymer composite material, including re-useable materials. It may e.g. be made by injection moulding or 3D-printing.

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] The device according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

[0032] Figures l.a and l.b schematically show an embodiment of the invention having a film hinge and two recesses. Figure 2 schematically shows another embodiment of the invention having two pairs of recesses.

[0033] Figures 3. a to 3.c show photos of a device which has been manufactured and tested during the development of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 show photos of different uses of the device in figure 3.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0036] Figures l.a and l.b schematically show an embodiment of the invention, namely a device 1 for dispensing of eye drop solution from an associated squeezable container 2. The device comprises two arms 3 connected in a hinge 4 which in the embodiment in figures l.a and figure l.b is a film hinge. The arms 3 are configured to accommodate the container 2 there between so that when the arms 3 are pressed towards each other, a pressure P is applied to the container 2 resulting in drops of the eye drop solution being dispensed. The arms 3 are configured to engage with and thereby accommodate different sizes of containers

[0037] 2, the sizes including both bottles and pipettes comprising the eye drop solution to be dispensed. In figures l.a and l.b, both a pipette and a bottle are shown together to illustrate the different sizes of the container 2. In practise, only one container 2 is to be arranged in the device 1 at a time. Please note that the dimensions are not drawn to scale between figures l.a and l.b. Figure l.a shows the device 1 in a side view with the containers 2 oriented perpendicular to the plane of the figure and it illustrates the applied pressure P. In the embodiment in figures l.a and l.b, the mutually facing surfaces 5,6 of the arms 3 comprise two recesses 7 of different size configured to accommodate a bottle and a pipette, respectively. The two recesses 7 could also have different shape as will be shown below. Figure l.b shows a top view of the same device 1 as in figure l.a with the containers 2 at different angles (3,y relative to a longitudinal extension of the arms

[0038] 3. The intended orientation of the containers is 90 degrees, i.e. vertical with respect to the figure, but the scope of protection also covers embodiments wherein the arms 3 are configured to hold the container 3 in an orientation of 45- 90 degrees, such as 80-90 degrees, such as 85-90 degrees relative to the longitudinal extension of the arms 3. Figure 2 schematically shows another embodiment in which the device 1 comprises two pairs of recesses 7 arranged opposite each other on mutually facing surfaces 5,6 of the arms 3. In this embodiment, one pair of recesses 7 is configured to accommodate a bottle, and another pair of recesses 7 is configured to accommodate a pipette.

[0039] Figures 3. a to 3.c are photos of a device 1 which has been manufactured during the work leading to the present invention. In this embodiment, the hinge 4 is in the form of two mutually rotating parts. The actual device 1 has been made by 3D-printing, but for large scale production, injection moulding may be more advantageous. In both cases, the device 1 is typically made from polymer or polymer composite material. In this embodiment of the invention, the mutually facing surfaces 5,6 further comprise a protrusion 8 arranged and configured to apply a pressure to a container 2 in the form of pipette when the arms 3 are pressed towards each other during use as shown in figure 3.b. As most clearly seen in figure 3.c, the protrusion 8 is dimensioned and shaped to be located in one of the recesses 7 when there is no container accommodated between the arms 3. In the illustrated device, an outer surface 9 of one of the arms 3 is provided with a depression 10 arranged near an end of the arm 3 opposite the hinge 4. As mentioned above, such a depression 10 may provide for a better grip.

[0040] The arms 3 of a device 1 according to the present invention are preferably dimensioned and shaped so that they are configured to be manually pressed towards each other by a user's fingers, palm(s), or a combination thereof. Figure 4 shows photos of a device 1 used for a bottle and a pipette, respectively. The photos illustrate how the device 1 can be pressed by using a combination of fingers and a palm of the hand. As seen in the figure, the orientations of the device 1 and the container 2 allows sufficient space for using the other hand to keep the eye open during the dispensing.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as "a" or "an" etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device (1) for dispensing of eye drop solution from an associated squeezable container (2), the device (1) comprising two arms (3) connected in a hinge (4), which arms (3) are configured to:- accommodate the container (2) there between with the container (2) in an orientation of 45-90 degrees, such as 80-90 degrees, such as 85-90 degrees, such as substantially 90 degrees, relative to a longitudinal extension of the arms (3), so that when the arms (3) are pressed towards each other, a pressure (P) is applied to the container (2) resulting in drops of the eye drop solution being dispensed, and- engage with and thereby accommodate different sizes of containers (2), the sizes including those of both bottles and pipettes comprising the eye drop solution to be dispensed.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein mutually facing surfaces (5,6) of the arms (3) comprise two recesses (7) of different shape and / or size configured to accommodate a bottle and a pipette, respectively.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device (1) comprises at least one pair of recesses (7) arranged opposite each other on mutually facing surfaces (5,6) of the arms (3), and wherein each of the at least one pair of recesses (7) is configured to accommodate a bottle or a pipette.

4. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mutually facing surfaces (5,6) further comprise at least one protrusion (8) arranged and configured to apply a pressure to the container (2) when the arms (3) are pressed towards each other during use.

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein each of the at least one protrusion (8) is dimensioned and shaped to be at least partly located in one of the recesses (7) when there is no container accommodated between the arms (3).

6. Device (1) according to any of claims 2 or any of claims 3 to 5 when dependent on claim 2, wherein one of the mutually facing surfaces (5,6)comprises both two recesses (7), and wherein the other of the mutually facing surfaces (5,6) comprises at least one protrusion (8) arranged and configured to apply a pressure on the container (2) when the arms (3) are pressed towards each other during use.

7. Device (1) according to claim 6, comprising one protrusion (8) arranged and configured to apply a pressure to a container (2) accommodated in the recess (7) which is closest to the hinge (4) between the two arms (3) during use.

8. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an outer surface (9) of at least one of the arms (3) is provided with at least one depression (10) arranged at or near an end of the arm (3) opposite the hinge (4).

9. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the arms (3) are dimensioned and shaped so that they are configured to be manually pressed towards each other by a user's fingers, palm(s), or a combination thereof.

10. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) is made from polymer or polymer composite material.

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