Device assisting the monitoring of liquid ophthalmic treatments

Abstract

The technical field of the invention relates to assisting the monitoring of liquid ophthalmic treatments delivered by droplet-dispensing bottles activated by longitudinal pinching or by transverse pinching. The traditional pill-type organizer is not suitable for these treatments. The object of the invention is to provide a device indicating the day of the week and the number of droplets instilled and / or the period of instillation on the same day. This device contains at least three elements (A, B, and C), namely, a tubular part (A) that can be fitted around the bottle, a ring (B) fitted onto (A) with the possibility of rotating, and a ring (C) positioned above the ring (B) and fitted onto (A) with the possibility of rotating, the rings (B and C) being provided with through-windows (2a and 2b), the rotation of which brings them onto the marking zones (1a, 1b) of the part (A).

Description

DEVICE TO ASSIST IN MONITORING LIQUID OPHTHALMIC TREATMENTS technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of aiding in the monitoring of dispensed liquid ophthalmic treatments: - in dropper bottles consisting of a reservoir capped by a rigid sleeve, and activated by longitudinal pinching between the sleeve and the bottom of the reservoir, or - in flexible drop dispenser bottles, activated by transverse pinching. State of the art

[0002] Current technology for medication management systems utilizes devices adapted for administering medications in solid dosage forms such as capsules and tablets, and / or in liquid dosage forms such as unit-dose vials. These devices, commonly known as pill organizers, are generally composed of compartments organized by day of the week and specific times of day, such as morning, noon, evening, and night. The user places their medications in each compartment according to the medical prescription. These devices are not suitable for the specific needs of liquid ophthalmic treatments dispensed in dropper bottles, where the therapeutic requirement is adherence to a precise number of drops for daily instillations. Monitoring the treatment may also involve ensuring that the medication is not interrupted due to prematurely empty bottles. Description of the invention

[0003] One object of the invention is to provide a device indicating the day of the week and the number of drops instilled on that same day.

[0004] Another object of the invention is to provide a device indicating the day of the week and the time of day for instilling the drops.

[0005] In one embodiment of the invention, another object of the invention is to provide a device indicating the total number of drops dispensed from the bottle since it was opened or indicating the number of drops remaining in the bottle.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to secure the device to the bottles during the user's movements.

[0007] Another object of the invention is, unlike the bottle activated by longitudinal pinching, to be able to separate the device from the flexible bottle in order to allow its transverse pinching necessary for instillations.

[0008] According to the invention, the device for monitoring liquid ophthalmic treatments dispensed in Fl drop dispenser bottles consists of a reservoir capped by a sleeve and activated by longitudinal pinching between the sleeve and the bottom of the reservoir, or delivered in F2 bottles, drop dispensers activated by transverse pinching comprise at least three elements A, B, and C, namely: a tubular piece A that fits around the Fl or F2 bottles and has on its external face perimeter and stepped markings, embossed or printed, indicating the days of the week and a number of drops instilled presented in the form of numbers or symbols and / or the period of the day of instillation of the drops presented in the form of letters or symbols, a ring B positioned around piece A on which it can rotate to bring a through window onto an area of ​​the markings of piece A, a ring C positioned above ring B and around piece A on which it can rotate to bring a through window onto an area of ​​the markings of piece A.

[0009] With this arrangement, after rotating the two rings above the markings, the user can see the day of the week and the number of drops instilled, and / or, in one version, the total number of drops dispensed from the bottle since it was opened, or the number of drops remaining in the bottle, and / or the time of day the drops were instilled, displayed as letters or symbols. When the device is attached to bottle F1, it remains fixed to the bottle during instillations and when the user moves. When the device is attached to bottle F2, it remains fixed to the bottle when the user moves, but it can be detached before instillations to allow for the transverse pinching necessary for drop dispensing. In all cases, the user has complete control over their treatment.

[0010] In one embodiment, the external face of part A has projections between and below rings B and C to individualize their rotations and to adjust the longitudinal positioning of their windows above the markings.

[0011] In another embodiment, the outer face of part A has projections in the longitudinal direction on either side of the markings and the inner faces of rings B, C have bosses in order to adjust the rotational positioning of the windows above the markings when rotating rings B and C.

[0012] In other words, an object of the invention is a device for assisting in monitoring liquid ophthalmic treatments delivered in first drop dispenser bottles consisting of a reservoir capped by a sleeve and activated by longitudinal pinching between the sleeve and the bottom of the reservoir, or delivered in second drop dispenser bottles activated by transverse pinching, characterized in that it comprises at least three elements, namely: - a tubular piece that fits around the first and second bottles and rests on its external face of perimeter and tiered markings, embossed or printed, indicating the days of the week and a number of drops instilled presented in the form of numbers or symbols and / or the period of the day of instillation of the drops presented in the form of letters or symbols; - a first ring positioned around the tubular part on which the first ring can rotate to bring a first through window onto a first area of ​​the markings of the tubular part; - a second ring positioned above the first ring and around the tubular part on which the second ring can rotate to bring a second through window onto a second area of ​​the markings on the tubular part.

[0013] The device according to the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0014] According to one feature of the invention, the tubular piece is fitted tightly onto the first and second drop dispenser bottles.

[0015] According to one feature of the invention, the tubular piece is closed at one end by a first diametrical wall through which a first passage channel passes through the first and second necks respectively of the first and second bottles.

[0016] According to one feature of the invention, the second ring is closed at one end by a second diametrical wall through which a second passage channel passes through the first and second necks of the first and second bottles respectively.

[0017] According to one feature of the invention, the longitudinal support of the tubular part on the first bottles is ensured between the inner face of the first diametrical wall and internal projections placed at the other end of the tubular part.

[0018] According to one feature of the invention, the longitudinal retention of the tubular part on the second bottles is ensured by pinching the first diametrical wall and / or the second diametrical wall between: -an upper lip of a collar attached to the second bottles after removal of a tamper-evident collar, and - a lower lip of a collar of a stopper pressed over the external face of the first and second diametrical walls of the device.

[0019] According to one feature of the invention, the external face of the tubular part has first projections between and under the first and second rings to individualize their rotations and to adjust the longitudinal positioning of the first and second through windows over the first and second areas of the markings.

[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the external face of the tubular part has second projections in the longitudinal direction on either side of the markings, and the internal faces of the first and second rings have bosses in order to adjust the rotational positioning of the first and second through windows above the markings during the rotation of the first and second rings.

[0021] According to one feature of the invention, the sleeve of a first bottle or a flexible body delimiting a second bottle constitutes the tubular part and is shaped like this to receive at least the first and second rings.

[0022] According to one feature of the invention, the tubular part can receive other markings to aid in monitoring liquid ophthalmic treatments such as the total number of drops dispensed from a bottle since it was opened or the number of drops remaining in the bottle. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 are individual perspective views of one execution form of components A, B and C of the device,

[0025] Figure 4 is a view of one execution form of the device after assembly of its components.

[0026] Figures 5, 6, and 7 are individual perspective views of another embodiment of components A, B, and C of the device.

[0027] Figure 8 is a view of the device after assembly of the components shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

[0028] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a dropper bottle consisting of a reservoir capped by a rigid sleeve and activated by longitudinal pinching between the arrows 20 between the sleeve and the bottom of the reservoir,

[0029] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the device in place on the bottle in Figure 9, the cap of which is being removed.

[0030] Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in Figure 10.

[0031] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a flexible dropper bottle activated by transverse pinching between arrows 21 before it is put into service,

[0032] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the bottle in Figure 12, ready for use after removal of its cap and tamper-evident collar.

[0033] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the device in place on the bottle in Figure 13, the cap of which has been repositioned to secure it during user movement, and

[0034] Figure 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembly in Figure 14.

[0035] It should be noted that the drawings described above are schematic and not necessarily to scale for the sake of readability and to simplify understanding. The sections are made according to the length of the bottles. Detailed description of the implementation methods

[0036] Identical elements or elements performing the same function will bear the same references for the different embodiments, for the sake of simplification.

[0037] Figure 4 illustrates the device formed by assembling elements A, B, and C, before its placement on a bottle FL. These elements are thin-walled tubular in shape and made of synthetic material. The inner diameter increases as they fit tightly around a bottle FL, as shown in Figure 10. Rings B and C are fitted onto the top of part A, positioned longitudinally by projections 7a and 7b protruding from the outer face of part A, as shown in Figure 3. Manually rotating rings B and C brings a through-window 2a or 2b in these rings onto the marking area of ​​part A.

[0038] In this embodiment, part A is provided at one end with a transverse wall 3a, resting on the top of the bottle Fl or F2, this wall 3a being crossed by a channel 4a for the passage of the necks of the bottles, respectively 5a or 5b.

[0039] The longitudinal support of part A on a bottle Fl is ensured by support between the inner face of the diametrical wall 3a and the upper part of the top of the bottle and internal projections 6, placed at the other end of part A.

[0040] Ring C with and without diametrical collar 3b and ring B include means for angular positioning of windows 2b and 2a relative to marking areas 1 of part A, these means being bosses 9 projecting from the inner face of rings B and C. The outer face of part A has longitudinal projections 8 arranged on either side of the marking areas 1.

[0041] Figures 12 to 15 show a device for bottle F2 activated by transverse pinching between the arrows 21. The bottle F2, filled with liquid, is closed by a stopper 5f which is sealed by a tamper-evident, tear-off tab 5d. The longitudinal retention of the device on the bottle F2 is ensured by pinching one or more diametrical walls 3a or 3b between the upper lip 5e of the collar 5c, which is attached to the bottle after removal of the tamper-evident collar 5d. and by the lower lip 5h of the collar 5g of the cap 5f pressed over the external face 3a or 3b of the device.

[0042] Figure 14 shows that the external face of part A, i.e. the one facing outwards, bears perimeter and stepped markings la and 1b visible through the windows 2a and 2b of the rings B and C. These markings, in relief or printed, are associated with projections 7a or 7b arranged between and under the rings B and C, to individualize their rotations and to adjust the longitudinal positioning of the windows 2a and 2b, over the markings la and 1b.

[0043] In another embodiment, the Fl b sleeve of the bottle Fl constitutes part A and is shaped like this to receive at least rings B and C.

[0044] In addition to the applications described above, the device according to the invention can receive other markings to aid in monitoring liquid ophthalmic treatments such as the total number of drops dispensed from the bottle since it was opened or the number of drops remaining in the bottle.

[0045] In other words, an object of the invention is a device for assisting in the monitoring of liquid ophthalmic treatments delivered in first dropper bottles Fl, consisting of a reservoir Fia capped by a sleeve Flb and activated by longitudinal pinching between the sleeve Flb and the bottom of the reservoir Fia, or delivered in second dropper bottles F2, activated by transverse pinching, the device being characterized in that it comprises: - a tubular piece A that fits around the first and second bottles Fl, F2 and has on its external face perimeter and stepped markings 1, in relief or printed, indicating the days 1b of the week and a number of drops instilled presented in the form of numbers or symbols and / or the period of the day of instillation of the drops presented in the form of letters or symbols; - a first ring B positioned around the tubular part A on which the first ring B can rotate to bring a first through window 2a onto a first area of ​​the markings la of the tubular part A; - a second ring C positioned above the first ring B and around the tubular part A on which the second ring C can rotate to bring a second through window 2b onto a second area of ​​the markings 1b of the tubular part A.

[0046] Bottles

[0047] The first Fl dropper bottles were of an early type, comprising a reservoir Fia and a sleeve Flb designed to cover the reservoir Fia. These early Fl bottles were activated by longitudinal pinching (i.e., along the length of the first Fl bottle). between the Flb sleeve and the bottom of the Fia reservoir. The first Fl bottles each have a 5a neck (called first 5a neck).

[0048] The second F2 dropper bottles are a second type of bottle activated by transverse pinching (i.e., a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second F2 bottle). The transverse direction of the pinching crosses perpendicularly or obliquely the longitudinal direction along which the second F2 bottle extends. Each second F2 bottle has a 5b neck (referred to as the second 5b neck). Each second F2 bottle has a flexible body that defines the corresponding second F2 bottle.

[0049] The second vials F2 may each have a cap 5f with a collar 5g (referred to as the upper collar 5g) equipped with a lower lip 5h. The second vials F2 may each have a collar 5c (referred to as the lower collar 5c) equipped with an upper lip 5e. The lower collar 5c of the second vials F2 is exposed after removal of a tamper-evident collar 5d.

[0050] Tubular part

[0051] Tubular part A is configured to fit around each of the first and second flasks Fl, F2.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the tubular part A and the sleeve Flb of a first bottle Fl are one piece. In other words, the sleeve Flb of a first bottle Fl constitutes the tubular part A and is shaped like it to receive at least the first and second rings B, C.

[0053] According to another embodiment, the tubular part A and the flexible body delimiting a second bottle F2 are one piece. In other words, the flexible body delimiting a second bottle F2 constitutes the tubular part A and is shaped like it to receive at least the first and second rings B, C.

[0054] The tubular part A has an external face bearing markings 1. The markings 1 extend around the periphery of the external face of the tubular part A so as to form two tiers of markings. The markings 1 are preferably embossed or printed.

[0055] Markings 1 include markings of a first type, representing the number of drops instilled and / or the time of day the drops were instilled. These first-type markings can be represented in various forms: pictograms, letters, symbols, patterns, etc.

[0056] The markings 1 include markings 1b of a second type, representing the days of the week. By way of non-limiting example, the markings 1b of the second type may be represented by the first two letters of the corresponding day.

[0057] The external face of the tubular part A can receive other markings to aid in monitoring liquid ophthalmic treatments such as the total number of drops dispensed by a bottle Fl, F2 since it was opened or the number of drops remaining in the bottle Fl, F2.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the tubular part A is fitted tightly onto the first and second Fl, F2 drop dispenser bottles.

[0059] The tubular part A may include a diametrical wall 3a (called first diametrical wall 3a) extending to one end (called first end) of the tubular part A. The tubular part A may include a passage channel 4a (called first passage channel 4a), passing through the first diametrical wall 3a, and arranged to receive each of the first and second necks 5a, 5b of the first and second bottles Fl, F2.

[0060] The tubular piece A may have internal projections 6 extending to the other end of the tubular piece (i.e., to a second end, opposite the first end). The first diametrical wall 3a may have an internal face cooperating with the internal projections 6 so as to ensure longitudinal retention of the tubular piece A on the first FL bottles

[0061] According to one embodiment, the longitudinal maintenance of the tubular part A on the second bottles F2 can be ensured by pinching the first diametrical wall 3a between the upper lip 5e of the lower collar 5c and the lower lip 5h of the upper collar 5g.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the external face of the tubular part A is provided with first projections 7a, 7b. The first projections 7a extend below the second ring C and above the first ring B. The first projections 7b extend below the first ring B. The first projections 7a, 7b are arranged to allow individual rotation of the first and second rings B, C.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the external face of the tubular part A is provided with second projections 8, extending longitudinally on either side of the markings 1.

[0064] First ring

[0065] The first ring B is mounted to rotate freely around the tubular part A. The first ring B has a through window 2a, called the first through window 2a, intended to highlight an area (called the first area) of the markers 1, for example the markers la of the first type.

[0066] The first ring B is mounted to rotate freely around the tubular piece A so as to move the first through window 2a opposite the first area of ​​the markers 1.

[0067] The first ring B may have an inner face with bosses 9 arranged to cooperate with the second projections 8 of the outer face of the tubular part A so as to adjust the rotational positioning of the first through window 2a with respect to the first area of ​​the markers 1 when rotating the first ring B.

[0068] Second ring

[0069] The second ring C is mounted to rotate freely around the tubular piece A, above the first ring B. The second ring C has a through window 2b, called the second through window 2b, intended to highlight an area (called the second area) of the markers 1, for example the 1b markers of the second type.

[0070] The second ring C is mounted to rotate freely around the tubular piece A so as to move the second through window 2b in relation to the second area of ​​the markers 1.

[0071] The first projections 7a, 7b of the external face of the tubular piece A are advantageously arranged to adjust the longitudinal positioning of the first and second through windows 2a, 2b so as to overlap respectively with the first and second zones of the markers 1.

[0072] The second ring C may have an inner face with bosses 9 arranged to cooperate with the second projections 8 of the outer face of the tubular part so as to adjust the rotational positioning of the second through window 2b with respect to the second area of ​​the markers 1 when rotating the second ring C.

[0073] The second ring C may include a diametrical wall 3b (called the second diametrical wall 3b) extending to one end of the second ring C. The second ring C may include a passage channel 4b (called the second passage channel 4b), passing through the second diametrical wall 3b, and arranged to receive each of the first and second necks 5a, 5b of the first and second bottles Fl, F2.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the longitudinal retention of the tubular part A on the second bottles F2 can be ensured by pinching the second diametrical wall 3b between the upper lip 5e of the lower collar 5c and the lower lip 5h of the upper collar 5g.

[0075] According to another embodiment, the longitudinal maintenance of the tubular part A on the second bottles F2 can be ensured by pinching the first and second diametrical walls 3a, 3b between the upper lip 5e of the lower collar 5c and the lower lip 5h of the upper collar 5g.

[0076] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described. A person skilled in the art is able to consider their technically operative combinations and to substitute equivalents for them.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Device for monitoring liquid ophthalmic treatments delivered in first bottles (Fl) drop dispensers composed of a reservoir (Fia) capped by a sleeve (Flb) and activated by longitudinal pinching between the sleeve (Flb) and the bottom of the reservoir (Fia), or delivered in second bottles (F2) drop dispensers activated by transverse pinching, characterized in that it comprises at least three elements (A, B, C), namely: - a tubular piece (A) that fits around the first and second bottles (Fl, F2) and has on its external face perimeter and stepped markings (1), raised or printed, indicating the days (1b) of the week and a number of drops instilled (la) presented in the form of numbers or symbols and / or the period of the day of instillation of the drops presented in the form of letters or symbols; - a first ring (B) positioned around the tubular part (A) on which the first ring (B) can rotate to bring a first through window (2a) onto a first area of ​​the markings (la) of the tubular part (A); - a second ring (C) positioned above the first ring (B) and around the tubular part (A) on which the second ring (C) can rotate to bring a second through window (2b) onto a second area of ​​the markings (1b) of the tubular part (A).

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the tubular part (A) is fitted tightly onto the first and second drop dispenser bottles (F1, F2).

3. Device according to claim 1, in which the tubular part (A) is closed at one end by a first diametrical wall (3a) through which a first channel (4a) passes through the first and second necks (5a, 5b) respectively of the first and second bottles (F1, F2).

4. Device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the second ring (C) is closed at one end by a second diametrical wall (3b) through which a second channel (4b) passes through the first and second necks (5a, 5b) of the first and second bottles (F1, F2) respectively.

5. A device according to claim 3 or according to claim 4 in combination with claim 3, wherein the longitudinal retention of the tubular part (A) on the first vials (Fl) is secured between the inner face of the first diametrical wall (3a) and internal projections (6) placed at the other end of the tubular piece (A).

6. Device according to claim 4 in combination with claim 3, wherein the longitudinal retention of the tubular part (A) on the second bottles (F2) is ensured by pinching the first diametrical wall (3a) and / or the second diametrical wall (3b) between: -an upper lip (5e) of a collar (5c) attached to the second vials (F2) after removal of a tamper-evident collar (5d), and - a lower lip (5h) of a collar (5g) of a stopper (5f) pressed over the external face of the first and second diametrical walls (3a, 3b) of the device.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4, wherein the external face of the tubular part (A) has first projections (7a, 7b) between and under the first and second rings (B, C) to individualize their rotations and to adjust the longitudinal positioning of the first and second through windows (2a, 2b) over the first and second areas of the markings (la, 1b).

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 7, wherein the external face of the tubular part (A) has second projections (8) in the longitudinal direction on either side of the markings (1), and the internal faces of the first and second rings (B, C) have bosses (9) in order to adjust the rotational positioning of the first and second through windows (2a, 2b) above the markings (1) during the rotation of the first and second rings (B, C).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1, 3, 7 and 8, wherein the sleeve (Flb) of a first bottle (Fl) or a flexible body delimiting a second bottle (F2) constitutes the tubular part (A) and is shaped like it to receive at least the first and second rings (B, C).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the tubular part (A) can receive other markings to aid in monitoring liquid ophthalmic treatments such as the total number of drops dispensed from a bottle (F1, F2) since it was opened or the number of drops remaining in the bottle (F1, F2).

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