Adjustable Contact Lens Applicator Head for Safe Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact lens wearers face difficulties in inserting and removing lenses without proper technique, leading to eye infections and irritations due to direct hand-eye contact, with existing methods like plunger mechanisms being ineffective for soft lenses and potentially harmful.
Innovation Solution
A device with a handle and adjustable applicator head that utilizes hydrostatic forces and capillary action to securely hold and manage contact lenses, allowing for insertion and removal without direct hand-eye contact, featuring a shape that can be adjusted to accommodate various lens types and stored compactly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If one uses fingertips for insertion and removal of contact lenses, then the process is simple and direct, but it increases the risk of eye infections and irritations due to direct hand-eye contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a contact lens applicator as an intermediary tool between the hand and the eye. The applicator holds the contact lens and allows transfer to the eye without direct finger contact, thereby maintaining ease of operation while reducing infection risk through the mediating device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical contact of fingertips with a controlled mechanical delivery system (applicator). This substitution maintains the mechanical action of placement while eliminating the harmful factor of uncontrolled hand contact with the eye surface
2Productivity
If one uses a plunger mechanism for removal of hard contact lenses, then removal is effective, but it is not effective for soft contact lenses and may cause the lens and mechanism to stick to the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single applicator device that can handle both hard and soft contact lenses. The applicator uses a universal approach (holding the lens at the periphery) that works for both lens types, eliminating the need for different removal mechanisms and preventing the sticking problem associated with plunger mechanisms on soft lenses
3Productivity
If one uses a tweezer mechanism for removal of soft contact lenses, then removal may be achieved, but it can harm the corneal surface and is not always effective
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator serves as a gentle intermediary that grasps the soft contact lens at its periphery rather than pinching it with tweezers. This mediating approach enables removal of soft lenses while distributing force evenly and avoiding concentration of stress that could damage the corneal surface
4Adaptability or versatility
If the applicator head is adjusted to various positions for different lens types, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flexible or adjustable applicator head that can dynamically change its configuration. This dynamic feature allows the applicator to adapt to different lens sizes and types through simple positional adjustment rather than requiring multiple fixed components, thereby achieving versatility with minimal added complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates safe and efficient insertion and removal of contact lenses, reducing the risk of infection and discomfort by minimizing direct hand-eye contact and accommodating different lens characteristics, while allowing for convenient storage and portability.
Implementation Method 1
A device with a handle and adjustable applicator head that utilizes hydrostatic forces and capillary action to securely hold and manage contact lenses
Implementation Method 2
A device with a handle and adjustable applicator head that utilizes hydrostatic forces and capillary action to securely hold and manage contact lenses
Data Source
AI summary
The contact lens tool is a device intended to make it easier to insert and remove a contact lens from a person's eye. To accomplish this, the device includes a unique applicator head specifically designed to pick up and hold a contact lens. According to a preferred embodiment, the applicator head can be adjusted to various positions, depending on how the device is used. For inserting or removing a contact lens, the applicator head is most effective when partially open, forming a “Y” shape. This shape allows the applicator head to hold a wide range of contact lenses. Alternatively, the applicator head can be fully opened, forming a “T” shape. When not in use, the applicator head can be folded to a fully closed position, forming an “I” shape. This shape reduces space, allowing the device to be stored in a small compartment such as a wallet or purse.