Compressible Bulb Ear Medication Delivery Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current droppers for administering liquid medications, especially for ear treatments, are inefficient, leading to wasted medication, increased costs, and decreased clinical efficacy due to reliance on gravity, which often results in the medication not reaching the target location effectively and can cause trauma to the ear canal.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a compressible first hollow bulb and a second hollow bulb connected via a hollow stem, where the second bulb has a tapered configuration with vents and is designed to be aligned with the ear, allowing the liquid to be propelled into the ear canal through compression of the first bulb, ensuring a targeted and efficient delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid medication is administered using conventional droppers relying on gravity, then the device structure is simple, but the medication cannot reach the target location effectively and causes trauma to the ear canal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-based passive dropper system with an active compression bulb system that uses manual mechanical pressure to propel medication. The compression bulb allows the user to actively control medication flow and direction, substituting passive gravitational force with active mechanical force to achieve precise and trauma-free delivery into the ear canal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compression bulb as an intermediary device between the medication bottle and the ear canal. This intermediary allows controlled pressure application and directional guidance of the medication stream, enabling precise delivery without direct contact or trauma to the ear canal tissues.
2Productivity
If conventional droppers are used for medication administration, then the device design is simple, but medication is wasted and clinical efficacy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression bulb system replaces passive gravity-driven delivery with active pressure-controlled delivery. This allows precise control over medication flow rate and direction, ensuring that medication is delivered efficiently to the target location without spillage or waste, thereby improving delivery efficiency and reducing substance loss.
3Use of energy by moving object
If gravity is used to propel medication drops, then no additional energy input is needed, but it is difficult for drops to reach the target location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes passive gravitational propulsion with active manual compression. The user applies mechanical pressure to the compression bulb to propel medication forward, replacing the insufficient gravitational force with controllable human-powered force. This enables reliable delivery to the ear canal target location while maintaining reasonable energy input through simple hand compression.
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
The device ensures safe and efficient use of medication, improving the likelihood of the liquid reaching the target location, enhancing clinical efficacy while reducing costs by minimizing waste and trauma.
Implementation Method 1
a first hollow bulb, wherein the first hollow bulb is compressible
Implementation Method 2
projecting the liquid into the patient's ear by compressing a first hollow bulb of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the dispensing of liquids is disclosed. In an embodiment the device comprises a first hollow bulb coupled to a second hollow bulb, wherein the first hollow bulb is compressible; and a separator element disposed between the first hollow bulb and the second hollow bulb, wherein the separator element defines a passage; wherein the second hollow bulb defines an opening.