Eye Drop Dispenser Apparatus with Forehead Rest for Accurate Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many individuals struggle with accurately administering ophthalmic solutions into their eyes due to involuntary reflexes or aversions, often resulting in the drops landing on the cheek or eyelid, which is wasteful and exacerbates the issue.
Innovation Solution
The development of methods and apparatus that support the accurate placement of ophthalmic solutions by securely holding an eye drop dispenser in a fixed position relative to the eye, maintaining a safe distance to prevent contact, and providing guide features to facilitate precise dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a user manually administers eye drops, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but the placement accuracy is poor due to involuntary reflexes or aversion
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus introduces an intermediary device (the apparatus itself) between the user and the eye drop administration process. The apparatus includes positioning mechanisms, guide features, and feedback systems that mediate the administration process, ensuring accurate placement without requiring the user to directly control the dropper tip near the eye.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with automated or semi-automated systems. The apparatus may include motorized positioning mechanisms, sensors to detect eye position, and automated dispensing systems that eliminate the need for manual coordination between the user's hand and the eye, thereby improving placement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the dropper is positioned close to the eye for accurate dispensing, then the placement precision improves, but the risk of contamination or injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus acts as an intermediary that maintains a safe distance between the dropper and the eye while still enabling precise delivery. The positioning mechanisms and guide features ensure the dropper is positioned optimally for dispensing without requiring direct contact or proximity that would cause contamination or injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus may include sensors and feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the distance and position of the dropper relative to the eye. This feedback allows the system to automatically adjust the dropper position to maintain the optimal distance for safe and precise dispensing, preventing both contamination and placement errors.
3Quantity of substance
If the user tries to administer eye drops manually, then no additional equipment is needed, but the therapeutic amount cannot be reliably delivered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual dispensing with automated or controlled dispensing mechanisms. The apparatus may include calibrated dispensing systems, motorized dropper mechanisms, or sensor-controlled release systems that ensure the precise delivery of the therapeutic amount, eliminating the variability inherent in manual administration.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus may incorporate feedback mechanisms that monitor the dispensing process and ensure the correct therapeutic amount is delivered. Sensors can detect when the appropriate quantity has been dispensed and automatically stop the dispensing action, preventing both under-dosing and over-dosing that occur with manual administration.
4Ease of operation
If the dropper touches the eye or face surface, then the dispensing is easier, but the sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus serves as an intermediary that enables easy dispensing while maintaining sterility. The positioning mechanisms and guide features allow the dropper to be positioned close to the eye for easy dispensing, while the design ensures the dropper tip does not actually contact the eye or face surfaces, thereby maintaining sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus may include sensors and feedback mechanisms that monitor the distance between the dropper and the eye/face surfaces. This feedback allows the system to maintain optimal positioning for easy dispensing while automatically preventing contact that would compromise sterility, ensuring both ease of operation and reliability of sterility maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for administration of ophthalmic treatments into a patient's eye. Apparatus may include a wire form with a horizontal upper frame, temples that rest on or hook over the ears, nose pads, and semi-circular receivers to accept the tip of an eye drop-dispenser bottle. In some examples, distance sensing apparatus and signaling capabilities may be present to support the administration of ophthalmic treatments. In some examples, the apparatus may be enhanced for the purposes of aiding the application of eyedrops by a deep upper horizontal frame that rests on the forehead to prevent the apparatus, and thereby the eye dropper bottle, from approaching the eye too closely.