Ergonomic Eye Drop Dispenser with Anatomical Mounting Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional eye drop dispensing devices are difficult for older users or those with medical conditions to use, as they require hand steadiness and can lead to waste and poor adherence to medication regimens, and existing solutions often involve extraneous gadgets that are cumbersome and costly.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing device with a container body and nozzle that includes channels for mounting on anatomical structures like the nose bridge or eyebrow ridge, and grip areas for easy handling, allowing for ergonomic dispensing without the need for additional gadgets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional bottles are used for dispensing eye drops, then the device structure is simple, but it is difficult for users with limited dexterity to position and squeeze the bottle accurately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of dispensingVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the positioning function and dispensing function into a single integrated bottle structure. The bottle incorporates a positioning element (such as a flange or ridge) that rests on the user's eyebrow or nose bridge, combining the support/positioning role with the dispensing container, eliminating the need for separate positioning devices while improving ease of operation for users with limited dexterity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If extraneous gadgets or frames are added to position the bottle, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning element is integrated directly into the bottle structure as a unified component. The flange or ridge is molded as part of the bottle body, combining the positioning function with the container function, thereby achieving accurate positioning without adding extraneous gadgets or increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bottle's own structure provides the positioning function through its integrated flange or ridge. The bottle serves itself by incorporating the positioning element, eliminating the need for separate positioning devices or frames, thus achieving positioning accuracy without increasing device complexity or cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the bottle is squeezed by hand, then drops can be dispensed, but users with arthritis or tremors cannot steady their hands for accurate application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing accuracyVSAvoidhand dexterity requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle integrates the positioning function (resting on eyebrow or nose bridge) with the dispensing function in a single structure. This merging allows the bottle to be stabilized on the user's face, reducing the need for hand steadiness and enabling accurate drop application even for users with arthritis or tremors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bottle's integrated flange or ridge acts as an intermediary element that transfers the user's hand motion into stable positioning on the face. This intermediary structure mediates between the user's hand and the drop application point, reducing the impact of hand tremors or instability on dispensing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If separate positioning gadgets are used, then drop application accuracy is improved, but additional expense and risk of loss or misplacement occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrop application accuracyVSAvoidadditional cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function and dispensing function are merged into a single bottle structure with an integrated flange or ridge. This eliminates the need for separate positioning gadgets, thereby reducing additional expense and the risk of loss or misplacement while maintaining drop application accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bottle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the drop container and as the positioning device through its integrated flange or ridge. This universal design eliminates the need for separate single-function gadgets, reducing overall cost and preventing loss of additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11786397B2Dispensing devices and methods

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 ORLOFF EYE GROUP INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are improved dispensing devices for facilitating application of eye drops that are ergonomic, promote improved patient adherence, and eliminate the need for extraneous gadgets or facilitating devices that may add additional expense to users. A dispensing device can include a container body for storing drops and a nozzle coupled to the body for dispensing the drops. The device can include one or more channels defined on a surface of the container body and configured to couple, or otherwise mount or abut, to an anatomical structure of a user (such as, for example, a user's nose bridge or eyebrow ridge). The device can also include one or more grip areas defined on the container body and configured to allow a user to generally hold the device and to apply force thereto to dispense drops from the device.