Removable Eye Drop Guide With Rotating Positioning Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guides for administering eye drops are cumbersome, prone to misalignment, and increase the overall dimensions of the eye drop dispenser, making them difficult to use and carry, while also being complex and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A removably attachable guide with a resiliently deformable positioning member that holds the eyelids open and stabilizes the dispenser, featuring a locking mechanism to maintain alignment and compact dimensions, made as a single unitary structure to reduce complexity and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a guide with a pivotally extending eyelid engaging member is used, then the eyelid can be pulled open and aligned with the dispensing nozzle, but the position of the dispensing nozzle varies during use making it difficult to maintain alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The guide combines the eyelid engaging member and the alignment ring into a single integrated structure that rotates as one unit about the dispenser neck. This merging ensures that when the eyelid is engaged, the alignment ring maintains a fixed radial position relative to the dispensing nozzle, eliminating the variability caused by independent pivoting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide utilizes rotational dynamics, allowing the entire guide structure to rotate from a stowed position to an operational position where the alignment ring is positioned downstream from the dispensing nozzle. This dynamic positioning enables the guide to adapt between carrying and operating states while maintaining precise alignment during use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the guide is made from at least two separate components, then the eyelid engaging member can pivot independently, but the complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is formed as a single unitary structure made from a single piece of material, integrating functions that were previously separated into multiple components. This single-piece construction reduces complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining the necessary adaptability through the rotational movement of the entire guide assembly about the dispenser neck.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the guide is designed to rotate between operational and stowed positions, then the ring can be positioned for use or stored below the dispenser, but the overall dimensions increase making it less practical to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is designed to nest compactly when in the stowed position, with the alignment ring positioned below the dispensing nozzle close to the dispenser body. This nested configuration minimizes the overall dimensions during carrying, while the same structure expands to the operational position when needed for use.
4Device complexity
If the eyelid engaging member is positioned on only one section of the eyelid, then the structure remains simple, but the opposing section is free to move causing the user to blink during administration
Solution Approach 1:
The guide utilizes the rotational movement of the entire assembly to dynamically position the alignment ring downstream from the dispensing nozzle during operation. This rotational mechanism allows the simple single-piece structure to achieve stable eyelid engagement and prevent blinking during eye drop administration, without requiring complex multi-component mechanisms.
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
Enables accurate, repeatable, and hygienic administration of eye drops by maintaining alignment and compactness, reducing the need for manual eyelid holding and minimizing the awkward position required for application.
Implementation Method 1
the positioning member is arranged to be resiliently deformable under manual pressure so that the distance of the opening in the semi-circular profile can be increased or decreased
Implementation Method 2
The first pair of lugs comprise holes arranged to receive respective protrusions on the second pair of lugs in an interference fit when the guide is in the operational position
Implementation Method 3
The first locking arrangement comprises a first pair of lugs extending from the attachment means and a second pair of lugs extending from the two arms, wherein the first pair of lugs comprise holes arranged to receive respective protrusions on the second pair of lugs in an interference fit
Implementation Method 4
the end surface of the positioning member comprises a plurality of coarse areas. The presence of coarse areas on the end surface of the positioning member improves the gripping force of the guide on the eyelids
Data Source
AI summary
The guide (2) consists of a positioning member (16) that enables a user to align an eye drop dispenser bottle (4) with the eye to be treated. The guide (2) includes an attachment device (6) for removably attaching the guide (2) to the eye drop dispenser bottle (4) and two arms (14) connected to the attachment device (6) by a pair of multiple use living hinges (12). The positioning member (16) bridges the two arms (14) and is rotatable between a stowed position and an operational position, such that when in the operational position the positioning member (16) is arranged between the eye drop dispenser bottle (4) and the eye to be treated. The guide (2) further comprises a locking arrangement (18, 20) for locking the guide (2) in the operational position.