Eye Dropper Alignment Hub with Gravity-Shifted Liquid Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients face difficulties in aligning an eye dropper bottle with their eyeball, leading to inefficient and messy self-administration of eyedrops, causing discomfort and anxiety.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus featuring a tubular hub with semispherical discs that create a fluid-tight toroidal indicator space, where a user-perceptible liquid shifts under gravity, indicating the correct alignment of the dropper nozzle with the eye, aiding in precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a patient attempts to self-align an eye dropper bottle with their eyeball, then the patient can independently administer eyedrops, but the alignment precision is insufficient leading to missed drops and waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent self-administrationVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an alignment aid device as an intermediary between the patient and the eye dropper bottle. This device includes alignment markers, visual indicators, and positioning features that mediate the alignment process, enabling patients to accurately position the dropper without requiring skilled technique. The intermediary device bridges the gap between simple self-administration and precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs color-coded alignment markers and visual indicators that change or provide contrasting colors to guide proper positioning. These visual cues include colored rings, markers, or indicators on the dropper bottle and corresponding targets, allowing patients to easily identify correct alignment through color contrast and visual differentiation, thereby improving alignment precision while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If repeated unsuccessful attempts are made to align the dropper, then the patient gains persistence, but liquid waste and mess increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuccessful administrationVSAvoidliquid waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary alignment verification through visual indicators and markers before the actual dropping action. The alignment aid provides confirmation signals (such as aligned markers becoming visible or positioned correctly) that verify proper positioning is achieved before the patient administers the drop. This preliminary verification prevents unsuccessful attempts and reduces liquid waste by ensuring correct alignment beforehand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through visual indicators that provide real-time information to the patient about alignment status. The alignment aid displays feedback signals (such as aligned markers, color changes, or positional indicators) that inform the patient whether the dropper is correctly positioned. This feedback loop enables patients to adjust their positioning based on visual confirmation, reducing repeated unsuccessful attempts and minimizing liquid waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If no alignment indication is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but patient anxiety and discomfort increase due to uncertainty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpatient anxiety and discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color-coded visual indicators and markers that provide clear, intuitive alignment information without adding mechanical complexity. The color changes or contrasting colors serve as simple visual cues that reduce patient anxiety by providing certainty about proper positioning. These visual indicators are integrated into the existing dropper structure, maintaining simplicity while effectively communicating alignment status to the patient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies optical parameters (such as transparency, color, or reflectivity) of certain components to provide alignment indications. By changing the optical properties of markers or indicators rather than adding mechanical complexity, the patent reduces patient uncertainty through visible cues while keeping the device structure simple and easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus ensures accurate alignment of the eye dropper nozzle, reducing waste and patient discomfort by providing a visual cue for vertical orientation and alignment with the eye, facilitating successful eyedrop administration.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid shifts with respect to the tubular hub under influence of gravity responsive to an angular position of the tubular hub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20240033126A1Eye dropper targeting device and method
Publication Date: 2024.02.01 VERILY HEALTH INC
  • US20240033126A1 patent drawing
  • US20240033126A1 patent drawing
  • US20240033126A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for assisting with alignment of a dropping nozzle of an eye dropper bottle includes a tubular hub configured for selective engagement with the dropping nozzle to laterally surround the dropping nozzle within a hub lumen thereof. A first semispherical disc has a first center aperture which laterally surrounds an outer wall of the tubular hub and a first disc body which is semispherically curved. A second semispherical disc has a second center aperture which laterally surrounds the outer wall of the tubular hub and a second disc body which is semispherically curved. The first and second disc rims are attached together at a rim perimeter to laterally enclose a substantially fluid tight toroidal indicator space. At least one user-perceptible liquid is located within the indicator space, the liquid shifting with respect to the tubular hub under influence of gravity responsive to an angular position of the tubular hub.