Eye Medicament Dispensing Unit with Image Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for dispensing liquids into the eye lack precision and comfort, often resulting in inconsistent dosages and potential contamination, as they require manual eyelid manipulation or facial contact, leading to discomfort and makeup damage.
Innovation Solution
An eye medicament dispensing unit (EMDU) equipped with an image sensor and microprocessor for precise alignment and feedback, using audio and visual signals to ensure accurate delivery of a discrete drop, mist, or vapor directly onto the eye with minimal facial contact, and providing confirmation of the administered dose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated devices pull down on one lid or encapsulate the eye area to stop lids from closing, then the liquid can be dispensed into the eye, but this touches and damages makeup and may lead to contamination of the device and liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses facial feature detection (iris, pupil, eyelid position) as an intermediary to indirectly determine eye alignment and dispensing timing without direct contact with the eye or eyelids. The image sensor captures facial features and the processor uses these features to calculate optimal dispensing parameters, eliminating the need for physical manipulation of the eye area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical systems (manual eyelid holding, physical lid manipulation) with an optical system (image sensor) and computational system (processor). The image sensor detects facial features and the processor calculates dispensing timing and parameters, substituting mechanical contact with optical detection and computational control.
2Ease of operation
If devices force the lids open by touching the cheek below the lid and eyebrow above the upper lid, then the liquid can be sprayed into the eye, but the unit becomes large and unwieldy and smudges makeup which may contaminate the dispenser
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses facial feature detection as an intermediary to determine eye alignment and dispensing timing without requiring physical manipulation of the eye area. The image sensor detects the position of facial features and the processor uses this information to calculate optimal dispensing parameters, eliminating the need for mechanical eye opening assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical systems (facial contact to open lids) with an optical system (image sensor) and computational system (processor). The image sensor detects facial features and the processor calculates dispensing timing, substituting mechanical contact with optical detection and computational control, thereby reducing device size and eliminating makeup contamination risk.
3Quantity of substance
If misting of fluid is applied over the entire eye or facial area, then the eye receives liquid, but this wets undesirable surfaces such as eyelid, forehead, and nose resulting in uncertainty regarding actual dose administered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directs the liquid dispense to a specific local target (the eye) rather than applying mist over the entire facial area. The processor calculates precise dispensing parameters based on detected facial features to ensure the liquid is delivered only to the intended target, eliminating wetting of undesirable surfaces and enabling accurate dose measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses facial feature detection as feedback to adjust and optimize liquid dispense parameters. The image sensor detects the position and orientation of facial features, and the processor uses this feedback information to calculate precise dispensing parameters, ensuring accurate dose delivery to the eye without overspray to surrounding areas.
4Speed
If devices shoot fluid into the eye at high speed to beat the blink reflex, then the liquid enters the eye, but the speed and impact induce discomfort to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses blink detection to time the liquid dispense with the natural periodic blink cycle of the eye. The image sensor detects when the eye is naturally open during a blink cycle, and the processor triggers the dispense at this optimal moment, eliminating the need for high-speed dispensing that would otherwise be required to beat the blink reflex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses real-time detection of eye state (open/closed) as feedback to control dispensing timing. The image sensor continuously monitors the eye position and the processor adjusts the dispense timing based on this feedback, allowing synchronization with the natural blink cycle and reducing dispensing speed while maintaining effective delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides for a method and an EMDU used to dispense precise quantities of liquids with an image sensor being capable of providing feedback to the user as to both, when an eye is properly aligned with the EMDU, and to detect and track the quantity of the dose administered on to the eye.