Eye Drop Dispenser With Forehead Stabilization Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with dexterity issues or motor challenges face difficulties in applying preservative-free ophthalmic medication from small, single-use vials, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in medication delivery.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser system comprising a first arm with a retention feature to securely hold a squeezable eyedropper bottle and a second arm that can be manually squeezed to dispense medication, along with a forehead/eyelid engagement arm for stabilization, allowing precise alignment and administration of eye drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If patients use small single-use vials of preservative-free ophthalmic medication, then medication sterility and dosage precision are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to dexterity issues and motor challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The device acts as an intermediary between the small single-use vial and the patient's eye. It includes a retention feature that securely holds the vial and a forehead/eyelid engagement arm that stabilizes the device during application, making the small vial easier to manipulate for patients with dexterity issues
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows the patient to self-administer medication by positioning the device over their eye and squeezing the vial. The forehead/eyelid engagement arm provides automatic stabilization once positioned, reducing the need for continuous manual adjustment
2Device complexity
If patients manually handle small single-use vials, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to misdirected drops and unintended blinks
Solution Approach 1:
The device serves as a mediator that guides the medication from the vial to the eye. The forehead/eyelid engagement arm and retention feature work together to ensure proper alignment and stable positioning, preventing misdirected drops and unintended blinks during administration
3Reliability
If patients with physical challenges use small single-use vials, then medication safety is improved through preservative-free formulation, but ease of operation worsens due to arthritic hands and dexterity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The device acts as a mechanical assistant that compensates for reduced hand dexterity. The retention feature secures the vial and the forehead/eyelid engagement arm provides stabilization, allowing patients with arthritic hands to administer medication safely and effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces a new dimension of support by engaging the forehead or eyelid, transferring part of the stabilization burden from the patient's hands to their head, thereby improving ease of operation for those with hand dexterity issues
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 dispenser system simplifies and enhances the delivery of preservative-free ophthalmic medication, improving accuracy and safety for patients with physical challenges by stabilizing the eyedropper and ensuring proper alignment over the eye.
Implementation Method 1
the second arm can be configured to squeeze the squeezable eyedropper bottle as the second interior surface is moved towards the first interior surface such that the medication is dispensed from the squeezable eyedropper bottle
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser for use with a squeezable eyedropper bottle containing medication is disclosed having a first arm defining a first pivot end, a first dispensing end, a first exterior surface and a first interior surface. The dispenser includes a retention feature positioned on the first arm to removably engage the squeezable eyedropper bottle. The dispenser includes a second arm defining a second pivot end, a second dispensing end, a second exterior surface and a second interior surface, the second pivot end coupled to the first pivot end of the first arm so that the first interior surface is movable relative to the second interior surface of the second arm, the second arm configured to squeeze the squeezable eyedropper bottle as the second interior surface is moved towards the first interior surface such that the medication is dispensed from the squeezable eyedropper bottle.