Eyedropper With Triangular Foot Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current eyedropper bottles are unstable and difficult to use, especially for individuals with shaky hands or those who have trouble holding their head still, leading to inaccurate drop placement, waste, and discomfort, as they require two hands and an extreme head tilt.
Innovation Solution
An eyedropper design with a body having a reservoir, first and second feet, and a nozzle that stabilizes on the face on opposite sides of the eye socket, allowing single-handed operation and reducing head tilt, enabling precise and easy administration of drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional eyedropper bottles are used, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device is unstable and difficult to operate, especially for individuals with shaky hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension of stability by adding lateral feet that extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottle. This transforms the stabilization approach from vertical support only to a three-point contact system (two feet on cheeks, one foot on forehead), creating a stable triangular base that resists movement in multiple directions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization function is segmented from the main bottle body by adding separate feet as distinct structural elements. These feet are positioned at specific locations (two lateral feet, one forehead foot) to create independent contact points with the user's face, allowing each point to contribute separately to overall stability.
2Ease of operation
If the user tilts their head back to administer drops, then the drops can be administered into the eye, but the extreme head tilt is uncomfortable and can cause loss of balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a stable triangular configuration of contact points on the user's face that mirrors the stability needed for precise drop administration. The feet are positioned to form a triangle (two on cheeks, one on forehead) that replicates the stability of a three-legged stool, providing a solid base that eliminates the need for extreme head tilting.
3Area of stationary object
If the eyedropper bottle is held at a large distance from the eye, then the user can see the target area, but the stability of the eyedropper assembly decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the user's own face as a counterweight platform. The feet transfer the weight and stabilization burden from the user's hand and arm to the stable structure of the face, allowing the eyedropper to be held close to the eye without compromising stability. The triangular foot configuration creates a stable base that counteracts the destabilizing effect of reduced distance to the target.
4Ease of operation
If conventional bottles are squeezed between thumb and forefinger, then the bottle can be operated with one hand, but accurate placement of drops is difficult for individuals with shaky hands
Solution Approach 1:
The feet serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support, create stability, position the bottle correctly, and enable one-handed operation. This multi-functionality allows the device to achieve accurate drop placement without requiring the user to coordinate multiple separate actions or use two hands.
Data Source
AI summary
An eyedropper (2, 102) having improved stability is provided for administering a volume of liquid onto the surface of an eye (57). The eyedropper (2, 102) includes a body (4, 104) having a reservoir body (18, 118), a first foot (14, 114), a second foot (16, 116), and a nozzle (26, 126). The nozzle (26, 126) is in fluid communication with the internal cavity (24, 124) of the reservoir body (18, 118) and projecting from an outer surface (20, 120) of the reservoir body (18, 118) between the first and second feet (14, 16, 114, 116). The first and second feet (14, 16, 114, 116) are separated by a distance that is at least equal to the height of the eyedropper (2, 102). In preferred embodiments, the distance between the first and second feet (14, 16, 114, 116) is greater than the height of the reservoir body (18, 118).