Flexible Reservoir Eliminates Pull Back in Ophthalmic Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid dispensing devices for medical applications, such as eye drops, often result in unsatisfactory delivery due to Pull Back and fluid expelling pressure forces, leading to contamination and discomfort, and fail to accurately dispense small volumes without damaging makeup or contaminating the device.
Innovation Solution
A self-collapsible medical grade liquid reservoir with a highly sensitive flexible foil and rigid portion, capable of eliminating Pull Back and additional fluid expelling pressure forces, allowing precise dispensing of small volumes without contamination, using a combination of flexible materials like Cryovac M312A film and a Peristaltic pump for accurate and non-contact administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional elastomeric reservoir materials are used, then the reservoir can be flexible and collapsible, but Pull Back and fluid expelling pressure forces occur causing contamination and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film reservoir (0.002 to 0.020 inches thick) made from flexible materials like CRYOVAC M312A film that can collapse as liquid is dispensed. This thin film design allows the reservoir to be highly adaptable and collapsible while eliminating the elastomeric properties that cause Pull Back and fluid expelling pressure forces, thereby resolving the contradiction between flexibility and harmful pressure forces.
2Productivity
If high speed fluid delivery is used to beat the blink reflex, then liquid can be delivered into the eye, but significant discomfort is induced to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a peristaltic pump that delivers liquid in controlled periodic pulses rather than continuous high-speed flow. This periodic action allows the liquid to be delivered at speeds sufficient to beat the blink reflex while controlling the impact and pressure to minimize patient discomfort, resolving the contradiction between delivery speed and comfort.
3Ease of operation
If forceful lid opening methods are used, then the eye can be accessed for liquid delivery, but the device becomes large and unwieldy and makeup is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lid holding function from the main device body and implements it as a separate, lightweight eyelid holder component that gently holds the eyelid open without requiring forceful mechanical action. This extraction allows eye access to be achieved while keeping the overall device compact and preventing makeup damage, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
4Productivity
If misting over the entire eye area is used, then liquid can be delivered to the eye, but undesirable surfaces such as eyelid, forehead, and nose are wetted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a focused spray nozzle that delivers liquid with localized precision directly to the eye surface. This local quality approach ensures that liquid is delivered effectively to the eye while minimizing spray dispersion to surrounding areas, thereby reducing wetting of undesirable surfaces like the eyelid, forehead, and nose, and preventing makeup damage.
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 precise, contamination-free dispensing of small liquid volumes into an ophthalmic environment, improving user comfort and preventing makeup damage, while ensuring accurate dosing and preventing contamination of the device and liquid.
Implementation Method 1
Peristaltic pump for accurate and non-contact administration
Implementation Method 2
highly sensitive flexible foil... capable of eliminating Pull Back and additional fluid expelling pressure forces caused by stiffness/elastomeric properties
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides for a device and methods of dispensing a precise predetermined volume of liquid of discrete drops, vapor, or mist while preventing contamination due to Pull Back and ensuring precision dispensing.