Flexible Wall Fluid Applicator for Ophthalmic Injection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic fluid applicators lack steady, precise, and accurate manual control for injecting fluids, particularly in delicate procedures, and often provide inadequate tactile feedback, making them unsuitable for minute control required in ophthalmology.
Innovation Solution
A fluid applicator with a flexible wall portion providing a variable inner volume, allowing manual compression for precise fluid ejection, combined with an outlet one-way valve to prevent backflow and an optional squeeze actuator for viscous fluids, offering tactile feedback and stable handling similar to a pencil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional syringe is used for fluid injection, then the device structure is simple, but the manual control precision and tactile feedback are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane wall in the container body that can be manually compressed and deformed. This flexible shell allows the operator to precisely control fluid ejection through tactile feedback from finger pressure, transforming a rigid syringe structure into a controllable flexible system that enhances manual precision without significant structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane wall provides tactile feedback to the operator during compression, allowing sensing of ejection intensity and fluid pressure. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of fluid injection by allowing the operator to feel the resistance and flow characteristics directly through the flexible wall during manual compression
2Ease of operation
If a rigid container body is used, then the device structure is stable, but the manual control and tactile feedback are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The container body incorporates a flexible membrane wall that can be deformed by finger pressure to control fluid ejection. This flexible component is integrated within a structured container that maintains overall stability, allowing the rigid outer structure to provide stability while the flexible inner membrane provides ease of manual operation
Solution Approach 2:
The container body is divided into distinct functional zones: a rigid structural portion that provides stability and support, and a flexible membrane wall portion that enables manual control. This segmentation allows each part to perform its optimal function - the rigid part maintains structural integrity while the flexible part provides tactile feedback and controllability
3Productivity
If the outlet is open for fluid ejection, then the fluid can flow out freely, but backflow and unwanted suction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the backflow prevention function from the simple open outlet and implements it through a separate outlet one-way valve mechanism. This valve is integrated into the outlet structure, allowing free fluid ejection in the forward direction while automatically preventing backflow and unwanted suction, thus maintaining productivity while improving reliability
4Quantity of substance
If a large volume container is used, then the fluid storage capacity is sufficient, but the manual handling precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid delivery system into a larger storage container and a precise delivery mechanism. The flexible membrane wall acts as a precision control interface between the stored fluid and the ejection process, allowing large volume storage while maintaining precise control over the actual injection amount through tactile feedback during compression
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 steady, precise, and accurate manual control of fluid injection with excellent tactile feedback, preventing backflow and allowing easy handling of viscous fluids, enhancing the precision and comfort during ophthalmic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible wall portion providing a variable inner volume to the tubular container body... provides sensitive tactile feedback from the fluid applicator for sensing ejection intensity
Implementation Method 2
The outlet end comprises an outlet one-way valve. The outlet one-way valve is arranged in the outlet end prevents back flow into the fluid applicator
Data Source
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AI summary
Fluid applicator for use in ophthalmic applications, having an inlet end (2) for connection to a fluid supply device, an outlet end (4) for attachment to a needle element, and a main tubular container body connecting the inlet end (2) and the outlet end (4). The main tubular container body has at least in part a flexible wall portion (8) providing a variable inner volume (10) to the tubular container body (6). The outlet end (4) may comprise an outlet one¬ way valve (5). The applicator may further comprise a squeeze actuator (15) comprising a fluid applicator retaining element (16) and an actuator element (17), the fluid applicator retaining element (16) and actuator element (17) being moveably connected to each other to allow a squeezing action on the flexible wall portion (8).