Horizontal Eye Drop Dispenser Pumping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eye drop dispensers are difficult to use accurately and can cause discomfort due to the need to align the dispenser closely with the eye and the impact of larger drops, which may result in pain and incomplete application.
Innovation Solution
An eye drop dispenser with a pump device that discharges liquid in a horizontal direction, using a piston pump mechanism with a venting function, and a design that allows for a small, controlled drop volume of less than 25 µl, released at a speed of 3-8 m/sec, to ensure precise and comfortable application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional eye drop dispenser is used to dispense liquid from above, then the dispenser can be simple in structure, but it is difficult to aim precisely at the eye and may cause contact and pain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional dispensing approach by dispensing liquid horizontally rather than vertically from above. The dispenser is positioned at the side of the eye with the dispensing opening facing horizontally toward the eye, allowing precise aiming without requiring the user to look upward or hold the dispenser close to the eye, thus solving the aiming difficulty and contact pain issues
2Quantity of substance
If a large drop volume is dispensed, then the liquid can effectively wet the eye, but the impact on the eye is unpleasant and may cause pain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of drop volume to be very small (less than 25 µl, preferably less than 20 µl) while compensating by optimizing the dispensing speed (3-8 m/sec) and horizontal trajectory to ensure the small drop effectively reaches and wets the eye surface without causing impact discomfort
3Measurement precision
If the dispensing opening is oriented horizontally, then the drop can be shot into the eye with precise control, but the pump mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dispensing dimension from vertical (traditional) to horizontal, with the dispensing opening oriented perpendicular to the actuation direction. This dimensional change allows precise horizontal trajectory control of the drop toward the eye while using a simple piston pump mechanism actuated in a different direction, separating the actuation and dispensing directions
4Speed
If a piston pump mechanism is used to pressurize and discharge liquid, then controlled drop volume and speed can be achieved, but the device requires two mutually movable sub-units increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump chamber, inlet valve, and outlet valve into a single integrated piston pump mechanism located between two sub-units. The first sub-unit contains the liquid reservoir and pump chamber, while the second sub-unit acts as the actuating push button, merging multiple functions into a compact structure that achieves controlled drop volume and speed
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 provides improved ease of use and application accuracy, minimizing discomfort and ensuring complete wetting of the eye with a controlled, small drop volume and speed, while the venting function addresses the challenge of initial priming.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device, in particular a helical spring acting between the sub-units
Implementation Method 2
pressurizing the liquid contained in the pump chamber and previously drawn from the reservoir
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
An eye drop dispenser (10) for the application of pharmaceutical liquids into a user's eye is proposed. The eye drop dispenser (10) has a liquid reservoir (20) and a dispensing opening (30), and the eye drop dispenser (10) has a pumping device (40) by means of which liquid can be pumped from the liquid reservoir (20) to the dispensing opening (30). The eye drop dispenser (10) has two mutually transiently movable sub-units (12, 14) which can be pressed together in an actuation direction (2) for the purpose of actuating the pumping device (40) and causing a liquid drop to be dispensed. The dispensing opening (30) is oriented such that liquid is dispensed in a dispensing direction (4) that differs from the actuation direction (2) and preferably forms an angle between 45° and 135° with the actuation direction, preferably between 80° and 100°.