Non-Coplanar Eye Drop Applicator Housing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye drop applicators often cause the eye to reflexively close due to the droplet fall path and viewing axis being coplanar, leading to incomplete administration of eye drops.
Innovation Solution
The eye drop applicator features a housing with a non-coplanar droplet dispensing axis and viewing axis, where the droplet dispensing axis intersects the aperture plane at a point away from the viewing axis, preventing the eye from perceiving the droplet fall and thus reducing the reflexive blinking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the viewing axis and droplet dispensing axis are coplanar, then the patient can see the droplet falling, but the eye reflexively closes causing incomplete administration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by positioning the droplet dispensing axis and viewing axis in non-coplanar spatial relationships. Specifically, the nozzle is angled such that the droplet fall path lies in a different plane than the patient's line of sight through the viewing aperture, thereby removing the droplet from the patient's visual field and eliminating the reflexive closure response
2Measurement precision
If the droplet dispensing axis is positioned to fall vertically onto the eye, then accurate delivery is achieved, but the eye closes as a reflex when seeing the droplet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the droplet dispensing axis at an angle relative to the viewing axis, creating a non-coplanar relationship where the droplet falls along a path that intersects the eye at a location not visible to the patient. This angular positioning ensures accurate delivery while keeping the droplet outside the patient's visual perception
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single inlet opening is used for different dispenser types, then versatility is improved, but additional auxiliary parts are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the inlet opening with a standardized conical seat geometry that can universally accommodate nozzles from different dispenser types. The conical interface provides a multi-functional coupling mechanism that works with various nozzle configurations without requiring device-specific auxiliary parts, thereby achieving versatility while maintaining simplicity
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
This design ensures accurate and complete administration of eye drops by preventing involuntary eyelid closure, as the eye cannot see the droplet falling, thereby facilitating proper delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a viewing aperture formed through one of the walls of the housing providing a viewing axis along a line of sight in the use position of the device; said first droplet dispensing axis and said viewing axis are not coplanar
Implementation Method 2
at least one inlet opening which allows coupling a nozzle of an eye drop metering device, fixing said nozzle in such a position and at such angle which allow, with the head of the user of the applicator being tilted back, the droplets applied by said nozzle to fall into the open eye
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an eye drop applicator, said applicator comprising a housing configured to be adapted around the eye socket, a first inlet opening formed through said housing for inserting at least part of a nozzle of an eye drop dispenser defining a first droplet dispensing axis, a viewing aperture formed through the housing providing, in the use position of the device, a viewing axis along a line of sight, characterized in that said first dispensing axis and said viewing axis are not coplanar, thereby preventing the eye from reacting, causing blinking as a reflex, when the drops are dispensed.