Ophthalmic Fluid Dispensing Device with Pneumatic Atomization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic liquid dispensers struggle to deliver precise, fine droplets of medium to high viscosity fluids, making it difficult to administer exact doses, especially for conditions like dry eyes, and often require user to hold the device upright.
Innovation Solution
A device with a dedicated air flow system and a peristaltic pump that uses a combination of air flows to atomize the fluid, allowing for fine mist dispensing regardless of user position, and includes a rotatable handle for easy operation, ensuring uniform dose delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a squeeze bottle is used to dispense ophthalmic liquid, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but the liquid exits as large droplets and precise dosing is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
An air chamber is introduced as an intermediary between the liquid reservoir and the dispensing nozzle. Compressed air serves as a mediator to atomize the liquid into fine droplets, transforming the dispensing mechanism from direct pressure application to aerated atomization, thereby achieving precise dosing while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air stored in an air chamber to dispense the ophthalmic liquid. The air pressure forces liquid through a nozzle while simultaneously atomizing it, converting mechanical compression into controlled fine droplet delivery for precise dosing
2Manufacturing precision
If air flow is used to atomize the fluid, then fine droplets are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air chamber and liquid reservoir are merged into a single integrated dispensing unit. The nozzle serves dual functions of liquid delivery and air mixing, combining atomization and dosing functions into one component, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining fine droplet generation
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is designed as a multi-functional component that both delivers liquid from the reservoir and mixes it with compressed air for atomization. This universal component performs multiple functions (liquid flow control, air mixing, droplet formation) that would otherwise require separate parts, simplifying the device structure
3Manufacturing precision
If a peristaltic pump is used to deliver precise fluid doses, then dosing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The peristaltic pump is designed to be manually operated by simple squeezing actions that the user can perform easily. The pump mechanism automatically meters and delivers precise doses without requiring complex controls, making the system self-regulating while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive user interaction
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 and uniform dispensing of ophthalmic liquids as fine mist, even with high viscosity fluids, allowing for repeated doses without manual force, suitable for treating dry eyes and adaptable to various user positions.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump for delivering a predetermined dose of liquid fluid to the fluid chamber
Implementation Method 2
one flow of the expelled air flowing into the fluid chamber, so as to force the volume of liquid from the fluid chamber towards the nozzle
Implementation Method 3
for assisted atomizing of the fluid by the other flow of air striking the fluid driven into the mixing chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for dispensing a mist of an ophthalmic fluid, comprising a discharge opening (25) for said mist, a mixing chamber (95) communicating with said discharge opening (25), an air chamber (58) for holding a volume of air, a first drive (61) operable to expel air from said air chamber (58), a fluid chamber (92) for holding a volume of the fluid to be dispensed and communicating with said mixing chamber (95), a second drive (82) for delivering a predetermined dose of said fluid to said fluid chamber (92) and configured for communicating with a supply of said fluid, such as a container (70), said air chamber (58) communicating with said fluid chamber (92) and separately with said mixing chamber (95), said device (1) being configured for establishing one flow of said expelled air flowing into said fluid chamber (92), so as to force said volume of liquid from said fluid chamber (92) into said mixing chamber (95), and another flow of said expelled air flowing past said fluid chamber (92) into said mixing chamber (95), for assisted atomizing of said fluid by said other flow of air striking said fluid driven into said mixing chamber (95).