Ergonomic Radial Actuator Double-Acting Pump for Eye Drops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye drop dispensing devices, such as squeezable multi-use bottles, risk contamination due to incomplete ejection of medication and are awkward for self-administration, especially for patients with limited flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A hand-operable device featuring a double-acting pump mechanism with a radially extending actuator, securely attached over the container opening, which ensures complete ejection and positive sealing of the fluid composition, preventing contamination and facilitating easy self-administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple squeezable multi-use bottle is used for eye drop dispensing, then the device is easy to manufacture and operate, but the medication is prone to contamination due to incomplete ejection and liquid flowing back into the bottle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic liquid flow path by introducing a separate ejection channel that completely separates the dispensing pathway from the bottle interior. The pump mechanism pushes liquid through a dedicated ejection channel with a nozzle, preventing any backflow into the bottle and eliminating contamination risk while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pump mechanism as an intermediary between the liquid reservoir and the ejection nozzle. This intermediary device completely ejects the liquid through mechanical pumping action, ensuring complete dispensing without residual liquid remaining in the nozzle that could flow back and contaminate the medication
2Reliability
If a double-acting pump mechanism is used to eliminate contamination risk, then the reliability improves, but the device becomes awkward for self administration, especially for patients with less flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the actuator from a longitudinal extension (previous design) to a radial extension from the pump mechanism. This dimensional change allows the actuator to be operated from the side, providing a more ergonomic configuration that is easier to access and operate for patients with limited flexibility while maintaining the double-acting pump's contamination prevention capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional pump actuation geometry by extending the actuator radially outward from the pump mechanism rather than longitudinally. This inversion creates a more compact and ergonomic profile that is easier to manipulate for self-administration while preserving the reliable double-acting pump mechanism
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 ergonomic design allows for effective, contamination-free self-administration of eye drops, improving compliance for patients with limited flexibility by ensuring complete ejection and easy operation with minimal risk of microbial growth.
Implementation Method 1
a double-acting pump mechanism for ejecting the fluid composition into an eye
Implementation Method 2
said passage is positively sealed off when the application of said force is discontinued
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-operable system for ejecting a fluid composition into an eye, the system including: (1) a container having a container opening and containing the fluid composition; (2) a double-acting pump mechanism securely disposed over the container opening; and (3) an actuator that is disposed over, and extends radially outward from, the pump mechanism, for actuating the pump mechanism by applying a force thereon, wherein the pump mechanism includes a passage for the fluid composition, and the passage is positively sealed off when the application of the force is discontinued.