Squeeze Bottle Tip Assembly for Micro-Volume Droplet Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic solution delivery systems, such as squeeze bottles, often dispense droplets that are larger than the human eye's precorneal tear film capacity, leading to waste and potential irritation, with no effective consumer-available adapters to reduce droplet size.
Innovation Solution
An after-market assembly comprising a base, tip, and cap that securely attaches to existing squeeze bottles, reducing the droplet volume to less than 15 μL by modifying the dispensing mechanism without altering the container, using a flexible and resilient material for the tip to control fluid flow through a conical aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional dropper bottles are used, then the container can deliver fluid, but the droplet volume is too large (25-70 μL) exceeding the precorneal tear film capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is nested over the existing dispensing outlet of the container, with the tip fitting over the outlet and the base securing to the container neck. This nesting approach allows the droplet volume reduction assembly to work with existing containers without requiring container modification, resolving the contradiction between achieving smaller droplet volumes and maintaining ease of operation with conventional containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly acts as an intermediary device between the user and the container, modifying the droplet delivery without altering the container itself. The tip with its restricted aperture mediates the fluid flow from the container, reducing droplet volume while the base and cap provide secure attachment, thus achieving volume reduction while maintaining compatibility with existing containers.
2Quantity of substance
If squeeze bottles are used, then the container can be easily operated, but the droplet volume is excessive (about 50 μL) causing waste and irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into three distinct components: a base for securing to the container neck, a tip with restricted aperture for droplet delivery, and a cap for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity, reducing droplet volume without creating excessive device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip is made from flexible and resilient material such as medical grade silicone, allowing it to conform to the dispensing outlet while maintaining its droplet volume reduction function. This material choice simplifies the overall assembly structure by using a single piece that provides both structural integrity and functional performance.
3Quantity of substance
If the droplet volume is reduced to match tear film capacity, then waste and irritation are minimized, but the dispensing mechanism must be modified
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the container's dispensing mechanism, the invention extracts the volume control function into a separate tip component that fits over the existing outlet. This extraction approach achieves droplet volume reduction (less than 15 μL) without requiring any alteration to the original container, maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is designed with a universal fitting approach that can accommodate various container neck sizes and shapes. The ring-shaped base with its opening configured to receive the tip and secure to the container neck provides a multi-functional solution that works with different container types, achieving volume reduction without container modification.
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 assembly delivers consistent, reduced droplet volumes, minimizing waste and irritation, while maintaining the sterility and usability of the original container, and can be reused or disposed of as needed.
Implementation Method 1
The tip has an interior cavity configured to fit over the dispensing outlet of the container and an upper portion of the tip has an outlet for ejecting the droplet of reduced volume
Implementation Method 2
The tip may be conical in shape. The tip can be comprised of a flexible and resilient material, such as medical grade silicone
Data Source
AI summary
A method and assembly for attaching to a container and configured to reduce the volume of a droplet of fluid ejected from the container wherein the assembly is securable to the container without alteration of the container and wherein the volume of the droplet is reduced on a microliter scale. The assembly comprises a base for securing a neck of the container; a tip for securing over a dispensing outlet of the container; and optionally a cap for securing over the tip and connecting to the base.