Squeeze Bottle Tip Assembly for Microliter Eye Drop Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic solutions, such as eye drops, deliver droplets that are larger than the optimal volume required by the precorneal tear film, leading to waste and potential irritation, and there are no consumer-friendly adapters to reduce droplet size without altering the container.
Innovation Solution
An after-market assembly comprising a base, tip, and cap that securely attach to a squeeze-type container, reducing droplet volume to microliter scale without modifying the container, using a flexible and resilient material to control droplet size and prevent leaks or contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If standard dropper bottles are used, then droplet delivery function is provided, but droplet volume is too large (25-70 μL) causing waste and irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is nested over the existing bottle dispensing end, with the tip fitting over the bottle's dispensing outlet and the base fitting over the bottle neck. This nested configuration allows the droplet volume reduction device to be attached to standard bottles without modification, solving the contradiction between reducing droplet volume and maintaining ease of operation with existing bottles.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly acts as an intermediary device between the user and the bottle contents. By placing the tip with its controlled aperture over the bottle's dispensing outlet, it mediates the fluid delivery process to produce smaller droplets while the base provides structural support and sealing. This intermediary approach enables volume reduction without requiring changes to the original bottle.
2Quantity of substance
If squeeze-type bottles are used, then dispensing function is provided, but droplet volume is too large (about 50 μL) causing streaking and makeup running
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is designed with a specific local quality - a controlled aperture size that is smaller than the bottle's original dispensing outlet. This local modification at the dispensing point creates smaller droplets (5-30 μL) while the rest of the bottle structure remains unchanged. The local quality change at the tip aperture directly addresses the droplet volume issue without affecting the overall bottle functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the critical parameter of aperture size at the dispensing point. By providing a tip with a smaller aperture (0.5mm to 2mm) compared to the original bottle outlet, the fluid delivery parameter is modified to produce smaller droplets. This parameter change at the local level achieves volume reduction while maintaining compatibility with the existing bottle through the base assembly.
3Quantity of substance
If after-market assembly is added, then droplet volume control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into two main components: a tip portion with the aperture for droplet delivery and a base portion for attachment to the bottle. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall structure simple. The tip handles the complex function of droplet volume control, while the base provides simple structural support and sealing, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is designed with universal compatibility features - an outer diameter that fits over standard bottle necks and internal structures that accommodate various bottle types. This universality allows the same assembly design to work with multiple bottle configurations, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from needing different assemblies for different bottles. The multi-functional base provides attachment, sealing, and structural support simultaneously.
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
Delivers consistent, reduced droplet volumes of 5 µL to 30 µL, minimizing waste and irritation, while maintaining sterility and ease of use, and reducing exposure to preservatives.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric seal which overlies and resiliently grips and circumferentially seals around the stem
Implementation Method 2
the resulting internal pressure causes the seal to balloon slightly away from the stem and permit passage of saline solution
Implementation Method 3
A snap-on overcap assembly has seal control and closure maintenance features to avoid accidental dispensing
Data Source
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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 (10) comprises a base (20) for securing a neck (84) of the container (80); a tip (40) for securing over a dispensing outlet of the container (80); and optionally a cap (60) for securing over the tip (40) and connecting to the base (20).