Vented Ocular Micro-Dose Delivery With Sterile Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering pharmaceutical fluids to the eye surface, such as using eye-drop bottles, suffer from imprecision, excessive volume, and inefficiency due to blinking, leading to missed delivery and waste.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device that delivers a precise micro-dose of liquid within the blink reflex time using a hydrodynamic mechanism, with a visual aiming structure and air filtration to ensure accurate and sterile dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If eye-drop bottles are used to deliver pharmaceutical fluids, then the delivery method is simple, but the volume delivered is too large (50 μL) for the tear film to absorb (capacity of 7 μL)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the liquid delivery system into segmented components: an ampoule containing multiple discrete doses, a chamber that holds individual doses, and a membrane that releases one dose at a time. This segmentation enables precise control of the quantity delivered, matching the tear film's absorption capacity of 7 μL while preventing waste from oversized drops.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs periodic action through a valve member that opens and closes to release liquid in discrete, controlled doses. The actuator oscillates to open the aperture in a periodic manner, delivering precise micro-doses (e.g., 5 μL) that match the tear film's absorption capacity, rather than continuous or uncontrolled dripping.
2Ease of operation
If traditional eye-drop bottles are used, then the device structure is simple, but patients cannot aim well and often miss the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical aiming process with a guided liquid delivery system. The device includes a spout or guide structure that directs the liquid stream precisely toward the eye, substituting the patient's manual aiming capability with a mechanically guided delivery path. This ensures accurate delivery even when patients cannot aim well.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary guiding structure (spout or channel) between the liquid source and the eye. This intermediary component mediates the delivery process by channeling the liquid along a controlled path, ensuring it reaches the intended target on the eye surface even when the patient's aiming is imprecise.
3Ease of operation
If eye-drop bottles are used, then the delivery method is simple, but patients blink during drop delivery causing the drop to land on the eyelid and be wiped off
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses periodic action to deliver liquid in rapid, controlled pulses that can be administered within the blink reflex time. The actuator oscillates to open the aperture briefly, delivering the dose before the patient's blink can interfere, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving effective delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The device rushes through the delivery process quickly, releasing the liquid dose in a brief, controlled pulse that occurs faster than the patient's blink reflex. This allows the medication to be deposited on the eye surface before the eyelid can close and wipe it away, improving productivity without complicating the delivery method.
4Productivity
If the ampoule is opened for dispensing, then liquid can be delivered, but air can enter the ampoule causing potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an air filter as an intermediary component in the air pathway. The filter is positioned to allow air to enter the ampoule chamber while blocking microorganisms and particles. This intermediary protects the liquid from contamination while maintaining the necessary air exchange for liquid dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The air filter is made of porous material with pore sizes that allow air molecules to pass through while blocking larger microorganisms and particles. This porous structure enables selective permeability, allowing gas exchange necessary for liquid dispensing while preventing microbial ingress into the sterile liquid environment.
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 delivery of a micro-dose of pharmaceutical fluid directly to the eye, minimizing waste and ensuring sterility while preventing microbial ingress and clogging.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane designed to hydrodynamically excite and dispense the liquid through the aperture
Implementation Method 2
an air filter designed to sterilize air flowing from the atmosphere into the ampoule as the liquid is dispensed. In an embodiment, the air filter can be designed to remove particles larger than 0.22 microns
Implementation Method 3
the air filter can be a hydrophobic material such that air filtration and air flow rate into the ampoule are minimally affected by contact between the air filter and the liquid within the ampoule
Data Source
AI summary
Handheld dispensing system devices are disclosed. Aspects of the dispensing devices include a first pathway for directing the liquid from an ampoule to a chamber having an aperture through which the liquid from the ampoule can be dispensed. The device includes an actuator to oscillate a membrane to dispense the liquid through the membrane. The device further includes a second pathway in fluid communication with the interior of the ampoule and the atmosphere to equalize the pressure in the ampoule as liquid is dispensed. The second pathway can be sufficiently designed to prevent liquid from escaping through the second pathway.