Wireless Handheld Ocular Delivery with Tear-Film Micro-Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eye droppers dispense large volumes of liquid formulations that exceed the eye's capacity, leading to overflow, discomfort, reflex tearing, and imprecise administration, with substantial waste and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device that delivers precise micro-doses of ophthalmic agents directly to the ocular surface, utilizing electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuators to emit a controlled stream or droplets, aligned with the eye using image-based alignment systems, ensuring the dose is wholly accommodated by the tear film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional eye droppers dispense large volumes of liquid formulation, then the administration process is simple, but the delivered volume exceeds eye capacity causing overflow and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the volume parameter from conventional large drops (30-50 μl) to precise micro-doses (1-10 μl), enabling complete accommodation by the tear film while maintaining ease of operation through automated dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical squeezable dropper system with an automated electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuation system that precisely controls fluid ejection, eliminating manual dosing errors and overflow while reducing waste
2Device complexity
If conventional eye droppers dispense large volumes, then the device structure is simple, but it causes reflex tearing and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The device reduces the volume parameter to micro-doses (1-10 μl) that fit within the tear film capacity, eliminating the harmful reflex tearing and discomfort caused by excessive volumes while maintaining device functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical dropper with an automated actuation system using electromagnetic or piezoelectric effects to precisely control fluid delivery, reducing device complexity in terms of manual operation while eliminating harmful physiological responses
3Ease of operation
If conventional eye droppers are used for self-administration, then the operation is easy, but the administration precision is poor due to missed eye and imprecise dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service administration with automated dosing control, where the patient can easily operate the device while the electromagnetic/piezoelectric actuation system ensures precise, repeatable dosing accuracy without requiring manual dosing skill
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces imprecise manual mechanical dosing with automated electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuation, maintaining ease of self-administration while dramatically improving measurement precision through controlled micro-dose delivery
4Device complexity
If conventional eye droppers dispense large volumes, then the device is simple, but it causes overflow and loss of medication from eye surface
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the volume parameter to micro-doses (1-10 μl) that can be wholly accommodated by the tear film, ensuring complete medication retention on the eye surface without overflow while maintaining device reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical dropper with an automated control system using electromagnetic or piezoelectric effects to precisely regulate fluid ejection, ensuring reliable medication delivery that fits within ocular capacity and prevents loss
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
Achieves precise, comfortable, and efficient delivery of ophthalmic agents, minimizing waste and adverse effects, with improved patient compliance and therapeutic efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuators to emit a controlled stream or droplets
Implementation Method 2
utilizing electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuators to emit a controlled stream or droplets
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of administering a liquid formulation of an ophthalmic agent to a topical ocular location of an eye are provided. Aspects of the methods include delivering to the topical ocular location a dose of the liquid formulation that can be wholly accommodated by the tear film of the eye. Devices and kits for practicing the methods are also provided. The methods, compositions and kits find use in a variety of applications, including therapeutic, diagnostic and cosmetic applications. Further aspects include wireless communication between a handheld dispenser of the ophthalmic agent and external devices(s) to provide various functions.