CA2027632A1 - Eye dropper - Google Patents
Eye dropperInfo
- Publication number
- CA2027632A1 CA2027632A1 CA002027632A CA2027632A CA2027632A1 CA 2027632 A1 CA2027632 A1 CA 2027632A1 CA 002027632 A CA002027632 A CA 002027632A CA 2027632 A CA2027632 A CA 2027632A CA 2027632 A1 CA2027632 A1 CA 2027632A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- aperture
- base
- guide
- contoured
- rim
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F9/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
- A61F9/0008—Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein
- A61F9/0026—Ophthalmic product dispenser attachments to facilitate positioning near the eye
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An eye drop guide has a contoured base to rest on the bony surround of the eye socket. This bony surround is more or less invariant in the adult human, regardless of sex, race and size. The guide also has a dropper aperture to receive a eye drop container nozzle, this aperture is located at least 30 mm above the base to prevent eye drop nozzle-eye lash interference and blinking. The aperture is also centred about 29 mm outward of the inner end of the eye socket and thus above the inner triangle of the open eye, between cornea and the inner corner of the open eye. This is the most desirable point for eye drop introduction. The contoured base has a specific shape, and can be used for left and right eyes interchangeably. The advantage over the prior art is that the guide automatically fits into position with the dropper aperture over the best eye drop position.
Advantageously a dropper funnel and a drop container holder are associated with the aperture.
An eye drop guide has a contoured base to rest on the bony surround of the eye socket. This bony surround is more or less invariant in the adult human, regardless of sex, race and size. The guide also has a dropper aperture to receive a eye drop container nozzle, this aperture is located at least 30 mm above the base to prevent eye drop nozzle-eye lash interference and blinking. The aperture is also centred about 29 mm outward of the inner end of the eye socket and thus above the inner triangle of the open eye, between cornea and the inner corner of the open eye. This is the most desirable point for eye drop introduction. The contoured base has a specific shape, and can be used for left and right eyes interchangeably. The advantage over the prior art is that the guide automatically fits into position with the dropper aperture over the best eye drop position.
Advantageously a dropper funnel and a drop container holder are associated with the aperture.
Description
2~27632 EYE DROPPER GUIDE
This invention relates to an eye dropper guide having a surrounding base contoured to rest on the orbital margin ~bony rim] of the orbit [eye socket], so that an individual may drop medicine into their own eye(s) without difficulty.
PRIOR ART AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
, . _ , .. .... _. _, .. ,, ~ .. . ._ .. ...... _ _.. _ .. ~ . .. _ .
Eye dropper funnels are known.
U.S. Patent 2,237,862 issued April 8, 1941, to Burhans, teaches a eye cup with eye bowl 5 connected by bore 8, to open ended hollow base 7, cover by diaphragm 9.
U.S. Patent 2,352,610 issued July 4, 1944, to Bonilla, teaches a eye cup with eye bowl 11, connected to squeeze bulb 10 by flap valve 23, bulb 10 has exterior port 17. The device can be used to wash or treat the eye with fluid.
U.5. Patent 2,767,711 issued Oct. 23, 1956 also to Ernst, teaches a eye cup for eye medication with bowl 5, and removable or piercable closure cap (lid or diaphragm) 6, bowl 5 has circumferential bead 13 to fit the eye socket.
U.S. Patent 2,920,624 issued Jan. 12, 1960, to Lerner et al., teaches eye drop dispenser ~or medication having a frame 10 with a margin 14 to fit the eye, pivotally mounted spigot 24, communicates through conduit 32 to flange 16 adapted to engage a medication container. Spigot 24 allows drop dispensing.
U.S. Patent 3,106,898 issued Jan. 16, 1962, to Erwin, teaches a series of eye medicators, the broadest has bowl 10 with flange 11 to fit the eye, connected by a passage to exterior Punnel 14. The claimed invention includes a valve 24 or 40 exteriorly operated by stem 23 or 37. Another form has cup 44, with threaded passage 45, to receive threaded 2~27632 neck 47 of dispensing container 48, these may be moulded together.
U.s. Patent 4,111,200 issued Sep. 5, 1978, to Sbarra, t:eaches an eye medicator, with bowl 13 to fit the eye, c:onnected by passage 13e to exterior snap portion 13b to fit cap 12 of dispensing container 11. 13b and 12 are mutually rotatable to allow or prevent communication through alignable orifices.
U.S. Patent g,733,802, issued Mar. 29, 198B, to Sheldon, teaches an eye medicator, conical transparent bowl 45 has opening 5g and top opening 52 adapted to receive squeeze eye dropper.
As may be seen several such eye dropper funnels are known.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved eye dropper guide. Other objects are hereinafter apparent from the description, claims, and drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF_THE_INVENTION
In one aspect the invention is directed to an eye drop guide comprising, a contoured base adapted to fit closely the orbital margin [bony rim] of a human orbit [eye socket]
a wall extending upward therefrom to an aperture, which is of a size to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container. The aperture is at least about 30 mm above the nearest section of the contoured base. Preferably the base has opposed first and second ends. The first end is contoured to rest ad~acent the nasal portion of the orbital margin. The second end is contoured to rest a~ainst the temple portion of the orbital margin. The base may have opposed lateral portions intermediate of the ends, contoured to rest on the brow and cheekbone portions of the orbital margin. The aperture preferably has a midpoint from 25 to 33 mm outward 2027~32 of the furthest section of the first end. The aperture may comprise a funnel member extending downward from the aperture to receive a noz21e of an eye drop container. This funnel has a tip at least 20 mm above the nearest section of the contoured base. The aperture is preferably circular and about 8 mm in diameter. The base may extend about 75 mm from the first end to the second end. Preferably the aperture is equidistant from the intermediate portions of the base.
As the human orbital margin and its associated surround is more or less invariant in the normal adult human, regardless of sex, race and size ~except in abnormal (pathological) development], a contoured base wauld be a one-size-fits-all. The aperture should be appraximately located between the rest position of the cornea and the medial or inner canthus [inner corner of the eye], this is a desirable location for eye drop introduction. The aperture should be located at least 30 mm above the base to prevent eye drop nozzle-eye lash interference and blinking. The eye drop nozzle typically extends about 10 mm downward of the aperture to within 20 mm of the base. The specific shape of the contoured base allows it to be used for left and right eyes interchangeably. The contoured base is advantageously and conveniently bilaterally symmetrical about its long axis. The advantage over the prior art is that a guide, construoted in this way, automatically fits into position with the dropper aperture over the best eye drop position.
~dvantageously a dropper funnel is associated with the aperture, this may extend to within 20 mm of the base.
In another aspect the invention is an eye drop guide comprising a contoured base adapted to fit closely the orbital margin of a human orbit. The base comprises opposed first and second ends. The first end is contoured to rest ad~acent the nasal portion of the orbital margin, and the second end is contoured to rest against the temple portion of the orbital margin. The base has opposed lateral 2~27632 portions intermediate of the ends, contoured to rest on the brow and cheekbone portions of the orbital margin. A wall extends upward from this base to an aperture, which is circular and about 8 mm in diameter. The aperture is at least about 30 mm above the nearest section of the contoured base. The aperture has a mid point about 29 mm outward of the furthest section of the first end, and about 46 mm inward of the furthest section of the second end. The aperture comprises a funnel member extending downward from the aperture to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, the funnel having a tip at least ~0 mm above the nearest section of the contoured base. The aperture i9 equidistant from the intermediate portions of the base. Optionally the guide has eye drop container holder means attached to the wall and circumambient the aperture. The holder means may be flexible and include paired opposed arcuate flexible flaps concentric to the aperture.
In a third aspect the invention is an improvement in an eye drop guide having a base, an aperture and an interconnecting wall, where the improvement comprises a contoured base adapted to closely fit the orbital margin of a human orbit. Preferably the base comprises opposed first and second ends, the first end being contoured to rest ad~acent the nasal portion of the orbital rim, and the second end being contoured to rest against the temple portion of the orbital rim, the base having opposed lateral portions intermediate of the ends, contoured tc rest on the brow and cheekbone portions of the orbital rim. The base preferably extends about 75 mm externally from the first end to the second end, internally the measurement approximates 65 mm.
In a fourth aspect the invention is an improvement in an eye drop guide having a base, an aperture and an interconnecting wall where the improvement comprises the aperture being of a size to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, and being at least about 30 mm above the nearest 2~2~632 section of the base. Optionally the aperture comprising a funnel member extending downward from the aperture to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, the funnel having a tip at least 20 mm above the nearest section of the contoured base. Conveniently the aperture is circular and about 8 mm in diameter.
In a fifth aspect the invention is an improvement in an eye drop guide having a base, an aperture and an interconnecting wall, comprising eye drop container holder means attached to the wall and circumambient the aperture.
Preferably the holder means is flexible and may include a plurality of flexible flaps. More preferably the flexible flaps are arcuate. These flexible arcuate flaps may concentric to the aperture, conveniently there are two flaps.
The precise form of the wall between base and aperture is not critical. For manufacturing purposes it is practically, conveniently and advantageously of the smoothly sloping form of the type called domed. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art a variety of wall forms may be utilized. In practice the wall rises to the aperture and thus approximates to pyramidal with the apex at the apertur~.
DESCRIPTION_OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments are indicated in the drawings where:
Fig. 1 shows an anterior (front elevational) view of the bones forming the orbital margin ~bony rim] of the human orbit [eye socket];
Fig. 2 shows a lateral (side elevational) view of the bones forming the orbital margin of the human orbit;
Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 shows a transverse sectional view of the 2027~32 embodiment of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4;
Fig. 6 shows a view of a human eye;
Fig. 7 shows a view of a further embodiment of the invention in use;
Fig. 8 shows a view of the embodiment of Fig. 7 when not in use.
The general description of the invention is now expanded by reference to the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.
The numeral 10 indicates the human eye socket in Figs.
1 and 2, the orbital margin [bony rim] of human orbit [eye socket] 10, is formed by frontal bone 12, which forms the brow portion of the margin, maxilla or super maxillary bone 14, which forms part of the cheekbone portion of the rim, and zygomatic or malar bone 16, which forms most of the cheekbone portion of the margin, and also the temple portion of the margin. Nasal bone 18, which forms the bridge of the nose, is ~ust outside the orbital margin, and is often loosely con~idered by laymen to constitute part of the orbital margin or to demarcate it.
Anatomically and medically the orbit is considered to be quadrilateral pyramidal in form, which is a very inexact geometrical description. Precise and accurate geometric description is neither warranted, nor would it be intelligible. It is easier to consider the salient features of the orbital margin.
When the elevational frontal outline is considered one finds the superior margin starting at the nasal end has a shorter concave rise joined at midbrow to a longer concave decline to the temple end and a closely similar but not identical form is observed at the inferior margin, with a more flattened shorter concave rise ~oined roughly at mid 2~2~632 cheekbone to a longer concave decline to the temple. The mid cheekbone is slightly further from the nasal end than the midbrow. The similarity is more pronounced if the immediate surround of the orbital margin is considered rather than the inner edge.
When the top or bottom plan outline i8 considered one finds a convex outline. The superior margin starting at the nasal end has a short convex portion joined at midbrow to a longer less convex portion to the temple end. The inferior margin again has a shorter convex portion ~oined at mid cheekbone to a longer less convex portion to the temple end.
Again the mid cheekbone junctlon is further from the nasal end than the midbrow junctions. The midbrow ~unctions coincide, whereas the mid cheekbone junctions are adjacent but not coincident. The similarity is more pronounced if the immediate surround of the orbital margin is considered rather than the inner edge.
In life these bones are fleshed, and the eye ball lies withln these bones. Despite considerable human variation in size, as well a~ ~exual and racial differentiation, adult fleshed human eye sockets differ remarkably little in dimension, extending when viewed in front elevation some 52 mm horizontally and some 35 mm vertically, these dimensions may differ marginally perhaps by up to +2 mm. Also the eye soc~et extends backwards some 30 mm, again with perhaps +2 mm variation, from its forward inner rim, adjacent the nose.
In practice the orbital margin [bony rim] of the adult human orbit [eye socket] may be reasonably be viewed as of standard size and dimensions, sufficiently 80 as to be more or less interchangeable.
Although the orbital superior and inferior margins are different in outline by constructing a contour, which has approximates to the vertical convexities and horizontal concavities of the human orbital margin, it is possible to construct a contour which fits substantially closely about 2~27~32 the orbital margin and its immediate surround. A whole family of related contours of these properties can be constructed by those skilled in the art.
Typically this contour is of distorted ellipsoidal form, when the contour is a smooth continuous curved perimeter. Viewed from above the ellipsoid has a shorter more convex nasal ellipsoidal portion merging smoothly into a longer less convex temple ellipsoidal portion. Viewed from the side it has shorter more concave nasal portion merging smoothly into a longer less concave temple portion.
Family of suitable ellipsoidal contours are hard to define precisely, but are easily recognizable by those skilled in the art and extremely easy to test for fit on human subjects. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the contour need not be a smooth continuous curved perimeter, although this is more convenient for moulding and the like.
In Figs. 3 to 5, numeral 20 indicates the eye dropper guide with domed wall 22, having median aperture 24 and base 26 designed to fit against the human orbital margin. Wall 22 has shorter inner dome wall 28 extendiny to inner edge 30, which fits against the nose, and longer outer dome wall 32 extending to outer edge 34, which fits against the temple. Aperture 24, may have internal wall 36, forming a funnel adapted to receive nozzle 38 of eye drop bottle 40, to allow drops to fall onto the eye, the rest position of the cornea is indicated at 42, which extends slightly (typically about 2 to 3 mm) within the perimeter of base 26.
Measured externally from inner edge 30 to outer edge 34, base 26 is preferably about ~5 mm long which i8 of suitable size to fit the adult human orbital margin or limit, internally inner edge 30 is about 65 mm from outer edge 34.
This length may be varied slightly as long it is sufficient to cover the orbital margin. Inner dome wall 28 extends about 25 mm along base 26, aperture 24 extends about 8 mm along base 26, and outer dome wall 32 extends about 42 mm 2~27632 along base 26. Base 26 is concave in profile extending inward a maximum of about 10 mm from (imaglnary) line 44.
The size of aperture 24 and optional funnel wall 36 is adapted to receive standard eye drop bottles, as those skilled in the art would realize the dimension of aperture 24 may be varied to fit different standards of eye drop bottles, about 8 mm is preferred for standard North American eye drop bottles. The top of dome wall 22, adjacent aperture 24 i5 about 45 to 50 mm above or outward of limaginary) line 44 extending from inner edge 30 to outer edge 34. The perimeter of base 26 is concave to fit around the orbital margin and extends about 10 mm upward or outward of line 44. The top of dome wall 22 adjacent aperture 24 is about 30 mm above base 26, and thus cornea 42, nozzle 38 typically extend~ inward some 10 mm, and is thus 20 mm above base 26, slightly less above cornea 42, when present funnel wall 36 similarly extends downward to 20 mm above base 26.
This minimum distance while not absolutely critical, is very much preferred both to avoid the drop(s) missing the eye through cau~ing a blink reaction through nozzle-eyelash contact, and to avoid hitting the eye with the nozzle.
Fig. 4 shows dome wall 22 in transverse cross section above cornea 42, wall 22 has lateral walls 44 terminating in edge 46, and opposed lateral wall 48 terminating in edge S0.
In this instance edge 46 rests on cheekbone 52, and edge 50 on brow 54, lower eyelid 56 and upper eyelid 58 partially cover eye 60. Edges 46 and 50 are about 45 mm apart, with aperture 24 symmetrically between them, this is both convenient and practical, as eye drop guide 20 can then be used with right and left eyes indifferently. The distance between edges 46 and 50 must be such that they rest outside the orbital margin, and that guide 20 is not easlly displaced by movement during the insertion of eye drop bottle 40. In theory aperture 24 could displaced up to about 4 mm toward the upper eyelid, and up to about 2 mm toward the lower eyelid without ill effect, as the lower eyelid moves less.
~2~632 The general position of aperture 2g and optional funnel wall 36 surrounded by dome wall 22 is shown in Fig. 5, the perimeter of base 26 is generally of oblong or ovoid outline, the precise geometric shape of this perimeter is not of itself critical, provided that it snugly fits around the rim of the eye socket and is not easily dislodged by using an eye drop bottle. In Fig. 6 is shown open eye 60 in the rest position with centred cornea 42 and inner ~oin 62 of eyelids, preferred drop deposition area 64 is between cornea 42 and inner join 62. This is the area above which aperture 24 and nozzle 38 is most preferably located in use.
The centre of aperture 24 is most preferably located about 25 mm from the inner edge 30 of dome wall 22, less preferably this may be varied up to about 4 mm inward or outward.
Optionally a flexible eye drop bottle holder 66 may be provided adjacent aperture 24, at the top of dome wall 22, typically bottle holder 66 consists of paired arcuate flexible flaps 68 and 70, concentric with aperture 24, connected to dome wall 22 by pro~ections 72 and ~, in use bottle 40 is thrust down into aperture 24 and is gripped by flaps 68 and 70.
In use the patient lies down or rests the head horizontally. The patient then places the guide 20 over one eye with the inner edge 30 against the nose and rest of the perimeter of base 26 against the eye socket rim, reducing light incidence on the eye. This makes the eye relax, the drop bottle is then introduced into aperture 24 and squeezed as many times as necessary, alternatively a dropper proper can be used. When it is necessary to drop into the other eye guide 20 is then placed over the other eye in the same fashion, and the drop bottle introduced into aperture 24 and squeezed. This guide allows patients to medicate themselves without difficulty, it would also allow other persons to medicate patients easily. This is a considerable advantage as it is difficult for either the patient or others to ~2~32 administer eye drops.
As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art the guide can be constructed from a variety of conventional materials by conventional methods. Wood, plastic, glass and metal may be utilized. The guide itself may be transparent, opaque, or translucent. It i5 preferred that the guide i8 opaque to allow the eye to relax and open as fully as possible. It is less preferred that the guide i5 translucent, and even less preferred that the guide is transparent.
As those skilled in the art would realise these preferred illustrated dimensions, details and components can be subjected to substantial variation, modification, change, alteration, and substitution without affecting or modifying the function of the illustrated embodiments.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.
This invention relates to an eye dropper guide having a surrounding base contoured to rest on the orbital margin ~bony rim] of the orbit [eye socket], so that an individual may drop medicine into their own eye(s) without difficulty.
PRIOR ART AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
, . _ , .. .... _. _, .. ,, ~ .. . ._ .. ...... _ _.. _ .. ~ . .. _ .
Eye dropper funnels are known.
U.S. Patent 2,237,862 issued April 8, 1941, to Burhans, teaches a eye cup with eye bowl 5 connected by bore 8, to open ended hollow base 7, cover by diaphragm 9.
U.S. Patent 2,352,610 issued July 4, 1944, to Bonilla, teaches a eye cup with eye bowl 11, connected to squeeze bulb 10 by flap valve 23, bulb 10 has exterior port 17. The device can be used to wash or treat the eye with fluid.
U.5. Patent 2,767,711 issued Oct. 23, 1956 also to Ernst, teaches a eye cup for eye medication with bowl 5, and removable or piercable closure cap (lid or diaphragm) 6, bowl 5 has circumferential bead 13 to fit the eye socket.
U.S. Patent 2,920,624 issued Jan. 12, 1960, to Lerner et al., teaches eye drop dispenser ~or medication having a frame 10 with a margin 14 to fit the eye, pivotally mounted spigot 24, communicates through conduit 32 to flange 16 adapted to engage a medication container. Spigot 24 allows drop dispensing.
U.S. Patent 3,106,898 issued Jan. 16, 1962, to Erwin, teaches a series of eye medicators, the broadest has bowl 10 with flange 11 to fit the eye, connected by a passage to exterior Punnel 14. The claimed invention includes a valve 24 or 40 exteriorly operated by stem 23 or 37. Another form has cup 44, with threaded passage 45, to receive threaded 2~27632 neck 47 of dispensing container 48, these may be moulded together.
U.s. Patent 4,111,200 issued Sep. 5, 1978, to Sbarra, t:eaches an eye medicator, with bowl 13 to fit the eye, c:onnected by passage 13e to exterior snap portion 13b to fit cap 12 of dispensing container 11. 13b and 12 are mutually rotatable to allow or prevent communication through alignable orifices.
U.S. Patent g,733,802, issued Mar. 29, 198B, to Sheldon, teaches an eye medicator, conical transparent bowl 45 has opening 5g and top opening 52 adapted to receive squeeze eye dropper.
As may be seen several such eye dropper funnels are known.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved eye dropper guide. Other objects are hereinafter apparent from the description, claims, and drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF_THE_INVENTION
In one aspect the invention is directed to an eye drop guide comprising, a contoured base adapted to fit closely the orbital margin [bony rim] of a human orbit [eye socket]
a wall extending upward therefrom to an aperture, which is of a size to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container. The aperture is at least about 30 mm above the nearest section of the contoured base. Preferably the base has opposed first and second ends. The first end is contoured to rest ad~acent the nasal portion of the orbital margin. The second end is contoured to rest a~ainst the temple portion of the orbital margin. The base may have opposed lateral portions intermediate of the ends, contoured to rest on the brow and cheekbone portions of the orbital margin. The aperture preferably has a midpoint from 25 to 33 mm outward 2027~32 of the furthest section of the first end. The aperture may comprise a funnel member extending downward from the aperture to receive a noz21e of an eye drop container. This funnel has a tip at least 20 mm above the nearest section of the contoured base. The aperture is preferably circular and about 8 mm in diameter. The base may extend about 75 mm from the first end to the second end. Preferably the aperture is equidistant from the intermediate portions of the base.
As the human orbital margin and its associated surround is more or less invariant in the normal adult human, regardless of sex, race and size ~except in abnormal (pathological) development], a contoured base wauld be a one-size-fits-all. The aperture should be appraximately located between the rest position of the cornea and the medial or inner canthus [inner corner of the eye], this is a desirable location for eye drop introduction. The aperture should be located at least 30 mm above the base to prevent eye drop nozzle-eye lash interference and blinking. The eye drop nozzle typically extends about 10 mm downward of the aperture to within 20 mm of the base. The specific shape of the contoured base allows it to be used for left and right eyes interchangeably. The contoured base is advantageously and conveniently bilaterally symmetrical about its long axis. The advantage over the prior art is that a guide, construoted in this way, automatically fits into position with the dropper aperture over the best eye drop position.
~dvantageously a dropper funnel is associated with the aperture, this may extend to within 20 mm of the base.
In another aspect the invention is an eye drop guide comprising a contoured base adapted to fit closely the orbital margin of a human orbit. The base comprises opposed first and second ends. The first end is contoured to rest ad~acent the nasal portion of the orbital margin, and the second end is contoured to rest against the temple portion of the orbital margin. The base has opposed lateral 2~27632 portions intermediate of the ends, contoured to rest on the brow and cheekbone portions of the orbital margin. A wall extends upward from this base to an aperture, which is circular and about 8 mm in diameter. The aperture is at least about 30 mm above the nearest section of the contoured base. The aperture has a mid point about 29 mm outward of the furthest section of the first end, and about 46 mm inward of the furthest section of the second end. The aperture comprises a funnel member extending downward from the aperture to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, the funnel having a tip at least ~0 mm above the nearest section of the contoured base. The aperture i9 equidistant from the intermediate portions of the base. Optionally the guide has eye drop container holder means attached to the wall and circumambient the aperture. The holder means may be flexible and include paired opposed arcuate flexible flaps concentric to the aperture.
In a third aspect the invention is an improvement in an eye drop guide having a base, an aperture and an interconnecting wall, where the improvement comprises a contoured base adapted to closely fit the orbital margin of a human orbit. Preferably the base comprises opposed first and second ends, the first end being contoured to rest ad~acent the nasal portion of the orbital rim, and the second end being contoured to rest against the temple portion of the orbital rim, the base having opposed lateral portions intermediate of the ends, contoured tc rest on the brow and cheekbone portions of the orbital rim. The base preferably extends about 75 mm externally from the first end to the second end, internally the measurement approximates 65 mm.
In a fourth aspect the invention is an improvement in an eye drop guide having a base, an aperture and an interconnecting wall where the improvement comprises the aperture being of a size to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, and being at least about 30 mm above the nearest 2~2~632 section of the base. Optionally the aperture comprising a funnel member extending downward from the aperture to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, the funnel having a tip at least 20 mm above the nearest section of the contoured base. Conveniently the aperture is circular and about 8 mm in diameter.
In a fifth aspect the invention is an improvement in an eye drop guide having a base, an aperture and an interconnecting wall, comprising eye drop container holder means attached to the wall and circumambient the aperture.
Preferably the holder means is flexible and may include a plurality of flexible flaps. More preferably the flexible flaps are arcuate. These flexible arcuate flaps may concentric to the aperture, conveniently there are two flaps.
The precise form of the wall between base and aperture is not critical. For manufacturing purposes it is practically, conveniently and advantageously of the smoothly sloping form of the type called domed. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art a variety of wall forms may be utilized. In practice the wall rises to the aperture and thus approximates to pyramidal with the apex at the apertur~.
DESCRIPTION_OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments are indicated in the drawings where:
Fig. 1 shows an anterior (front elevational) view of the bones forming the orbital margin ~bony rim] of the human orbit [eye socket];
Fig. 2 shows a lateral (side elevational) view of the bones forming the orbital margin of the human orbit;
Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 shows a transverse sectional view of the 2027~32 embodiment of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4;
Fig. 6 shows a view of a human eye;
Fig. 7 shows a view of a further embodiment of the invention in use;
Fig. 8 shows a view of the embodiment of Fig. 7 when not in use.
The general description of the invention is now expanded by reference to the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.
The numeral 10 indicates the human eye socket in Figs.
1 and 2, the orbital margin [bony rim] of human orbit [eye socket] 10, is formed by frontal bone 12, which forms the brow portion of the margin, maxilla or super maxillary bone 14, which forms part of the cheekbone portion of the rim, and zygomatic or malar bone 16, which forms most of the cheekbone portion of the margin, and also the temple portion of the margin. Nasal bone 18, which forms the bridge of the nose, is ~ust outside the orbital margin, and is often loosely con~idered by laymen to constitute part of the orbital margin or to demarcate it.
Anatomically and medically the orbit is considered to be quadrilateral pyramidal in form, which is a very inexact geometrical description. Precise and accurate geometric description is neither warranted, nor would it be intelligible. It is easier to consider the salient features of the orbital margin.
When the elevational frontal outline is considered one finds the superior margin starting at the nasal end has a shorter concave rise joined at midbrow to a longer concave decline to the temple end and a closely similar but not identical form is observed at the inferior margin, with a more flattened shorter concave rise ~oined roughly at mid 2~2~632 cheekbone to a longer concave decline to the temple. The mid cheekbone is slightly further from the nasal end than the midbrow. The similarity is more pronounced if the immediate surround of the orbital margin is considered rather than the inner edge.
When the top or bottom plan outline i8 considered one finds a convex outline. The superior margin starting at the nasal end has a short convex portion joined at midbrow to a longer less convex portion to the temple end. The inferior margin again has a shorter convex portion ~oined at mid cheekbone to a longer less convex portion to the temple end.
Again the mid cheekbone junctlon is further from the nasal end than the midbrow junctions. The midbrow ~unctions coincide, whereas the mid cheekbone junctions are adjacent but not coincident. The similarity is more pronounced if the immediate surround of the orbital margin is considered rather than the inner edge.
In life these bones are fleshed, and the eye ball lies withln these bones. Despite considerable human variation in size, as well a~ ~exual and racial differentiation, adult fleshed human eye sockets differ remarkably little in dimension, extending when viewed in front elevation some 52 mm horizontally and some 35 mm vertically, these dimensions may differ marginally perhaps by up to +2 mm. Also the eye soc~et extends backwards some 30 mm, again with perhaps +2 mm variation, from its forward inner rim, adjacent the nose.
In practice the orbital margin [bony rim] of the adult human orbit [eye socket] may be reasonably be viewed as of standard size and dimensions, sufficiently 80 as to be more or less interchangeable.
Although the orbital superior and inferior margins are different in outline by constructing a contour, which has approximates to the vertical convexities and horizontal concavities of the human orbital margin, it is possible to construct a contour which fits substantially closely about 2~27~32 the orbital margin and its immediate surround. A whole family of related contours of these properties can be constructed by those skilled in the art.
Typically this contour is of distorted ellipsoidal form, when the contour is a smooth continuous curved perimeter. Viewed from above the ellipsoid has a shorter more convex nasal ellipsoidal portion merging smoothly into a longer less convex temple ellipsoidal portion. Viewed from the side it has shorter more concave nasal portion merging smoothly into a longer less concave temple portion.
Family of suitable ellipsoidal contours are hard to define precisely, but are easily recognizable by those skilled in the art and extremely easy to test for fit on human subjects. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the contour need not be a smooth continuous curved perimeter, although this is more convenient for moulding and the like.
In Figs. 3 to 5, numeral 20 indicates the eye dropper guide with domed wall 22, having median aperture 24 and base 26 designed to fit against the human orbital margin. Wall 22 has shorter inner dome wall 28 extendiny to inner edge 30, which fits against the nose, and longer outer dome wall 32 extending to outer edge 34, which fits against the temple. Aperture 24, may have internal wall 36, forming a funnel adapted to receive nozzle 38 of eye drop bottle 40, to allow drops to fall onto the eye, the rest position of the cornea is indicated at 42, which extends slightly (typically about 2 to 3 mm) within the perimeter of base 26.
Measured externally from inner edge 30 to outer edge 34, base 26 is preferably about ~5 mm long which i8 of suitable size to fit the adult human orbital margin or limit, internally inner edge 30 is about 65 mm from outer edge 34.
This length may be varied slightly as long it is sufficient to cover the orbital margin. Inner dome wall 28 extends about 25 mm along base 26, aperture 24 extends about 8 mm along base 26, and outer dome wall 32 extends about 42 mm 2~27632 along base 26. Base 26 is concave in profile extending inward a maximum of about 10 mm from (imaglnary) line 44.
The size of aperture 24 and optional funnel wall 36 is adapted to receive standard eye drop bottles, as those skilled in the art would realize the dimension of aperture 24 may be varied to fit different standards of eye drop bottles, about 8 mm is preferred for standard North American eye drop bottles. The top of dome wall 22, adjacent aperture 24 i5 about 45 to 50 mm above or outward of limaginary) line 44 extending from inner edge 30 to outer edge 34. The perimeter of base 26 is concave to fit around the orbital margin and extends about 10 mm upward or outward of line 44. The top of dome wall 22 adjacent aperture 24 is about 30 mm above base 26, and thus cornea 42, nozzle 38 typically extend~ inward some 10 mm, and is thus 20 mm above base 26, slightly less above cornea 42, when present funnel wall 36 similarly extends downward to 20 mm above base 26.
This minimum distance while not absolutely critical, is very much preferred both to avoid the drop(s) missing the eye through cau~ing a blink reaction through nozzle-eyelash contact, and to avoid hitting the eye with the nozzle.
Fig. 4 shows dome wall 22 in transverse cross section above cornea 42, wall 22 has lateral walls 44 terminating in edge 46, and opposed lateral wall 48 terminating in edge S0.
In this instance edge 46 rests on cheekbone 52, and edge 50 on brow 54, lower eyelid 56 and upper eyelid 58 partially cover eye 60. Edges 46 and 50 are about 45 mm apart, with aperture 24 symmetrically between them, this is both convenient and practical, as eye drop guide 20 can then be used with right and left eyes indifferently. The distance between edges 46 and 50 must be such that they rest outside the orbital margin, and that guide 20 is not easlly displaced by movement during the insertion of eye drop bottle 40. In theory aperture 24 could displaced up to about 4 mm toward the upper eyelid, and up to about 2 mm toward the lower eyelid without ill effect, as the lower eyelid moves less.
~2~632 The general position of aperture 2g and optional funnel wall 36 surrounded by dome wall 22 is shown in Fig. 5, the perimeter of base 26 is generally of oblong or ovoid outline, the precise geometric shape of this perimeter is not of itself critical, provided that it snugly fits around the rim of the eye socket and is not easily dislodged by using an eye drop bottle. In Fig. 6 is shown open eye 60 in the rest position with centred cornea 42 and inner ~oin 62 of eyelids, preferred drop deposition area 64 is between cornea 42 and inner join 62. This is the area above which aperture 24 and nozzle 38 is most preferably located in use.
The centre of aperture 24 is most preferably located about 25 mm from the inner edge 30 of dome wall 22, less preferably this may be varied up to about 4 mm inward or outward.
Optionally a flexible eye drop bottle holder 66 may be provided adjacent aperture 24, at the top of dome wall 22, typically bottle holder 66 consists of paired arcuate flexible flaps 68 and 70, concentric with aperture 24, connected to dome wall 22 by pro~ections 72 and ~, in use bottle 40 is thrust down into aperture 24 and is gripped by flaps 68 and 70.
In use the patient lies down or rests the head horizontally. The patient then places the guide 20 over one eye with the inner edge 30 against the nose and rest of the perimeter of base 26 against the eye socket rim, reducing light incidence on the eye. This makes the eye relax, the drop bottle is then introduced into aperture 24 and squeezed as many times as necessary, alternatively a dropper proper can be used. When it is necessary to drop into the other eye guide 20 is then placed over the other eye in the same fashion, and the drop bottle introduced into aperture 24 and squeezed. This guide allows patients to medicate themselves without difficulty, it would also allow other persons to medicate patients easily. This is a considerable advantage as it is difficult for either the patient or others to ~2~32 administer eye drops.
As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art the guide can be constructed from a variety of conventional materials by conventional methods. Wood, plastic, glass and metal may be utilized. The guide itself may be transparent, opaque, or translucent. It i5 preferred that the guide i8 opaque to allow the eye to relax and open as fully as possible. It is less preferred that the guide i5 translucent, and even less preferred that the guide is transparent.
As those skilled in the art would realise these preferred illustrated dimensions, details and components can be subjected to substantial variation, modification, change, alteration, and substitution without affecting or modifying the function of the illustrated embodiments.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.
Claims (23)
1. An eye drop guide comprising a contoured base adapted to closely fit the orbital rim [bony rim] of a human eye socket, a wall extending upward therefrom to an aperture, said aperture being of a size to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, said aperture being at least about 30 mm above the nearest section of said contoured base.
2. The guide of claim 1, said base comprising opposed first and second ends, said first end being contoured to rest adjacent the nasal portion of said orbital rim [bony rim], and said second end being contoured to rest against the temple portion of said orbital rim [bony rim], said base having opposed lateral portions intermediate of said ends, contoured to rest on the brow and cheekbone portions of said orbital rim [bony rim], said aperture having a midpoint from 25 to 33 mm outward of the furthest section of said first end.
3. The guide of claim 1, said aperture comprising a funnel member extending downward from said aperture to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, said funnel having a tip at least 20 mm above the nearest section of said contoured base.
4. The guide of claim 2, said aperture comprising a funnel member extending downward from said aperture to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, said funnel having a tip at least 20 mm above the nearest section of said contoured base.
5. The guide of claim 4, said aperture being circular and about 8 mm in diameter.
6. The guide of claim 2, said base extending about 75 mm from said first end to said second end.
7. The guide of claim 2, said aperture being equidistant from said intermediate portions of said base.
8. An eye drop guide comprising a contoured base adapted to closely fit the orbital rim [bony rim] of a human eye socket, said base comprising opposed first and second ends, said first end being contoured to rest adjacent the nasal portion of said orbital rim [bony rim], and said second end being contoured to rest against the temple portion of said orbital rim [bony rim], said base having opposed lateral portions intermediate of said ends, contoured to rest on the brow and cheekbone portions of said orbital rim [bony rim];
a wall extending upward therefrom to an aperture r said aperture being circular and about 8 mm in diameter, said aperture being at least about 30 mm above the nearest section of said contoured base, said aperture having a mid point about 29 mm outward of the furthest section of said first end, and about 46 mm inward of the furthest section of said second end, said aperture comprising a funnel member extending downward from said aperture to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, said funnel having a tip at least 20 mm above the nearest section of said contoured base, said aperture being equidistant from said intermediate portions of said base.
a wall extending upward therefrom to an aperture r said aperture being circular and about 8 mm in diameter, said aperture being at least about 30 mm above the nearest section of said contoured base, said aperture having a mid point about 29 mm outward of the furthest section of said first end, and about 46 mm inward of the furthest section of said second end, said aperture comprising a funnel member extending downward from said aperture to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, said funnel having a tip at least 20 mm above the nearest section of said contoured base, said aperture being equidistant from said intermediate portions of said base.
9. The guide of claim 8 having eye drop container holder means attached to said wall and circumambient said aperture.
10. The guide of claim 9 wherein said holder is flexible.
11. The guide of claim 10, said holder means including paired opposed arcuate flexible flaps concentric to said aperture.
12. An improvement in an eye drop guide having a base, an aperture and an interconnecting wall the improvement comprising a contoured base adapted to closely fit the orbital rim [bony rim] of a human eye socket.
13. The guide of claim 12, said base comprising opposed first and second ends, said first end being contoured to rest adjacent the nasal portion of said orbital rim [bony rim], and said second end being contoured to rest against the temple portion of said orbital rim [bony rim], said base having opposed lateral portions intermediate of said ends, contoured to rest on the brow and cheekbone portions of said orbital rim [bony rim].
14. The guide of claim 13, said base extending about 75 mm from said first end to said second end.
15. An improvement in an eye drop guide having a base, an aperture and an interconnecting wall the improvement comprising said aperture being of a size to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, and being at least about 30 mm above the nearest section of said base.
16. The guide of claim 15, said aperture comprising a funnel member extending downward from said aperture to receive a nozzle of an eye drop container, said funnel having a tip at least 20 mm above the nearest section of said contoured base.
17. The guide of claim 16, said aperture being circular and about 8 mm in diameter.
18. An improvement in an eye drop guide having a base, an aperture and an interconnecting wall the improvement comprising eye drop container holder means attached to said wall and circumambient said aperture.
19. The guide of claim 18, wherein said holder means is flexible.
20. The guide of claim 19, wherein said holder means is a plurality of flexible flaps.
21. The guide of claim 20, wherein said flexible flaps are arcuate.
22. The guide of claim 21, wherein said flexible arcuate flaps are concentric to said aperture.
23. The guide of claim 22, wherein there are two flaps.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002027632A CA2027632A1 (en) | 1990-10-15 | 1990-10-15 | Eye dropper |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002027632A CA2027632A1 (en) | 1990-10-15 | 1990-10-15 | Eye dropper |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2027632A1 true CA2027632A1 (en) | 1992-04-16 |
Family
ID=4146155
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002027632A Abandoned CA2027632A1 (en) | 1990-10-15 | 1990-10-15 | Eye dropper |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2027632A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT201600102531A1 (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2018-04-12 | Univ Degli Studi Di Parma | Device for ocular administration of fluids |
-
1990
- 1990-10-15 CA CA002027632A patent/CA2027632A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT201600102531A1 (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2018-04-12 | Univ Degli Studi Di Parma | Device for ocular administration of fluids |
| EP3308757A1 (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2018-04-18 | Università degli Studi di Parma | Device for ocular administration of fluids |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |