JPS6154419B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Medicinal and irrigation solutions are generally available in squeeze bottles, often with small nozzles through which drops are placed directly into the eye. As is well known, considerable difficulty is often experienced in keeping the eyes open for a sufficient period of time and at the same time steadying the hand to ensure accurate instillation.
One attempt to overcome this difficulty has been found in spray attachments that emit liquid in the form of fine particles that are sprayed from within a cup placed over the eye.
However, such spraying could entrain dust particles or other foreign material that may have settled on the surface of the cup when it was not in use.

It is an object of the present invention to equip the eye drop bottle with an attachment device that holds both eyelids open during the instillation.

It is also an object of the present invention to equip the ophthalmic solution bottle with a supporting attachment that does not come into direct contact with the eye itself to stabilize the bottle.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an eye drop bottle attachment that supports the eye drop bottle out of the path of liquid directed to the eye during use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In practicing the invention, a pair of flexible arms are provided that extend upwardly from the neck of the eye drop bottle in use. These arms have sufficient deflection strength to return to their normal configuration after being deflected. The ends of these arms carry pads or flat supports that can be pressed lightly against the eyelids without discomfort. These arms thus act as a support for positioning the nozzle of the eye drop bottle directly above the eye. Moreover, these arms can also act to open the eye and keep it open during use. Specifically, the arms are pushed toward each other by being gripped around their outer surfaces and the pads are pressed lightly against both closed or partially closed eyelids.
Then, when released, the deflection strength of these arms forces the eyelids toward each other, positioning the nozzle of the eye drop bottle directly above the open eye. These arms, while being infused with
Provides stable support for the bottle. These arms may be carried on a collar carried around the neck of the bottle so that they hang along the sides of the bottle when inverted for convenient storage and portability. Moreover, when so arranged, these arms do not interfere with the normal use of the eye drop bottle. In one type of bottle, these arms are formed by opposite sides of a more or less oval cup. In this configuration, the other sides of the cup are deformed when the cup is squeezed and help restore the cup to its normal shape when released.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described.

Embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 Referring first to FIGS. 1-3 of the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that by being injected through a suitable nozzle 12 carried on the top 14 of the bottle, a A bottle 10, which may be a plastic squeeze type, is shown adapted to contain the medicinal or cleaning liquid to be applied.

The eye drop bottle attachment 16 of the present invention includes a pair of flexible arms or vanes 18 that may be carried on an integral collar 20 adapted to be carried around the neck of the bottle 10. ing. Attached device 1
When 6 is not in use, the collar 20 may be reversed to the position shown in FIG.
In addition, a cap 15 is placed over the nozzle 12. When the collar 20 is thus inverted, the arms hang down along the front and back sides of the bottle 10, respectively, to facilitate storage of the bottle 10 in a purse or pocket. When placed in this position, the arms will not interfere with the conventional use of the eye drop bottle. In use, the cap 14 is removed and the collar is inverted to the position shown in FIG. 2, in which the arms extend upwardly from the neck of the bottle 10. The ends of both arms carry suitable pads 22 which are adapted to be applied to the eyelids to keep them apart and to support the bottle 10 while the eye is injected with a medicinal solution or sedative. There is. If desired, the surfaces of these pads may be contoured or knurled at 24 to aid in restraining the eyelid, especially if wet.

In operation, both arms 18 are placed in the raised position of FIG. 2 to be used as a support for the bottle while being instilled. If desired, in practice both arms are first squeezed together as shown by the dotted lines and the pads 22
It doesn't matter if it is gently pressed directly against the closed eyelids. Then both arms 18 are connected to both arms 1
The deflection strength of 8 allows the arms to return outward to their normal position and to force the eyelids apart prior to instillation of the eye drop.
If the pad 22 is subsequently lightly pressed against the eyelid, the eye will be held open and the bottle 10 will be stabilized.

Embodiment of FIGS. 4-6 Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, attachment 26 may be in the form of a cup 28 having a gently curved outer periphery 30; Both opposing portions of the rim act as eyelid pads. In operation, the opposing sides 28 are clasped together as in the configuration of FIG. 1, so that when released they naturally spring apart, forcing the eyelids open. With the eyelids open, the cup 28 serves the additional function of shielding the eye from light to which certain people may be sensitive. If desired, relatively thin outer peripheral edges 30a may be formed on each of the short opposite sides to allow both to be easily bent. In any case, the restoring force of the material around the entire circumference of the cup assists in the righting of the opposing sides 28. With cup 28 in the position shown in FIG. 5, nozzle 33 is located well below the level of the outer periphery or pads 30, 30a and is protected from contamination. In addition, it is made high enough so that the cap 34 can be grasped without touching the inner surface of the cup 36 or the tip of the nozzle 33. When not in use, the cup 28 may be inverted so that it surrounds the circumference of the bottle 32 as shown in FIG. Whether inverted or upright for infusion, the cup 28 is held in place by snapping its annular collar 35 around the thickened portion 36 around the neck of the bottle. can be retained.

Embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 The collar 20 is replaced by a U-shaped clamp 20a which engages around the neck of the bottle 10 both when inverted as shown and when lifted for operation. Otherwise, the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. Arm 18a and pad 22a are formed and function similarly to the corresponding components of FIG.

Embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the arm 40 includes a support collar 44 carried on the neck of the bottle 10.
It may be swingably mounted at 42 on the top. These arms can thus be swung between the retracted position shown and the raised position in which the pad 46 is extended for infusion without having to remove the collar from the bottle 10. I can do it.

Although the present invention has been described above in terms of preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent that these embodiments can be understood by those skilled in the art to be more specific to the present invention as defined by the following claims. Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a side view of one embodiment of the accessory device of the present invention in an unused position; FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a used position; and FIG. 4 is a partially sectional side view of another embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 5 is a partially sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in the position of use. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4;
7 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a side view of still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention. is the ninth
FIG. 3 is a front view of the illustrated embodiment; 10... "Ephthalmic solution container", 16... "Attached device", 18... "A pair of arms", 20... "Integrated collar", 22... "Pad", 24... "Surface" of the pad ”.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A lightweight squeezable eye drop bottle attachment comprising a pair of arms and pads attached to the ends of said arms adapted to contact the outer surface of the eyelid, said pads having a friction surface, and said pads having a friction surface; To support the arm so as to project upward from near the top of the eye drop container and to contact both upper and lower eyelids inserted into the eye socket, usually facing both sides of the nozzle of the same bottle. the arm is flexible enough to be grasped and brought close to each other before contacting the eyelids, and then released to expand both eyelids so that the fingers can be held together. The support device has a structure that allows the arm to be tipped over, and the arm can hang down in contact with both sides of the bottle when tipped over. 1. An accessory device for a lightweight squeeze-type ophthalmic solution bottle, characterized in that the device is configured in relation to the size and shape of the bottle.