WO2002062488A1 - Distributeur de liquide et procede permettant de faire fonctionner un dispositif pulverisateur - Google Patents

Distributeur de liquide et procede permettant de faire fonctionner un dispositif pulverisateur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002062488A1
WO2002062488A1 PCT/SE2002/000150 SE0200150W WO02062488A1 WO 2002062488 A1 WO2002062488 A1 WO 2002062488A1 SE 0200150 W SE0200150 W SE 0200150W WO 02062488 A1 WO02062488 A1 WO 02062488A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
eyecup
opening
liquid
stream
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2002/000150
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Christian Péclat
Emmanuel Gremion
Alain Saurer
Daniel Siegfried
Stefan Käser
Beat Villiger
Hans Himbert
Original Assignee
Pharmacia Ab
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to MXPA03007107A priority Critical patent/MXPA03007107A/es
Priority to CA002434201A priority patent/CA2434201C/fr
Priority to JP2002562484A priority patent/JP2004528069A/ja
Priority to NZ526784A priority patent/NZ526784A/en
Priority to BR0206988-1A priority patent/BR0206988A/pt
Priority to AU2002230329A priority patent/AU2002230329B2/en
Priority to IL15671402A priority patent/IL156714A0/xx
Priority to HU0302851A priority patent/HUP0302851A3/hu
Application filed by Pharmacia Ab filed Critical Pharmacia Ab
Priority to EP02711582A priority patent/EP1363746A1/fr
Priority to KR10-2003-7010486A priority patent/KR20030076666A/ko
Priority to EA200300861A priority patent/EA005024B1/ru
Publication of WO2002062488A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002062488A1/fr
Priority to NO20033509A priority patent/NO20033509L/no
Priority to HK04105848A priority patent/HK1063024A1/xx

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H35/00—Baths for specific parts of the body
    • A61H35/02—Baths for specific parts of the body for the eyes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B9/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour
    • B05B9/03—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material
    • B05B9/04—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump
    • 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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/04—Appliances for sand, mud, wax or foam baths; Appliances for metal baths, e.g. using metal salt solutions
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to devices and methods for ejecting a liquid stream, in particular towards an eye, the stream moving from a proximal position towards a distal position, the device comprising a) a housing, b) a container for the liquid, c) at least one opening arranged for ejection of the stream and being in fluid communication with the container, d) a pump mechanism operable to deliver at least part of the liquid from the container through the opening to form the stream and e) an eyecup with a contact surface arranged for contact with the eye or its facial surroundings.
  • the pump mechanism may include a pump driver able to store cocked energy for driving the pump mechanism and at least one activation mechanism may be present and operable to initiate the device for the liquid delivery.
  • Background Devices for ejection of liquid streams may have many utilities.
  • typical applications include injection or infusion, treatment of a body cavities, intrapulmonary delivery or treatment of the body surface such as topical treatment.
  • aspects of the present invention have special utility in ophthalmology and especially in liquid treatment of and eye.
  • the invention will be described in terms of this application although aspects of the invention has broader utility.
  • the common eye bath for comfort, refreshment or rinsing may comprise a cup of anatomically adapted design for immersion of the eye. Deliv- ery of large liquid amounts, usually by spray devices, has also been used in eye washes for example in emergency situations.
  • the present invention is mainly concerned with devices suitable for administration of relatively small amounts of fluids to the eye and also devices of sufficient convenience in handling to facilitate or encourage frequent use, also in self- administration situations.
  • a common application is the administration of medical to the eye. Typically the medical preparation has to be delivered in a fairly well defined volume to assure a specified dose to be delivered or absorbed.
  • a large surplus cannot be allowed due to improper physiological effects from absorbency in non-target tissues or drainage of excess amounts through the tear channel into the throat cavity or the inconveniences caused by overflow on face and clothes.
  • price considerations apply for expensive medications.
  • the treatment of glaucoma requires frequent daily administrations of e.g. prostaglan- dins, beta-blockers or other expensive active ingredients, all having other then the desired pressure relieving action when absorbed by other body tissues than the eye.
  • proper administration of small amounts is complicated by the fact that the active ingredients cannot enter the eye but through the limited area of the cornea.
  • Medical devices of this kind are for example auto-injectors, where liq uid injection takes places automatically after triggering, and jet-injectors where penetration takes place by use of liquid speed instead of by use of a needle.
  • eye treatment fairly rapid liquid streams have been proposed for the purposes of delivering the liquid fast enough to beat the blink reflex and also to enable delivery of very small doses, smaller than a gravity delivered drop, by ejection of controlled amount of liquid from a pressurized chamber throug a narrow orifice.
  • Devices of this kind are described in for example in WO 96/00050 for multi pie dose containers and in WO 96/06581 and our co-pending application PCT/SEOO/01514 fo single dose containers.
  • the disclosed proposals of this kind are not optimized for use as portable or handheld devices, neither in respect of convenience features nor in respect of suitability for further automation.
  • a main object of the present invention is to provide an liquid delivery device meeting the general demands described herein-above better than hitherto known devices.
  • a more specific object is to provide such a device suitable for portable or hand-held use.
  • Another object is to provide a device convenient in use and suited for self-treatment situations.
  • Still another object is to offer a device useful for mechanized, rather than manual, operation of its liquid pump mechanism.
  • Yet another purpose is to offer a device having arrangements for initiation and/or control steps.
  • a further object is to provide such a device suitable for automation or motorization of its functions.
  • Yet another object is to provide a motorized device providing energy and/or force economy.
  • Still another object is to provide a device suitable for high speed delivery of liquid.
  • Another object is to provide a device compatible with multi-dose or single dose containers.
  • a further object is to provide a device suitable for use with one or several replaceable single-dose or multi-dose containers.
  • Still another object is to provide devices as of suitable secondary properties, outside the immediate treatment situation, such as recharging, initiation, control, cleaning, handling and manufacture.
  • Yet another object is to provide devices as above suitable for liquid delivery to an eye.
  • a further object is to provide an eye treatment device suitable for convenient and precise delivery, especially of small liquid volumes. Further objects are to offer methods for operation of such devices and/or methods for delivery corresponding to such devices.
  • the device is arranged for liquid delivery to an eye and comprises an eyecup arranged to define a given relationship between the opening and the eye.
  • an active position providing a safety distance between the opening and the eye and a position closer to the opening it is e.g. possible to make the device more compact in its not active state, improving portability, and with increased space between device and face in operation, improving its hand-held characteristics and facilitating self-treatment.
  • Making the variation in relation to the opening facilitates its precise orientation, of importance for delivery precision, and its integration with the housing and pump mechanism, e.g. obviating the need for long conduits in between, being more compatible with high pressure delivery.
  • a sensor or other arrangement is used to discriminate between the positions it is possible to adapt the device functions accordingly, e.g. to generate signals, activating electronics or mechanics, locking the device etc. Without sacrifices in other respects it is possible to add further positions for the eyecup, e.g. for reset, recharging etc.
  • a movable arrangement is also easily extended into a fully remov- able arrangement, e.g. for facilitating cleaning or allowing replacement or selection between different eyecup shapes or sizes.
  • the mobility is compatible with added functionality where the movement as such, not only the eyecup position, is critical.
  • the device may be active to move the eyecup to the active position when initiation or control has been successfully concluded or the device may be a passive receiver of movement input, e.g.
  • the device comprises an activa- tion mechanism operable to initiate the container or opening for the liquid delivery and a driver arranged to transform manual or stored energy both into cocking energy of a pump driver for the pump and into energy for operation of the activation mechanism.
  • a cocking arrangement for the pump driver means that the user can be relieved from operating the pump and can be used to improve the timing, profile and targeting precision of the ejec- tion and allows any pump force, container pressure or liquid speed to be generated.
  • Use of the same drive mechanism also for initiation facilitates handling in manual devices and reduces . complexity in automated devices.
  • Initiation steps are common in delivery devices and may for example include moving a new single-dose container into the ejection site, opening of a sealed opening, mixing of preparation precursors, breaking of rupturable walls or safety parts, dose setting, de-aeration of container content, arming or release of safety arrangements etc.
  • the invention is compatible with any such initiation step or combination of such steps.
  • the repertoire of available initiation actions also makes the device compatible with single-dose or multi-dose containers, with single or plural container arrangements and with fixed or replace- able such containers. Peak force or energy requirements can be reduced if the two transformations are separated in time or sequence. The same applies if two or more initiation steps are similarly separated.
  • the arrangement is compatible both with that the driving mechanism directly operates the activation mechanism or that the driving mechanism provides stored energy to a cocked state for the activation mechanism.
  • the principles outlined improves use convenience by reducing the necessary handling steps. They also add to safety by allowing control steps to be included and controlled sequencing between steps. Mechanization and automation of the device is facilitated by the combined operational actions and possibilities to reduce force and energy requirements. For similar reasons the device mechanism can be made simpler and less bulky, improving its portability and hand operated properties. Further and more specific objects and advantages will be evident from the detailed description below.
  • system shall be understood to refer to the principles of the invention generally, whether described, claimed, exem- plified or implemented as one or more devices/arrangements, methods, uses or combinations thereof.
  • composition compounds/components in any physical or chemical aggregation or mixture, with possible intervening compounds/components, or state of aggregation as well as method steps in any time sequence.
  • positional and directional statements for both the container and the delivery device such as “axial”, “distal” and “proximal”, “front” and “rear” and “forward” and “rearward”, shall be understood with reference to the liquid delivery direction, with respect to which a line centered in the container opening and drawn along the main or average delivery direction shall be regarded as the system "axis” along which axis the liquid is delivered in the forward direction.
  • the concept "manual" in connection with force or energy applied to the controls of the device shall be understood to mean that the operator applies, directly or indirectly, the force or energy in a manner controlling the procedure under consideration. It shall be understood to include servo arrangements in which force or energy from another source than the operator, e.g. stored energy in a spring or gas or supplied energy, is used in full or in part in assisting driving of the procedure as long as action of the operator determines the proceeding, although servo assistance is mostly not needed or preferred.
  • a "trigger" action which may be an on/off action, the manual action bears, at least partly or over a limited range, a function relationship to position in the procedure affected.
  • the device described herein may be used for a variety of purposes within and beyond the medical area and for any type of preparations, such as chemicals, compositions or mixtures, in any container and delivered for any purpose.
  • the system have certain special values in connection with medical delivery devices where also the design constraints are more severe than in most other applications.
  • the invention will be described in terms of this application.
  • the material to be delivered is a fluid and preferably a liquid, including materials behaving as liquids such as emulsions or suspensions.
  • a delivery conduit from the device may be an infusion channel or any conduct- ing arrangements such as a tube or catheter, a needle or cannula or a needle-less system based on liquid jet or a drop gun or spray with or without gas propellant.
  • the container content material shall be deliverable by use of a delivery mechanism, also referred to herein as a pump or pump mechanism, and any material fulfilling this requirement can be used.
  • a delivery mechanism also referred to herein as a pump or pump mechanism, and any material fulfilling this requirement can be used.
  • the material is a fluid and preferably a liquid, including materials behaving as liquids such as emul- sions or suspensions.
  • the invention may be applied to delivery devices in stationary or permanent set-ups.
  • the invention give special advantages in delivery devices for ambulatory purposes, especially those being autonomous with on-board energy storage, motor and processor arrangements and in particular small hand-held devices of truly portable nature.
  • the housing shall be understood in general terms and mainly represents the point of reference, unless otherwise indicated, for movements and also the point of reference for forces applied by actuating arrangements performing said movements, whereat the force is applied between the housing and the moving or gripped part.
  • Movable parts may be present in the pump arrangements or e.g. in parts performing mixing, autopenetration, needle ejection and retraction etc.
  • the minimum functional requirement is that the housing offers a support or platform for the movable parts and the actuating arrangements providing the movements and forces.
  • movable parts may be present in the pump mechanism, its driver and cocking arrangements as well as in the initiation arrangements and their activation mechanisms.
  • the housing forms a container at least partly embracing the parts and preferably also to such an extent that only the features designed to be controlled o monitored by the operator are externally exposed.
  • exposed parts may include a manually operated button for performing or triggering ejection, a door to a container seat for easy replacement, a display for messages to the user etc.
  • the container part shall be understood in broad sense and may take a variety of forms such as any kind of tube, vessel, flexible bag, vial, ampoule, cartridge, carpoule, syringe body etc. Common container materials such as glass or plastic can with preference be used.
  • the container may be an integral or composite structure, such as including an outer casing or any other multipart construction for closures, fixtures, protection etc., and whenever used herein "container" shall be understood to include any auxiliary part present.
  • the container may be integral with the housing, e.g. for use in disposable devices, when the container is refillable or when the container is part of the pumping system repeatedly drawing the preparation to be injected from an external source or channel before each injection stroke.
  • the container may also be separate, e.g.
  • more than one container may be present, e.g. in case it is desirable to perform a mixing before injection, mixing during injection when drawing a part volume from each container or in case of sequential injection of different components.
  • the container has at least one opening, also referred to as an orifice, through which the medication pass during the main delivery operation of the device, either from the con- tainer interior to the surrounding for e.g. administration of the medical to the patient or to the container in case of aspiration of body fluids or at preparation steps such as filling, mixing or dissolution in the container, during which operations the opening need to be present
  • an orifice through which the medication pass during the main delivery operation of the device, either from the con- tainer interior to the surrounding for e.g. administration of the medical to the patient or to the container in case of aspiration of body fluids or at preparation steps such as filling, mixing or dissolution in the container, during which operations the opening need to be present
  • certain device operations, such as initiation takes place before communication has been established and the opening requirement shall then be considered satisfied by the preparation arrangements for creating the communication such as the presence of a removable closure or a pierceable or rupturable part on the container itself as in the case of an ampoule or bag or
  • All communication may take place through one opening, for example both medical passage and pressure equalization in a rigid container or by delivery from a container which is flexible or has a movable or deformable part but nothing prevents that further openings are provided for similar purposes, which can be identical to the at least one opening but which can be entirely different and for example be adapted for another purpose of e.g. infusion or syringe type with a movable wall or piston.
  • the container may be a simple bottle, vial or bag in case the delivery device is ar- ranged to withdraw, continuously or intermittently, metered amounts therefrom for delivery as defined.
  • the container type is more elaborate and is commonly in the form of a cartridge, being the container part of a syringe type of delivery system, which may be still more elaborate in the case of multichamber cartridges.
  • Cartridge type containers shall be further described as they generally require addi- tional initiation or control steps for which the principles of the invention with preference can be exploited.
  • a cartridge for the present purposes may generally be said to include a vessel having front part and a rear part defining a general cartridge axis, an outlet for the preparation ar- ranged at the front part and at least one movable wall arranged at the rear part, a displacemen of which wall causes the preparation to be moved towards or expelled through the outlet.
  • Nes sel shape and movable wall have to be mutually adapted.
  • the vessel may be designed most freely when the wall is a flexible or oversized membrane or diaphragm able to adapt by movement or reshaping to vessel internal surfaces, in which case a fluid cushion or resilient material may be needed between the wall and piston rod to smooth out applied pressure.
  • the vessel has a substantially constant internal cross-section , with a similarly constant vessel axis, between front and rear parts giving a generally tube-shaped vessel, and most preferably the cross-section is of the common circular type giving a substantially cylindrical vessel.
  • the movable wall is then preferably a substantially shape-permanent, al- though possibly elastic, body sealingly adapted to the internal vessel surface and preferably of the plunger type having sufficient length to self-stabilize against tumbling during travel along the vessel.
  • the front part outlet may be of any known design and directed laterally for best access in certain applications, frontal but non-coaxial with vessel axis or most commonly arranged frontal and coaxial.
  • the outlet may be integral with the vessel or in a conventional manner the cartridge front end may be provided with an attachment therefore and before connection be provided with a breakable or penetrable sealing.
  • the described cartridges need several kinds of initiation actions, dependent on a displacement of the movable wall, to reset the device and make possible repeated and reproducible dosing meeting high precision demands.
  • the movable wall In its first movement the movable wall may need an extraordinary break-loose force after storage to overcome both internal reshaping resistance and an increased wall friction due to adherence or depletion of lubricant in contact points.
  • elastic and inelastic deformations and tolerances have to be evened out in the movable wall, cartridge shell, outlet attachments etc.
  • the preparations themselves may have compressible inclusions such as gas vesicles. Deaeration and preejection is needed to remove gas in the vessel compartment and fill out spaces for example at the front sealings, outlet attachments and the interior of the outlet devices or needles.
  • Dual or multi chamber cartridge types are known e.g. for preparations demanding a mixing of two or more components or precursors before administration.
  • the components are kept separated by one or more intermediate walls of different known designs, which walls divide the vessel into several chambers, sometimes placed parallel along cartridge axis but most commonly in stacked relationship along the axis.
  • Unification of the components may take place by breaking, penetrating or opening a valve construction in the intermediate walls for example by introducing a pin or needle through the cartridge front, through or at the rear movable wall or by means at the cartridge exterior (compare e.g. WO 93/02720).
  • the intermediate wall or walls are of the plunger type and flow communication between the chambers is accomplished by moving the plunger to a by-pass section where the interior wall has one or several enlarged sections or repeated circumferential grooves and lands in a manner allowing by-flow of rear chamber content into front chamber at displacement of the rear movable wall (compare e.g. US 4.968.299 or WO 93/20868 and WO 95/11051).
  • the chambers may contain gas, liquid or solids. Generally at least one liquid is present. Most commonly in pharmaceutical applications only two chambers are present and typically contains one liquid and one solid, the latter being dissolved and reconstituted during the mixing operation.
  • the containers exemplified can be used either for single or multiple doses to be ejected.
  • multiple dose arrangement often involves the risk of contamination or loss of sterility of the container content after opening and first use, which may require preservatives in the preparations.
  • These problems can be avoided with single dose containers which are opened in connection with the ejection operation and then discarded.
  • the simple and cheap single dose containers have been proposed having an opening and at least one wall which is soft or deformable so that the container content can be pressurized by squeezing or impacting the deformable part.
  • Various pressurizing directions can be used such as perpendicular relative to the opening axis although it is often preferred to use a direction parallel and preferably co-axial with the opening axis in the forward direction.
  • Such containers have been proposed for various delivery purposes, e.g. for needle injection as exemplified by FR 1538565, for penetrating jet injection as exemplified by US 2642062, US 3419007 and US 5026343 and for eye treatment as exemplified by WO 96/06581 and our co- pending application PCT/SEOO/01514 mentioned in the introduction.
  • Containers of this kind can be used for the present purposes and the most preferred design is that described in said co- pending application.
  • Such a container can be said to comprise a front wall having or surrounding a cavity corresponding to the form of an open vessel, an opening in the front wall adapted for ejection of the liquid from the container, optionally a sealing over the opening adapted for temporary use, and a rear wall closing and sealing the open part of the front wall vessel to confine a space for the liquid in the container, the rear wall running at least partially perpendicular to the container axis and being displaceable or deformable for movement towards the opening to pressurize the container liquid.
  • the front wall is substantially rigid in relation to the rear wall, that the rear wall before pressurizing the container is substantially flat or substantially single-curved and that the rear wall is deformable under stretching to substantially fill out the container cavity.
  • the pump mechanism for such containers may include a ram that press or impact on the soft or deformable wall, to be further explained below.
  • the multiple container package is a substantially rigid and self-bearing structure, among others giving advantages in connection with the delivery device.
  • a rigid structure can be obtained by joining the individual ' containers by rigid joints but a preferred way is to utilize the rigidity of the front wall as men- tioned by providing an enlarged front wall structure and provide several cavities in the structure, among others facilitating manufacture of multiple containers and allowing a smooth and non-complicated exterior.
  • the attachment of films over these surfaces is further simplified, especially if the container surfaces lies in the same plane since an undi- vided sheet material can then be attached to several, and preferably all, of the individual containers of the structure, e.g. a common foil attached as rear wall to the rear surface of structure or a common peel sheet over the container openings at the front surface.
  • the overall shape of the front wall structure for multiple containers can take a variety of forms but essentially flat front wall structures give advantages in manufacture and delivery device design.
  • the shape may for example be rectangular, square or round.
  • the round "disc” shape has been found particularly beneficial, among others in connection with the delivery device where sequential feeding of the containers into a shoot position can be made by simple rotation in a "revolver” type manner, the absence of any particular start position facilitates handling and counting arrangements and allows for self-centering properties.
  • Most container types can be arranged in multiple arrangements if desired and an initiation step for any such arrangement may include the step of bringing a fresh container into an active ejection site of the delivery device or bringing the site to a fresh container position.
  • an initiation step for any such arrangement may include the step of bringing a fresh container into an active ejection site of the delivery device or bringing the site to a fresh container position.
  • temporary seal the container opening or openings before actual ejection of the liquid in order to maintain a fully sealed container.
  • the seal should be broken or removed immediately before use.
  • a manually or pressure breakable rupturable seal can be used it is often preferred to use a removable seal in order to avoid any particle release from the seal, to have a fully foreseeable dynamic behavior and allow use of more reliable thick or strong layers.
  • a seal can be formed integral with the front wall, e.g.
  • a separate peel layer is provided for removal prior to ejection, and preferably attached to the front surface of the front wall. It is preferred to avoid glue and adhe- sives and preferably some form of welding is used, as by ultrasonic or heat. In order to facilitate removal and interference with the opening area the sealing can be made to a limited area surrounding the opening. In multiple container structures it is preferred to make the layers individually removable for each container, e.g. by use of separate films, pre-cut films or separate tongues, e.g. in a star shape for a round disc.
  • An initiation step for such containers may be to remove the temporary seal before ejection.
  • the opening design can vary depending on the nature of the liquid stream to be produced, e.g. an atomized spray or a concentrated stream to remain coherent or to break up into a linear stream of discrete droplets. Also the stream speed may vary from high penetrating to low impact surface delivery. Several or multiple openings can be provided, e.g. to produce a controlled shower, although for most applications a single opening is preferred.
  • the opening geometry can be that of a simple tube, diverging, e.g. for assisting in a distributed spray, converging, e.g. for assisting in a coherent stream to be formed, or a combination, such as a venturi type of channel.
  • the opening can be soft, e.g. in case of infusion tubes, precision advantages can be obtained if the opening structure is rigid.
  • the opening in turn can be connected via a tube to the container, e.g. in case of feeding tubes, although the opening with preference also can be directly attached to the container.
  • the opening will here be described as a termination adapted for delivery of the preparation to the target site, e.g. on or in the patient, for which purpose at least the last, frontmost, part of the conduit should be suitable for delivery to the site.
  • the front end may not be designed for direct contact with the target site, as in case of liquid sprays, where the front end may be an orifice or opening for positioning at a distance from the target or on the surface of the target in spite of that the true target is below the surface.
  • the front end is designed for penetrating into the target as in case of cannulas or common needles.
  • the channel between the front end and the rear end may be curved or bent, as for a flexible infusion tube or in an on-board permanent connection, although in many applications it is desirable that the conduit is substantially straight, as for a needle on a sy- ringe.
  • the pump mechanism for delivery of medical through the container opening should basically include at least one type of pump mechanism which may have to be selected for the special kind or container and medical used.
  • the pump mechanism may include any kind of pres- sure source, such as mechanical or electrolytic pressure build-up, in the container and suitable valve arrangements for control, which method can be used with virtually any kind of container and any kind of product, such as transdermal delivery through liquid jets, as exemplified by WO 94/2188, or regular tube infusion, as exemplified by WO 88/09187.
  • any kind of container can also be used with pumps based on peristaltic action or centrifugal action, al- though also for general use pumps based on controlled positive displacement are preferred and especially such pumps based on a separate cylinder and piston action, as exemplified by US 5.480.381 for liquid jet or US 4.564.360 for a manually operated needle based device.
  • the common syringe type container need a specialized pumping system.
  • Either the mechanism is adapted to act on complete syringes, having their own piston rods, by engaging and axially displacing said rod, as exemplified by the US 4.978.335, which may be preferred when it is desired to accommodate syringes of many different types and sizes, or the mechanism has a piston rod acting more or less directly on the piston of a cartridge type container, as exemplified by WO 95/26211, EP 143.895 or EP 293.958, which can be made smaller and more adapted to portable devices. Also dual or multiple chamber cartridges can use a similar de- vices for its various phases, as exemplified by the WO 93/02720.
  • the various pump mechanisms discussed may include mechanical arrangements for affecting the medical or a piston the arrangements, such as a piston rod, may be actuated by any known means, such as gas pressure, vacuum, hydraulics, springs or manual operation.
  • the mechanism may preferably include further components.
  • the mechanism may for example include special arrangements for securing doses delivered, e.g. by direct metering of medical delivered , although it is generally preferred to utilize directly or indirectly the pump mechanism for this, e.g. by monitoring axial displacement or the rotation of a piston rod axis in a manner known per se.
  • the pump mechanism may also include a manual control, forming the interface between user and actual pump movement. In case of stored energy the control may take the form of a trigger, releasing e.g.
  • control may take the form of an actuator, directly or via a link system performing the pump movement.
  • a link system incorporates a lever arrangement which may be used to reduce the manual force applied, e.g. in case the preparation is too easily expelled or if a reduced stroke length is desired, but preferably is used to amplify the manual force or increase the stroke length for the actuator.
  • the manual control may include common safety details such as an arming lock or command requirements making the device child proof.
  • Another known pump mechanism is to pressurize a small cavity of liquid by rapid and partial heating of the liquid to vapor formation or by compression by a piezoelectric element. Alternatively no pressurizing takes place but liquid adhered to a surface is thrown by vibration of the surface.
  • Such techniques are used for delivery of small drops in rapid succession for example in ink-jet applications but have also been proposed for treatment purposes.
  • the earlier mentioned WO 96/06581 and EP 224352 disclose piezo element and electrostatic means for eye treatment, vibration techniques are disclosed in EP 615470, US 5518179 and US 5838350 and bubble jet technique for eye treatment in WO 94/03135.
  • Such pump mechanisms can be used for the present purposes, especially for delivery of small drops as sometimes desirable in eye treatment. In medical applications it is desirable to use the techniques in combination with single dose containers for example to better maintain sterility as has been explained.
  • the energy input to the driving mechanism can take various forms.
  • the energy can be manual.
  • stored energy in any form can be used, e.g. the above said forms although the energy preferably is electric, e.g. externally delivered to the device or preferably in an on-board battery, to be transformed by any electromechanical device such as a solenoid or preferably an electric motor.
  • a transmission can be arranged somewhere between the energy input and the pumping arrangement, e.g. to modify force, to divide energy also for initiation steps or to affect sequencing.
  • the transmission involves a gear down step from lower to higher force.
  • This transmission may take place after the cocking mechanism energy storage but is preferably made before the storage, typically to allow the energy storage to provide higher force than the input force.
  • Any known mechanism for the force change can be used such as a lever arrangement, a screw and nut arrangement or a gear train arrangement. Initiation
  • a syringe type container may need an initial piston movement for various reasons such as mixing of precursor components.
  • a piston/cylinder arrangement may need aspiration from a vial or feeding tube.
  • a multiple container arrangement may need movement of a new container into an active ejection site, herein also referred to as indexing. Also removal of temporary seals may be needed, herein also referred to as peeling. All possible initiation steps shall here not be repeated.
  • Additional initiation steps can be said to include control steps performed to avoid malfunction or to secure that all conditions for successful operation are present.
  • control steps may be check for the presence of a container in a container seat, check that the container is not already used, e.g. empty, check for the presence of a temporary seal before its removal, check for correct position of doors, closures, eyecup position etc.
  • Such control steps can be used to prevent triggering or issue a warning unless all necessary conditions are met.
  • some of such control steps can be made by micro- switches or simple mechanical locks or catches but to the extent these controls need movement of parts requiring significant force or power these steps can be treated as initiation step: below.
  • initiation steps may take place manually or by separate drive systems, for reasons outlined there are advantages in using the same drive mechanism not only for the cocking step but also for at least one initiation step.
  • a gear down force increase and possibly also a cocking arrangement for the initiation may be needed in similar manners as for the pump driver and possibly the same arrangement can then be used for both purposes.
  • the step can be driven directly without cocking arrangement and a gear up or gear down transmission or no transmission can be employed.
  • the two actions need different movement characteristics or are applied to different parts, requiring at least some different parts in the driver mechanism, which often is preferred.
  • the cocking action and the at least one initiation action may be made may take place simultaneously or at least partly so, e.g. to save time between operations.
  • Simultaneous action may either take place due to movement of the same part for both purposes, e.g. when having one cocking system for both, but preferably different pats of the driver mechanism are involved.
  • time is not critical and it is preferred to perform the actions at least partially in sequence, e.g. to reduce the force and power requirement on the drive arrangement, of particular value-in portable devices.
  • More than one initiation step may be involved in the device use cycle, such as indexing, peeling and control, and it is then preferred to make at least two or more actions to take place in sequence to amplify the said advantages.
  • Some sequencing can be obtained without any active shifting action being performed by the mechanism.
  • a single movable member may carry both a plunger or ram for ejection and a peeling pin more to the front, securing its arrival before the plunger becomes operative for ejection. Different arrival times can also be obtained without the parts being located on the same part or driven by the same parts of the driver mechanism.
  • the driver system need to be disconnected from the cocking arrangement.
  • Operation control Operation of the device can be said to include the necessary steps for ejection of the liquid, initiation steps and control steps when present and any interaction thereof such as sequencing as described.
  • Control can be made entirely by software means for highest flexibility, provided the actuating arrangements present are complete enough to individually drive the various parts in their intended movements, such as separate motor means and solenoid operated locking and blocking arrangements.
  • sensors or micro-switches may also be needed at critical positions for moving. Control of such parts can be made by electronics, such as a microprocessor with appropriate software.
  • main device functions are controlled mechanically it may be beneficial to include electronics for various secondary purposes, such as for issuing an alarm or to signal e.g. a warning or instruction message to the operator, e.g by light, sound, vibration or display message.
  • Control of a display may also serve the purpose of informing the user for example about timing between administrations, remaining doses in case of multiple-dose containers or plural single-dose containers, device status etc.
  • a processor and memory can also be used to remember time and doses administered, e.g. for control of compliance with prescription, and possibly such data can be downloaded from the device, e.g. from an on-board EPROM via an IR-link, for further processing in external equipment.
  • the various drives described may utilize stored energy in any known form, such as electrical, gas pressure or gas releasing, or preferably mechanical, the latter preferably in the form of elastic members such as springs.
  • the stored energy can be transmitted to the force stated via corresponding conventional transmission arrangements, e.g. electromechanical, such as electric motors or solenoids, hydraulic, pneumatic etc. system but preferably mechanical springs are utilized.
  • features of the present invention has broad utility and can be used for numerous -applications.
  • the invention may have special utility in applications where it is desirable to replace manually operated pump mechanisms with some kind of automated opera- tion, typically involving release of stored energy, e.g. for controlled initiation, triggering, forces, speed, reset or sequencing.
  • the invention may also have special utility in applications having requirements for high liquid speeds. Medical devices of this kind are for example auto- injectors, where liquid injection takes places automatically after triggering, and jet-injectors where penetration takes place by use of liquid speed instead of by use of a needle.
  • a preferred use of the invention is in connection with ophthalmic treatment of the eye with medical.
  • the common administration manner is by eye drops or ointments, however, having several disadvantages. Both methods generally delivers a substantially higher amount than can be absorbed by the eye, not only resulting in dosing uncertainty and loss of expen- sive treatment medical but also in potential side-effects when non-absorbed preparation is drained away via the nasolacrimal duct, e.g. beta-blocking agents used in eye treatment has substantial systemic effects.
  • Another problem is that the common administration methods tend to induce a blink reflex that may entirely destroy the treatment or at least introduce a high degree of uncertainty. Also the common methods do not provide an high degree of tar- geting precision, e.g.
  • a typical single dose volume for delivery to the eye can be less than 25 microliter, preferably less than 15 and most preferably less than 10 microliter. Generally the volume is at least 1, preferably at least 2 and most preferably at least 3 microliter.
  • each container contains a single unit dose
  • these figures also relate to the liquid volume charged and contained in the containers, possibly allowing for some overfilling to compensate for noi ejectable amounts, such as liquid remaining as wetting film or in the container opening duct, e.g. 25% but preferably no more than 10% overfilling.
  • the container may contain other material, notably gas such as air or a purging gas such as nitrogen or nobk gases, e.g. to facilitate manufacture, assist in atomizing or act as pressure buffer, although in many instances little or no gas need to be present.
  • a suitable speed for the stream of drops or jet ejected should be a balance between on one hand enough linear momentum to traverse an air gap between opening and target, without gravity assistance, and to travel fast enough not be obstructed by blinking and on the other hand not so fast as to cause inconvenient sensible impact on the eye.
  • the ideal speed is to some extent dependent on the drop size used but as a general rule the drops should be able to traverse at least 1 cm, preferably at least 3 and most preferably at least 5 cm through air by own momentum, incorporating reasonable distances between opening and target.
  • a suitable lower speed limit when leaving the opening is 1, m/s, preferably at least 5 m/s and most preferably at least 10 m/s.
  • the speed is lower than 200 m/s and preferably lower than 100 m/s.
  • a suitable drop size so defined should be sufficient not to be retarded too quickly and not to be easily redirected, e.g. to be inhaled, and preferably has a minimum diameter of 20 micron, preferably not less than 50 micron and most preferably at least 100 microns. Normally the size is less than 2000 micron and preferably less than 1500 micron.
  • the stream may take the form of a shower or spray of atomized liquid droplets but preferably the stream is narrow and fairly coherent although even such a stream ⁇ tend to break up into individual droplets after a certain time of distance.
  • the above given values are intended to relate to spherical droplets and for multiple droplets to the weight average of particle diameters.
  • a coherent stream tend to break up into droplets of a diameter of roughly double the diameter of the stream.
  • suitable opening diameters for the containers are about half the above given drop diameters or roughly between 10 and 1000 microns, preferably between 20 and 800 microns.
  • the above considerations are fairly independent of liquid viscosity and tend to apply both for solutions and ointments.
  • a suitable eye cup part comprises at least a rim and a cavity.
  • the purpose of the rim is to give a contact between device and face for and preferably also a self-centering of the device in the intended position relative the eye. The contact can be against any part of the face such as the forehead, nose and cheek but a generally better centering is obtained if the rim make contact with the eye socket.
  • the "rim” shall be understood in broad sense as the point or points of contact and need not be shaped as an edge or other elongated part but shall provide at least one point of contact preferably two, three or several points distributed in two dimensions for best centering.
  • the points can with preference be shaped as one or several continuous edges and most preferably as a continuous loop.
  • a line can be drawn so as to connect the contact points into a "contact curve”, representing also theoretical face contact points not being actually contacted by the rim and in case of a closed continuous rim the contact curve and rim edge are assumed to coincide.
  • a plane drawn to contain the contact curve forms a theoretical "contact plane".
  • a line drawn normal to the plane forms a "contact axis" and a “contact direction” along the axis from the device towards the eye or, expressed in another way, from the cavity towards the rim.
  • the contact axis and contact direction shall be regarded "symmetrical" if, in device related terms, they are centered within the contact curve or if, in patient related terms, they are radial to the eye ball.
  • Suitable rim forms are known in the art and are not very critical to the invention. It is preferred to use a rim shape with left/right symmetry to make it equally usable for both eyes with a similar grip.
  • a rim having a contact curve substantially in the form of an ellipse, adapted in size and shape to the eye socket, can for example be used.
  • the contact plane through such a generally ellipse shaped form can be flat although frequently slightly curved along an axis parallel with the short axis of the ellipse.
  • the rim can in a known manner with preference have eyelid retractor protrusions, preferably in the contact direction, for specific contact with at least the lower, but preferably also the upper, eyelid for the purpose of displacing and retaining the eyelids.
  • the rim can have a soft edge for comfort and preferably a material of high friction, at least on any eyelid retractor part.
  • the rim may be integral with the cavity part but is preferably a separate part attached, glued or fused to the cavity part for free material or color contrast selection.
  • the cavity serves the purpose of providing space within the contact curve boundaries for the protruding eye ball and also to secure a safety distance to the eye ball for any part in front of it, especially the orifice to be further explained. Accordingly the cavity shall be understood in broad terms for any construction meeting these objects.
  • the cavity can be a true cup, as in known eye baths, but has no function as such and it is preferred that it has a more open design, e.g. to allow access to the orifice for opening and closing, to avoid preparation accumulation and facilitate cleaning, to allow an assistant operator to visually monitor orifice orientation and delivery, to facilitate manufacture etc.
  • a minimum requirement is that the cavity construction provide support and attachment for the rim, e.g.
  • the eye cup shall be arranged at the orifice of the container in a manner allowing delivery of fluid to the eye and in particular within the contact curve of the rim.
  • the relationship may depend on the delivery principle used, with special freedom at drop delivery, but generally it is preferred that the orifice is positioned behind, when seen opposite the contact direction, the contact curve and with a projection along the contact direction within said curve.
  • the orifice can with preference point into or be arranged within the cavity, preferably with at least a fluid delivery direction component parallel with the contact direction.
  • a certain safety distance is maintained between the orifice apex and the contact plane, to prevent contact with the eye ball for any foreseeable individual anatomy and to prevent patient fear for such con- tact, e.g. a distance of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 8 mm and most preferably at least 10 mm.
  • the abovesaid support and attachment of the rim via the cavity construction can be made to the container or its orifice but it is preferred to attach the rim to the hand grip part, e.g. for allowing unobstructed replacement or the container.
  • the eyecup may include auxiliary features such as details assisting proper use and tar- geting, e.g. some fixation point for the eye, for example a mirror, a light etc.
  • Eye cup mobility When using an eyecup it is preferred to arrange it movable with respect to the housing.
  • the eyecup can preferably be movable between at least two position, an active position providing the described safety distance between the opening and the eye and a position closer to the housing, e.g. to make the device more compact in its not active state.
  • the container opening can be fixed in relation to the eyecup, e.g. to move together with the eyecup, but in most instances it is preferred that the eyecup moves relative the opening, which is then arranged fixed with respect to the housing, certainly with maintained options for container replacement or movement of plural containers to and from an active site.
  • the eyecup can be movable into more positions, e.g. farther away from the housing or opening than in the active position, e.g.
  • the eyecup can be entirely removable from the housing, e.g. for cleaning purposes.
  • the eyecup mobility can be in any direction as long as the above requirements are satisfied, e.g. so that the eyecup contact direction has at least a movement component along the opening axis.
  • the movement can be purely translational or may have a rotational component, the latter preferably being obtained by a hinged arrangement for the eyecup or its attachments. It is preferred that at least some of the positions are well defined, preferably at least the active position and preferably also the rest position, e.g. by friction, snap lock, ball locks or even a full releasable locking.
  • a sensor or other arrangement is used to discriminate between the positions and preferably so that signal is issued on which the device may use for action.
  • the signal can be able to distinguish between all possible positions in a continuous way although it is often preferred the sensor issues discrete signals for example in at least one, preferably at least two and most preferably at least three positions.
  • the signal can be of any kind as long as it is possible to transform it into action, preferably an electromagnetic or mechanical signal.
  • the signal received from the sensor can be in the form of, or transformed into, an electromagnetic signal representative for the position as described.
  • the electromagnetic signal may be based on electromagnetic radiation, such as an optical signal, but is preferably an electric signal.
  • Many suitable components for use as sensors are designed to give such a signal output but may otherwise be inserted in a circuit securing such an output. Any inherent, integral or separate arrangements of this kind can be regarded as a converter for sensor output into the electromagnetic signal.
  • one or more micro-switches may be arranged along the eyecup translational path or along a rotational path, e.g. a cam surface arranged at a hinge axis.
  • the signal received from the sensor can be in the form of, or transformed into, a mechanical signal representative for the position, e.g. a part connected to the movable eyecup and in some way moving together with it.
  • a mechanical signal representative for the position e.g. a part connected to the movable eyecup and in some way moving together with it.
  • Any known transmission arrangements can be used as converter for the signal into the desired movement action with similar considera- tions as for the electromagnetic signals. None prevents that an electromagnetic signal is transformed into a mechanical signal or vice versa or are mixed in the signal chain.
  • the signal so received or converted can in general terms be said to be processed in for example a processor or transmission to deliver a control signal.
  • the control signal in turn is used to control a functional or operational component of the device.
  • the operational compo- nents can be of any kind although some typical examples will be given below.
  • the control signal can be of any nature, such as mechanical, optical etc., dependig on its further use.
  • the control signal may be used to issue a message to the user, e.g. to warn or alert the user of an improper condition before the device is activated for delivery.
  • the message may be a sound, a tactically sensible signal such a vibration, a visual signal in the form of a warning lamp or a more complicated message on a display etc. or any combination of such messages.
  • the control signal is used to control the basic device functions over the actions taken by the operator.
  • the control signal may be used to enable or disable the de- vice respectively, dependent on the proper eyecup condition.
  • the enabling/disabling may tak place by a mechanical link or by an electromechanical link, such as a relay device blocking a mechanical function e.g. a piston rod or pump mechanism.
  • the device further includes processor means for control of the motor means, e.g. in order to secure proper container control, initiation, sequencing of actions, dosing, feedback of administration data etc. in which case the electromagnetic signal can be fed to the processor for further flexibility, e.g. allowing the processor to issue a motor activation control signal only when the eyecup condition is fulfilled or only when the initiation steps have been prop- erly concluded or proper condition has been positively verified in a self-control program.
  • An existing processor unit may here act as the processor between the electromechanical signal and the control signal.
  • the control signal may further be used to actually trigger the device, i.e. as soon as the sensor signals the predetermined position condition an automatic function starts.
  • this triggering function can be used for purely mechanical driving means via an electromagnetic release mechanism, better together with electric motor means an most preferably with processor controlled automation in the device.
  • the device is arranged to take at least one in the initiation and ejection sequence. A preferred arrangement is to arrange so that the device can only be triggered when the eyecup is in the active position, or active state.
  • the rest position, or rest state can for example be used to disable triggering, put the device in a low energy consumption state or initiate a new cycle of initiation steps.
  • a third position can be used to signal other device states than rest state or active state, for example a reset state or a change of container state and may include a step giving access to the container seat. It is also preferred that movement as such, not only the eyecup position, is critical and used for action. For example, the device may be active to move the eyecup to the active position when initiation or control has been successfully concluded or the device may be a passive receiver of movement input, e.g. by using the movement for arming or cocking mechanisms in the device. It is clear that the above general sensor principles can be used also in devices for othei purposes than the eye treatment. The operations actually enabled or triggered can then be of various nature.
  • At least the ejection is affected, in multidose devices perhaps including mechanical but preferably electric control of the dose delivered.
  • multidose devices perhaps including mechanical but preferably electric control of the dose delivered.
  • jet injectors sen- sors can be used for contact triggering.
  • autoinjector type devices the autopenetration step may also be affected, preferably so that the sequence of autopenetration and autoinjection is controlled, possibly with a final needle retraction step.
  • Autoinjectors are known which either deliver preparation also during the penetration phase or enable the injection first at completed penetration and the invention is compatible with both modes of operation.
  • the injection procedure may incorporate injection of different preparations in sequence, such as an anesthetic followed by an active ingredient or an active component followed by an rinsing component.
  • a delivery or dispenser device for such a purpose can generally be said to comprise a housing with a seat for the container or container structure, a ram movable in relation to the housing in a direction substantially axial to the container when in the seat, an actuator arrangement operative to drive the ram.
  • the housing should contain a seat for a container or several containers, the minimum requirements on which is that at least the container to be emptied is kept fixed in relation to the ram, preferably so that the container axis and the movement axis for the ram are parallel and most preferably coaxial with respect to the ram part to hit the container rear wall.
  • the seat should be able to accommodate containers with the characteristics described herein.
  • the seat preferably supports the container against forward forces from the ram and preferably also against some rearward and lateral forces.
  • the seat preferably allows the entire rear wall surface over the cavity to be exposed to the ram and should also expose at least the opening or openings on the front side of the container not to obstruct the liquid stream, although the rigidity of the present containers do not require any heavy support.
  • the seat is also designed to allow easy exchange of discrete containers, or sequential movement of the individual containers of a multi-container structure, into the active position of the seat, e.g. by having a track in which the structure can be moved in one or two dimensions.
  • containers placed in a circle preferably on a disc shaped structure, it is suitable to rotate the disc around a central disc axis to bring the containers into alignment with the active position, in a revolver type manner.
  • Such indexing maneuvers may take place as an initiation step for example before or after cocking a spring for the ram ejection action.
  • guiding arrangements are provided to secure good alignment with the ram axis in order to reach high delivery precision intended, e.g. structures provided in connection with each container on the package for cooperation with at least one corresponding locking structure on the housing, seat or pref- erably ram, arranged for interlocking at proper alignment. Locking therebetween can with preference be associated with a signal to assist stop in correct position, e.g. tactile or audible signal in manual operation or a mechanical or electronically detectable signal in automatic operation. Additionally it is preferred to include a counting arrangement, again manual or automatic, mechanical or electronical, designed to keep track on the number of containers used or remaining and warning for or preventing reuse of already emptied containers.
  • the ram may include a ram head and piston arrangement for moving the ram head along the movement axis.
  • a ram head and piston arrangement for moving the ram head along the movement axis.
  • the ram head can be surrounded by a support, e.g. a tube structure in which the ram head travels, which is preferably also abutted around the cavity to seal the space between ram head and cavity at least during the rear wall collapse movement, e.g. to allow high pressures or reduce leakage risks.
  • the piston part of the ram is generally not critical to the dynamics of the ejection but rather for propulsion and will be described in connection with the actuator system.
  • the ram can be propelled by use of a variety of mechanisms and energy sources.
  • the mechanism can be operated directly with manual energy, in which case, however, it is pre- ferred to provide an leverage or gear exchange to amplify or transform force or speed, preferably towards lower speed and higher force.
  • it is generally preferred to have automatic function in the sense that after operator triggering the propulsion takes place automatically, and preferably irreversibly, by use of stored energy.
  • the energy may be stored in any way, e.g. in a mechanical spring, a gas spring or gas generator, as electrical energy or a combination thereof .
  • the energy may be transmitted to the ram by suitable motor or transmission arrangements, e.g.
  • electric motor or solenoid type motor for electrical energy
  • a piston and cylinder arrangement for gas springs or gas generators and rotation axis or plunger for coiled and helical springs respectively.
  • at least the ram head, and preferably parts of the ram piston are prevented from rotation during forward movement, which can be secured by any known guiding structures, such as a non rotation symmetric part cooperation with a complementary part, the parts being positioned on ram and housing respectively.
  • a preferred transmission component for propulsion of the ram is a screw and nut arrangement, one of which is positioned on the ram and the other on the motor side of the transmission.
  • the necessary speed, force and movement characteristics for the ram depends on a number of conditions, such as the nature of the container parts and opening, the particular application implementation, e.g. surface or penetrative delivery, the viscosity of the preparation, e.g. aqueous solutions or ointments, etc. and general statements cannot be given.
  • the energy sources, motor means and transmissions exemplified can be adapted to each need. It has also been found beneficial to include a damper, e.g.
  • the device arrangements to facilitate breakage or removal of the temporary seal over the openings as described.
  • an ac- tive step to break the seal. This can be done by having a de-sealing tool arranged in connection with the housing, e.g. a penetrating tool for a rupturable sealing or a wedging or drawing arrangement for removal of peelable sealing films.
  • a de-sealing tool arranged in connection with the housing, e.g. a penetrating tool for a rupturable sealing or a wedging or drawing arrangement for removal of peelable sealing films.
  • Such arrangements can be located at or close to the seat, e.g. to allow late action, or remote, e.g. if the seat area is crowded.
  • the de- sealing tool can be operated manually or automatically or compulsory, e.g.
  • the tool can be arranged on or in connection with the ram in such a manner that it moves together with the ram, utilizing the same movement mechanism and facilitating a removal immediately before ejection and as an unavoidable part of the ejection procedure.
  • the tool can preferably have a movement mechanism of its own.
  • the de-sealing tool passes though an opening in the front wall structure, and possibly also through the rear wall, at a location not occupied by the container cavity but covered by the sealing film.
  • the dimensions of such an opening and the de-sealing tool can be mutually adapted so as to act as a guiding arrangement, as described, for final align- ment of ram and cavity before activation.
  • the tool In operation the tool first lifts the film from the container opening and the ram head then hits the container rear wall. It is possible to perform these two steps in a single continuous movement for the ram, e.g. for simplest operation and latest possible de-sealing, or in a two-step operation, possibly requiring two triggering actions from the user, e.g. in order to enable the user to verify that the film has been properly re- moved. It might also be of interest to use different movements characteristics for the two steps, e.g. a slow movement for the peel not to cause tearing or rupture and a fast " action for ejection, which might require some shift arrangement, e.g. a gear shift, de-coupling of brake or damper etc.
  • the general container design principles of the present invention strongly amplifies the above described advantages, among other by having a rigidity permittig front wall use for guiding purposes and allowing areas outside the cavity part to be utilized without instability problems.
  • a device as exemplified can be adapted for different uses. Depending on each application it may be beneficial to equip the device with arrangements assisting targeting and positioning. For example, when used for shooting liquid to the eye the device can have an eyecup as earlier described. Penetrating applications may require small distance or direct contact between opening and target surface, and possibly an arrangement for device triggering at a certain contact pressure of an end piece towards the target site. Larger surface treatment may require an end piece defining both an angle and a distance
  • Figure 1 A shows in exploded view and Figures IB to IG the device in cross-section during five operational phases of an embodiment driven by batteries and an electric motor and utilizing a disc having a plurality of single-dose containers designed for being pressurized by a ram.
  • Figure 1H shows in greater detail the components of the main lever.
  • Figures 2A to 2C show schematically in an open view and in two cross-sections respectively an alternative embodiment of an entirely mechanical device which is arranged to be cocked by manual energy.
  • Figures 1 A to 1H depict an a device in which an on-board electric motor is used to cock a pump mechanism pump driver during retraction of a peel pin, with final indexing of its disc container, followed by forward movement of the peel pin for sensing and final removal or a temporary seal in the form of a foil over the container openings.
  • FIG. 1 A shows an exploded view of the device components.
  • the device 100 can be said to comprise a housing 110, having an upper body 111 , a lower body 112, and externally accessible trigger 113.
  • the housing also comprises a door 114, which can be opened, when the eyecup is a remote position, for insertion or replacement of disc 116 with a plurality of containers 117 with openings 118 and peel holes 119.
  • a movable eyecup 120 comprises a rim 122 attached to arms 124 which is connected in its other end to hinge axis pins 123 supported in bearings 128 and 128', the latter having a cam part (not shown) moving with the eyecup, which cam part affects internally arranged sensors to be described.
  • the housing further comprises a window 124 over a display and a battery closure 125.
  • the housing interior has a chassis upper part 126 and a chassis lower part 127 carrying the device mechanism.
  • Said mechanism can be said to include a driving mechanism, generally designated 130, a transmission 140, a pump mechanism 150 with arrangement for stored cocking energy, a peel mechanism 160, an indexing mechanism 170 and a control system 180, including a board 181 for electronics.
  • the driving mechanism 130 can be said to include the motor 131 with batteries (not shown) having a rotating shaft with a front encoder 132 for counting of motor revolutions an ⁇ an external screw-thread 133 for cooperation with the upstream gear wheel in the transmissio chain.
  • the motor and detectors for motor revolutions are attached to the electric board 181.
  • the transmission 140 can be said to comprise a set of gear wheels in a gear train arranged to gear down motor speed and increase force in adaptation to each function.
  • a peel wheel 142 is arranged to drive the peel mechanism, intermediate wheels 143 and 144 are part! of the gear trains without any further function and a cocking wheel 146 is arranged to drive the cocking mechanism for the pump mechanism. See also Figure 1H for details.
  • the pump mechanism 150 can be said to include a lev£rJ ⁇ 2 ⁇ wJ ⁇ ich_can-r ⁇ tate-around a lever axis 153 allowing its end at the eyecup end of the housing to move up and down. At the other end of the lever is a damper attachment 154.
  • the damper attachment is connected to a piston part of a damper 157, the cylinder part of which is arranged stationary. In this arrangement the piston is moved against vacuum and bleeding of air into the cylinder, for re- tarding the speed of the ram impact.
  • the pump mechanism includes a ram 158 rotationally connected to the lever at 159 and guided in the chassis, allowing the ram to attack the container deformable rear wall in a substantially straight movement. Downwards movement, away from the eyecup in the shown position, of the lever 152 is used to cock springs 156 in the pump mechanism. The cock springs are arranged to throw the ram upon release towards the container 117 to eject liquid through the openings 118.
  • the lever has a nut 151, with internal screw-threads (not shown), for cooperation with corresponding threads associated with a screw, with external threads, rotating together with the cocking wheel 146 in the transmission.
  • the nut is attached to the lever, allowing movement of the lever up and down depending on motor direction.
  • the nut is attached to the lever to catch it only in the cocking direction, not in the release direction.
  • a spring biased L-shaped ram lock 155 is arranged to go under the lever 152, when in the cocked position, to keep it there until release.
  • the nut may then move free from the lever in the release direction until it hits the lower leg in the L-shape, which will release the ram lock and throw the ram, and this will happen when the peel pin 162 has reached about its most forward posi- tion and accordingly completed peeling.
  • the peel mechanism can be said to include the peel pin 162, which is keyed at 164 to the chassis to prevent its rotation, and has internal threads 166 for cooperation with external threads on peel wheel 142 to allow its movement up or down by the motor. It is clear that in this embodiment the motor and transmission drives the peel pin directly and not by cocking springs or similar energy storage.
  • the pump mechanism is activated to throw the ram by release of the ram lock 155 in the manner described above.
  • a force sensitive sensor 168 arranged to switch at a certain counter-force from the resistance force the peel pin has to overcome when the temporary seal foil is torn away, which allows the control system to verify its presence.
  • the indexing mechanism 170 comprises an index wheel 172, for cooperation with the correspondingly shaped container disc hub, with teeth corresponding to an equal number of containers on the disc.
  • the index wheel has certain mobility and is spring loaded to facilitate connection to the disc.
  • At the other end of the index wheel are toothed inner catch wheel 173 and outer catch wheel 174.
  • An increment arrangement is driven by the peel pin 162 keys 164, which on rearward movement affects a tapered surface 176 of an axial lever 175, which in turn affects a radial lever 177, which is in hook contact with inner catch wheel 173, to turn the index wheel one tooth.
  • a counter lever 178 is in spring biased hook contact with outer catch wheel to prevent the index wheel from rotating in the opposite direction.
  • the indexing correspond to one tooth after ejection in each operation cycle and lines up a fresh container with the ram.
  • This is an incremental action initiated when the peel pin during its rearward movement arrives at a remote position relative the eyecup part of the device, in which position the pin has been withdrawn from disc peel hole to enable its rotation.
  • This action is also sensed by a counter sensor (not shown), which is used by the processor on the board 181 to decrement the displayed number of remaining doses figure on the display.
  • the processor is also - ⁇ arranged prevent triggering after all doses of the disc being ejected or if a defect container has been detected, then moving the peel pin to its rearmost position, which triggers opening of the door for disc replacement. As indicated most electronic components are positioned on the electronic board 181.
  • control system 180 can be said to include the display 182, also connected to the board, and a door locker 183 with arms 184 affecting a door sensor 188 depending on the door position Further, sensors 185 and 186 cooperates with the mentioned cam surfaces in bearing 128' for detection of eyecup position.
  • a switch 189 is arranged on the chassis upper part 126 to be affected by the trigger 113.
  • a processor 187 is arranged for operation of the device.
  • Figure IB to IF show the various phases of the device operation.
  • Figure IB corresponds to a Standby position, immediately before an ejection cycle.
  • the peel pin 162 is in an intermediate position immediately to the rear of the foil to be removed.
  • the cock springs 156 are already in a cocked state, which cocking has taken place earlier during a rearward movement of the peel pin, and the damper 157 is in its initial position.
  • the Touch foil position shown in Figure 1 C the trigger has been activated and the motor has moved the peel pin a small distance forwards to the point where it has penetrated the peel hole 119 in the disc and touches on the foil to verify its presence via sensor 168.
  • the peel pin can be moved forwards to the Standby position shown in Figure IB. In this position the device is ready for a new ejection cycle if the trigger 113 is pressed and if the eyecup 120 is in the shown active position.
  • the processor may move the peel pin to a still more rearward position than in the Start index po- sition shown in Figure IF, which will release the mechanical lock for the door 114 in order to allow disc replacement, which will also require that the eyecup is swung to a remote position about 180 degrees from the position shown. This will happen if all containers of the disc have been used or if a fault has been detected.
  • the device Use of the device will be described from a start position in which the device is in the Standby position as shown in Figure IB. If the eyecup is in the rest position (not shown) it need to be moved to the shown active position to activate the device.
  • the display may show an alert signal, e.g. by flashing.
  • the eyecup is placed against the eye and the trigger activated, which is only possible with the eyecup in the active position, and this will initiate a full sequence of peeling, ejection and indexing in a compulsory manner by the actions described above until the device is again in the state of Figure IB.
  • the trigger activation will only make the device proceed to full peeling of the foil as illustrated in Figure ID.
  • Figures 2A to 2C depict an overview of a modified device as compared to that of Figure 1 and the following description will mainly focus on the differences.
  • the Figure 2 device is entirely mechanical and is arranged to be operated by manual energy, which is imputed to the device by manually pressing the eyecup from a remote position relative to the housing towards a close position and energy is stored as cocking energy within springs in the device.
  • the device is shown in active state before ejection, i.e. after manual energy has been inputted and the eyecup is in its active position ready for ejection.
  • the device 200 can be said to comprise a housing 210, having an externally accessible trigger 212 connected to a start pin 214 and lock pin 213.
  • the housing also comprises a door 214, which can be opened, when the eyecup is a remote position, for insertion or replacement of disc 216 with a plurality of containers 217 with openings 218 and peel holes 219.
  • An eye- cup 220 comprises a rim 222 attached to an arm 224 which is connected in its other end to a hinge with a rotating axis penetrating into the housing and being connected to its mechanism.
  • Said mechanism can be said to include a driving mechanism, generally designated 230, a cocking mechanism 240, a pump mechanism 250, a peeling mechanism 260, an indexing mechanism 270 and a control system 280.
  • the eyecup arm is connected to a partial wheel 232 of the driving mechanism, which via a "locomotive" link 234 positively transmit the same rotation to driver wheel 236.
  • the driver wheel is connected to a cocking wheel 242 of the cocking mechanism 240 via a freewheel system 238, arranged to allow concurrent rotation of the wheels when cocking the device by pressing the eyecup towards the housing but freeing the cocking wheel from the driving wheel when at opposite rotation.
  • the driving wheel has an extension with a slot 239 arranged for cooperation with the lock pin 213 of the trigger so that the trigger, and accordingly the eyecup, can be pushed when the driver wheel is flush with the slot, which appears when the eyecup is in the active position, but not when the lock pin is at the extension outside the slot.
  • the cocking wheel 242 of the cocking mechanism is connected to a lever 244, which can rotate around a lever hinge (not shown) as in the Figure 1 embodiment end, allowing its eyecup end to move up and down.
  • the lover other end 246 is connected to a damper as in Figure 1. Downwards movement, away from the eyecup in the shown position, of the lever 244 is used to cock separate springs in the pump mechanism and the peeling mechanism.
  • the pump mechanism 250 substantially symmetrical around the device midline, in- eludes a ram 252 and the pump springs 254, arranged to throw the ram upon release towards the container 217 to eject liquid through the openings 219.
  • the peel mechanism 260 also substantially symmetrical around the device midline, similarly includes a peel pin 262 and the peel springs 264, arranged to throw the pin, upon release, towards the disc 216 to make the pin penetrate through the peel holes 219 of the disc to thereby remove the temporary seal film.
  • the release takes place when a transmission hook 266 is freed by action of the trigger 212 via the start pin 214 and an intermediate transmission rocker 268.
  • the cocking wheel is enabled for rotation in the opposite direction as compared to the cocking movement.
  • the pump mechanism is activated to throw the ram.
  • the indexing mechanism 270 comprises an index wheel 272, for cooperation with the correspondingly shaped container disc hub, here shown with 14 teeth corresponding to an equal number of containers on the disc.
  • the index wheel is connected to an increment arrangement 274, arranged to rotate the index wheel and disc an angle corresponding to one tooth. This is an incremental action initiated when the peel pin during cocking of the device arrives at its most remote position relative the eyecup part of the device, in which position the pin has been withdrawn from disc peel hole to enable its rotation.
  • This action is also transmitted to a counter disc 276, which is also incremented to show a new remaining doses figure in a housing window and also to a gear wheel 278, which is given an incremental rotation.
  • the gear wheel has a bolt 279, which after 14 doses ejected goes into contact with the trans- mission rocker 268 to relieve the transmission hook from the driver wheel, hereby enabling eyecup movement to a remote position beyond the active position, in turn allowing opening of the door for disc replacement.
  • the device Use of the device will be described from a start position in which the device is cocked with the eye-cup in the close rest position, where the trigger cannot be pressed due to the lock pin 213 being outside the slot 239.
  • the eyecup is moved to the active position where the trigger can be pressed.
  • the eyecup is placed against the eye and the trigger activated which will initiate a full sequence of peeling, ejection and indexing in a compulsory manner by the actions described above.
  • the driver wheel 236 Upon release of the trigger the driver wheel 236 is freed thereby the eyecup and the springs associated with the driver wheel will move the eyecup automatically to a remote position about 30 degrees out from the housing to urge the user to perform a cocking movement on the eyecup.
  • the user pushes the eyecup to the close rest position, which cocks the device and at the end of the sequence also indexes the disc and increments the counter.
  • the eyecup is locked in the rest position until it is actively moved to the active position for a repeated cycle. If 14 doses has been taken the eyecup is not locked but can be moved to a remote position where the door can be open for disc replacement.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif et un procédé permettant de pulvériser un filet de liquide en direction d'un oeil, le filet se déplaçant d'une position proximale vers une position distale. Ce dispositif comprend a) un boîtier, b) un contenant destiné au liquide, c) au moins une ouverture qui est conçue pour la pulvérisation du filet et est en communication fluidique avec le contenant, d) un mécanisme de pompe qui permet de délivrer au moins une partie du liquide du contenant via l'ouverture pour former le filet et e) un oeilleton ayant une surface de contact conçue pour être en contact avec l'oeil ou son environnement facial. L'oeilleton est conçu mobile par rapport à l'ouverture ou au boîtier, et ce entre au moins deux positions i) une position active, cette surface de contact de l'oeilleton étant à une distance de sécurité définie de l'ouverture et ii) une position de repos, la surface de contact de l'oeilleton étant à une position plus proximale que dans la position active. Un détecteur permet de distinguer ces deux positions. Le mécanisme de pompage peut comporter un élément de commande de la pompe, capable de stocker de l'énergie d'armement pour commander le mécanisme de pompage et au moins un mécanisme d'activation peut être présent et fonctionner pour permettre au dispositif d'initier la distribution de liquide. Un mécanisme de commande est conçu pour transformer l'énergie manuelle ou stockée à la fois i) en énergie d'armement de l'élément de commande de la pompe et ii) en énergie directe ou stockée pour le fonctionnement du mécanisme d'activation.
PCT/SE2002/000150 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Distributeur de liquide et procede permettant de faire fonctionner un dispositif pulverisateur WO2002062488A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (13)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL15671402A IL156714A0 (en) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Liquid delivery device and method for operating an ejecting device
JP2002562484A JP2004528069A (ja) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 液体送出装置および射出装置の操作方法
NZ526784A NZ526784A (en) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Liquid delivery device and method for operating an ejecting device towards an eye
BR0206988-1A BR0206988A (pt) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Dispositivo para liberação de lìquido e método para operar um dispositivo de ejeção
AU2002230329A AU2002230329B2 (en) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Liquid delivery device and method for operating an ejecting device
MXPA03007107A MXPA03007107A (es) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Dispositivo para suministrar liquido y metodo para operar un dispositivo de eyeccion.
HU0302851A HUP0302851A3 (en) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Liquid delivery device and method for operating an ejecting device
CA002434201A CA2434201C (fr) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Distributeur de liquide et procede permettant de faire fonctionner un dispositif pulverisateur
EP02711582A EP1363746A1 (fr) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Distributeur de liquide et procede permettant de faire fonctionner un dispositif pulverisateur
KR10-2003-7010486A KR20030076666A (ko) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 액체 스트림 분사 장치 및 액체 스트림 분사 장치의 구동방법
EA200300861A EA005024B1 (ru) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Устройство для доставки жидкости и способ работы впрыскивающего устройства
NO20033509A NO20033509L (no) 2001-02-08 2003-08-07 V¶skeleveringsinnretning og fremgangsmåte for anvendelse av en utspröytningsinnretning
HK04105848A HK1063024A1 (en) 2001-02-08 2004-08-06 Liquid ejecting device and method for operating anejecting device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0100418A SE0100418D0 (sv) 2001-02-08 2001-02-08 Liquid delivery device and use method
SE0100418-3 2001-02-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002062488A1 true WO2002062488A1 (fr) 2002-08-15

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PCT/SE2002/000150 WO2002062488A1 (fr) 2001-02-08 2002-01-29 Distributeur de liquide et procede permettant de faire fonctionner un dispositif pulverisateur

Country Status (19)

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EP (1) EP1363746A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2004528069A (fr)
KR (1) KR20030076666A (fr)
CN (2) CN1799529A (fr)
AU (1) AU2002230329B2 (fr)
BR (1) BR0206988A (fr)
CA (1) CA2434201C (fr)
CZ (1) CZ20032125A3 (fr)
EA (1) EA005024B1 (fr)
HK (1) HK1063024A1 (fr)
HU (1) HUP0302851A3 (fr)
IL (1) IL156714A0 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA03007107A (fr)
NO (1) NO20033509L (fr)
NZ (1) NZ526784A (fr)
PL (1) PL369105A1 (fr)
SE (1) SE0100418D0 (fr)
TW (1) TW562681B (fr)
WO (1) WO2002062488A1 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004028420A1 (fr) * 2002-09-26 2004-04-08 Pharmacia Corporation Methode d'administration ophtalmique de medicament
WO2007058966A1 (fr) * 2005-11-11 2007-05-24 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Injecteur oculaire controle sans aiguille
WO2009148345A2 (fr) * 2008-06-05 2009-12-10 Blueworks-Medical Expert Diagnostics, Lda Procédé pour contrôler l'efficacité de l'administration d'un liquide à une cible biologique non hétérogène, et système en permettant l'exécution
WO2012009702A1 (fr) * 2010-07-15 2012-01-19 Corinthian Ophthalmic, Inc. Procédé et système de réalisation d'un traitement et d'une surveillance à distance
WO2012009706A1 (fr) * 2010-07-15 2012-01-19 Corinthian Ophthalmic, Inc. Dispositif de génération de gouttelettes
US9087145B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2015-07-21 Eyenovia, Inc. Ophthalmic drug delivery
US10265216B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2019-04-23 Eye-go A/S Device for applying an ophthalmic fluid
US10639194B2 (en) 2011-12-12 2020-05-05 Eyenovia, Inc. High modulus polymeric ejector mechanism, ejector device, and methods of use
US10839960B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2020-11-17 Eyenovia, Inc. Ophthalmic drug delivery
US11938056B2 (en) 2017-06-10 2024-03-26 Eyenovia, Inc. Methods and devices for handling a fluid and delivering the fluid to the eye

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8197234B2 (en) * 2004-05-25 2012-06-12 California Institute Of Technology In-line actuator for electromagnetic operation
WO2011043712A1 (fr) * 2009-10-08 2011-04-14 Shl Group Ab Dispositif pour inhalation de gouttelettes liquides dosées
DE102014016990B3 (de) * 2014-11-18 2016-02-11 Wavelight Gmbh Düseneinheit zur Vernetzung von Augengewebe
FR3077487A1 (fr) * 2018-02-06 2019-08-09 Nemera La Verpilliere Dispositif d'assistance a l'utilisation d'un dispositif de distribution d'un produit liquide sous forme de gouttes
CN113303848B (zh) * 2021-06-02 2022-10-18 南充市中心医院 神经外科后颅撑开引流装置

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US4162037A (en) * 1977-05-20 1979-07-24 Masaya Koyama Automatic sprayer
DE3809719A1 (de) * 1988-03-23 1989-10-05 Johann Muehlbauer Spraydose fuer verspruehbare fluessigkeiten
EP0348228A1 (fr) * 1988-06-24 1989-12-27 ROHL, Hans Dispositifs pour bain oculaire
DE4406809A1 (de) * 1994-03-02 1995-09-14 Berthold H Dr Daimler Handzerstäuber mit Hebelpumpe
WO1998055059A1 (fr) * 1997-06-02 1998-12-10 Pharmacia & Upjohn Ab Applicateur de fluide pour les yeux

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4162037A (en) * 1977-05-20 1979-07-24 Masaya Koyama Automatic sprayer
DE3809719A1 (de) * 1988-03-23 1989-10-05 Johann Muehlbauer Spraydose fuer verspruehbare fluessigkeiten
EP0348228A1 (fr) * 1988-06-24 1989-12-27 ROHL, Hans Dispositifs pour bain oculaire
DE4406809A1 (de) * 1994-03-02 1995-09-14 Berthold H Dr Daimler Handzerstäuber mit Hebelpumpe
WO1998055059A1 (fr) * 1997-06-02 1998-12-10 Pharmacia & Upjohn Ab Applicateur de fluide pour les yeux

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004028420A1 (fr) * 2002-09-26 2004-04-08 Pharmacia Corporation Methode d'administration ophtalmique de medicament
WO2007058966A1 (fr) * 2005-11-11 2007-05-24 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Injecteur oculaire controle sans aiguille
WO2009148345A2 (fr) * 2008-06-05 2009-12-10 Blueworks-Medical Expert Diagnostics, Lda Procédé pour contrôler l'efficacité de l'administration d'un liquide à une cible biologique non hétérogène, et système en permettant l'exécution
WO2009148345A3 (fr) * 2008-06-05 2010-04-22 Blueworks-Medical Expert Diagnostics, Lda Procédé pour contrôler l'efficacité de l'administration d'un liquide à une cible biologique non hétérogène, et système en permettant l'exécution
US9087145B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2015-07-21 Eyenovia, Inc. Ophthalmic drug delivery
EP2485691B1 (fr) * 2010-07-15 2020-03-18 Eyenovia, Inc. Administration de médicament ophtalmique
US8684980B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2014-04-01 Corinthian Ophthalmic, Inc. Drop generating device
US8733935B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2014-05-27 Corinthian Ophthalmic, Inc. Method and system for performing remote treatment and monitoring
WO2012009702A1 (fr) * 2010-07-15 2012-01-19 Corinthian Ophthalmic, Inc. Procédé et système de réalisation d'un traitement et d'une surveillance à distance
US10073949B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2018-09-11 Eyenovia, Inc. Ophthalmic drug delivery
US11839487B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2023-12-12 Eyenovia, Inc. Ophthalmic drug delivery
WO2012009706A1 (fr) * 2010-07-15 2012-01-19 Corinthian Ophthalmic, Inc. Dispositif de génération de gouttelettes
US11398306B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2022-07-26 Eyenovia, Inc. Ophthalmic drug delivery
US11011270B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2021-05-18 Eyenovia, Inc. Drop generating device
US10839960B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2020-11-17 Eyenovia, Inc. Ophthalmic drug delivery
US10646373B2 (en) 2011-12-12 2020-05-12 Eyenovia, Inc. Ejector mechanism, ejector device, and methods of use
US10639194B2 (en) 2011-12-12 2020-05-05 Eyenovia, Inc. High modulus polymeric ejector mechanism, ejector device, and methods of use
US10265216B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2019-04-23 Eye-go A/S Device for applying an ophthalmic fluid
US11938056B2 (en) 2017-06-10 2024-03-26 Eyenovia, Inc. Methods and devices for handling a fluid and delivering the fluid to the eye

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2004528069A (ja) 2004-09-16
EA005024B1 (ru) 2004-10-28
TW562681B (en) 2003-11-21
EA200300861A1 (ru) 2003-12-25
KR20030076666A (ko) 2003-09-26
SE0100418D0 (sv) 2001-02-08
CA2434201A1 (fr) 2002-08-15
CN1500011A (zh) 2004-05-26
CN1259151C (zh) 2006-06-14
HUP0302851A2 (hu) 2003-12-29
BR0206988A (pt) 2004-02-10
AU2002230329B2 (en) 2005-12-22
CZ20032125A3 (cs) 2003-12-17
HK1063024A1 (en) 2004-12-10
NZ526784A (en) 2005-02-25
PL369105A1 (en) 2005-04-18
MXPA03007107A (es) 2003-11-18
CA2434201C (fr) 2007-04-10
EP1363746A1 (fr) 2003-11-26
HUP0302851A3 (en) 2006-02-28
NO20033509D0 (no) 2003-08-07
CN1799529A (zh) 2006-07-12
IL156714A0 (en) 2004-01-04
NO20033509L (no) 2003-09-29

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