HK40055494A - Applicator for ophthalmic solutions in single-dose containers and a kit containing same - Google Patents

Description

Applicator for an ophthalmic solution in a single-dose package and kit comprising an applicator

Technical Field

The present invention is in the technical field of ophthalmic product dispensers. In particular, an applicator for an ophthalmic solution in a single dose container or disposable bottle having a flat handle portion is disclosed.

Background

The prior art documents closest to the present invention are cited below.

This prior art includes US20050101921a1 entitled "eyedropper positioning device" which is disclosed on 12.5.2005 and relates to a device to assist in positioning eyedrops from a bottle, preferably from a monodose container. The present invention includes an eye guide, preferably elliptical, a substantially rigid extension attached to the eye guide, and a vial attachment portion attached to a second end of the extension; the bottle attachment portion further includes a base attached to the rigid extension portion, the base including a slot sized to receive a single use disposable bottle having a flat handle portion with a pair of compression tabs on opposite sides of the slot. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a positioning indicator for properly positioning a disposable bottle having a flat handle portion.

Another prior art document is US20080208148a1 entitled "ophthalmic device" which discloses an ophthalmic device for assisting in the accurate dispensing of an ophthalmic substance into an eye, published on 25/5/2005, which includes a resilient elliptical rim having an open end and an opening at the opposite end. The periphery of the open end is adapted to receive and secure a nozzle associated with an eye drop dispenser. The opening may take the form of an asterisk so that the eye drop container can be fitted and secured therein. Fig. 2 of said document shows that the oval edge has a lip that is concave relative to the structure when seen from the front view, to adapt ergonomically to the eye.

Another prior art document is US4960407A entitled "disposable eye drop dispensing device for post surgical and general use" published on 26/5/1989, which includes: a generally elliptical or periorbital ring contoured to fit within the orbital or periorbital region of the patient's body; and at least one post extending from the elliptical ring substantially perpendicular to the plane of the elliptical ring, the post attached to the neck and shoulder regions of the bottle. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one post extends to the rear of the container where the base will be placed.

The prior art also includes document WO2004043315A entitled "device and method for facilitating application of a liquid material to an eye" published 5/27 of 2004, which relates to a device for facilitating application of a liquid material to an eye, the device having an outlet configured to substantially prevent adherence of droplets thereto. The device has a support that can rest on the eyelid and can be used to flip the eyelid. When the liquid dispenser is placed on the support, eye drops or other liquid for application to the eye can be applied to the eye from the outlet of the liquid dispenser in an optimal position to allow convenient one-handed operation. The invention also relates to a liquid dispenser having an integral support for resting on and flipping over the eyelid. In a preferred embodiment, the support material may be a substantially elastic material.

However, it has not been found in the prior art: a single ophthalmic substance applicator device in a single-dose container, which integrates a set of advantageous technical features, with extremely useful benefits for the user, such as being able to be placed on the eye at an angle of 30 ° to 60 ° with respect to the horizontal, facilitating the application of ophthalmic solutions; which can hold the single-dose container in an upright position when not in use, with the mouth of the container facing upwards, and which has a structure that insulates the container from any physical contact with the flat outer surface, and leaves open spaces in the structure for direct insertion, removal and pressing of the container with the fingers, and sufficient observation of the contents and the label of the container, so that the single-dose container can be used in applications after first use, and also with other advantages that are considered important in the present invention.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention relates to a device for applying an ophthalmic solution, in particular eye drops, in a single-dose container, comprising:

a fixed structure (1) having one or more walls (2) covering the length, width and height of the single-dose container, wherein said one or more walls (2) leave at least one open space (2A) for inserting, removing, pressing on the container and allowing the label and the contents of the container to be viewed;

a flat hollow support base (3) attached to or forming part of one end of said one or more walls of said structure which is solid, wherein the flat part of the support base enables the single-dose container to be kept upright when not in use, with the mouth of the container facing upwards, and the hollow part of the support base allows the insertion of fingers to extract the single-dose container;

an elliptical rim (4) at the other end of said one or more walls (2) of said solid structure, having an upper lip (5) and a lower lip (6), the upper lip (5) and the lower lip (6) being recessed offset so as to position the applicator at an angle of between 30 ° and 60 °, preferably 45 °, with respect to the horizontal plane, the elliptical rim preferably having a guiding protrusion (7) protruding from the elliptical rim, which acts as a guide to keep the lower eyelid of the eye open; and

an attachment portion (8) on the structure having a grip for receiving and holding the single dose container in a fixed position. The applicator device isolates the single-dose container from any physical contact with the flat outer surface. In another preferred embodiment, the attachment portion (8) comprises a stop protrusion, which acts as a stop mechanism for inserting the single dose container up to a certain point and locking its displacement.

The elliptical edge which ergonomically conforms to the curvature of the eye firmly holds the upper and lower eyelids and prevents blinking when applying the eye drops, so that the eye drops are completely and safely applied to the eyes with confidence, and the external application of the eyes caused by trembling or lack of experience of a patient is eliminated.

The features of the ophthalmic solution applicator described above also make it possible to use a single-dose container for application after first use.

The invention also relates to a kit for ophthalmic solutions comprising a bottle (10) with an airtight cap, which in turn comprises the applicator for ophthalmic solutions described above. The capped vial allows the applicator with the monodose container inside to be isolated from the environment, so that the monodose container can be safely used in a post-first-use application, thus eliminating the risk of contamination by contact with the dropper nozzle of the monodose vial when handling and installing all its contents.

Drawings

Figure 1 shows a front view of the applicator.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the applicator.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the applicator.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the applicator.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the back side shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the applicator with the single-dose container in place.

Fig. 7 shows a capped bottle of the kit with the applicator and container inside.

Fig. 8 shows the action of inserting the applicator with the single-dose container into the capped bottle.

Figure 9 shows the preferred 45 angle placement of the device on the eye.

Detailed Description

Some preferred embodiments of the invention are described below, which are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims in any way.

In the preferred embodiment, the structure 1 comprises two side walls, leaving a substantially open space 2A in the front and rear of the applicator, as shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 2 shows how the attachment portion 8 is held in a manner that is not visible from the side in the side wall of the structure 1, so that no discomfort is caused when the container is handled. In this configuration, the wall has a concave curvature so that a finger can be inserted therein without difficulty.

Fig. 3 and 4 show in more detail a preferred embodiment of attachment portion 8, wherein on each side wall there is arranged a handle, each handle having a flat profile connected to first C-shaped profiles 8A, wherein a single-dose container can be coupled between the first C-shaped profiles. In more detail, each first C-shaped profile comprises a second C-shaped profile 8B arranged adjacent and in succession to the first C-shaped profile 8A, wherein said second C-shaped profile 8B has a smaller size than the first C-shaped profile 8A, its function being to act as a stop mechanism to engage the container in a fixed position at the centre and prevent it from moving further. An advantage of making the attachment portion with a C-shaped profile is that the entire applicator can be made in one piece from a single material, preferably from plastic. The C-shape of the attachment portion maintains the tip of the dropper in a centered and fixed position, which allows the drops to be applied to the eye completely safely and confidently, eliminating off-eye application due to patient shivering or inexperienced (which is common during application of eye drops using single dose applicators and ophthalmic vials). In another preferred embodiment, the inner space of each second C-shaped profile is tapered, the inner space being inclined in a wedge shape to lock the container as it is advanced into the applicator.

Additionally, in another preferred embodiment, the gripping portion is an opening having a plurality of flexible fins therearound, the fins converging at a central point. Likewise, the figures show a hollow flat portion of the support base for the insertion of a finger to allow the extraction of the single-dose container.

In another preferred embodiment, the applicator device is made of a bacteriostatic or bactericidal material, such as a plastic material containing silver ions.

In another preferred embodiment, a ring made of a flexible material such as rubber, silicone, soft plastic, or the like, is attached to the elliptical rim to soften the positioning of the device when in contact with the periphery of the eye.

In another preferred embodiment, the airtight bottle of the kit for ophthalmic solutions is cylindrical and made of transparent material to allow the label and the contents inside to be seen, and the cap is circular. Likewise, the capped bottle may be made of a bacteriostatic or bactericidal material, such as a plastic material containing silver ions.

Claims (11)

1. Applicator for an ophthalmic solution in a single-dose container, characterized in that it comprises:

structure (1), said structure (1) having one or more walls (2) covering the length, width and height of a single-dose container, wherein said one or more walls (2) leave at least one open space for inserting, removing and pressing said single-dose container and allowing the labels and contents of said container to be viewed;

a flat hollow support base (3), the support base (3) being attached to or forming part of one end of the one or more walls of the structure that are solid;

-an elliptical edge (4), said elliptical edge (4) being located at the other end of said one or more walls of said solid structure, said elliptical edge having an upper lip (5) and a lower lip (6), said upper lip (5) and said lower lip (6) being recessed offset so as to position said applicator at an angle of between 30 ° and 60 ° with respect to the horizontal plane; and

an attachment portion (8) on the structure, the attachment portion (8) having a grip for receiving and holding the single-dose container in a fixed position.

2. Ophthalmic solution applicator according to claim 1, wherein there is a protruding guide (7) on the upper lip of the elliptical rim, said guide (7) acting as a guide to keep the lower eyelid of the eye open.

3. The ophthalmic solution applicator of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is an opening having a plurality of surrounding fins that converge at a central point.

4. The ophthalmic solution applicator of claims 1 and 3, wherein the attachment portion includes a stop for inserting the single-dose container up to a certain point.

5. Ophthalmic solution applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises two side walls, on each of which a handle is provided, which in turn comprises a first C-shaped profile (8A), and each of said first C-shaped profiles comprises a second C-shaped profile (8B) arranged adjacent and in succession to the first C-shaped profile (8A), wherein the dimensions of the second C-shaped profile (8B) are smaller than those of the first C-shaped profile (8A), and the function of the second C-shaped profile (8B) is to act as a stop mechanism to engage the single-dose container in a fixed position at the centre and prevent it from moving further.

6. The ophthalmic solution applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator is made of a bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal material.

7. The ophthalmic solution applicator of claims 1 and 6, wherein the bacteriostatic material contains silver ions.

8. Ophthalmic solution applicator according to claim 1, wherein the elliptical edge (4) comprises a ring made of a flexible material to soften the positioning of the device.

9. A kit for ophthalmic solutions, characterized in that it comprises a bottle (10) with an airtight cap, said bottle comprising a solution applicator device, which in turn comprises:

structure (1), said structure (1) having one or more walls (2) covering the length, width and height of a single-dose container, wherein said one or more walls (2) leave an open space for inserting, removing and pressing said single-dose container and allowing the labels and contents of said container to be viewed;

a flat hollow support base (3), the support base (3) being attached to or forming part of one end of the one or more walls of the structure that are solid;

-an elliptical edge (4), said elliptical edge (4) being located at the other end of said one or more walls of said solid structure, said elliptical edge having an upper lip (5) and a lower lip (6), said upper lip (5) and said lower lip (6) being recessed offset so as to position said applicator at an angle of between 30 ° and 60 ° with respect to the horizontal plane; and

an attachment portion (8) on the structure, the attachment portion (8) having a grip for receiving and holding the single-dose container in a fixed position.

10. The kit for ophthalmic solution of claim 9 wherein the vial is cylindrical, made of a transparent material, and the cap is circular.

11. A kit for an ophthalmic solution according to claim 10 wherein the bottle and the cap are made of bacteriostatic material containing silver ions.