Cartridge for applying medicament to an eye from a dispenser

Abstract

A cartridge for actuating a piston-like or accordion-like dispenser-vial for applying medicament to an eye. The cartridge includes a housing for holding the dispenser-vial and a telescoping cylinder for compressing the dispenser-vial in the longitudinal direction to actuate the vial. The cartridge includes a locking mechanism for locking the telescoping cylinder to restrict its movement and a trigger mechanism for releasing the cylinder from the locked position so that a drop is released from the dispenser. The housing includes a finger for engaging the lower eyelid and exposing the conjunctival cul de sac.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThe invention relates to a cartridge for applying medicament to an eye from a vial-dispenser of the type which is actuated by compression of the vial between its nozzle and its bottom wall.2. Description of Related ArtThere are various dispensers which are known for applying medicament to an eye. A typical eye-drop container includes a flexible vial storage portion and a nozzle for dispensing drops of medicament into the eye by squeezing the vial between its side walls. Less common, but more precise, are accordion-like or piston-like dispensers which are actuated by squeezing the vial between a bottom wall and the nozzle so as to compress the vial in its longitudinal direction, rather than from its sides. It is these accordion-like or piston-like dispensers with which the cartridge of the present invention is particularly adapted for use. An example of a new and improved piston-like dispenser is the subject of my co-pending U.S. ap...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which can accurately deliver a small drop of medicament to the conjunctival cul de sac of an eye.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device which can be used to actuate an accordion-like or piston-like vial-dispenser using minimal force.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device having these features which has a simple construction and which is easy to manufacture.

The foregoing objects are achieved by the present invention which provides a cartridge which is particularly adapted for actuating an accordion-like or piston-like dispenser-vial. The cartridge includes a generally cylindrical housing which is adapted to receive a dispenser-vial between an anterior wall of the housing and a telescoping cylinder. The anterior wall of the housing has an aperture for allowing the nozzle of the vial to project therefrom. The anterior of the housing is curved with a highly polished and smooth external surface to prevent any corneal injury in the event of accidental contact with the eye.

The top of the inner surface of the housing is formed with a notch. The front of the telescoping inner cylinder is formed with a rearwardly and outwardly projecting extension which easily slides past an inclined side of the notch as the cylinder is pushed into the housing to load the drop cavity of the vial. However, the opposite side of the notch is angled to prevent the cylinder extension from sliding past the notch in the opposite direction, thereby locking the cylinder so that the vial is in its loaded position.

Problems solved by technology

Most people encounter difficulty in applying drops to their eyes.

The eye is a very sensitive body part and individuals find it difficult to control reflexive blinking when applying drops thereto.

Also, eye drop users often have poor vision.

Poor vision makes it difficult to position the tip of the dropper bottle over the eye and frequently causes drops to be incorrectly applied to the nose or cheek.

Additionally, elderly people often have difficulty holding a dropper bottle steady or encounter difficulty in squeezing the bottle to apply a proper quantity of the medicament.

Even if the liquid medicament is properly applied to the eye, the medicament's effectiveness is limited.

However, because of the difficulty encountered in steadying the dropper and accurately positioning it over the conjunctiva, maximizing the effectiveness of the medicament remains elusive.

However, the apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,096 cannot be used with the accordion-like or piston-like dispensers which are actuated by compression in the longitudinal direction rather than from the sides.

Furthermore, this apparatus will not properly expose the cul de sac.

However, this apparatus does not have a means to expose the cul de sac nor keep the lower eyelid depressed.

Typical eye-drop dispensers also have the disadvantage that the force which is necessary to actuate the dispenser to emit a drop is not in the same direction as the motion which is necessary to lower the lower eyelid and expose the cul de sac.

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