Ophthalmic Drug Dispensing Tip

Abstract

A dispensing tip apparatus for an eye drop dispenser to administer topical ophthalmic solutions is described. The apparatus integrates an ophthalmic solution-dispensing tip with an optical gauging assembly. The tip provides continuous visual feedback about it orientation and relationship to the eye. The dispensing tip when attached to any standard topical ophthalmic solution dispensing bottle or reservoir enables the user to view a target, visually align the dispenser tip, and administer an eye drop with precision. There is also a visual feedback by which the dispenser tip is prevented from gaining too close proximity and contacting the eye, thus preventing contamination of the medication and its dispenser. The visual feedback can also contain textual or graphic information that serves as a promotional advertisement.

1 . An apparatus for dispensing ophthalmic solutions and drugs, the apparatus comprising:
 a passageway through a dispensing tip supplying the ophthalmic solutions and drugs to a dispensing orifice in droplet form;   an optical gauging device integrated with said dispensing tip for creating axial alignment with a user's eye and setting a distance between said optical gauging device and the user's eye to position said dispensing orifice for delivering ophthalmic solutions and drugs to the user's eye;   an attachment mechanism to secure said dispensing tip to said reservoir of ophthalmic solutions and drugs; and   a closure mechanism to seal said dispensing orifice.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said optical gauging device includes a viewing target having a design marked thereon. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said optical gauging device includes at least one lens disposed at a focal distance to clearly view said viewing target. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one lens is a double convex magnifying lens having a given diameter, diopter, and field of view. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a mechanism for centering said double convex magnifying lens, and said viewing target, to maintain axial and concentric alignment between said double convex magnifying lens and said viewing target. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said passageway additionally includes a mechanism to regulate solution flow and dispense a given drop volume. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said viewing target design includes an inner circle of a first color, a central ring of second color, and an outer ring of a third color all disposed concentrically with said inner circle. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the diameter of said double convex magnifying lens and said inner circle, and focal length of said double convex magnifying lens are selected to provide a given relation to the users eye. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said viewing target design includes at least one circle and textual information. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said attachment mechanism includes at least one annular groove used to attach said dispensing tip to said reservoir, said reservoir including a mating annular ring. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said attachment mechanism includes a recessed sleeve at the inlet of said dispensing tip that is used to press fit said dispensing tip axially on to an existing dispensing tip of an ophthalmic solution reservoir. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said recessed sleeve has multiple cross-section diameters to press fit on to a range of said existing dispensing tip shapes and sizes. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said regulating mechanism includes a conical geometry within said passageway of said dispensing tip with a small inlet proximal to said reservoir and large outlet forming said dispensing orifice. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing tip, optical gauging device, and closure mechanism are fabricated using plastic resins, paper, and ink capable of withstanding at least one means of microbial sterilization. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said dispensing tip protrudes through a concentric hole in said double convex magnifying lens with minimal clearance to deliver ophthalmic solution without incidental contact with any component of said optical gauging device. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said closure mechanism includes at least one closure comprising a plastic cap press fit on to said double convex magnifying lens or a threaded plastic cap that threads on to the neck of said reservoir. 
   
   
       17 . A method of dispensing ophthalmic solutions to an eye, comprising:
 providing a container having a dispensing tip at one end and a passageway from the container through the tip to a dispensing orifice, in which the container is adapted for dispensing at least one droplet from the orifice of the tip;   attaching an optical gauging dispensing tip assembly providing a hermetic seal in axial alignment to the dispensing tip of the container to create a contiguous passageway from the container through the dispensing tip, and through optical gauging dispensing tip to a dispensing orifice for dispensing at least one droplet from the orifice of the dispensing tip;   aligning the container with the optical gauging dispensing tip vertically above the eye, the dispensing orifice proximal to the eye, and along the optical axis of the eye when the user looks into a lens integral with the optical gauging dispensing tip and observing a target indicator looking for a least one concentric graphical image indicating axial alignment between the optical gauging dispensing tip and the eye;   gauging distance from the eye by moving container with optical gauging dispensing tip up and down along eyes optical axis while looking through lens on optical gauging dispensing tip and responding to graphical images indicating one of three conditions, too far from the eye to dispense a drop effectively, too close to the eye—avoid contact with the eye to avoid tip contamination, and perfect distance from the eye to deliver a drop;   dispensing the liquid from the container into the eye of the user by actuating the container to dispense a drop from the orifice of the tip while holding container with optical gauging dispensing tip along the optical axis of the eye at a distance sufficiently close to effectively dispense a drop into the eye without making contact with the eye.   
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said graphical image includes an inner circle of a first color, and a central ring of second color, and an outer ring of a third color all disposed concentrically with said inner circle.