Patent ID: 8287505
Filing Date: 2012-10-16
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus that when attached to a reservoir of ophthalmic solutions or drugs optically guides the user to position both the eye and dispenser in a three dimensional spatial alignment that enables an ophthalmic drop dispensed and falling along its gravitational path to enter the eye for users that are standing, sitting, or lying on their back while dispensing ophthalmic solutions and drugs, the apparatus comprising: a passageway through a dispensing tip supplying and contacting the ophthalmic solutions and drugs to a dispensing orifice in droplet form; said passageway additionally includes a mechanism to regulate solution flow and dispense a given drop volume; said dispensing tip protrudes through a sealed optical gauging device that isolates the fluid path from the optical gauging components; said optical gauging device comprises a plastic or glass lens with a fixed aperture formed integrally with protruding walls to form a sealed chamber that is mechanically coupled in axial alignment at the correct focal distance from precision symmetrical graphical markings; the said markings become visible as the optical gauging device becomes proximal to the eye; the said markings are constructed such that the inclusion of said markings only occur at precise calibrated distances from the eye; as said markings become visible, symmetry of the said markings are indicative that optical gauge is in axial alignment with the optical axis of the eye; as said assembly is located in vertical alignment, vertically above the user's eye prior to dispense, movement of the eye along with movement of the said assembly in response to graphical feedback combine to create a vertical axial alignment with the optical axis of a user's eye at a set distance between said optical gauging device and the user's eye to position said dispensing orifice in a 3D spatial alignment for delivering ophthalmic solutions and drugs to the user's eye; said dispensing tip and optical gauging device combined in an integral sub-assembly with an attachment mechanism comprised of at least one of an external compression fit sleeve, internal compression fit sleeve, external thread, internal thread, or base for ultrasonic weld to secure said assembly to a reservoir of ophthalmic solutions and drugs; and a closure mechanism to seal said dispensing orifice.