EYE NEBULIZER

The eye nebulizer deploys at least a block piece along a tube for the nebulized medication so as to achieve an S-shaped flow path, thereby preventing the nebulized medication from directly impacting and injuring the eye. In addition, due to the altered and curved flow path, the nebulized medication would diffuse around the rim of the eye cup, thereby covering a wider treatment area around the eye. The eye nebulizer therefore achieves an enhanced treatment effect and a greater applicability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a) Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to nebulizers, and more particular to a nebulizer for eye treatment.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

As shown inFIG. 1, a conventional eye nebulizer1includes a nebulization unit11, an eye cup12, and a tube13respectively connecting the eye cup12and the nebulization unit11. The nebulization unit11includes a main member111, a reservoir member112configured on the main member111and storing a medication (not shown), a vibrator module113(indicated by the dotted box) inside the main member111for nebulizing the medication stored in the reservoir member112, and a nozzle114configured on the main member111and connecting the tube13to release the nebulized medication. The tube13has a channel132surrounded by a wall131and connecting the nozzle114so as to allow the nebulized medication to pass through. To operate the eye nebulizer1, the eye cup12is positioned to cover the eye. The nebulization unit113vibrates the medication in the reservoir member112. The medication is as such gradually nebulized and released from the nozzle114. The nebulized medication then passes through the channel132and applies on the eye within the eye cup12.

However, the nebulized medication reaches the eye directly and uninterrupted through the nozzle114and the tube13. If the nebulization unit11produces too strong a pressure and the nebulized medication would be sprayed towards the eye in a jet stream, causing uncomfortableness or even harm to the eye. Additionally, if a user directly apply the eye nebulizer1without checking and removing foreign object or debris attached to the nozzle114or the tube13, the foreign object or debris may impact the eye along with the nebulized medication, thereby injuring the eye.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a novel eye nebulizer that, by deploying at least a block piece along a tube for the nebulized medication, alters a flow path of the nebulized medication into an S-shaped one, thereby preventing the nebulized medication from directly impacting and injuring the eye. In addition, due to the altered and curved flow path, the nebulized medication would diffuse around the rim of the eye cup, thereby covering a wider treatment area around the eye. The eye nebulizer therefore achieves an enhanced treatment effect and a greater applicability.

The eye nebulizer includes a nebulization unit, an eye cup, and a tube respectively connecting the eye cup and the nebulization unit. The tube includes a channel connecting the nebulization unit and the eye cup, a wall surrounding the channel, and at least a block piece inside the channel configured on the wall and forming an S-shaped flow path for the nebulized medication flowing through the channel. Due to the S-shaped flow path, the nebulized medication would diffuse around the rim of the eye cup, thereby covering a wider treatment area around the eye. The eye nebulizer therefore achieves an enhanced treatment effect and a greater applicability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown inFIG. 2, an eye nebulizer3according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a nebulization unit31, an eye cup32, and a tube33respectively connecting the eye cup32and the nebulization unit31. The nebulization unit31includes a main member311, a reservoir member312configured on the main member311and storing a medication (not shown), a vibrator module313(indicated by the dotted box) inside the main member311for nebulizing the medication stored in the reservoir member312, and a nozzle314configured on the main member311and connecting the tube33to release the nebulized medication.

The tube33has a channel332surrounded by a wall331and connecting the nozzle314so as to allow the nebulized medication to pass through. The tube33has a curved and elongated shape. Inside the channel332, there is at least a block piece333on the wall331to interfere and shape a flow path of the nebulized medication passing through the channel332. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, there are two block pieces333, one fixedly attached to and one detachably plugged into the wall331. Alternatively, as shown inFIGS. 5-1 and 5-2, the block pieces333are all integrally formed with the tube33and fixedly configured on the wall331By configuring multiple block pieces333of various shapes and directions at intervals on the wall331along the channel332, various types of flow paths, such as S-shaped flow paths, may be formed so as to adapt to the different pressures from the nebulization unit31and the different amounts of nebulized medications.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 6, to operate the eye nebulizer3, a required medication (or water or saline solution) is first placed in the reservoir member312. The reservoir member312is then joined to the main member311. The vibrator module313is engaged to shake the reservoir member312. The medication (or water or saline solution) is nebulized into a mist and the mist is sprayed through the nozzle314. As the mist flows through the tube33, it is interfered and blocked by the block pieces333and then finally applied to the eye covered by the eye cup32. Due to the curvature of the tube33and the alternately configured block pieces33, a direct flow path of the mist is altered into a curved flow path, thereby preventing the mist from directly impacting and injuring the eye. In addition, due to the altered and curved flow path, the mist would diffuse around the rim of the eye cup32, thereby covering a wider treatment area around the eye. Foreign object or debris attached to the tube33or the nozzle314would be blocked by the block pieces333and the curved tube33, again preventing the eye from being injured.

In summary, the eye nebulizer achieves a curved flow path (e.g., an S-shaped flow path) by employing a curved tube and configuring one or more block pieces along the tube so as to protect the eye and cover a wider treatment area.