Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a device that aids in the placement of eye drops from an ophthalmic medication containing bottle. The device of the present invention is designed to be attached to the bottle at all times, including while in use. Furthermore, the present invention is specifically designed to aid in the easy removal and replacement of ophthalmic solution containing bottle caps. The present invention, in its most basic form, comprises an eye ring, a bottle attaching portion, wherein the eye ring and flexible extension may be moved off of the bottle axis to permit easy removal and replacement of the bottle cap.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the ophthalmic solution dispensing devices, and has particular reverence to a novel construction for an eyedropper positioning guide that works in combination with an ophthalmic medicament bottle, which includes a dispensing nozzle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A common malady that affects eyes is that they become irritated due to dust and small foreign objects that are common pollutants in the air. One method for alleviating this irritation is the application of an eye wash, a liquid medicament, to the eyes. Most eye washes are contained in a bottle that incorporates a dropper mechanism in the top. However, these eye droppers are difficult to operate. Most people have difficulty in applying drops due to the extreme sensitivity of their eyes. Moreover, poor vision makes it difficult to properly opposition or align an eye dropper bottle relative to the eye frequently causes drops to be improperly applied. Thus, the user quite often wastes eyewash by missing the intended eyeball.  
         [0003]     Thus, applying eye drops is generally difficult, uncomfortable and results in little, if any, of each drop entering the eye so that several attempts are necessary to insure placement of the ophthalmic solution in the eye. As a result, considerable amounts of the solution are wasted with no real assurance that a prescribed or desired amount of solution was placed in the eye.  
         [0004]     Another common and potentially injurious problem occurs when the applicator tip accidentally comes in contact with the comeal surface. This problem is especially serious in individuals with physical or neurological limitations causing unsteady hand movements.  
         [0005]     Generally, there is a line of eye drop guiding devices that may be attached to bottles containing ophthalmic medication. These bottles consist primarily of a fluid containing portion, a neck, a fluid dispensing portion, and a bottle cap. The available devices, basically, are comprised of a bottle attaching portion, an eye ring, and some form of rigid extension piece connecting the bottle attaching portion to the eye ring. However, these devices are constructed more with the actual end use of the device in mind, and not with the convenience and functionality of pre and post usage.  
         [0006]     One difficulty with using the available eye drop guides is removing the cap of the attached bottle. The extension pieces of these devices are of rigid, unyielding construction and one would have to have the manual dexterity of a magician to comfortably remove the bottle cap without first removing he eye drop guide from the bottle.  
         [0007]     Therefore, it is the primary purpose of the present invention to provide a simplified and easily attached add-on device that works in combination with existing eyedroppers to guide the user in properly placing ophthalmic medication. It is a ftrther purpose of the present invention to provide an eye drop guide device that facilitates the removal of a bottle cap prior to use and while the device is simultaneously attached to the bottle.  
       PRIOR ART  
       [0008]     The prior art reveals several different types of eye drop directing apparatus. These range from replacement caps including special features to bottle attachments that hold the eyelid in place while simultaneously guiding the eye drops into the eye.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,202, by Baron, shows an eye drop dispensing device that consists essentially of a flexible tube of oval cross section that is placed over the body of a pliable ophthalmic solution container. Located at the base of the oval tube is a rim to aid in holding an eyelid in place during the application of the medication. The tube, and the enclosed pliable ophthalmic solution bottle, is simultaneously squeezed to apply the solution to the eye while the user is looking along the oval channel f the device. This device must be repeatedly removed and reattached in order to access the bottle cap.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,866, by Lelicoff, teaches a device that includes a ring for attaching the device to a bottle, an end piece for engaging a user&#39;s eyelid during the application of ophthalmic solution, and an inwardly curved extension piece attached to a boss on the ring. The curved extension piece is designed to aid in the placement of applied drops of medicated solution. The eye engaging portion of this device interferes with easy removal of the bottle cap.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,834,727 and 4,960,407, both by Cope, disclose a series of eye dropper bottle attachments. All of the embodiments utilize an oval eyelid retaining ring. The bottle is attached to the ring by either a single extension piece or a set of two extension pieces. The primary difference in the several embodiments of these two patents lies in the many different ways in which the device is attached to a bottle. One embodiment illustrates a split ring configuration wherein a ring is bisected to relate two arcuate pieces, each attached to a separate extension piece. A second embodiment is a hook ring attachment wherein the hook grasps the bottle at the neck of the bottle. This.hook attachment is attached to the eyelid ring by a sing rigid extension piece. Another embodiment of these patents is an oval eyelid ring that is attached by two rigid extension poles to the neck ring of the device. A final embodiment illustrated by this patent shows the attachment of a singular oval eyelid ring to the neck ring by an extendible rigid extension piece. All of the embodiments of these patens have rigid extension pieces. Furthermore, their very design interferes with easy access to the bottle cap.  
         [0012]     While these patents accomplish many fine results, they do not address the problem of removal and replacement of the cap of the ophthalmic solution containing bottle. The above eye drop guiding devices all include rigid extension pieces and eyelid grasping attachments that are located in close proximity to the cap of the bottle. The close location of these features makes it difficult to remove the bottle cap before use and replace the cap after use. This impediment to removal and replacement of the bottle cap frustrates the use and encourages the user to leave the cap off, thus creating a potentially unsanitary condition within the bottle containing ophthalmic solution.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an instrument that is easily and quickly attached to a plastic eye dropper bottle to increase accuracy in dispensing ophthalmic solutions in post-surgical and general use.  
         [0014]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that allows for the easy removal and replacement of a bottle cap while the device is attached to the bottle.  
         [0015]     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a device that includes a positioning indicator for the proper placement of an eye drop guide when attaching the guide to a bottle containing ophthalmic solution.  
         [0016]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device that includes a flexible extension portion that allows the user to easily remove and replace the cap of a bottle by displacing the eyelid engaging ring off axis from the bottle.  
         [0017]     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a method for easy removal and replacement of a bottle cap while an eye drop guiding device is attached to the bottle.  
         [0018]     The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of  35  U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional objects and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0020]     FIG. is a perspective view, according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is an alternate perspective view, according to the present invention  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a view of the front, according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a view of the back, according to the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a view of the side, according to the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a view of another side, according to the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a view of the top side, according to the present invention,  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a view of the bottom side, according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]     Referring now to the figures, the present invention provides an eye drop guidance device that, when attached to a bottle with a cop, allows easy removal and replacement of the cap. The device of the present invention is simpler to construct and especially simpler to use than any devices thus discovered in the prior art. This simplicity is especially evident when it is understood that the device of the present invention may not only be used with two hands as all eye drop positioning guides are, but with a single hand, if necessary. This feat is nearly impossible with many of the prior art devices.  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first preferred embodiment  1  of the present invention. The device has an oval, or rounded rectangular eyelid engaging ring  10 . The ring  10  has a support flange  11  attached to a backside that runs along the entire periphery of the ring  10 . A flexible extension piece  20  is attached to the support flange  11  at a first end  21 . The flexible extension piece  20  is preferably attached along a long side  12  of the oval shape of the eyelid engaging ring  10 . Furthermore, there is, attached at a second end  22  of the extension piece  20 , a bottle attaching portion  30 . As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the bottle attaching portion  30  of the first preferred embodiment  1  comprises a pair of arms  31  extending transverse to the direction of the extension piece  20  at opposite sides  23  of the extension piece  20 . The pair of arms  31  of the bottle attaching portion  30  define a slit that is sized to receive a disposable bottle having a flat handle portion. This type of bottle is common in the industry.  
         [0030]     Further, attached to, and depending from, each one of the pair of arms  31  is a squeeze flange  40 . The squeeze flanges  40  re sized such that a solution cavity of an attached bottle will fit between the two squeeze flanges  40 . Preferably, the squeeze flanges  40  are substantially rectangular prisms, but other shapes may be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention. It is useful to note that the size of the squeeze flanges should be large enough to allow even a user with limited grasping capabilities to squeeze the pair of squeeze flanges  40 .  
         [0031]     One method of constructing the first preferred embodiment  1  is to take a piece of thin flexible plastic material and cut an appropriate shape. Preferably, the shape has a substantially rectangular base potion. One long side of the base portion gradually extends outward to form the extension piece  20 . When looking at the base portion and extension piece  20 , they appear to form a T-shape wherein the junction of the T is a smooth and continuous curve, as opposed to discontinuous. The extension piece  20  has, at the second end  22 , two small rectangular arms  31  projecting transverse to the long direction of the extension piece  20 . The eyelid engaging ring  10  is formed by rolling a lower end of the base, preferably with the roll directed to an outside surface of the plastic material. The roll does not consume the entire width of the base portion, since the unused portion forms a support flange  11  that runs along the periphery of the eyelid engaging ring  10 . Opposite outside ends of the base  15  are then attached to each other to form the ring  10  itself. Alternately, device  1  may be manufactured by injection molding techniques or other similar plastic shaping technologies.  
         [0032]     It is important to note that the flexibility of the extension piece  20  is important. If extension piece  20  is too flexible, then when the ring  10  is pulled off axis and released, it will not return to its original position. Similarly, if the extension piece  20  is too rigid, pulling the ring off axis sufficiently far to allow access to the bottle cap will irreversibly deform the materials of the extension piece  20 . Once irreversibly deformed, it will not regain it original configuration. Thus, it can be seen that there is a range of flexibility that is useful for the materials that the extension piece is produced. Accordingly, since the preferred embodiment of the present invention is made from Acetal (otherwise known as Delrin) and Acetal has a flexural yield strength ranging from 5000 to 20,000 psi, it is critical that the present invention be made from a material that has a flexural yield strength ranging from 5000 to 20,000 psi, preferably between 10,000 and 15,000 psi, and more preferably between 13,000 and 15,000 psi.  
         [0033]     In use, the bottle attaching portion  30  is simply clipped onto an area of the ophthalmic solution containing bottle near the flat handle portion, typically between the flat handle portion and the solution container. Typically, at this position the bottle is narrower than the solution cavity or the flat handle portion, i.e., it is crimped. The bottle attaching portion  30  should be substantially rigid to allow repeated attachment and removal of the device from the bottle. In order to use the bottle with the device  1  attached the user will grasp the bottle in a first hand with the bottle oriented in an upward position. The user then grasps the eyelid retaining ring  10  with a finger of the first hand, frequently this will be the index finger. The user then pulls back on the eyelid remaining ring  10  with the finger, thus displacing the ring  10  from axial alignment with the bottle. This displacement temporarily removes the obstructive effect of the extension piece  20  and eyelid retaining piece  10 . The user may then remove the bottle cap with a second hand. Once the bottle cap is removed, the eyelid retaining ring may then be allowed to regain its former position by releasing the finger grasp, thus causing the flexible extension piece  20  to automatically return to the desired alignment with the applicator tip of the bottle.  
         [0034]     The eyelid retaining ring  10  is then placed over the eye, preferably with a portion of the ring  10  frictionally holding the eyelid in an open position. The head is then tilted backward and the user gazed upward at the dispensing portion of the bottle. With the solution cavity positioned between the two squeeze flanges  40 , gentle pressure applied by the user will force preferably one drop of solution at a time from the bottle.  
         [0035]     Once the solution is applied, the cap replaced onto the bottle and the attached device  1  may then be removed, and once again placed into an upright position. The user then, holding the bottle in the first hand, once again grasps the eyelid retaining ring  10  with the finger and displaces the ring off axis of the bottle. The second hand then replaces the bottle cap. The eyelid retaining ring  10  is finally, once again, allowed to regain its original position by releasing the finger&#39;s grasp.  
         [0036]     The preferred embodiment(s) of the invention is described above in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.