Fluid dispensing devices and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An eyedropper for directing fluid toward an eye of a patient, the eyedropper comprising:
- a reservoir for holding fluid to be directed toward the eye of the patient;
a nozzle fluidly coupled with the reservoir;
an element adapted to eject a drop of the fluid through the nozzle toward the eye of the patient; and
an eye cup for maintaining a generally constant distance between the nozzle and the eye of the patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fluid dispensing devices and methods according to specific embodiments of the invention include a device for ejecting or otherwise dispensing medication, for example eye medication, or other fluid or substance. A thermal ejector is optionally provided to aid in the dispensing. A control device, for example a microprocessor, controls the thermal ejector. Communications to and from a remote location are also optionally provided.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. An eyedropper for directing fluid toward an eye of a patient, the eyedropper comprising:
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a reservoir for holding fluid to be directed toward the eye of the patient;
a nozzle fluidly coupled with the reservoir;
an element adapted to eject a drop of the fluid through the nozzle toward the eye of the patient; and
an eye cup for maintaining a generally constant distance between the nozzle and the eye of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A microprocessor-controlled device for directing a medical substance toward an eye of a patient, the device comprising:
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a thermal pump for directing the medical substance toward the eye of the patient;
structure for maintaining a minimum distance between the thermal pump and the eye of the patient;
a microprocessor for controlling the thermal pump; and
a communicator, operably coupled with the microprocessor, for communicating signals between the device and a location remote from the device. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An eye medication communication and applicator system, comprising:
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an applicator for introducing eye medication to an eye;
a computing device for controlling the applicator;
a communicator operably coupled with the computing device; and
a station remote from the applicator and the computing device, the station being adapted to communicate medication data to the computing device via the communicator or receive medication data from the computing device via the communicator. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of medication alarm generation, the method comprising:
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ejecting drops of medication using an ejector in a handheld housing;
generating electric signals regarding the ejection;
communicating the electric signals from the handheld housing toward a remote location; and
generating an alarm if the electric signals represent unacceptable ejection of the medication. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of eye medication ejection control, the method comprising:
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ejecting drops of eye medication using an ejector in an eyedropper;
transmitting data regarding the ejected eye medication to a location remote from the eyedropper and/or receiving data at the eyedropper from a location remote from the eyedropper; and
controlling ejection of the eye medication based on the transmitted and/or received data. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. One or more computer-readable media having stored thereon a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes eye medication ejection control according to the following method:
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ejecting drops of eye medication using an ejector in an eyedropper;
transmitting data regarding the ejected eye medication to a location remote from the eyedropper and/or receiving data at the eyedropper from a location remote from the eyedropper; and
controlling ejection of the eye medication based on the transmitted and/or received data.
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38. One or more computer-readable media having stored thereon a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes medication alarm generation according to the following method:
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ejecting drops of medication using an ejector in a handheld housing;
generating electric signals regarding the ejection;
communicating the electric signals from the handheld housing toward a remote location; and
generating an alarm if the electric signals represent unacceptable ejection of the medication.
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39. An eyedropper, comprising:
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means for ejecting drops of eye medication using a thermal ejector;
means for transmitting data regarding the ejected eye medication to a location remote from the eyedropper and/or receiving data at the eyedropper from a location remote from the eyedropper; and
means for controlling ejection of the eye medication based on the transmitted and/or received data.
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Specification