Ophthalmic dispenser and associated method
First Claim
1. An ophthalmic dispenser comprising:
- a body defining a fluid reservoir;
a pump coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir and including a slide defining an axially-elongated passageway and a piston slidably received within the axially-elongated passageway, wherein the slide defines within the axially-elongated passageway a compression zone, a first portion formed between the compression zone and the reservoir, and a second portion located on an opposite side of the compression zone relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion is defined by a first radius and the compression zone is defined by a second radius that is less than the first radius, and at least one of the piston and slide is movable relative to the other between (i) a first actuated position with the tip of the piston received within the first portion of the slide, and the compression zone coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving fluid therefrom, and (ii) a rest position with a tip of the piston received within the second portion of the slide;
a nozzle comprising a valve including an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the compression zone, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween, wherein the interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween; and
at least one spring drivingly connected to at least one of the piston and slide, wherein the spring drives at least one of the piston and the slide from the first actuated position to the rest position to pressurize fluid in the compression zone and, in turn, dispense a metered dosage of fluid through the valve and into a user'"'"'s eye.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ophthalmic dispenser has a rigid housing defining a fluid-receiving chamber, a flexible bladder receivable within the fluid-receiving chamber, a pump coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber, and a nozzle having a valve defining an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the pump, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween. The valve interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to pumped fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween. A spring is drivingly connected to the housing and moves at least one of the pump and housing relative to the other to actuate the pump. The rigid housing is mountable within a cartridge which, in turn, is mountable within a dispenser housing including an eyelid depressor and a trigger for simultaneously actuating the eyelid depressor and pump.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. An ophthalmic dispenser comprising:
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a body defining a fluid reservoir;
a pump coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir and including a slide defining an axially-elongated passageway and a piston slidably received within the axially-elongated passageway, wherein the slide defines within the axially-elongated passageway a compression zone, a first portion formed between the compression zone and the reservoir, and a second portion located on an opposite side of the compression zone relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion is defined by a first radius and the compression zone is defined by a second radius that is less than the first radius, and at least one of the piston and slide is movable relative to the other between (i) a first actuated position with the tip of the piston received within the first portion of the slide, and the compression zone coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving fluid therefrom, and (ii) a rest position with a tip of the piston received within the second portion of the slide;
a nozzle comprising a valve including an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the compression zone, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween, wherein the interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween; and
at least one spring drivingly connected to at least one of the piston and slide, wherein the spring drives at least one of the piston and the slide from the first actuated position to the rest position to pressurize fluid in the compression zone and, in turn, dispense a metered dosage of fluid through the valve and into a user'"'"'s eye. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An ophthalmic dispenser for dispensing a fluid, the dispenser comprising:
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a housing;
a first actuator coupled to the housing;
a self contained cartridge comprising;
a vial, the vial including an interior fluid receiving chamber defined therein;
a pump in fluid communication with the fluid receiving chamber for pumping a fluid received therein from the dispenser;
a nozzle disposed in fluid communication with the pump for allowing the passage of the pumped fluid therethrough;
a casing that retains the nozzle, the pump, and the vial arranged in that order along a longitudinal axis moving in a direction toward a posterior end of the dispenser, the casing having an anterior wall with an aperture for receiving the nozzle; and
a second actuator coupled to the casing and responsive to the first actuator, the second actuator having at least a portion disposed outside the casing and at least a portion disposed internal to the casing and operatively coupled to at least one of the pump and the vial, wherein in a first phase of actuation of the actuator, at least one of the pump and the vial moves along the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the other, and in a second phase of actuation by the actuator, at least one of the pump and the vial moves in a direction away from the other. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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providing a plurality of cartridges for storing and dispensing an ophthalmic fluid, the plurality of cartridges being substantially identical to one another and each having a vial, a pump, and a nozzle, the vial including an interior fluid receiving chamber defined therein, the pump being in fluid communication with the fluid receiving chamber for pumping a fluid received therein from the cartridge, the nozzle being disposed in fluid communication with the pump for allowing the passage of the pumped fluid therethrough, the cartridge further having a casing that retains the nozzle, the pump, and the vial arranged in that order along a longitudinal axis moving in a direction toward a posterior end of the cartridge, and an actuator operatively coupled to the pump;
installing at least one of the plurality of cartridges in an ophthalmic dispenser having an actuator to operatively couple to the cartridge, wherein actuation of the actuator initiates dispensing; and
using at least one of the cartridges to dispense ophthalmic fluid without installing the cartridge in an ophthalmic dispenser having an actuator to operatively couple to the cartridge.
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21. A method comprising:
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providing a plurality of cartridges for storing and dispensing an ophthalmic fluid, the plurality of cartridges being substantially identical to one another and each having a vial, a pump, and a nozzle, the vial including an interior fluid receiving chamber defined therein, the pump being in fluid communication with the fluid receiving chamber for pumping a fluid received therein from the cartridge, the nozzle being disposed in fluid communication with the pump for allowing the passage of the pumped fluid therethrough, the cartridge further having a casing that retains the nozzle, the pump, and the vial arranged in that order along a longitudinal axis moving in a direction toward a posterior end of the cartridge, and an actuator operatively coupled to the pump;
providing a plurality of dispensers adapted to receive and operate the cartridges, the plurality of cartridges being substantially identical to one another and being capable of operation as a stand alone unit or in the dispenser;
selling at least one of the cartridges in combination with at least one of the dispensers; and
selling at least one of the cartridges without a dispenser.
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22. An ophthalmic dispenser for dispensing a fluid, the dispenser comprising:
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a self contained replaceable cartridge having;
a posterior portion including a vial, the vial including an interior fluid receiving chamber defined therein;
a pump in fluid communication with the fluid receiving chamber for pumping an ophthalmic fluid received therein from the dispenser;
a nozzle disposed in fluid communication with the pump for allowing the passage of the pumped fluid therethrough;
a casing that retains the nozzle, the pump, and the posterior portion arranged in that order along a longitudinal axis moving in a direction toward a posterior end of the dispenser, the pump being operationally coupled to at least a portion of the posterior portion to move along the longitudinal axis in concert with movement of said at least a portion of the posterior portion along said axis, the casing having an anterior wall with an aperture for receiving the nozzle; and
an actuator operatively coupled to the at least a portion of the posterior portion, wherein in a first phase of actuation, the actuator moves the at least a portion of the posterior portion along the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the posterior end of the casing and thereby causes the pump to move in the same direction, and in a second phase of actuation, the posterior portion moves along the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the anterior end of the casing and thereby causes the pump to move in a direction toward the anterior end of the casing. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. An ophthalmic dispenser for dispensing a fluid, the dispenser comprising:
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a cartridge having;
a vial, the vial including an interior fluid receiving chamber defined therein;
a pump in fluid communication with the fluid receiving chamber for pumping an ophthalmic fluid received therein from the dispenser;
a nozzle disposed in fluid communication with the pump for allowing the passage of the pumped fluid therethrough;
a spring portion disposed posterior to said interior fluid receiving chamber defined therein;
a casing that retains the nozzle, the pump, and the vial arranged in that order along a longitudinal axis moving in a direction toward a posterior end of the dispenser, the casing having an anterior wall with an aperture for receiving the nozzle; and
an actuator operatively coupled to the pump, wherein in a first phase of actuation, the actuator causes the pump to move along the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the posterior end of the casing thereby applying force to the interior fluid receiving chamber and compressing the spring, and in a second phase of actuation, the compressed spring applies a force to help propel the pump in a direction toward the anterior end of the casing.
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27. An ophthalmic dispenser for dispensing a fluid, the dispenser comprising:
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a self contained replaceable cartridge having;
a vial, the vial including an interior fluid receiving chamber defined therein;
a pump in fluid communication with the fluid receiving chamber for pumping an ophthalmic fluid received therein from the dispenser;
a nozzle disposed in fluid communication with the pump for allowing the passage of the pumped fluid therethrough;
a casing that retains the nozzle, the pump, and the vial arranged in that order along a longitudinal axis moving in a direction toward a posterior end of the dispenser, the casing having an anterior wall with an aperture for receiving the nozzle; and
an actuator having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably mounted to the casing, the second end being operatively coupled to the pump, the actuator further having a pivoting portion disposed between the first end and the second end. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. An ophthalmic dispenser comprising:
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first means for forming a fluid reservoir;
a pump coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir and including an axially-elongated passageway and second means for pumping fluid within the axially-elongated passageway, wherein the pump defines within the axially-elongated passageway a compression zone, a first portion formed between the compression zone and the reservoir, and a second portion located on an opposite side of the compression zone relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion is defined by a first dimension and the compression zone is defined by a second dimension that is less than the first dimension, and at least one of the second means and axially-elongated passageway is movable relative to the other between (i) a first actuated position wherein the second means is received within the first portion of the axially-elongated passageway, and the compression zone is coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving fluid therefrom, and (ii) a rest position wherein the second means is received within the second portion of the axially-elongated passageway;
a nozzle comprising a valve including an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the compression zone, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween, wherein the interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween; and
third means for biasing at least one of the second means and the axially-elongated passageway from the first actuated position to the rest position and, in turn, pressurizing fluid in the compression zone to dispense fluid through the valve and into a user'"'"'s eye. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for filling an ophthalmic dispenser, the ophthalmic dispenser comprising a rigid housing defining a first fluid-receiving chamber, and a flange defining a second fluid-receiving chamber axially spaced relative to the first fluid receiving chamber and connectable in fluid communication therewith;
- a flexible bladder defining an axially-extending body portion receivable within the first fluid-receiving chamber of the housing, a first annular sealing surface, and a second annular sealing surface axially spaced on an opposite side of the first annular sealing surface relative to the axially-extending body portion and receivable within the flange of the housing;
a pump coupled in fluid communication with the first fluid-receiving chamber;
a nozzle comprising a valve including an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the pump, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween, wherein the interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween; and
at least one spring drivingly connected to at least one of the pump and housing, wherein the spring moves at least one of the pump and housing relative to the other to actuate the pump, the method comprising the steps of;
(i) introducing an ophthalmic fluid into at least the first fluid-receiving chamber of the housing;
(ii) inserting the axially-elongated body portion of the flexible bladder at least partially into the first fluid-receiving chamber of the housing such that the first fluid receiving chamber is filled with ophthalmic fluid and at least part of the second fluid-receiving chamber is filled with ophthalmic fluid; and
(iii) forming a first substantially fluid-tight seal between the first annular sealing surface of the bladder and the housing, forming a second substantially fluid-tight seal between the second annular sealing surface of the bladder and the flange of the housing such that the first fluid-receiving chamber is filled with ophthalmic fluid substantially without any gas therein, and the second fluid-receiving chamber is at least partially filled with ophthalmic fluid. - View Dependent Claims (41)
- a flexible bladder defining an axially-extending body portion receivable within the first fluid-receiving chamber of the housing, a first annular sealing surface, and a second annular sealing surface axially spaced on an opposite side of the first annular sealing surface relative to the axially-extending body portion and receivable within the flange of the housing;
Specification