DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ADMINISTERING A LIQUID DROP-BY-DROP

• US 20110208138A1
• Filed: 10/07/2009
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mu-Drop BV
• Original Assignee: Sparkle Innovations B.V.
• Inventors: H. M. Lammers, Leonardus, Van Der Heiden, Johannes, Hilbrink, Hubertus E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,144,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/290
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/00 Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes capsules or the like for oral use A61J3/07; specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments A61B50/30; containers for radioactive substances G21F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/003 Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media hand-held massage devices with liquid delivery A61H7/003

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for administering a liquid drop by drop. This administering device comprises a packaging filled with the liquid, an outflow channel with an administering opening, and means connected to the outflow channel for opening the packaging, wherein the opening means and the packaging are movable relative to each other. The device can have means for receiving the packaging, which receiving means can be adapted to fix the packaging, wherein the opening means are then movable relative to the receiving means. The opening means can conversely also be fixed relative to the receiving means, wherein the packaging is then movable in the receiving means. The opening means can be formed by a sharp outer end of the outflow channel. The invention further relates to 14 a method for administering a liquid drop by drop, comprising the steps of: supplying a packaging filled with liquid, forming an opening in the packaging using opening means, and connecting the opening to an outflow channel which has an administering opening, wherein the opening is formed by moving the opening means and the packaging relative to each other. The device and method according to the invention make it possible to press liquid per drop out of the packaging. Drops are formed here of a substantially constant volume and the quality thereof is guaranteed.

Claims

1-33. -33. (canceled)

34. Device for administering an eye-drop liquid (F), drop (D) by drop (D), comprising a hermetically closed and deformable packaging (1) at least partially filled with the eye-drop liquid (F), at least one outflow channel (5) with an administering opening (6), and opening means (3) connected to the at least one outflow channel (5) for opening the packaging (1), wherein the opening means (3) and the packaging (1) are movable relative to each other.

35. Administering device as claimed in claim 34, characterized by receiving means (2) for receiving the packaging (1), wherein the receiving means (2) are adapted to fix the packaging (1), and the opening means (3)are movable relative to the receiving means (2).

36. Administering device as claimed in claim 35, characterized in that the receiving means (2) form part of a frame (9) and the opening means (3) are mounted movably in the frame (9).

37. Administering device as claimed in claim 34, characterized by receiving means (2) for receiving the packaging (1), wherein the opening means (3) are fixed relative to the receiving means (2) and the packaging (1) is movable in the receiving means (2).

38. Administering device as claimed in claim 37, characterized by at least one displacing member (15) engaging on the packaging (1) and arranged to be inserted into the receiving means (2).

39. Administering device as claimed in claim 34, characterized in that the opening means (3) are connected movably to the packaging (1).

40. Administering device as claimed in claim 34 characterized in that the opening means (3) comprise a sharp outer end of the at least one outflow channel (5).

41. Administering device as claimed in claim 34 characterized by pressing means for exerting pressure on the packaging (1).

42. Administering device as claimed in claim 41, characterized in that the receiving means (2) define a receiving space (10), and the pressing means comprise a movable or deformable wall part (11) of the receiving space (10) engaging on the packaging (1).

43. Administering device as claimed in claim 41, characterized by means co-acting with the pressing means for generating a resistance.

44. Administering device as claimed in claim 41, characterized by means for temporary fixing of the pressing means.

45. Administering device as claimed in claim 41, characterized by means for generating a start signal when the pressing means occupy a ready-to-use position.

46. Administering device as claimed in claim 41, characterized by means for generating an end signal when the pressing means have reached an end position.

47. Administering device as claimed in claim 41, characterized in that the content of the packaging (1) is such that liquid (F) remains therein when the pressing means reach an end position.

48. Administering device as claimed in claim 34, characterized by means for making the administering device unsuitable for further use.

49. Administering device as claimed in claim 34, characterized in that the administering opening (6) is arranged countersunk in a surrounding part (14) of the device.

50. Administering device as claimed in claim 49, characterized by indicator means (18) for indicating the administering opening (6).

51. Administering device as claimed in claim 34, characterized in that the dimensions of the device are considerably larger than those of the packaging (1).

52. Administering device as claimed in claim 51, characterized by means (16) for receiving at least one information carrier (17).

53. Administering device as claimed in claim 34, characterized by means for closing the administering opening.

54. Administering device as claimed in claim 34 in that the administering opening (6) and/or the outflow channel (5) are adapted to form drops (D) with a volume of 1 to 50 μ

l.

55. Administering device as claimed in claim 54, characterized in that the administering opening (6) and/or the outflow channel (5) are adapted to form drops (D) with a volume of 2 to 25 μ

l,

56. Administering device as claimed in claim 55, characterized in that the administering opening (6) and/or the outflow channel (5) are adapted to form drops (D) with a volume of 3 to 10 μ

l, more particularly 5 to 7 μ

L.

57. Administering device as claimed in claim 54, characterized in that the administering opening (6) is defined by a tubular outer end of the outflow channel (5), the external diameter of which amounts to a maximum of several millimetres.

58. Administering device as claimed in claim 57, characterized in that the external diameter of the outflow channel (5) amounts to 0.2 to 0.7 millimetres.

66. Combination of a packaging (1) and opening means (3) connected movably thereto, evidently intended for use in an administering device as claimed in claim 39.

59. Method for administering an eye-drop liquid (F), drop (D) by drop (D), comprising the steps of:

supplying a hermetically closed and deformable packaging (1) at least partially filled with the eye-drop liquid (F),

forming at least one opening (4) in the packaging using opening means (3), and

connecting the at least one opening (4) to at least one outflow channel (5) which has an administering opening (6),

wherein the opening (4) is formed by moving the opening means (3) and the packaging (1) relative to each other.

60. Method as claimed in claim 59, characterized in that the packaging (1) is received and fixed in receiving means (2) and the opening means (3) are moved toward the packaging (1).

61. Method as claimed in claim 59, characterized in that the packaging (1) is received in receiving means (2), the opening means (3) are fixed relative to the receiving means (2) and the packaging (I) is moved toward the opening means (3).

62. Method as claimed in claim 59, characterized in that the liquid (F) is pressed from the packaging (1),

63. Method as claimed in claim 62, characterized in that the packaging (1) is placed in a receiving space (10) of the receiving means (2) and the liquid (F) is pressed therefrom by exerting a pressing force (P) on a movable or deformable wall part (11) of the receiving space (10),

64. Method as claimed in claim 62, characterized in that substantially no pressure is exerted on the packaging (1) during forming of the at least one opening (4),

65. Method as claimed in claim 62, characterized in that the liquid (F) is pressed out of the packaging (1) at a pressure of a maximum of 2 bar, and preferably a maximum of 1 bar.