Precision lid retracting eyedropper device

• US 8,246,589 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2009
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alvin J. Marx
• Original Assignee: Alvin J. Marx
• Inventors: Marx, Alvin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hand, Melanie
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRAIG, PAULA L
• Application Number:
  US12/319,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20100022971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: 604294-303
• US Class Current: 604/302
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0026 Ophthalmic product dispenser attachments to facilitate positioning near the eye

Abstract

Precision lid retracting eyedropper device with a hollow, rigid housing having an upper aperture that allows a push button topped piston to enter the housing where the piston can impinge on a resilient tubular member that is part of a pump assembly. The housing also includes a solution storing chamber that feeds solution to the pump assembly. A solution exit tube attached to the outgoing portion of the pump assembly emanates from the bottom part of the housing and can be directed towards the user'"'"'s eye. Integral downwardly facing resilient legs are placed just above and below the user'"'"'s orbital ridge so that when the legs are squeezed and released, the user'"'"'s eye lids are forced open allowing the user to dispense a precise amount of solution into his or her eye.

Claims

1. A precision lid retracting eyedropper device comprising:

a hollow housing;

said housing having an aperture at a first surface thereof and a hollow cylindrical portion at a second surface thereof;

a pair of resilient legs integrally attached to the second surface of said hollow housing;

said legs terminating opposing J shaped feet;

a plurality of friction inducing strips attached to said J shaped feet;

said legs spaced sufficiently apart to allow a user to place one said J foot on the upper portion of the orbital ridge near the eyebrow and the other J foot on the lower portion of the orbital ridge near the cheek bone;

so that when said legs are squeezed together, then said J shaped feet are rested on said upper and lower portions of the orbital ridge, and then said legs are released, the eyelids of the user are forced to remain open because of an outward spring action of said legs;

an eye drop solution storage chamber located within said hollow housing;

a pump assembly located within said hollow housing;

said pump assembly comprising a resilient tubular member having an inwardly directed check valve positioned in a first end thereof and an outwardly directed check valve positioned in a second end thereof;

an elongate piston member having a first end impinging on a central portion of said resilient tubular member and a second end exiting said housing through the aperture in the first surface thereof where the piston member terminates in a push button;

said solution storage chamber connected to said inwardly directed check valve by a first tubular member;

said outwardly directed check valve of said pump assembly connected by a second tubular member to an exit aperture;

said second tubular member held in place by said hollow cylindrical portion of said housing;

so that when said user presses on said push button, said piston impinges on said resilient tubular member of said pump assembly and forces a precise amount of eye drop solution out of said outwardly directed check valve and out said exit aperture and into said user'"'"'s eye.

2. A precision lid retracting eyedropper device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongate piston member is oriented and moves along an axis extending from said push button to said exit aperture and said pump assembly is oriented orthogonal to said piston allowing said piston to be at right angles to and to directly impinge upon the central portion of said tubular member of said pump assembly.

3. A precision lid retracting eyedropper device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said solution storage chamber is constructed of resilient material allowing said chamber to collapse as solution is withdrawn therefrom so that no air can be found in said solution chamber.

4. A precision lid retracting eyedropper device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said push button includes a counting mechanism and a window that displays advancing numbers, so that each time said button is pushed, the said counting mechanism advances by one digit.

5. A precision lid retracting eyedropper device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said exit aperture consists of eighteen gauge or smaller tubing to decrease the chance of residual drops remaining on said aperture after each use.