Liquid delivery device and method of use thereof
First Claim
1. A device for ejecting a liquid stream towards an eye, the stream moving from a proximal position towards a distal position, the device comprising a) a housing, b) a container for the liquid, c) at least one opening arranged for ejection of the stream and being in fluid communication with the container, d) a pump mechanism operable to deliver at least part of the liquid from the container through the opening to form the stream, e) an eyecup with a contact surface arranged for contact with the eye or its facial surroundings, wherein the eyecup is arranged movable with respect to the opening or housing between at least two positions comprising i) an active position with said eyecup contact surface at a defined safety distance to the opening, and ii) a rest position with the eyecup contact surface at a position more proximal than in the active position, and f) a sensor adapted to allow discrimination between the positions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device and use method for ejecting a liquid stream towards an eye, the stream moving from a proximal position towards a distal position, the device comprising a) a housing, b) a container for the liquid, c) at least one opening arranged for ejection of the stream and being in fluid communication with the container, d) a pump mechanism operable to deliver at least part of the liquid from the container through the opening to form the stream and e) an eyecup with a contact surface arranged for contact with the eye or its facial surroundings. The eyecup is arranged movable with respect to the opening or housing between at least two positions i) an active position with said eyecup contact surface at a defined safety distance to the opening and ii) a rest position with the eyecup contact surface at a position more proximal than in the active position and a sensor is arranged to allow discrimination between the positions. The pump mechanism may include a pump driver able to store cocked energy for driving the pump mechanism and at least one activation mechanism may be present and operable to initiate the device for the liquid delivery, whereby a driving mechanism is arranged to transform manual or stored energy both i) into cocked energy of the pump driver and ii) into direct or stored energy for operation of the activation mechanism.
106 Citations
42 Claims
- 1. A device for ejecting a liquid stream towards an eye, the stream moving from a proximal position towards a distal position, the device comprising a) a housing, b) a container for the liquid, c) at least one opening arranged for ejection of the stream and being in fluid communication with the container, d) a pump mechanism operable to deliver at least part of the liquid from the container through the opening to form the stream, e) an eyecup with a contact surface arranged for contact with the eye or its facial surroundings, wherein the eyecup is arranged movable with respect to the opening or housing between at least two positions comprising i) an active position with said eyecup contact surface at a defined safety distance to the opening, and ii) a rest position with the eyecup contact surface at a position more proximal than in the active position, and f) a sensor adapted to allow discrimination between the positions.
-
24. A method for operating an ejection device to eject a liquid stream, the stream moving from a proximal position towards a distal position, the device comprising a) a housing, b) a container for the liquid, c) at least one opening arranged for ejection of the stream and being in fluid communication with the container, d) a pump mechanism operable to deliver at least part of the liquid from the container through the opening to form the stream, e) a part arranged to define a predetermined distance to a target and arranged movable with respect to the opening or housing between at least two positions comprising i) an active position with said part at a defined safety distance to the opening, and ii) a rest position with the part at a position more proximal than in the active position, and f) a sensor adapted to allow discrimination between the positions, the method comprising moving the part between the active position and the rest position or vice versa, generating a signal representative for either the active position or the rest position, optionally processing the signal to obtain a control signal, and using the signal or control signal to perform at least one action on the container, the opening, the pump mechanism or the part.
- 25. A device for ejecting a liquid stream, the stream moving from a proximal position towards a distal position, the device comprising a) a housing, b) a container for the liquid, c) at least one opening arranged for ejection of the stream and being in fluid communication with the container, d) a pump mechanism, including a pump driver able to store cocked energy for driving the pump mechanism, operable to deliver at least part of the liquid from the container through the outlet to form the stream, e) at least one activation mechanism operable, separately from the pump mechanism, to initiate the device for the liquid delivery, and f) a driving mechanism adapted to transform manual or stored energy both i) into cocked energy of the pump driver, and ii) into direct or stored energy for operation of the activation mechanism.
-
42. A method for operating an ejection device for ejecting a liquid stream, the stream moving from a proximal position towards a distal position, the device comprising a) a housing, b) a container for the liquid, c) at least one opening arranged for ejection of the stream and being in fluid communication with the container, d) a pump mechanism, including a pump driver to store cocked energy for driving the pump mechanism, operable to deliver at least part of the liquid from the container through the outlet to form the stream, and e) at least one activation mechanism operable, separately from the pump mechanism, to initiate the device for the liquid delivery, the method comprising operating a driving mechanism to transform manual or stored energy both i) into cocked energy of the pump driver, and ii) into direct or stored energy for operation of the activation mechanism.
Specification