Device and method for administering a liquid drop by drop

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for administering a liquid drop by drop, in particular an ophthalmic liquid. This administering device comprises a packaging filled with the liquid and an outflow channel for connecting to the packaging and comprising a perforation member at one end, which perforation member is received in a frame for mounting on the packaging. The invention further relates to an assembly of such an administering device and an outer packaging which comprises one or more receiving spaces for the administering device. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a frame for such an administering device. The invention also relates to a method for forming an administering device. The invention finally relates to a method for administering a liquid drop by drop.

Claims

1. A device for administering a liquid drop by drop, comprising a packaging at least partially filled with the liquid and an outflow channel for connecting to the packaging and comprising a perforation member at one end, wherein the perforation member is received in a frame for mounting on the packaging, wherein the packaging is at least partially tubular and the frame can be mounted round the tubular part of the packaging, wherein the frame comprises a substantially U-shaped part with two arms which extend on either side of the tubular part of the packaging and a bridge piece connecting the arms and carrying the perforation member, wherein the perforation member protrudes through a side wall of the packaging when the frame is mounted on the packaging.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least the tubular part of the packaging is resiliently deformable and is clamped between the arms.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the arms co-act with an enclosing part arranged on a side of the tubular part of the packaging opposite the bridge piece.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the arms are movable relative to the enclosing part between a transport position, in which the outflow channel is not yet connected to the packaging, and a position of use in which the perforation member of the outflow channel protrudes into the packaging.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the arms are locked relative to the enclosing part in the position of use.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the outflow channel has at an end opposite the perforation member an outflow nozzle which is received with clearance and recessed into a protective member which forms part of the frame.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the protective member takes the form of a ring.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein a center line of the ring is parallel to or coincides with the outflow nozzle.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the outflow channel is substantially straight and the protective number lies substantially in line with a part of the frame mounted on the packaging.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein the outflow channel has at least one bend and the protective member is open.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the frame has an opening through which the perforation member is accessible.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the protective member is connected to a part of the frame carrying the perforation member, and the outflow channel extends between this frame part and the protective member.

13. The device of claim 6, wherein the protective member, the bridge piece and the arms are formed as one body, and the outflow channel is attached to this body or integrated therein.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein an enclosing part is connected pivotally to the body.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the enclosing part is formed integrally with the body.

16. The device of claim 6, further comprising a first half comprising an enclosing part and a part of the protective member, and a second half which is connected pivotally thereto and comprises a complementary part of the protective member and the bridge piece and the arms.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the frame is manufactured from a stiffer material than the packaging.

18. An assembly of the administering device of claim 1 and an outer packaging which comprises a receiving space for the administering device.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the receiving space comprises a recess for the packaging and a recess for at least a part of the frame which are formed in a surface.

20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the receiving space is configured to fix the administering device therein as long as it is in a transport position and not ready for use.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the fixation means comprise a deformable part of the wall of the receiving space.

22. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the frame and a part of the receiving space define a tilting point.

23. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the outer packaging comprises a plurality of receiving spaces as well as space for arranging an information carrier or printed information.

24. A method for administering a liquid drop by drop, by taking the administering device of claim 1 in the hand, mounting the frame on the packaging, wherein the perforation member pierces a wall of the packaging and brings about a connection between the interior of the packaging and the outflow channel, positioning the device above a recipient and exerting pressure on the packaging in order to urge the liquid dropwise therefrom.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the pressure is exerted on a deformable part of the wall of the packaging.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the frame is connected to the packaging in a transport position in which the outflow channel has not yet been connected to the interior of the packaging, and is mounted on the packaging by being displaced to a position of use in which the perforation member protrudes into the packaging.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the administering device is received in a receiving space in an outer packaging and the frame is mounted on the packaging while the packaging is situated in the receiving space.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the channel comprises an outflow nozzle surrounded by an open protective member and administering is monitored by being observed from a side of the protective member lying opposite the outflow nozzle.

29. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid is an ophthalmic liquid.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein the liquid is an ophthalmic liquid.

Description

(1) The invention is now elucidated on the basis of a number of embodiments wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawing in which corresponding components are designated with the same reference numerals, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an administering device according to a first embodiment of the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a section along the line III-III in FIG. 2,

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame with the perforation member of the administering device of FIG. 1,

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an outer packaging with a number of receiving spaces in which packagings filled with liquid are received, and a frame as shown in FIG. 4,

(7) FIG. 6 shows the frame after it has been mounted on one of the packagings in the outer packaging,

(8) FIG. 7 shows how the thus formed administering device is taken out of the outer packaging,

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a frame of an administering device according to a second embodiment of the invention,

(10) FIG. 9 is a side view of the frame of FIG. 8,

(11) FIG. 10 is a top view of the frame of FIGS. 8 and 9,

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the frame of FIGS. 8-10 and a similar packaging as in the first embodiment during a first step of assembly,

(13) FIGS. 12 and 13 show a side view and a top view of the packaging and the frame of FIG. 11,

(14) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the administering device, formed by the packaging and the frame of FIGS. 11-13, in a transport position,

(15) FIGS. 15 and 16 show a side view and a top view of the administering device of FIG. 14,

(16) FIG. 17 is a front view of the administering device of FIG. 14,

(17) FIG. 18 shows a section along the line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17,

(18) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the administering device of FIGS. 14-18 in the position of use,

(19) FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 show a side view, a top view and a front view of the administering device of FIG. 19 in the position of use,

(20) FIG. 23 shows a section along the line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22, in which the administering device is shown with a drop of liquid,

(21) FIG. 24 shows a section along the line XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 20,

(22) FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an outer packaging with a number of receiving spaces with administering devices received therein in the transport position according to FIG. 14, and an administering device removed therefrom in the position of use of FIG. 19,

(23) FIG. 26 is a partially cross-sectional detail view of an administering device in its transport position in a receiving space of the outer packaging,

(24) FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the administering device according to the invention,

(25) FIG. 28 is a perspective view of this administering device from another angle,

(26) FIG. 29 is a front view of this embodiment of the administering device,

(27) FIG. 30 shows a section along the line XXX-XXX in FIG. 29, and

(28) FIG. 31 shows a fourth embodiment of the administering device wherein the packaging takes the form of a bottle with a tubular neck.

(29) A device 1 for administering a liquid, in particular an ophthalmic liquid, drop by drop according to the invention comprises a packaging 2, which is wholly or partially filled with the liquid V, and a frame 3 which can be mounted on packaging 2. Received in frame 3 is an outflow channel 4 which can be connected to packaging 2. Outflow channel 4 comprises at one end a perforation member 5, formed here by the outer end of channel 4 which has been sharpened to a point. This perforation member 5 protrudes through a side wall 6 of packaging 2 when frame 3 is mounted on packaging 2.

(30) In the shown embodiment packaging 2 is formed by a tube or hose which is closed at its ends 7. The tube or hose can be manufactured from a plastic can be closed by welding at the ends 7. Packaging 2 is resiliently deformable to some extent and is clamped between two arms 8 of a U-shaped part of frame 3. The deformability also ensures that side wall 6 forms a liquid-tight closure around perforation member 5. Between the two arms 8 the frame 3 forms a bridge piece 9 through which protrudes outflow channel 4 with perforation member 5. Arms 8 have thickened outer ends 12 which again protrude inward to some extent and by which the tubular packaging 2 is held fixedly so that frame 3 is attached firmly to packaging 2.

(31) The end of channel 4 opposite perforation member 5 is formed as an outflow nozzle 10. The form and dimensions of this outflow nozzle 10 ultimately determinewith given properties of the liquid Vthe shape and volume of the drops D which are dispensed. These are very small drops, in the order of 1 to 50 l, preferably drops with a volume of 2 to 20 l, and more preferably a volume of 3 to 10 l. The outer diameter of outflow nozzle 10 amounts here to less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm, and most preferably less even than 0.5 mm The size of outflow nozzle 10 can be designated by a symbol on frame 3 or on an outer packaging to be discussed below. The content of packaging 2 amounts in the shown embodiment to about 150 l, so that there is sufficient liquid V to dispense one or more test drops before a drop is administered to the eye. The volume is moreover sufficient to administer drops to both eyes of the user.

(32) Contact of the outflow channel 10 with the eye must be avoided. A protective member 11 is therefore arranged with clearance around outflow nozzle 10. In the shown embodiment the protective member 11 is annular and arranged concentrically around outflow nozzle 10. Outflow nozzle 10 is moreover recessed relative to the end edge of the protective member so that it cannot be touched by accident and also cannot come into contact with the eye of the user.

(33) Frame 3 is manufactured from a stiffer material than packaging 2. Frame 3 can for instance be manufactured from a hard plastic such as PP. Outflow channel 4 can be manufactured from steel. An outflow channel of plastic can optionally also be envisaged, which could then be formed integrally with frame 3. A suitable plastic in this case could be PEEK. Plastic frame 3 is formed integrally in this embodiment, for instance by injection moulding or 3-D printing, so including the bridge piece, the arms and the annular protective member. The whole device 1 thus has only three components, packaging 2, the plastic part of frame 3 and the steel outflow channel 4. One or more of these components can otherwise have a colour forming an indication of the nature of the liquid V received therein.

(34) According to an aspect of the invention, administering device 1 is wholly or partially assembled under controlled conditions at a production location and packed there in an outer packaging 13 which can then be supplied to an end user. Outer packaging 3 can be a so-called blister pack with a shell 14 in which recesses 15 are formed which correspond in form and dimensions to packagings 2. In the shown embodiment ten recesses 15 are arranged parallel adjacently of each other in shell 14, although the form and dimensions of shell 14, and thereby the number of recesses 15, can be varied as required. Shell 14 with recesses 15 is covered prior to use with a closing layernot shown herefor instance a plastic film, aluminium foil or paper. The user must first remove this layerat least locallyto gain access to one of the packagings 2. Packagings 2 are held in place in outer packaging 13 by this layer, while contamination is prevented. The different components of administering device 1 can be sterilized, for instance by steam or by gamma radiation, prior to being arranged in outer packaging 13 or while they are situated therein.

(35) Recesses 15 have in top view roughly the form of an I. Close to an outer end each recess is provided on either side of packaging 2 with widened parts 16 into which the arms 8 of a frame 3 fit. Frame 3 can thus be clamped round packaging 2 while this packaging 2 lies in recess 15 of outer packaging 13, and is thus held in place. The attachment can hereby be realized very easily without touching packaging 2 or outflow channel 4 with the fingers. Packaging 2 can then be lifted out of recess 15 using the frame 3 attached thereto. The position of frame 3 on packaging 2 is thus determined by the position of the widened portions 16 and will therefore be the same for each administering device 1. As can be seen, frame 3 is arranged close to one of the outer ends 7 of packaging 2 so that a relatively long part of packaging 2 is available to the user for grasping the device 1.

(36) As soon as frame 3 has been mounted on packaging 2, device 1 is ready to use since perforation member 5 has after all then pierced the wall 6 and a liquid connection has been brought about between the interior of packaging 2 and outflow channel 4. Device 1 can only be taken out of outer packaging 13 in this position of use. A drop of the liquid V can then be dispensed by exerting pressure on wall 6 of packaging 2. This drop has precisely determined dimensions and an accurately determined volume which depends on the liquid properties and ambient properties in combination with the dimensions of outflow channel 4 and outflow nozzle 10.

(37) As a consequence of the thickened outer ends 12 of arms 8 the user can feel when frame 3 is properly attached to packaging 2. The risk of leakage due to an incomplete connection is hereby avoided. The dimensioning of arms 8, bridge piece 9 and perforation member 5 is further such that the perforation member does indeed pass through the adjacent wall 6 of packaging 2 but cannot reach the opposite wall 6.

(38) In an alternative, at this moment recommended embodiment of administering device 1 the frame 3 consists of two halves 17 which are connected to each other by means of a hinge 18 (FIG. 8). This frame 3 once again comprises a U-shaped part with two arms 8 and a bridge piece 9 on which perforation member 5 is mounted, and an enclosing part 19 co-acting therewith during use. Enclosing part 19 likewise takes a U-shaped form with two arms 20 and a base 21. Arms 20 of enclosing part 19 are embodied in similar manner to arms 8 of frame 3 according to the first embodiment and thus have a thickened and again inward protruding end part 22. Enclosing part 19 is intended in this embodiment for the purpose of clamping packaging 2, while arms 8 and bridge piece 9 of the U-shaped frame part serve in this embodiment to further enclose packaging 2.

(39) In the shown embodiment arms 20 of enclosing part 19 are provided on the outer side with protrusions 23 which co-act with recesses 24 on the inner side of arms 8 of the U-shaped frame part. Both these components can thus be locked relative to each other when frame 3 is folded round packaging 2, so that packaging 2 can no longer be detached therefrom. This prevents frame 3 being used again.

(40) In this embodiment protective member 11 is embodied in two complementary parts 11A and 11B. One part of the annular protective member is connected by means of a ridge 25 to bridge piece 9 of the U-shaped frame part. Outflow channel 4 extends in this ridge 25 between perforation member 5, which is attached to bridge piece 9, and outflow nozzle 10 which is received in protective ring 11A. The complementary part 11B of the annular protective member 11 is arranged between hinge 18 and enclosing part 19 and is connected thereto via an inclining transition part 26.

(41) Outflow channel 4 is for instance attached by glueing or ultrasonic welding to the plastic components, in particular ridge 25 and bridge piece 9. In this embodiment outflow channel 4 is bent through a right angle at two locations so that perforation member 5 can penetrate at a right angle through wall 6 of packaging 2 and the outflow nozzle 10 coincides with the centre line of the annular protective member 11. Outflow channel 4 thus takes the form of a staple. In order to prevent problems in respect of alignment of nozzle 10 and perforation member 5, these parts of outflow channel 4 are bent only after outflow channel 4 has been attached to ridge 25 and bridge piece 9. The part of outflow channel 4 which must form the outflow nozzle 10 is here easily accessible by a bending tool through the open ring 11. An opening 27 is formed in bridge piece 9 in order to also allow the outer end of channel 4 which must form the perforation member 5 to be reached with a bending tool.

(42) Because ring 11 is open on either side, outflow nozzle 10 is readily visible to both the user and optionally a therapist. The part of the ring facing toward the user can otherwise have a differing colour here, for instance black, so that it is easily discernible to the user. This is particularly important for users who suffer from glaucoma, since they see little contrast.

(43) Protrusions 23 on arms 20 of enclosing part 19 not only make it possible to lock the frame 3 around packaging 2 but also determine a transport position of administering device 1. This transport position is reached by first clamping the packaging 2 in enclosing part 19 (FIG. 11) and then folding the halves 17A, 17B of frame 3 toward each other around hinge 18 until the outer ends of arms 8 rest on protrusions 23 (FIG. 14, 15). In this transport position the perforation member 5 is still remote from wall 6 of packaging 2 so that there is still no liquid connection between outflow channel 4 and packaging 2 (FIG. 18). The position of packaging 2 in frame 3 is otherwise determined in this embodiment by the inclining transition part 26 which forms a stop for the end 7 of packaging 2 (FIG. 12).

(44) In this transport position the administering device 1 can be made available to a user who then need only press bridge piece 9 and enclosing part 19 with some force against each other, whereby arms 8 drop round arms 20 and protrusions 23 snap fixedly into recesses 24. This is an operation which can be performed with one finger, and wherein only the gross motor skills are required. Administering device 1 can therefore also be handled properly by older users. The effecting of the snap connection between bridge piece 9 and enclosing part 19 can moreover be heard and felt by the user so that he/she has confirmation that administering device 1 is ready for use. In this position of use the perforation member protrudes through wall 6 of packaging 2, whereby a liquid connection is once again realized with outflow channel 4. By now again exerting pressure on the part of packaging 2 which protrudes outside frame 3, precisely defined drops can be dispensed as shown schematically in FIG. 23.

(45) As in the case of the first embodiment, this second embodiment of administering device 1 can also be assembled to the transport position at a production location. From here the administering device can then be supplied in an outer packaging 13 to the user. In this embodiment the outer packaging is embodied as a double-folded blister pack having in the shown embodiment seven recesses on either side (FIG. 25), although this number can of course also be varied. The form and dimensions of the recesses once again correspond precisely to those of administering devices 1. In order to prevent the possibility of administering devices 1 being taken out of outer packaging 13 in not yet activated state, means 28 are present in each receiving space 15 for the purpose of fixing arms 8 of frame 3 in outer packaging 13. These fixation means 28 are formed here by protrusions in side walls 29 of each recess 15 which engage in the space between the U-shaped part of frame 3 and enclosing part 19 (FIG. 26). Administering device 1 can only be taken out of outer packaging 13 in activated state when bridge piece 9 is deliberately pressed with force, whereby protrusions 28 of side walls 29 are pressed aside and the U-shaped part or the enclosing part is locked.

(46) Administering device 1 and recess 15 are further formed such that they together define a tilting point 30 (FIG. 20). In the shown embodiment this tilting point 30 is defined by the deepest point of device 1 which rests on the bottom of recess 15, while at least another part of device 1 is clear of this bottom. By pressing on frame 3 on one side of tilting point 30 the packaging 2 is moved upward out of recess 15, whereby it can be easily taken out of the outer packaging.

(47) It is otherwise not essential for outflow nozzle 10 to be oriented parallel to perforation member 5. While this does produce a very simple construction, because all components lie in one plane and are easily accessible, other embodiments can also be envisaged. Outflow channel 4 could thus also be bent halfway along at an angle of for instance 45, whereby the annular protective member 11 could also be connected at an angle of 45 to bridge piece 9 (FIG. 27). This could for instance result in an ergonomically better position of the part of packaging 2 to be gripped by the user relative to outflow nozzle 10. Enclosing part 19 could in that case be embodied as separate component and need not be connected via a hinge to the rest of frame 3.

(48) It is further not essential for packaging 2 to be wholly tubular. Frame 3 could also be used in combination with a packaging embodied as plastic bottle 31 (FIG. 31), of which only the neck 32 is tubular in the shown embodiment. Such bottles, also referred to as bottle pack, are frequently used in practice.

(49) The invention thus provides an administering device which can be manufactured very easily and at low cost and with which a liquid can be dosed very precisely in discrete drops of very small volume. The embodiment of the administering device according to the invention ensures that the user cannot come into contact in any way whatsoever with the liquid or the components of the construction which come into contact with the liquid, so that the risk of infection is minimized. The administering device is further suitable for assembly under controlled conditions at a production location and for activation by the user with one simple operation.

(50) Although the invention has been elucidated above on the basis of a number of embodiments, it will be apparent that it is not limited thereto but can be varied in many ways. The scope of the invention is therefore defined solely by the following claims.