Applicator for ophthalmic solutions in single-dose containers and a kit containing same

Abstract

An applicator for ophthalmic solutions in single-dose containers includes a structure, an oval rim, a container attachment portion, a hollow and flat support base, and additional features. The structure with open spaces is for inserting, removing, and pressing the single-dose container and allowing the label and the contents of the container to be viewed. The oval rim has a concave upper lip and a concave lower lip to facilitate the positioning of the applicator at an angle between 30 and 60° with respect to a horizontal plane. The features of the applicator enable the device to be used easily, ergonomically, comfortably, and ensure a safe use of the single-dose container in applications after the first use.

Claims

1. An applicator for ophthalmic solutions in single-dose containers, comprising: a structure (1) with one or more walls (2) covering a length, a width and a height of a single-dose container, wherein the one or more walls (2) leave at least one open space for inserting, removing, pressing the single-dose container, and allowing a label and contents of the container to be viewed; a flat hollow support base (3) attached to or forming part of one end of the one or more walls of the structure; an oval rim (4) located at the other end of the one or more walls of the structure, the oval rim having an upper lip (5) and a lower lip (6) that are concave, where the upper lip (5) is placed at a different level from the lower lip (6), to facilitate positioning of the applicator at an angle between 30° and 60° to a horizontal plane; and an attachment portion (8) located in the structure having two handles for receiving and holding in a fixed position the single-dose container; and, where each handle comprises a first C-shaped profile (8A) and each handle comprises a second C-shaped profile (8B) arranged adjacent and continuous to the first C-shaped profile (8A), wherein said second C-shaped profile (8B) is of a smaller size than the first C-shaped profile (8A) and its function is to serve as a stop mechanism to engage a center of the single-dose container at a certain fixed position and prevent the single-dose container from moving further.

2. The ophthalmic solution applicator according to claim 1, wherein on the upper lip of the oval rim there is a protruding guide (7) which serves as a guide to keep a lower eyelid of an eye open.

3. The ophthalmic solution applicator according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is an opening with a plurality of surrounding fins converging at a central point.

4. The ophthalmic solution applicator according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises a stop for inserting the single-dose container up to a certain point.

5. The ophthalmic solution applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is made of a bacteriostatic or bactericidal material.

6. The ophthalmic solution applicator according to claim 5, wherein the bacteriostatic material comprises silver ions.

7. The ophthalmic solution applicator according to claim 1, wherein the oval rim (4) includes a ring of a flexible material to soften the positioning of the device.

8. A kit for ophthalmic solutions characterized by comprising a bottle (10) with an airtight cap which contains a solution applicator device, and the solution applicator device comprises: a structure (1) with one or more walls (2) covering a length, a width and a height of a single-dose container, wherein the one or more walls (2) leave an open space for inserting, removing, pressing the single-dose container and allowing the label and the contents of the container to be viewed; a flat hollow support base (3) attached to or forming part of one end of the one or more walls of the structure; an oval rim (4) located at the other end of the one or more walls of the solid structure, the oval rim having an upper lip (5) and a lower lip (6) that are concave, where the upper lip (5) is placed at a different level from the lower lip (6) to facilitate positioning the applicator at an angle between 30 and 60° to a horizontal plane; and an attachment portion (8) located in the structure having two handles for receiving and holding in a fixed position the single-dose container; where each handle comprises a first C-shaped profile (8A) and each handle comprises a second C-shaped profile (8B) arranged adjacent and continuous to the first C-shaped profile (8A), wherein said second C-shaped profile (8B) is of a smaller size than the first C-shaped profile (8A) and its function is to serve as a stop mechanism to engage the single-dose container in the center at a certain fixed position and prevent the single dose container from moving further.

9. The kit for ophthalmic solutions according to claim 8, wherein the bottle is cylindrical, made of a transparent material and the airtight cap is round.

10. The kit for ophthalmic solutions according to claim 9, wherein the bottle and the airtight cap are made of a bacteriostatic material containing silver ions.

11. The ophthalmic solution applicator according to claim 1, wherein the oval rim (4) includes a ring of a flexible material to soften the positioning of the single-dose container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1: Shows a front view of the applicator.

(2) FIG. 2: Shows a side view of the applicator.

(3) FIG. 3: Shows a plan view of the applicator.

(4) FIG. 4: Shows a perspective view of the applicator.

(5) FIG. 5: Shows a perspective view of the back side of that shown in FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6: Shows a perspective view of the applicator with the single-dose container in place.

(7) FIG. 7: Shows the capped bottle of the kit with the applicator and container inside.

(8) FIG. 8: Shows the action of inserting the applicator with single-dose container into the capped bottle.

(9) FIG. 9: Shows the preferred angle of 45° for placement of the device on the eye.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Some preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below, which are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims in any way.

(11) In a preferred embodiment, the structure (1) comprises two side walls, as shown in FIG. 1, which leave a substantially open space (2A) at the front and rear of the applicator.

(12) FIG. 2 shows how the attachment portion (8) is kept within the side walls of the structure (1), in such a way that it cannot be seen from the side, so as not to cause discomfort when handling the container. In this configuration the walls have a concave curvature so that the fingers can be inserted through it without difficulty.

(13) FIGS. 3 and 4 show in greater detail a preferred embodiment of the attachment portion (8) wherein a handle is arranged on each side wall, each handle having a flat profile coupled to a first C-shaped profile (8A), wherein the single-dose container can be coupled between the first C-shaped profiles. In greater detail, each first C-shaped profile comprises a second C-shaped profile (8B) arranged adjacent and continuous to the first C-shaped profile (8A), wherein said second C-shaped profile (8B) is of a smaller size than the first C-shaped profile (8A) and its function is to serve as a stop mechanism to engage the container in the center at a certain fixed position and prevent it from moving further. The advantage of making the attachment portion with a C-shaped profile is that the entire applicator can be made from a single material as a single piece, preferably from plastic. The C-shape of the attachment portion keeps the tip of the dropper in a centered and secure position, which allows the drop to be applied to the eye with complete safety and confidence, eliminating out-of-eye applications caused by patient trembling or inexperience (which is quite common during the application of eye drops using single-dose applicators and ophthalmic application bottles). In another preferred embodiment, the inner space of each second C-shaped profile is gradually tapered, the inner space being inclined as a wedge to lock the container as it advances into the applicator.

(14) Also, in another preferred embodiment, the grip is an opening with a plurality of flexible fins around it that converge at a central point. Likewise, the figures show the hollow, flat part of the support base for the insertion of a finger allowing the single-dose container to be removed.

(15) In another preferred embodiment, the applicator device is made of a bacteriostatic or bactericidal material such as, for example, plastic material containing silver ions.

(16) In another preferred embodiment, a ring of a flexible material such as rubber, silicone, soft plastic or the like is attached to the oval rim to soften the positioning of the device upon contact with the periphery of the eye.

(17) In another preferred embodiment, the airtight bottle of the kit for ophthalmic solutions is cylindrical and made of a transparent material to allow the label and the contents inside to be seen, and the cap is round. Likewise, the capped bottle can be made of a bacteriostatic or bactericidal material such as, for example, plastic material containing silver ions.