Granted Patent B2

US 12,409,063 · App. 18/435,403 · Granted Sep 9, 2025

Inventor: Yehuda Ivri (Newport Coast, CA)

Assignee: Bausch + Lomb Ireland Limited

A61F9/0008B05B1/3006G02B5/10

Abstract

Claims (26)

1. A method for delivering fluid to an eye of a patient, the method comprising:

using an actuator to oscillate a chamber so as to generate fluid momentum from the fluid therein;

allowing the fluid momentum to disengage an aperture from a pin member disposed within the chamber to eject the fluid through the aperture; and

reengaging the aperture with the pin member to seal the aperture after the fluid is delivered.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the aperture and the pin member are hermetically sealed when the fluid is not being ejected.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is a flexible aperture.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

biasing the aperture against the pin member via a compression spring.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reengaging step further comprises preventing an ingress of bacteria or contaminants as a result of the engagement between the aperture and the pin member.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a mirror such that when the eye of the patient is in-focus and centered in the mirror, ejection of the fluid through the aperture will be delivered accurately to the eye.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

equalizing a pressure of the fluid as it is ejected through the aperture.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the equalizing step includes a vent in fluid communication with the chamber and ambient air and introduces air into the chamber as the fluid is ejected.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

filtering the air to ensure the air is sterile before introduction into the chamber.

10. An apparatus for delivering a fluid to an eye of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a) a reservoir to accommodate the fluid;

b) a liquid dispenser in fluid communication with the reservoir, the liquid dispenser having a check valve through which the fluid can be selectively dispensed;

c) an actuator positioned to vibrate the liquid dispenser and generate fluid momentum from the fluid therein to open the check valve and eject the fluid therethrough; and

wherein the check valve is a pin member engaging an aperture.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the actuator includes a vibration motor having an eccentric mechanical load relative to an axis of rotation of the vibration motor.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the check valve includes the aperture which is tapered to be narrower at an outlet of the aperture than at an inlet of the aperture.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a vent to equalize a pressure of the fluid as the fluid is ejected.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the vent includes a filter configured to ensure that, as ambient air is introduced, the ambient air that enters is sterile.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a concave mirror configured to provide an in-focus image of the eye of the patient to the patient when the liquid dispenser is positioned properly to deliver the fluid to the eye of the patient.

Assignments (8)

Continuity (3)

References Cited (363)