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EP-4734893-A1 - IMPROVED DEVICE FOR WETTING THE EYE AND METHOD THEREFOR

EP4734893A1EP 4734893 A1EP4734893 A1EP 4734893A1EP-4734893-A1

Abstract

The device (1) for wetting the eye (2) with a liquid (F) comprises a reservoir (3) for storage of the liquid (F), a dispensing device (4) which is feedable from said reservoir (3) and which is orientable to the eye (2), and a triggering device (5) which activates same. The device (1) comprises a means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting. The device (1) further comprises means for determining (13, 13a) the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting. The method for wetting the eye (2) with a liquid (F) comprises the step of continuously detecting the position of a dispensing device (4) designed to withdraw a liquid (F) from a reservoir (3) and to use it for wetting the eye (2). A means for sensing (6) transmits a signal when a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting has been sensed.

Inventors

  • Rawert, Jürgen

Assignees

  • EyeNeb GmbH

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240626

Claims (15)

  1. 1. Device (1) for wetting the eye (2) with a liquid (F), the device (1) comprising a reservoir (3) for storage of the liquid (F), a dispensing device (4) which is feedable from said reservoir (3) and which is orientable to the eye (2), and a triggering device (5) which activates same, wherein the device (1) comprises or is connectable to a means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting, and wherein the device (1) comprises means for determining (13, 13a) the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting.
  2. 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) comprises a means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting.
  3. 3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reservoir (3), the dispensing device (4) and the triggering device (5) are provided by a first separate unit (8), and wherein the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting is provided by a second separate unit (8a).
  4. 4. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first separate unit (8) and the second separate unit (8a) each comprise connecting means (11, 11a) to form a detachable mechanical or electromechanical connection to each other in a connected state.
  5. 5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting or the sensing unit (8a) comprise a camera and a screen [7).
  6. 6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting is provided by a portable mobile device.
  7. 7. Device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the means for determining (13) the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting provided on the first separate unit (8) comprise a position detection element adapted to interact with the second separate unit (8a).
  8. 8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for determining (13) the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting comprise a stylus (14) adapted to interact with and/or activate a corresponding touch-sensitive screen (touchscreen).
  9. 9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the means for determining (13a) the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting comprised by the second separate unit (8a) comprise a touch-sensitive screen (15).
  10. 10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein in the connected state of the first separate unit (8) and the second separate unit (8a) the means for determining (13) the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting comprised by the first separate unit (8) are positioned to contact the means for determining (13a) the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting as comprised by the second separate unit (8a).
  11. 11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for determining (13) the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting comprises two or more styluses (14).
  12. 12. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting comprise a camera and wherein the means for determining (13, 13a) the position of the dispensing device (4) relative to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting are adapted to determine the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the camera.
  13. 13. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) comprises means for determining the spatial orientation of the device (1).
  14. 14. Dispensing unit (8) comprising a reservoir (3), a dispensing device (4) and a triggering device (5) adapted to be coupled to a means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting for a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
  15. 15. Method for detecting a suitable position of a dispensing device for wetting an eye of a subject with a liquid (F), wherein the method is carried out using the device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the method comprising the following steps: - determining the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting; and - continuously detecting the position of a dispensing device (4) designed to withdraw a liquid (F) from a reservoir (3) and to use it for identification of a suitable position for wetting the eye (2); wherein a signal is transmitted when a suitable position has been sensed using a means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye for wetting.

Description

IMPROVED DEVICE FOR WETTING THE EYE AND METHOD THEREFOR Description Field of the invention The invention relates to the field of wetting an eye of a subject with a liquid. In particular, the invention relates to a device and a method for wetting an eye of a subject with a liquid containing a medicament, preferably for safe self-use by a user. Prior art and disadvantages Devices for wetting the eyes with a liquid, in particular with a liquid containing a medicament, are known from the prior art. They are used to merely moisten a dry eye in a simple case, but also to treat different eye disorders. US 10 154923 B2 describes a device and a method for wetting the eye, wherein the device conveys liquid from a reservoir to a vibrating plate at which atomization occurs. As a result of manual positioning of the device in front of the eye of the user, said eye is exposed to the mist. A disadvantage of this solution is the effect of the different distances chosen in repeated uses, even by the same user, which means different amounts of liquid reaching the eye and thus uneven treatment. WO 2007/132 446 A2 discloses a device which comprises an eye cover into which fine droplets of liquid are delivered by means of an atomizer. Although in this case the distance between atomizer and eye is substantially constant, a comparatively large amount of mist is required in order to flood the interior of the eye cover, which is disadvantageous especially in respect of frequently high-priced medicaments. US 10,624,781 B2 proposes a device which is attached within or to the earpiece of conventional eyeglasses. Prior to wetting, a thin conduit comprising a nozzle must be manually slid into the field of view in front of the eye to be treated, and so the distance from the eye is substantially always the same. However, a disadvantage of this solution is the need for the presence of appropriate eyeglasses; moreover, the sliding of the conduit may be a challenge for older users. EP 3 720 397 Al discloses a wetting device comprising an auxiliary device which is used to set the correct distance and angle between the dispensing nozzle opening and the eye to be treated. It comprises an array of lenses arranged around a dispensing opening which, only at a correct position, allow recognition of a specific image located behind the lenses. If the image is recognizable, the user triggers the pulse of liquid. However, if the user suffers from impaired vision, it may be difficult to recognize the image. Said document also discloses an auxiliary in the form of a concave mirror having a central hole. Said mirror is chosen such that, at the correct distance and angle, the user will see their eye in focus in the mirror. Owing to the magnification of the mirror, a user with impaired eyesight shall also be able to use the auxiliary. However, this additionally requires that the user have a comparatively steady hand in order to also be able to actuate the wetting device when the correct position in relation to the eye has been reached. Moreover, soiling of the auxiliaries owing to wetting by treatment liquid cannot be ruled out. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device and a method that both avoid the disadvantages of the prior art. The invention shall therefore allow the self-performed dispensing of a precise amount of a liquid comprising a medicament to the eye of a user, specifically even if the user only has reduced vision and/or limited manual dexterity. The object is achieved by a device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, by a method according to third aspect of the invention as well as a computer program product and computer implemented method according to the fourth and fifth aspect of the invention. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the respectively dependent claims, in the description which follows and in the figures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the invention relates to a device (1) for wetting an eye (2) with a liquid (F), the device (1) comprising a reservoir (3) for storage of the liquid (F), a dispensing device (4) which is feedable from said reservoir (3) and which is orientable to the eye (2), and a triggering device (5) which activates same, wherein the device (1) comprises or is connectable to a means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting , and wherein the device (1) comprises means for determining (13, 13a) the position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the means for sensing (6) of a suitable position of the dispensing device (4) in relation to the eye (2) for wetting. In a second aspect, the present invention provides for a dispensing unit (8) comprising a reservoir (3), a dispensing device (4) and a triggering device (5) for a device (1) according to the first aspect of the invention. In a third aspect, the invention provides for a method for wetting the eye (2) with a liquid (F), comprisi