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US-20260124070-A1 - EYE CARE DEVICE

US20260124070A1US 20260124070 A1US20260124070 A1US 20260124070A1US-20260124070-A1

Abstract

An eye care device that is operable to absorb tears and similar liquid from an eye wherein the device is provided in a disposable format. The device includes a lower portion integrally formed with an upper portion. The lower portion is planar in manner having a first side and a second side. The upper portion is manufactured from an absorbent lint free material such as but not limited any combination of polyamide, polyester, polypropylene or medical grade cellulose fibers. The upper portion of the present invention includes a bulbously formed middle section that tapers into the upper end of the lower portion. The top section of the upper portion has a precisely formed tip member that reaches the meniscus at the lid margin of the eye without contacting the cornea. The outer surface has disposed thereon a multitude of porous channels that wick tears by capillary action.

Inventors

  • Janet Lund

Assignees

  • Janet Lund

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251031

Claims (6)

  1. 1 . An eye care device comprising: a lower portion, said lower portion having a first side and a second side, said lower portion being planar in manner, said lower portion being manufactured from a rigid material; and an upper portion, said upper portion being secured to a second end of said lower portion, said upper portion being manufactured from an absorbent material, said upper portion having an outer surface, said upper portion having a middle section that is bulbous in shape, said upper portion having a top section, said top section having a tip member, said tip member having a narrow, tapered tip that reaches the meniscus at the lid margin of the eye.
  2. 2 . The eye care device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is manufactured from a combination of polyamide, polyester, polypropylene or medical grade cellulose fibers.
  3. 3 . The eye care device as recited in claim 2 , wherein said outer surface of said upper portion is a satin-matte.
  4. 4 . The eye care device as recited in claim 2 , wherein said outer surface includes a multitude of porous channels operable to wick moisture by capillary action directing towards the middle section.
  5. 5 . The eye care device as recited in claim 4 , wherein said lower portion includes a first end that has an arcuate edge.
  6. 6 . The eye care device as recited in claim 5 , wherein said lower portion is manufactured from wood or biodegradable plastic.

Description

PRIORITY UNDER 35 USC SECTION 119(e) & 37 CFR SECTION 1.78 This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior United States Provisional Patent Application entitled: Eye Care Device, Application No.: 63/417,498, filed Nov. 7, 2024, in the name of Janet Lund, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to eye care, more specifically a device that is held with the fingers of the user wherein the device includes an upper portion manufactured from a combination of materials such as but not limited to polyamide, polyester and polypropylene wherein the upper portion is supported by a handle member and is operable to absorb tears/moisture from the eye and area proximate thereto. BACKGROUND Tearing (epiphora) is the overflow of the eye's watery layer onto the lids, lashes, and skin. It can be physiologic, your eye's normal response to emotion or irritants or pathologic, a sign something isn't draining or lubricating properly. Either way, the lacrimal glands produce fluid that should spread with each blink and then drain through tiny puncta into the nasolacrimal duct. When production overwhelms drainage or drainage is blocked tears spill over. There are many routine causes of tearing. One cause is reflex tearing from irritation such as wind, cold air, smoke, perfumes, cutting onions (sulfur compounds), chlorinated pools, and dust trigger ocular surface nerves. The brain responds by flooding the eye to dilute and wash away the irritant. Another cause is dry eye that paradoxically waters when the tear film's oily layer, mostly from meibomian glands, is poor and the watery layer evaporates too fast. The surface of the eye gets dry, nerves fire, and the lacrimal gland overcompensates with bursts of watery tears which is often worse outdoors or on screens. A further cause is allergic conjunctivitis which is caused by pollen, pet dander, and mites can inflame the conjunctiva. Itching, redness, swelling, and stringy discharge often accompany copious tearing. Still another cause is eye lid margin problems like entropion (inward-turning lid) or ectropion (outward) disrupt tear distribution and drainage. Drainage obstruction can also occur and tears cannot exit if puncta are too small, the canaliculi scarred, or the nasolacrimal duct narrowed or blocked. Individuals often notice one-sided, persistent overflow and recurrent infections. A further cause of tearing are Infections and irritants on the surface of the eye. Examples include viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, contact lens overwear, retained makeup, or sunscreen in the eye all provoke tearing. An additional cause is neurologic and gustatory tearing wherein strong emotions are the classic trigger. Medications and environmental load such as certain eye drops, preservatives, systemic meds, high screen time with infrequent blinking, HVAC airflow, or very low humidity can all contribute. Persistent tearing, pain, light sensitivity, or changes in vision warrant an eye exam; tearing is often benign, but it can also flag treatable problems. Conventional devices and materials are utilized to wipe off tears and these have their advantages and disadvantages. Facial tissues are widely available, inexpensive, disposable, reasonably absorbent, discrete. However facial tissues shed lint fibers that cling to lashes, lotions/fragrances on the tissue can sting, repetitive wiping abrades thin eyelid skin, bulky boxes aren't portable and facial tissues are not sterile. Toilet paper, napkins, paper towels are utilized by individuals and have several advantages with one being these items are readily available in kitchens/restrooms, have high absorbency. However, these items have rough fibers and embossing that can irritate skin and lids, they have flakes that disintegrate with moisture, paper towels are too abrasive for periocular skin and these items are often fragranced or chemically treated. Some individuals will utilize cloth handkerchiefs and microfiber cloths which have pros such as being reusable, soft, eco-friendly and pocketable. However, these type of items are not single-use can harbor bacteria/allergens, have detergent residue or fabric softeners that can irritate eyes and they are not truly lint-free wherein fibers migrate to the eye. Another common item utilized to manage tears are cosmetic blotting papers and cotton pads. These are thin, portable, precise, blot without rubbing good near makeup. However, these items are designed for facial oil, not eyes and some are infused with powders/fragrances. Further the edges can be stiff and are not sterile, while cotton pads shed fibers and can leave wisps on lashes. An opportunity exists for a single-use, micro-thin dabbing strip engineered specifically for the eyelid margin something closer to an ocular-safe tear wick than a tissue. Employing a micro-film substrate, an ultra-thin, lint-free biocompatible film, e.g., medical-grad