Patent Application
20240112595
The present embodiment relates to medicament distribution means, particularly for multiple ophthalmologic liquids, also known as eye drops, in squeeze dropper bottles.
Patent adherence to eyedrop regimes is a well-known problem. To grasp the scope of the problem, consider that over two million cataract removal surgeries are performed annually in the U.S. and patience noncompliance is estimated to be at 40% and possibly as high as 80%. Forgetting to instill eye drops leads to negative health impacts, more doctor visits, medications or surgeries. Whether short-term or long-term, simple or complex daily regimes can be challenging to remember and track.
In this section the advantages and disadvantages of prior art that appears to be relevant are considered in three areas: in regards to individual patients, as an in-office instructional device, and impacts on the environment.
First, patient needs differ for short-term or long-term support regarding the daily instillation of multiple eyedrops in different eyes, following different regimes. Some prior art is customized for the patient (Mogilefsky, Holmberg). While beneficial, the extra cost may be prohibitive to many patients. Another form of prior art references or includes electronics, processor circuits (Taylor), or soft-ware (Barsky). These forms of prior art may also require of patients an additional expense plus familiarity with technology. Another form of prior art attaches to individual medicine bottles (Kramer; Dossin) and may be difficult for some patients to manipulate. In addition, an attachment does not necessarily assist the patient with following a complex regime or promote a routine. Other prior art is missing a reminder system (Askew; ) or offers weak reminder systems, e.g. a write-on surface (Horn), inscriptions on a board (Postow), charts (Nellhaus), a sheet with color-coded fields (Elppert), and adhesive graphics (Barsky, cited previously). These generally do not address the complexity of multiple eye drops being instilled to two different eyes on two different regimes and lack a reminder or tracking system in regards to the actual utilization of eye drops at the prescribed interval. At the same time, each one of these forms of prior art may serve some individuals as the reasons for noncompliance are rooted in physical, cognitive, or behavioral issues which vary from patient to patient. Hence a variety of solutions is needed to address individual differences. The need for other solutions is great.
Second, medical staff struggle to clearly describe a prescribed regime to patients and improve patient compliance. None of the aforementioned prior art present as useful in-office instructional devices with manipulative features to demonstrate the prescribed regime to patients.
Third, none of the aforementioned prior art address the hidden costs and impacts of manufactured goods on the environment and society. Prior art which reference a processor circuit (Taylor, cited previously) would increase the use of batteries. Toxic metals in batteries are known carcinogens and improperly disposed batteries contribute to water and air pollution. Prior art made of plastic introduces a material into the environment which affects the climate at every stage of its life cycle. Historically speaking, prior art does not describe the materials used in construction and the disposal at the end of the product's use.
To summarize, no single device or method can adequately address the multiple reasons for patient noncompliance to the short-term or long-term daily instillation of one or more eyedrops in different eyes, following different regimes. A patent and market search, to the best of my knowledge, show no single device or method addressing the problem by providing a simple, easy-to-use, inexpensive device to provide a reminder and tracking system for at-home patient care, support in-office patient-doctor communication, and address some of the costs to society associated with production and end-of-life product disposal.
The present embodiment offers another option to address a long-standing need: an inexpensive device combined with an easy-to-follow method to simplify eye care for thousands of people, the basis of which is the novel use of pegs and holes. While the following description and drawings seem obvious, the patent search confirms a curiosity: the failure of others to conceptualize such a simple, yet elegant device sooner. In the office, the present embodiment is a manipulative device for doctors and medical staff to use while explaining complex instructions to patients. At home, it provides visual reminders and means for the patient to track his or her compliance to a prescribed regime. In addition, the present embodiment is constructed of recycled or sustainable materials that can be recycled or composted when no longer needed.
A first embodiment includes a device and method for in-office instruction and at-home use. A plurality of prescribed medications in eye drop squeeze bottles are to be contained within said device. Said device and method use pegs and holes to passively remind a human regarding the daily instillation of prescribed eye drops and aid tracking daily instillation of said medications. Additional embodiments for said device are methods for adhering to different prescribed regimes.
The present embodiment provides a simple, inexpensive, nontechnical solution to the problem. The device to be described utilizes pegs and holes to provide a manipulative for demonstrating the prescribed regime in the medical office and a visual reminder and tracking system for home use regarding the actual instillation of eye drops at prescribed intervals throughout the day. Said device stores, organizes and dispenses multiple medications per eye for systematic instillation and tracking; it is easy to use and manipulate by the patient. Said device can prevent possible mix-ups with other medications, is portable, and may be used in conjunction with other aids, e.g. eye drop dispenser, alarms, logs and applications, downloaded to a mobile device, known as Apps. At end-of-life, the device and component parts can be recycled or composted. These and other advantages for one or more aspects will become more apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description of said device:
A rectangular container comprising lower and upper members which close or open relative to each other to form a covered container similar to a pizza box, said upper member forming a lid and said lower member forming a tray. The lower member, the tray, containing a rectangular plinth centered lengthwise and delineating the interior space, one-third to the left and one-third to the right. On the surface of the plinth are two parallel columns comprised of holes. Included within the container are a plurality of component parts, referred to as pegs, all of the same predetermined shape and size so as to snuggly fit said holes.
A device and method create a system based on the novel use of pegs and holes that is useful to thousands of patients typically under care for treatments such as post-operative cataract removal surgery, Lasik surgery, glaucoma, thyroid eye disease, also known as Grave's disease, or artificial tears. The problem to be solved is the challenge of patient adherence to either a simple or complex drop schedule involving one or both eyes, one or more medications, with changes to the regime, and over a period of time. The device and method support in-office communication between patient and medical staff around the prescribed regime. The device and method support out-patient home care and provide a physical reminder and memory aid making it easier for care-givers and patients to follow and track prescribed home care regimes in order to take care of their eyes.
The device represented in
110 is a perspective of the exterior and interior of the device showing lower and upper members which close or open relative to each other to form a covered container, said upper member forming a lid and said lower member forming a tray. When closed the device is portable. The lower member, the tray, containing a rectangular plinth 120 centered and delineating the interior space lengthwise such that one or more 5 ml dropper bottles can be stored and held separately for each eye. This aspect functions to prevent a potential mix-up of squeeze bottles.
The function of said pegs
By way of example, the preceding description of the operation and function of the device and component parts presents a portion of one commonly prescribed regime. Thus, the reader will see that this simple, economical and environmentally-friendly device and method supports better care of the eyes. Other variations are possible with several outlined in the appended claims.
