Ophthalmic fluid delivery device and method of operation

An ophthalmic fluid atomizer configured to safely deliver an ophthalmic the ophthalmic fluid atomizer comprising:

• a reservoir means for containing an ophthalmic fluid disposed therein, wherein the ophthalmic fluid is selected from the group consisting of a decongestant and a tear substitute;
• a body means for housing the reservoir means at a particular orientation;
• a means for generating a plume of ophthalmic fluid along a direction directly toward an eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid travels unassisted from the discharge plate to the eye and at the eye has a momentum that has a magnitude that is insufficient to trigger at least one of an ocular blink reflex and a lacrimation reflex of the eye;
• propulsion means for transmitting the ophthalmic fluid from the reservoir means to the means for generating a plume of ophthalmic fluid.

An ophthalmic fluid atomizer configured to safely deliver an ophthalmic fluid, the ophthalmic fluid atomizer comprising:

• a body having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a reservoir connected to the body, wherein the reservoir contains an ophthalmic fluid disposed therein, wherein the ophthalmic fluid is selected from the group consisting of a decongestant and a tear substitute;
• a discharge plate disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough;
• propulsion means for transmitting the ophthalmic fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate, wherein transmission of the ophthalmic fluid across the discharge plate generates a plume of ophthalmic fluid along a direction directly toward the eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid travels unassisted from the discharge plate to the eye and at the eye has a momentum that has a magnitude that is insufficient to trigger at least one of an ocular blink reflex and a lacrimation reflex of the eye.