Atomizer for applying liquids onto eyes

Abstract

The present invention relates to atomizers for administering liquids to the cornea or conjunctiva of the eye, special eye adapters for atomizers and the use of atomizers for ophthalmological administration. The atomizers according to the invention are free from propellant gas and have an energy reservoir for supplying the energy needed for the atomization process.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to atomisers for applying liquids to the cornea of the eye or to the connective tissue of the eye, special eye adapters for atomizers and the use of atomizers for ophthalmological administration. The atomizers according to the invention are free from propellant gas and have an energy reservoir for supplying the energy required for the atomizing process.PRIOR ART[0002] For treating dry eyes, for moistening the surface of the eye for contact lens wearers, for numerous eye diseases or methods of investigating the eye it is usual to administer medicaments in the form of an aqueous formulation as eye drops. For this form of administration, liquid dispensers have been developed in which the formulation is supplied from a storage bottle through a dropper, for example (dropper bottles or EDO-Ophthiols). The aqueous formulation usually flows out of the dropper opening as a result of manual pressure being applied to the compressible storage bottle. First, ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

On the one hand, not all patients find it easy to administer drops of liquid into their own eyes.

Children and old people in particular find this very difficult.

In addition, it happens occasionally that a patient will accidentally stick the applicator of the dropper bottle into their eye.

A further disadvantage is that the formulation administered is initially only applied to one point on the cornea, which feels unpleasant, not only because of the local pressure produced on the surface of the eye.

Often, the patients themselves cannot tell whether they have successfully administered the prescribed amount of eye drops or not.

However, once this stage has been reached, an excessive dose has already been given, which may lead to unwanted systemic side effects.

This may lead to allergic or toxicological effects.

Another disadvantage is that during the instilling of the drops the patient has to consciously fight their blink reflex.

If they do not manage to do so, the formulation is delivered not to the eye but to the eyelid and further drops have to be given, which may in turn lead to overdosing with the consequences described above and cause undesirable systemic side effects.

Another disadvantage of this method is that there may be short-term irritation of the eyes at the site where the drops are instilled.

The conventional application devices are also not protected against the entry of germs into the formulation for administration, which means that preservatives have to be added to the formulations.

Preservatives may lead to chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva or the underlying Tenon's membrane in long-term or chronic use.

There may be morphological changes in this tissue, which are a major drawback particularly in operations, as the wound healing process is disrupted and / or scarring may occur.

As the spray duration of this system is short, there is a danger that the solution will not be sprayed onto the eye but onto the eyelid, as a result of the blink reflex.

Neither the pump spray nor the adapter has means for protecting the eye from possible injury by the comparatively hard spray jet.

The disadvantages of this system are similar to those described above.

However, on the one hand a protector of this kind will become dirty very quickly and is difficult to clean and on the other hand it militates against exact and reproducible metering.

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