Ophthalmic fluid delivery system

Abstract

An ophthalmic fluid delivery environment that includes a human eye in an open position and an atomizer having a nozzle aimed at the human eye in the open position, wherein a plume of ophthalmic fluid mist is directed by the nozzle so that the mist is received by the human eye in the open position and the received mist has a momentum that is insufficient to trigger to at least one of an ocular blink reflex and a lacrimation reflex of the human eye that receives the mist.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 851,611, filed on May 20, 2004, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to both U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 485,305, filed on Jul. 3, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 471,883, filed on May 20, 2003, wherein each of the above mentioned U.S. Patent and U.S. Provisional Applications are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to drug delivery devices for dispensing liquid as an aerosol or atomized mist and, more particularly, for dispensing medicaments to the eye.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Presently, conventional eye drops are the standard means of delivering medicaments to the eye. This means of ophthalmic drug delivery, however, has numerous problems. For example, the average eye drop (approximately 50 micro liters) far exceeds the eye's capacity (7 micro liters in th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]It would be beneficial to provide a system for applying the desired small amounts (7 to 10 micro liters) of optical medication, along

Problems solved by technology

This means of ophthalmic drug delivery, however, has numerous problems.

This results in a brief period of massive over-dosage, which is quickly cleared by reflex lacrimation, blinking and nasolacrimal drainage, resulting in sub-therapeutic drug levels until the next medication application.

This approach represents very inefficient pharmacokinetics.

Attempts to prolong ocular contact time by various adaptations, such as the use of particulate suspensions, have led to other drawbacks including ocular irritation and excessively slow drug release.

Ointments and gels, though providing prolonged contact time, create obvious visual disturbances.

Further, local irritations and toxicities often result from the regular use of eye drops.

These situations vary widely depending on the pharmacologic agent, preservatives and other additives being used, but this is clearly a very non-physiologic and inefficient system of medication administration.

Chronic use of eye drops for such conditions as glaucoma and prolonged infections and inflammations can, in fact, cause substantial morbidity.

Additionally, serious and even fatal reactions to sympathomimetic and beta-adrenergic blocking agents have occurred as a result of systemic absorption of eye drops via nasolacrimal drainage.

Besides the above issues, there are a great many difficulties that patients experience with the mechanics of eye drop administration.

Elderly patients, the largest group of eye drop users, often have hand-eye coordination problems, tremors or arthritis, affecting the hands and/or the cervical spine, making eye drop ad

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