Sedative for use during eye surgery

Abstract

A drug for sedating a patient, and especially a smoker, during eye surgery. The drug includes a sedative such as midazolam in a mix with nicotine. The mixture is injected into the patient prior to the eye surgery.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 235,470 filed Aug. 20, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]I. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to pharmaceuticals and, more particularly, to an intravenous drug for use prior to eye surgery.[0004]II. Description of Related Art[0005]Eye surgery for the removal of cataracts and the subsequent implantation of an artificial lens, after the cataract has been removed has become an increasingly common surgical procedure. During such procedure, it is necessary that the patient and his or her eye remain perfectly still to allow the proper insertion not only of the surgical tools, but also the artificial lens, during the eye surgery.[0006]Typically, the patient is mildly sedated with a sedative, such as midazolam, which is sold under the trademark Versed®. For many people, sedation by mi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Prior to the eye surgery, the mixture of the sedative and nicotine is injected into the patient in the standard fashion. It has been found, however, that the addition of the nicotine to the sedative reduces twitching and fidgeting of patients who are smokers and particularly patients who are heavy smokers.

Problems solved by technology

Smokers, and particularly heavy smokers, however, have presented a new challenge to eye surgery involving the removal of cataracts and the subsequent implantation of the artificial lens.

It has been discovered that when such patients are sedated by a sedative, such as midazolam, alone, the patient nevertheless fidgets and twitches during the eye surgery.

These other medical procedures, however, disadvantageously pose greater surgical risk, even the loss of eyesight, for the patient as opposed to a simple intravenous injection of a sedative.

Images