Ophthalmic drug delivery system

• US 20040256487A1
• Filed: 05/20/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Francis Collins III
• Original Assignee: Optimyst Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Chinnock, Randal B., Howard, Joseph, Collins, James F. Jr., Melanson, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,883,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/338
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/041 using heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/065 using steam as driving gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/59 Aesthetic features, e.g. distraction means to prevent fears of child patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0623 coupled with a vibrating horn
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0646 Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0676 Feeding means

Abstract

A fluid atomizer is disclosed. The fluid atomizer comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A removable reservoir containing a fluid disposed therein is connected to the body. A discharge plate is disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough. An ultrasonic oscillator is disposed in the body for transmitting the fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate and through the plurality of openings, wherein transmission of the fluid through the plurality of openings atomizes the fluid.

Claims

1. A fluid atomizer comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end;

a removable reservoir connected to the body, wherein the reservoir contains a fluid disposed therein;

a discharge plate disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough; and

propulsion means for transmitting the fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate and through the plurality of openings, wherein transmission of the fluid through the plurality of openings atomizes the fluid.

2. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, further comprising means for selectively determining an amount of the fluid to be transmitted through the plurality of openings during operation of the fluid atomizer.

3. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a handle having a trigger mechanism that is alternatively operable by one of a thumb of a first user wherein the distal end is pointed toward the first user and by the other of a finger of the first user wherein the distal end is pointed toward a second user.

4. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, further comprising a heater element disposed proximate to the fluid such that the heater element heats the fluid.

5. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the propulsion means comprises a piezoelectric device.

6. The fluid atomizer according to claim 5, wherein the piezoelectric device comprises a lumen having an elongated shape.

7. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the wherein the plurality of openings are arranged in the discharge plate in an elongated shape.

8. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the atomizer discharges the fluid having a velocity of between approximately 4 and 30 centimeters per second.

9. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the atomizer discharges between approximately 2 and 20 microliters per second.

10. The fluid atomizer according to claim 9, wherein the atomizer discharges between approximately 7 and 10 microliters per second.

11. The fluid atomizer according to claim 9, wherein the atomizer operates for approximately 0.5 to 5 seconds.

12. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the atomizer discharges the fluid having average particle sizes between approximately 0.5 and 10 microns in diameter.

13. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, further comprising a system controller operatively connected to the propulsion means for controlling operation of the propulsion means.

14. The fluid atomizer according to claim 13, further comprising means for transmitting data between the system controller and an external device.

15. The fluid atomizer according to claim 13, further comprising means for operating the atomizer for a period in excess of five seconds.

16. The fluid atomizer according to claim 13, further comprising a low level alert operatively connected to the system controller, wherein the low level alert transmits a signal that the fluid is at a low level in the reservoir.

17. The fluid atomizer according to claim 13, further comprising means for adjusting operation of the propulsion means to adjust an amount of the fluid transmitted across the discharge plate.

18. The fluid atomizer according to claim 17, wherein the means for adjusting operation of the propulsion means are operatively connected to the system controller.

19. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the discharge plate is releasably connected to the body.

20. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the propulsion means comprises an operating switch operable among an off position, a first operating position, and a second operating position.

21. The fluid atomizer according to claim 20, further comprising a system controller operatively connected to the propulsion means for controlling operation of the propulsion means.

22. The fluid atomizer according to claim 21, wherein, upon engaging the operating switch in the second operating position, the system controller transmits an operating signal to the propulsion means for no more than five seconds.

23. The fluid atomizer according to claim 21 wherein, upon engaging the operating switch in the first operating position, the system controller transmits a signal to a user that the device is ready for operation.

24. The fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is tinted.

25. A fluid atomizer comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end;

a removable reservoir connected to the body, wherein the reservoir contains a fluid disposed therein;

a discharge plate disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough;

propulsion means for transmitting the fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate, wherein transmission of the fluid across the discharge plate atomizes the fluid; and

a system controller electronically connected to the propulsion means, wherein the system controller controls operation of the propulsion means.

26. The fluid atomizer according to claim 25, further comprising a low level alert operatively connected to the system controller, wherein the low level alert transmits a signal that the fluid is at a low level in the reservoir.

27. A fluid atomizer comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end;

a reservoir connected to the body, wherein the reservoir contains a fluid disposed therein;

a discharge plate disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough;

propulsion means for transmitting the fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate and through the plurality of openings, wherein transmission of the fluid through the plurality of openings atomizes the fluid; and

means for spacing the discharge plate a predetermined distance from a target.

28. The fluid atomizer according to claim 27, wherein the means for spacing the discharge plate comprises a spacer bar releasably connected to the body.

29. The fluid atomizer according to claim 27, wherein the means for spacing the discharge plate comprises at least one light projected onto the target.

30. The fluid atomizer according to claim 27, wherein the reservoir is removable.

31. The fluid atomizer according to claim 27, wherein the reservoir is refillable.

32. A fluid atomizer comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end;

a removable reservoir connected to the body, wherein the reservoir contains a fluid disposed therein;

a discharge plate disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough;

propulsion means for transmitting the fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate, wherein transmission of the fluid across the discharge plate atomizes the fluid;

a system controller electronically connected to the propulsion means, wherein the system controller controls operation of the propulsion means; and

means for adjusting operation of the propulsion means to adjust an amount of the fluid transmitted across the discharge plate, wherein the means for adjusting operation of the propulsion means are operatively connected to the system controller.