Ophthalmic fluid reservoir assembly for use with an ophthalmic fluid delivery device

• US 20070119969A1
• Filed: 01/26/2007
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optimyst Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Optimyst Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Jobin, Michael, Collins, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,545,463 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/102.100
• 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 11/044 with electrodes immersed in the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/065 using steam as driving gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/04 Liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3386 Low level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/59 Aesthetic features, e.g. distraction means to prevent fears of child patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes

Abstract

A reservoir assembly for use in an ophthalmic fluid delivery device adapted to deliver an ophthalmic fluid in the form of a mist to an ocular region of a patient is provided, wherein the device has a lumen-defining component configured to deliver the fluid from the reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir defining an aperture and a cavity in fluid flow communication with the aperture, a fluid contained in the cavity of the reservoir, and a gasket traversing the aperture. The gasket defines a passage configured to receive a portion of the lumen-defining component and to permit the flow of the fluid from the cavity and through the aperture when the portion of the lumen-defining component is inserted through the passage. The gasket is also configured to substantially prevent the flow of the fluid from the cavity and through the aperture when the portion of the lumen-defining component is not inserted through the passage.

Claims

1. A reservoir assembly for use in an ophthalmic fluid delivery device adapted to deliver an ophthalmic fluid in the form of a mist to an ocular region of a patient, the ophthalmic fluid delivery device having a lumen-defining component configured to deliver the ophthalmic fluid from the reservoir assembly, said reservoir assembly comprising:

a reservoir defining an aperture and a cavity in fluid flow communication with said aperture;

an ophthalmic fluid contained in said cavity of said reservoir; and

a gasket traversing said aperture of said reservoir, said gasket defining a passage configured to receive a portion of the lumen-defining component and to permit the flow of said ophthalmic fluid from said cavity and through said aperture of said reservoir when said portion of said lumen-defining component is inserted through said passage, said gasket also being configured to substantially prevent the flow of said ophthalmic fluid from said cavity and through said aperture of said reservoir and said passage of said gasket when said portion of said lumen-defining component is not inserted through said passage.

2. The reservoir assembly according to claim 1, said lumen-defining component being a component of a transducer.

3. The reservoir assembly according to claim 1, said gasket being positioned within said aperture of said reservoir.

4. The reservoir assembly according to claim 1, said passage defined by said gasket being expandable to accommodate said lumen-defining component.

5. A method of preparing an ophthalmic fluid delivery device to deliver an ophthalmic fluid, the ophthalmic fluid delivery device having a lumen-defining component configured to deliver the ophthalmic fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

a) selecting a reservoir containing the ophthalmic fluid; and

b) coupling the reservoir to the device such that the lumen-defining component extends through a passage defined by a gasket of the reservoir, thereby permitting flow of the ophthalmic fluid from said cavity and through an aperture of the reservoir.

6. A reservoir assembly for use in an ophthalmic fluid delivery device adapted to deliver an ophthalmic fluid in the form of a mist to an ocular region of a patient, the ophthalmic fluid delivery device having a body defining a cavity sized to accommodate the reservoir assembly, said body having a body surface contour positioned adjacent said cavity, said reservoir assembly comprising:

a reservoir having a wall at least partially defining a cavity; and

an ophthalmic fluid contained in said cavity of said reservoir;

said wall of said reservoir having a reservoir surface contour keyed to the body surface contour to permit insertion of said reservoir assembly into the cavity of the body of the ophthalmic fluid delivery device in a predetermined alignment and to prevent insertion of said reservoir assembly into the cavity of the body in an alignment other than said predetermined alignment.

7. The reservoir assembly according to claim 6, said reservoir defining an aperture in fluid flow communication with said cavity, said cavity of said reservoir being oriented along a cavity axis and said aperture being oriented along an aperture axis substantially parallel to said cavity axis, said aperture axis being offset from said cavity axis, thereby positioning said aperture proximate said wall of said reservoir and facilitating flow of said ophthalmic fluid from said cavity when said aperture axis is substantially horizontal.

8. The reservoir assembly according to claim 7, said reservoir surface contour being oriented to permit insertion of said reservoir assembly into the cavity of the body of the ophthalmic fluid delivery device in a predetermined alignment substantially parallel to said cavity axis.

9. The reservoir assembly according to claim 6, said wall of said reservoir being substantially cylindrical, said reservoir surface contour extending along a length of said wall substantially parallel to said aperture axis.

10. A reservoir assembly for use in an ophthalmic fluid delivery device adapted to deliver plural applications of an ophthalmic fluid in the form of a mist to an ocular region of an individual, said reservoir assembly comprising:

a reservoir defining a cavity, an aperture in fluid flow communication with said cavity and oriented along an aperture axis, and a vent opening in fluid flow communication with said cavity and oriented at an angle with respect to said aperture axis;

an ophthalmic fluid contained in said cavity of said reservoir;

a gasket traversing said aperture of said reservoir, said gasket inhibiting the flow of said ophthalmic fluid from said cavity and through said aperture of said reservoir; and

a filter traversing said vent opening of said reservoir, said filter being configured to allow air to enter said cavity through said vent opening and to substantially prevent said ophthalmic fluid from escaping from said cavity through said vent opening.

11. The reservoir assembly according to claim 10, said filter comprising expanded PTFE.

12. The reservoir assembly according to claim 10, said filter being hydrophobic.

13. The reservoir assembly according to claim 10, said filter being configured to substantially prevent microbes from entering said cavity through said vent opening.

14. The reservoir assembly according to claim 10, said aperture being positioned at a distal end of said reservoir and said vent opening being positioned toward said proximal end of said reservoir.

15. The reservoir assembly according to claim 10, said vent opening being positioned to substantially prevent contact between said ophthalmic fluid and said filter as said ophthalmic fluid is withdrawn from said cavity.

16. The reservoir assembly according to claim 15, said vent opening being positioned at an elevation above a level of said ophthalmic fluid as said ophthalmic fluid is withdrawn from said cavity.

17. The reservoir assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a seal releasably disposed over the aperture.

18. The reservoir assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a seal releasably disposed over the vent opening.

19. A method of packaging an ophthalmic fluid in a reservoir assembly adapted to be inserted into an ophthalmic fluid delivery device, the reservoir assembly comprising a reservoir surface contour oriented to permit insertion of said reservoir assembly into a cavity of the ophthalmic fluid delivery device in a predetermined alignment and to prevent insertion of said reservoir assembly into the cavity in an alignment other than said predetermined alignment, the method comprising the steps of:

a) filling the reservoir with an ophthalmic fluid; and

b) applying a label to the reservoir assembly such that the label is viewable when the reservoir assembly is inserted into the ophthalmic fluid delivery device in the predetermined alignment.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the applying step comprises applying the label at a position facing away from the reservoir surface contour.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the filling step is performed in a sterile environment.

22. A method of manufacturing a reservoir assembly for an ophthalmic fluid comprising the steps of:

a) forming a cavity along a cavity axis; and

b) forming a discharge opening along a discharge axis different from the cavity axis.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of forming a vent spaced from the discharge opening and having a vent axis angled with respect to the discharge axis.

24. A reservoir assembly for use in an ophthalmic fluid delivery device adapted to deliver plural applications of an ophthalmic fluid in the form of a mist to an ocular region of a patient, said reservoir assembly comprising:

an inner body portion having an open distal end and a vented proximal end; and

an outer body portion having an open proximal end and an apertured distal end, wherein the open distal end of the inner body portion is disposed within the open proximal end of the outer body portion, forming a cavity to contain the ophthalmic fluid.

25. The reservoir according to claim 24, wherein a vent of the vented proximal end of the inner body portion fluidly communicates with an aperture of the apertured distal end through the cavity.

26. The reservoir assembly according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the inner body portion and the outer body portion comprises a surface contour oriented to permit insertion of said reservoir assembly into a cavity of the ophthalmic fluid delivery device in a predetermined alignment and to prevent insertion of said reservoir assembly into the cavity in an alignment other than said predetermined alignment.

27. The reservoir assembly according to claim 26, wherein the surface contour is disposed away from the vent.

28. The reservoir assembly according to claim 24, further comprising a cap releasably coupled to the apertured distal end.