Ophthalmic injection method

• US 20080097379A1
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Manufacturing Limited (Alcon Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kirchhevel, Lamar, Santos, Cesario Dos, Foster, James, Dacquay, Bruno, Valencia, Salomon, Hopkins, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/527,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20080097379A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• 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 5/14526 the piston being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2053 Media being expelled from injector by pressurised fluid or vacuum for infusion A61M5/145, A61M5/155

Abstract

A method is disclosed for delivering a quantity of a substance into an eye. By applying compressed gas into an actuation chamber, a separating member connected to a lock mechanism and a plunger is displaced. The plunger displaces the quantity of the substance from a dispensing member and into an eye. The plunger is retained in an extended position so that the quantity of the substance is not retracted back into the dispensing member when the dispensing member is removed from the eye.

Claims

1. A method for delivering a quantity of a substance into an eye comprising:

displacing, by the application of compressed gas into an actuation chamber of an ophthalmic injection system, a separating member connected to a lock mechanism and a plunger, the plunger displacing the quantity of the substance from a dispensing member and into an eye; and

retaining the plunger in an extended position so that the quantity of the substance is not retracted back into the dispensing member when the dispensing member is removed from the eye.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

recognizing a connection between a source of compressed gas and the ophthalmic injection system.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving an input from an input control; and

in response to the input received, sending compressed gas into the actuation chamber.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein retaining the plunger in an extended position further comprises:

engaging the lock mechanism in a location beyond a lock stop to prevent retraction of the plunger.

5. A method for delivering a quantity of a substance into an eye comprising:

applying heat to the quantity of the substance;

displacing, by the application of compressed gas into an actuation chamber of an ophthalmic injection system, a separating member connected to a lock mechanism and a plunger, the plunger displacing the quantity of the substance from the dispensing member and into an eye; and

retaining the plunger in an extended position so that the quantity of the substance is not retracted back into the dispensing member when the dispensing member is removed from the eye.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

providing a signal to an operator of a hand piece when the substance is heated to an appropriate temperature.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

providing an input signal to a control logic when the substance is heated to an appropriate temperature; and

enabling an input control.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein applying heat further comprises:

heating the quantity of the substance so that the viscosity of the substance is reduced.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein applying heat further comprises:

applying heat to a luer in thermal contact with the dispensing member.

10. The method of claim 5 wherein applying heat further comprises:

applying heat to the dispensing member.

11. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

recognizing a connection between a source of compressed gas and the ophthalmic injection system.

12. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

receiving an input from an input control; and

in response to the input received, sending compressed gas into the actuation chamber.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the compressed gas is not sent into the actuation chamber until the quantity of the substance reaches an appropriate temperature.

14. The method of claim 5 wherein retaining the plunger in an extended position further comprises:

engaging the lock mechanism in a location beyond a lock stop to prevent retraction of the plunger.

15. A method of injecting a drug into an eye comprising:

heating the drug to an appropriate temperature so that its viscosity is reduced;

receiving an input from an input control;

in response to the input received, sending compressed gas into an actuation chamber portion of an ophthalmic injection system;

displacing, by the application of the compressed gas, a separating member connected to a lock mechanism and a plunger, the plunger displacing the drug from a dispensing member and into an eye; and

retaining the plunger in an extended position so that the drug is not retracted back into the dispensing member when the dispensing member is removed from the eye.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

providing a signal when the drug is heated to an appropriate temperature.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein heating the drug further comprises:

applying heat to a luer in thermal contact with the dispensing member.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein heating the drug further comprises:

applying heat to the dispensing member.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

recognizing a connection between a source of compressed gas and the ophthalmic injection system.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein retaining the plunger in an extended position further comprises:

engaging the lock mechanism in a location beyond a lock stop to prevent retraction of the plunger.