Use of PEO-PBO block copolymers in ophthalmic compositions

• US 20080138310A1
• Filed: 12/10/2007
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research, LLC (Alcon Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Manufacturing Limited (Alcon Incorporated)
• Inventors: McQueen, Nathaniel D., Ketelson, Howard Allen
• Granted Patent: US 8,318,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/78.04
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/005 Contact lens cases A45C11/046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1691 Packages or dispensers for intraocular lenses for contact lenses A45C11/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/02 Ophthalmic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/00 Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/22 in moist conditions or immersed in liquids
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/008 Polymeric surface-active agents
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/0078 Compositions for cleaning contact lenses, spectacles or lenses
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3707 Polyethers, e.g. polyalkyleneoxides

Abstract

The use of poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxybutylene) block copolymers in pharmaceutical compositions useful for modifying the surfaces of contact lenses and other medical devices is disclosed. The present invention is based in-part on a discovery that this class of compounds is particularly efficient in wetting hydrophobic surfaces, such as the surfaces of silicone hydrogel contact lenses and other types of ophthalmic lenses. Such compounds are also useful for cleaning purposes. The use of the compounds as surfactants in various types of compositions for treating contact lenses therefore represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ophthalmic composition comprising an effective amount of at least one poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxybutylene) block copolymer having a molecular weight in the range of 500 to 100,000 Daltons and an ophthalmically acceptable vehicle therefor.

2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxybutylene) block copolymer is of the formula (EO)_m(BO)_n, wherein m is an integer having an average value of 10 to 1000 and n is an integer having an average value of 5 to 1000.

3. A composition according to claim 2, wherein m is greater than n.

4. A composition according to claim 3, wherein the ratio of m to n is in the range of about 2:

1 to about 10;

1.

5. A composition according to claim 4, wherein the ratio of m to n is in the range of about 3:

1 to about 6;

1.

6. A composition according to claim 5, wherein the average value of m is 45 and the average value of n is 10.

7. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxybutylene) block copolymer has a molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 50,000 Daltons.

8. A composition according to claim 7, wherein the poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxybutylene) block copolymer has a molecular weight in the range of 2,000 to 10,000 Daltons.

9. A composition according claim 1, wherein the poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxybutylene) block copolymer is of the formula

10. A composition according to claim 9, wherein R is methyl;

m has an average value of 45; and

n has an average value of 10.

11. A composition according to claim 1, further comprising an effective amount of a poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxypropylene) block copolymer.

12. A composition according to claim 11, wherein the poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxybutylene) block copolymer comprises poloxamine 1304.

13. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is a sterile aqueous solution for treating a contact lens, said solution having an osmolality of 200 to 400 milliosmoles/kilogram.

14. A composition according to claim 13, further comprising an ophthalmically acceptable antimicrobial agent in an amount effective to disinfect a contact lens.

15. A composition according to claim 14, wherein said antimicrobial agent comprises polyquatemium-1.

16. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the solution contains said block copolymer at a concentration of 0.001 to 1% w/v.

17. A composition according to claim 16, wherein the block copolymer concentration is 0.05% to 0.5% w/v.

18. A composition according to claim 17, wherein the block copolymer concentration is 0.1% to 0.2% w/v.

19. A composition according to claim 18, wherein the block copolymer concentration is 0.1% w/v.

20. A method of treating a contact lens to modify the surface characteristics of the lens or clean the lens, which comprises applying an effective amount of a composition according to any one of claims 1-19 to the lens.