Ophthalmic fluid delivery system

• US 20090149829A1
• Filed: 10/06/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optimyst Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Optimyst Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Collins, James F. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,936,021 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• 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 method of safely delivering an ophthalmic fluid to an eye, the method including targeting the eye with an ophthalmic fluid misting device and activating an ultrasonic generator to deliver the ophthalmic fluid from the ophthalmic fluid misting device across a space between the misting device and the eye. The method further including maintaining a momentum of the ophthalmic fluid that is insufficient to trigger at least one of the ocular blink reflex and the lacrimation reflex of the eye.

Claims

1. A method of safely delivering an ophthalmic fluid to an eye,

the method comprising:

targeting the eye with an ophthalmic fluid misting device;

activating an ultrasonic generator to deliver the ophthalmic fluid from the ophthalmic fluid misting device across a space between the misting device and the eye; and

maintaining a momentum of the ophthalmic fluid that is insufficient to trigger at least one of the ocular blink reflex and the lacrimation reflex of the eye.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the maintaining comprises maintaining the ophthalmic fluid at a velocity of between about 4 and about 30 cm per second.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the maintaining comprises maintaining the ophthalmic fluid at a fluid discharge rate between about 2 and about 20 microliters per second.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising adjusting a duration of time of operation of the device.