Ophthalmic fluid delivery device and method of operation

• US 20090192443A1
• Filed: 10/06/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Optimyst Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Optimyst Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Collins, James F. JR.
• Application Number:
  US12/287,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20090192443A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/24
• 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 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/065 using steam as driving gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0066 with means for varying the dose size
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0071 having a display or indicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0081 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0083 Timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3386 Low level detectors
• 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 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/086 : Docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/14 : with multiple outlet openings B05B1/02, B05B1/26 take precedence; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0002 : incorporating means for heating or cooling, e.g. the material to be sprayed
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/004 : comprising sensors for monitoring the delivery, e.g. by displaying the sensed value or generating an alarm B05B12/08 takes precedence; registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus in general G07C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/081 : responsive to the weight of a reservoir or container for liquid or other fluent material; responsive to level or volume of liquid or other fluent material in a reservoir or container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/00 : Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0607 : generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers

Abstract

An ophthalmic fluid atomizer configured to safely deliver an ophthalmic fluid, the ophthalmic fluid atomizer including a body having a proximal end, a distal end and a keyed surface contour, a reservoir connected to the body within a cavity of the body, wherein the reservoir contains an ophthalmic fluid disposed therein, wherein the keyed surface contour permits insertion of the reservoir into the cavity when the reservoir is in a predetermined orientation and prevents insertion into the cavity when the reservoir is not in the predetermined orientation. The atomizer further including a discharge plate disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough and a prime mover that transmits the ophthalmic fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate, wherein transmission of the ophthalmic fluid across the discharge plate generates a plume of ophthalmic fluid along a direction directly toward the eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid travels unassisted from the discharge plate to the eye and at the eye has a momentum that has a magnitude that is insufficient to trigger at least one of an ocular blink reflex and a lacrimation reflex of the eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid contains an amount of ophthalmic medicine and the momentum of the plume is such that substantially all of the amount of ophthalmic medicine is received and retained by the eye. The atomizer further including a nozzle assembly attached to the body and a handle assembly comprising a handle, the handle assembly coupled to the nozzle assembly.

Claims

1. An ophthalmic fluid atomizer configured to safely deliver an ophthalmic fluid, the ophthalmic fluid atomizer comprising:

a body having a proximal end, a distal end and a keyed surface contour;

a reservoir connected to the body within a cavity of the body, wherein the reservoir contains an ophthalmic fluid disposed therein,

wherein the keyed surface contour permits insertion of the reservoir into the cavity when the reservoir is in a predetermined orientation and prevents insertion into the cavity when the reservoir is not in the predetermined orientation;

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

a prime

mover that transmits the ophthalmic fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate, wherein transmission of the ophthalmic fluid across the discharge plate generates a plume of ophthalmic fluid along a direction directly toward the eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid travels unassisted from the discharge plate to the eye and at the eye has a momentum that has a magnitude that is insufficient to trigger at least one of an ocular blink reflex and a lacrimation reflex of the eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid contains an amount of ophthalmic medicine and the momentum of the plume is such that substantially all of the amount of ophthalmic medicine is received and retained by the eye;

a nozzle assembly attached to the body and in defining a passage through which the plume follows from the discharge plate to the eye; and

a handle assembly comprising a handle, the handle assembly coupled to the nozzle assembly, wherein the handle assembly is oriented generally along an axis of the handle and an axis of the nozzle assembly and the axis of the handle define an angle greater than 90 degrees such that the ophthalmic fluid is delivered to the eye along the axis of the nozzle assembly that is obtuse with respect to the axis of the handle.

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

3. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the atomizer discharges the ophthalmic fluid between approximately 2 and 10 microliters per second.

4. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the ophthalmic fluid is selected from the group consisting of mydriatics/cycloplegics, anesthetics, flourescein, flourescein/anesthetic combinations, mydriatic reversal agents, ophthalmic decongestants, ophthalmic lubricants, and glaucoma medications.

5. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 4, wherein the glaucoma medications are selected from the group consisting of prestaglandins, beta blockers, alpha adrenergic agents, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and miotics.

6. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the keyed surface contour only permits insertion of the reservoir when the reservoir contains a particular type of ophthalmic fluid.

7. An ophthalmic fluid atomizer configured to safely deliver an ophthalmic fluid, the ophthalmic fluid atomizer comprising:

a reservoir means for containing an ophthalmic fluid disposed therein;

a body means for housing the reservoir means at a particular orientation;

a means for generating a plume of ophthalmic fluid along a direction directly toward an eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid travels unassisted from the discharge plate to the eye and at the eye has a momentum that has a magnitude that is insufficient to trigger at least one of an ocular blink reflex and a lacrimation reflex of the eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid contains an amount of

ophthalmic medicine and the momentum of the plume is such that substantially all of the amount of ophthalmic medicine is received and retained by the eye; and

propulsion means for transmitting the ophthalmic fluid from the reservoir to the means for generating a plume of ophthalmic fluid;

nozzle means for directing the plume from the means for generating the plume to the eye;

means for handling the body.

8. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 7, wherein the atomizer discharges the ophthalmic fluid having a velocity of between approximately 4 and 30 centimeters per second.

9. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 7, wherein the atomizer discharges the ophthalmic fluid between approximately 2 and10 microliters per second.

10. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 7, wherein the ophthalmic fluid is selected from the group consisting of mydriatics/cycloplegics, anesthetics, flourescein, flourescein/anesthetic combinations, mydriatic reversal agents, ophthalmic decongestants, ophthalmic lubricants, and glaucoma medications.

11. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 10, wherein the glaucoma medications are selected from the group consisting of prestaglandins, beta blockers, alpha adrenergic agents, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and miotics.

12. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 7, wherein the body means only permits insertion of the reservoir means when the reservoir means contains a particular type of ophthalmic fluid.

13. An ophthalmic fluid atomizer configured to safely deliver an ophthalmic fluid, the ophthalmic fluid atomizer comprising:

a reservoir means for containing an ophthalmic fluid disposed therein;

a body means for housing the reservoir means at a particular orientation;

a means for generating a plume of ophthalmic fluid along a direction directly toward an eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid travels unassisted from the discharge plate to the eye and at the eye has a momentum that has a magnitude that is insufficient to trigger at least one of an ocular blink reflex and a lacrimation reflex of the eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid contains an amount of ophthalmic medicine and the momentum of the plume is such that substantially all of the amount of ophthalmic medicine is received and retained by the eye; and

propulsion means for transmitting the ophthalmic fluid from the reservoir to the means for generating a plume of ophthalmic fluid.

a nozzle assembly attached to the body means and in defining a passage through which the plume follows from the propulsion means to the eye;

a handle assembly comprising a handle, the handle assembly coupled to the nozzle assembly, wherein the handle assembly is oriented generally along an axis of the handle and an axis of the nozzle assembly and the axis of the handle define an angle greater than 90 degrees such that the ophthalmic fluid is delivered to the eye along the axis of the nozzle assembly that is obtuse with respect to the axis of the handle.

14. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 13, wherein the atomizer discharges the ophthalmic fluid having a velocity of between approximately 4 and 30 centimeters per second.

15. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 13, wherein the atomizer discharges the ophthalmic fluid between approximately 2 andl0 microliters per second.

16. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 13, wherein the ophthalmic fluid is selected from the group consisting of mydriatics/cycloplegics, anesthetics, flourescein, flourescein/anesthetic combinations, mydriatic reversal agents, ophthalmic decongestants, ophthalmic lubricants, and glaucoma medications.

17. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 16, wherein the glaucoma medications are selected from the group consisting of prestaglandins, beta blockers, alpha adrenergic agents, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and miotics.

18. The ophthalmic fluid atomizer according to claim 13, wherein the body means only permits insertion of the reservoir means when the reservoir means contains a particular type of ophthalmic fluid.