Method for dispensing ophthalmic drugs to the eye

• US 5,314,419 A
• Filed: 10/30/1992
• Issued: 05/24/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George E. Pelling, John F. Sicotte
• Original Assignee: George E. Pelling, John F. Sicotte
• Inventors: Pelling, George E.
• Primary Examiner(s): PREBILIC, PAUL B
• Application Number:
  US07/968,992
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 604/289, 604/290, 604/294, 604/295, 604/298, 604/300, 604/892.1, 604/8
• US Class Current: 604/294
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts

Abstract

An ophthalmic drug dispensing system in the form of a hand held device constructed of a soft pliable material with a bleb or bulbous area in its forward portion. Contained within the bleb is a fluid chamber which is connected to an orifice located in one end of the dispensing system.

In use, the chamber is filed with a drug or medication and the device is inserted between the sclera of the eye and the upper eyelid with the bleb contacting the inner surface of the eyelid. Due to the pressure of the inner side of the upper eyelid upon the bleb, the drug or medication is forced from the chamber and out through the orifice by way of the channel.

Claims

1. A method for administering a drug to the upper fornix area of a patient'"'"'s eye so as to allow for direct medication of the posterior and superior of the eye;

the method comprising the steps of;

selecting a hand held dispensing device including a body with a forward end, a top surface, said body containing a chamber, a channel connecting the chamber with an orifice located in the forward end of the body, and a bleb located on the top surface over the chamber;

selecting a drug to be administered;

filling the chamber with the drug;

inserting the forward end of the device under the upper eyelid so that the orifice of the device is directed toward the cul-de-sac and advancing it to a point where the bleb is under the upper eyelid;

allowing the upper eyelid to rest upon the top surface of the device and bleb;

then withdrawing the device from under the upper eyelid so that the pressure of the upper eyelid presses downward on the bleb so that the drug will be dispensed through the channel, out of the orifice, and into the upper fornix.

2. A method for administering a fluid medicine to the cul-de-sac of the conjunctiva area of a patient'"'"'s eye so as to allow for direct medication of the posterior and superior areas of the eye;

the method comprising the steps of;

selecting a hand held dispensing device including a body with a forward end, a top surface, said body containing a chamber, a channel connecting the chamber with an orifice located in the forward end of the body, and a bleb located on the top surface over the chamber;

selecting a fluid medicine to be administered;

filling the chamber by way of the orifice and channel with the fluid medicine;

inserting the forward end of the device under the upper eyelid so that the orifice of the device is directed toward the cul-de-sac and advancing it to a point where the bleb is under the upper eyelid;

allowing the upper eyelid to rest upon the top surface of the device and bleb;

then withdrawing the device from under the upper eyelid so that the pressure of the upper eyelid presses downward on the bleb so that the drug will be dispensed through the channel, out to the orifice, and into the cul-de-sac.