Low-oxygen fluorocarbon as an agent for ophthalmology
First Claim
1. An oxygen-physiologically acceptable fluorocarbon mixture having a dissolved oxygen content of less than 6-% by volume, wherein the fluorocarbon is selected from the class of saturated, perfluorinated hydrocarbons in which all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorinated atoms, or partially fluorinated alkanes having the general formula RFRH or RFRHRF that can be present in a liquid or gel-like state, and wherein RF is a perfluorinated alkyl group and RH is an alkyl group.
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Abstract
The present invention concerns fluorocarbons for use in ophthalmology. Fluorocarbons disclosed in the prior art can only be left in the eye for a limited period of time because they cause damage to the retina or intraocular structure. The present invention provides an oxygen-fluorocarbon mixture having a dissolved oxygen content of less than 6% by volume, which can be used as an ophthalmological agent for longer periods of time than conventional fluorocarbons, with little or no damage to the retina or intraocular structures. The invention also provides a process for preparing the oxygen-fluorocarbon mixture. In one embodiment, up to 20% by volume of a second gas, such as carbon dioxide or nitric oxide, is combined with the oxygen-fluorocarbon mixtures.
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Citations
26 Claims
- 1. An oxygen-physiologically acceptable fluorocarbon mixture having a dissolved oxygen content of less than 6-% by volume, wherein the fluorocarbon is selected from the class of saturated, perfluorinated hydrocarbons in which all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorinated atoms, or partially fluorinated alkanes having the general formula RFRH or RFRHRF that can be present in a liquid or gel-like state, and wherein RF is a perfluorinated alkyl group and RH is an alkyl group.
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6. A process for preparing an oxygen-physiologically acceptable fluorocarbon mixture having a dissolved oxygen content of less than 6% by volume, wherein the fluorocarbon is selected from the class of saturated, perfluorinated hydrocarbons in which all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorinated atoms, or partially fluorinated alkanes having the general formula RFRH or RFRHRF that can be present in a liquid or gel-like state, wherein RF is a perfluorinated alkyl group and RH is an alkyl group;
- and wherein the fluorocarbon is deoxygenated using a heterogeneous oxygen getter, and stored in an oxygen-lacking state until use.
- View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A process for making an oxygen-physiologically acceptable fluorocarbon mixture having a dissolved oxygen content of less than 6% by volume, wherein the fluorocarbon is selected from the class of saturated, perfluorinated hydrocarbons in which all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorinated atoms, or partially fluorinated alkanes having the general formula RFRH or RFRHRF that can be present in a liquid or gel-like state, and wherein RF is a perfluorinated alkyl group and RH is an alkyl group;
- wherein said fluorocarbon is deoxygenated using a heterogeneous oxygen getter; and
proportionately mixed with an oxygen-containing fluorocarbon to obtain a desired oxygen concentration within a range of 0% to 6% by volume; and
stored in an oxygen-lacking state until use.
- wherein said fluorocarbon is deoxygenated using a heterogeneous oxygen getter; and
- 14. A method of using a physiologically acceptable fluorocarbon having a dissolved oxygen content of less than 6% by volume as an agent for ophthalmology, wherein the fluorocarbon is selected from the class of saturated, perfluorinated hydrocarbons in which all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorinated atoms, or partially fluorinated alkanes having the general formula RFRH or RFRHRF that can be present in a liquid or gel-like state, and wherein RF is a perfluorinated alkyl group and RH is an alkyl group.
Specification