Delivery device and method of delivery
First Claim
1. An ophthalmic delivery device comprising:
- a body defining a fluid reservoir;
a dosage chamber for holding a dosage of fluid;
a nozzle including a valve seat and a valve cover, wherein the valve cover extends about the valve seat and forms an interface therebetween, and the interface defines an inlet in fluid communication with the dosage chamber and an outlet for dispensing fluid therethrough; and
a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir and dosage chamber;
wherein at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) at least one open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing from the dosage chamber and into the inlet of the interface at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid between the valve cover and valve seat;
wherein the dosage chamber defines a first cross-sectional area and the valve seat defines a second cross-sectional area at the inlet to the interface with the valve cover greater than the first cross-sectional area to dispense each dosage of fluid through the interface at a velocity of less than approximately 10 meters per second.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ophthalmic delivery device includes a body defining a fluid reservoir and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir. The delivery device also includes a nozzle that includes a dosage chamber for holding a dosage of fluid, a valve seat, and a valve cover. The valve cover extends about the valve seat and forms an interface therebetween and the valve seat includes an outlet aperture. The interface is in fluid communication with the outlet aperture and the dosage chamber, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween. The valve seat and the valve cover are dimensioned to dispense the dosage of fluid through the interface at a velocity of equal to or less than 6 meters per second.
-
Citations
40 Claims
-
1. An ophthalmic delivery device comprising:
-
a body defining a fluid reservoir; a dosage chamber for holding a dosage of fluid; a nozzle including a valve seat and a valve cover, wherein the valve cover extends about the valve seat and forms an interface therebetween, and the interface defines an inlet in fluid communication with the dosage chamber and an outlet for dispensing fluid therethrough; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir and dosage chamber; wherein at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) at least one open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing from the dosage chamber and into the inlet of the interface at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid between the valve cover and valve seat; wherein the dosage chamber defines a first cross-sectional area and the valve seat defines a second cross-sectional area at the inlet to the interface with the valve cover greater than the first cross-sectional area to dispense each dosage of fluid through the interface at a velocity of less than approximately 10 meters per second. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
-
-
23. An ophthalmic delivery device comprising:
-
first means for defining a variable-volume chamber and for storing an ophthalmic substance to be delivered to an eye; second means for metering a dose of substance from the variable-volume chamber at a volume within the range of about 15 to about 25 micro liters and for pressurizing the metered dose above a valve opening pressure; third means in fluid communication with the second means for (i) forming a closed position defining a fluid-tight seal for preventing the passage of substance therethrough, and (ii) at least one open position for allowing a the metered dose of substance pressurized by the second means at a pressure greater than the valve opening pressure to flow therethrough; and fourth means for delivering the metered dosage in a plurality of micro droplets at a velocity exiting the third means of less than approximately 10 meters per second. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method for delivering a substance to an eye, comprising:
-
(i) storing multiple doses of the substance hermetically sealed in a variable-volume chamber connectible in fluid communication with a one-way valve defining a normally closed valve opening that opens in response to the substance at an inlet to the valve opening exceeding a valve opening pressure; (ii) metering a dose of substance from the variable-volume storage chamber at a volume within the range of about 15 micro liters to about 25 micro liters and pressurizing the metered dose above the valve opening pressure; (iii) introducing the pressurized metered dose through the one way valve; and (iv) delivering the metered dose from the one way valve in a plurality of micro droplets at a velocity of less than approximately 10 meters per second and into the eye. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 38, 39, 40)
-
Specification