Methods and systems for use of photolyzable nitric oxide donors

• US 8,642,093 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHTERENGARTS, SAMANTHA L
• Application Number:
  US11/981,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20090110712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,289 Days
• Field of Search: 424/423, 424/718, 607/88
• US Class Current: 424/718
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/00 Medicinal preparations containing inorganic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0042 Photocleavage of drugs in vivo, e.g. cleavage of photolabile linkers in vivo by UV radiation for releasing the pharmacologically-active agent from the administered agent; photothrombosis or photoocclusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 15/00 Drugs for genital or sexual disorders for disorders of sex hormones A61P5/24; Contraceptives

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for use of photolyzable nitric oxide donors for the treatment of sexual dysfunction.

Claims

1. A method for treating sexual dysfunction comprising:

administering at least one of a lubricant, a gel, a cream, a lotion, or a jelly, that includes a photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to a genital region of an individual; and

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using an internal light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using an implanted light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using an ultraviolet light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a visible light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using an infrared light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, in response to one or more signals.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor to treat male erectile dysfunction.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor to treat female arousal disorder.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using an implanted light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, in response to one or more signals.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the administering at least one of a lubricant, a gel, a cream, a lotion, or a jelly, that includes a photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to a genital region of an individual comprises:

administering at least one of a lubricant, a gel, a cream, a lotion, or a jelly, that includes at least one of the following types of photolyzable nitric oxide donors, to a genital region of an individual;

diazeniumdiolate, S-nitrosothiol, organic nitrate, complex of nitric oxide with one or more nucleophiles, L-arginine, molsidomine, CAS754, SPM-5185, SIN-1, nitrosylating compound, or nitroester.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using an external light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the administering at least one of a lubricant, a gel, a cream, a lotion, or a jelly, that includes a photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to a genital region of an individual comprises:

administering at least one of a lubricant, a gel, a cream, a lotion, or a jelly, that includes a first photolyzable nitric oxide donor and a second photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to a genital region of an individual.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a first light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the first photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the first photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using light that includes at least a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the second photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the second photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured for vaginal insertion and that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured as at least one of a lamp, a flashlight, a wand, a ring, underwear, or a condom and that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

internally illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

externally illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, in response to activation of a switch associated with the light source.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light emitting diode (LED) that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit, using an optical fiber, light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor comprises:

illuminating the genital region of the individual, using a light source that is configured to emit light that includes a wavelength of light that corresponds to an absorption maximum for the photolyzable nitric oxide donor, to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the photolyzable nitric oxide donor to facilitate achievement of an erection, increase rigidity of an erection, increase blood flow, increase lubrication, increase clitoral vasocongestion, and/or increase duration of an erection.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the sexual dysfunction results from at least one of surgery, physical injury, pharmaceutical use, or age.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the sexual dysfunction is due to a mental condition.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed at least partly by the individual.