Method for dispensing ophthalmic fluid

• US 9,668,914 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2014
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr Py Institute LLC
• Original Assignee: Dr Py Institute LLC
• Inventors: Py, Daniel, Assion, Norbert M, Chan, Julian V, Ting, Joseph M
• Primary Examiner(s): LONG, DONNELL ALAN
• Application Number:
  US14/313,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20140371689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 222 1, 222325-327, 2224021-40225, 222 95, 222105, 2223211-3219, 222491-494, 222162, 222207, 222380, 222420, 222422, 604290, 141 2
• 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: B05B 11/0054 Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer attachment arrangements between pump and container B05B11/1043
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0072 A valve member forming part of an outlet opening
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0097 Means for filling or refilling the sprayer through additional openings in the container B05B11/0056
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/026 Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1092 automatically released from a loaded state at the end of the loading stroke
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1094 having inlet or outlet valves not being actuated by pressure or having no inlet or outlet valve
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/003 Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/245 Internal membrane, floating cover or the like isolating the contents from the ambient atmosphere loosely-attached linings B65D25/16; dispensing pistons B65D83/0005; flexible bags for expelling the contents B65D83/0055
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An ophthalmic dispenser and method of filling and dispensing fluid stored therein. The dispenser includes a rigid housing defining a fluid-receiving chamber, a flexible bladder receivable within the fluid-receiving chamber, a pump coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber, and a nozzle having a valve defining an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the pump, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween. The valve interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally 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 pumped fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween. The rigid housing is mountable within a cartridge which, in turn, is mountable within a dispenser housing including an eyelid depressor and a trigger for simultaneously actuating the eyelid depressor and pump.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

using a plurality of devices for aseptically receiving and dispensing substance, the plurality of devices being substantially identical to one another and each having a casing containing therein a sterile fluid chamber for receiving substance into the chamber and having a sealed inlet thereof defined by a resealable portion, and an outlet for dispensing said substance out of the chamber, wherein the resealable portion is penetrable by an injection or filling member for introducing substance through the resealable portion and into the chamber, and is resealable to hermetically seal a penetrated region of the resealable portion after withdrawing the injection or filling member therefrom, said using step including

installing at least one of the plurality of devices in a dispenser having an actuator configured to initiate dispensing; and

using at least one of the devices to dispense substance without installing the device in said dispenser.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the outlet, chamber and resealable portion are arranged in that order along a longitudinal axis moving in a direction toward a posterior end of the device.

3. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of devices for aseptically receiving and dispensing substance, the plurality of devices being substantially identical to one another and each having a casing containing therein a sterile fluid chamber for receiving substance into the chamber and having a sealed inlet thereof defined by a resealable portion, and an outlet for dispensing said substance out of the chamber, wherein the resealable portion is penetrable by an injection or filling member for introducing substance through the resealable portion and into the chamber, and is resealable to hermetically seal a penetrated region of the resealable portion after withdrawing the injection or filling member therefrom,;

providing a plurality of dispensers adapted to receive and operate the devices, the plurality of devices being substantially identical to one another and being capable of operation as a stand alone unit or in the dispenser;

selling at least one of the devices in combination with at least one of the dispensers; and

selling at least one of the devices without a dispenser.

4. A method for aseptically introducing substance into a device, the device comprising:

a rigid housing defining a first sterile fluid-receiving chamber for receiving substance into the chamber and having a sealed inlet thereof defined by a resealable portion, and an outlet for dispensing said substance out of the chamber, wherein the resealable portion is penetrable by an injection or filling member for introducing substance through the resealable portion and into the chamber, and is resealable to hermetically seal a penetrated region of the resealable portion after withdrawing the injection or filling member therefrom, the method comprising the steps of;

(i) penetrating the resealable portion with an injection or filling member;

(ii) introducing substance into at least the first fluid-receiving chamber of the housing through the injection or filling member; and

(iii) resealing the resealable portion, thereby hermetically sealing a penetrated region thereof.

5. A method as defined in claim 4, further comprising the steps of inserting a flexible bladder received within the first fluid-receiving chamber and collapsing the flexible bladder prior to inserting the bladder into the first fluid-receiving chamber of the housing.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the flexible bladder at least partially defines the first chamber.

7. A device for aseptically receiving and dispensing substance comprising:

a rigid housing having a sterile fluid chamber therein for receiving substance into the chamber and having a sealed inlet thereof defined by a resealable portion, and an outlet for dispensing said substance out of the chamber;

wherein the resealable portion is penetrable by an injection or filling member for introducing substance through the resealable portion and into the chamber, and is resealable to hermetically seal a penetrated region of the resealable portion after withdrawing the injection or filling member therefrom.

8. A device as define in claim 7, wherein the resealable portion comprises a resilient polymeric material.

9. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein substance within the chamber is sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere during dispensing of said substance through the outlet.

10. A device as defined in claim 7, further comprising an injection or filling member, coupled in fluid communication with a source of substance, configured to penetrate the resealable portion, and, in turn, to introduce said substance through the resealable portion and into the chamber.

11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein the injection or filling member comprises a needle.

12. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein the resealable portion is resealable by application of radiation or energy thereto.

13. A device as defined in claim 12, wherein the radiation or energy comprises laser radiation.

14. A method of aseptically receiving into and dispensing substance from a device, the method comprising:

penetrating with an injection or filling member a device comprising a rigid housing including a sterile fluid chamber therein for receiving substance into the chamber and having a sealed inlet thereof defined by a resealable portion, and an outlet for dispensing said substance out of the chamber, wherein the resealable portion is penetrable by a injection or filling member for introducing substance therethrough and into the chamber, and is resealable to hermetically seal a penetrated region of the resealable portion after withdrawing the injection or filling member therefrom;

introducing substance from a source of said substance through the injection or filling member and into the chamber of the device; and

dispensing said substance from the chamber through the outlet thereof.

15. A method as defined in claim 14, further comprising the step of withdrawing the injection or filling member from the resealable portion after said introducing step.

16. A method as defined in claim 15, further comprising, after said withdrawing step, the step of resealing the resealable portion, and, in turn, hermetically sealing a penetrated region thereof.

17. A method as defined in claim 16, wherein the resealable portion is resealable by application of radiation or energy thereto.

18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the radiation or energy comprises laser radiation.

19. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the resealable portion comprises a resilient polymeric material.

20. A method as defined in claim 14, further comprising the step of maintaining substance within the chamber sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere during said dispensing step.

21. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the injection or filling member comprises a needle.