METHOD OF DRY DYE DELIVERY FOR STAINING THE EYE

Abstract

A device and method for staining the eye of a patient in need of the same includes the introduction, onto the surface of the eye, of a dry powder form at a dye suitable for staining the eye. The dry powder form of the dye is introduced onto the surface of the eye without the use of a substrate at or near the eye's surface.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a predetermined amount of a dry powder form of an agent to the eye of a patient in need thereof, the method comprising the step of introducing onto the surface of the eye a predetermined amount of a dry powder form of an agent, wherein the dry powder form of the agent is introduced onto the surface of the eye without use of a physical substrate at or near the surface of the eye.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount is from about 0.001 mg to about 1 mg.

3. (canceled)

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dry powder form of the dye agent is introduced onto the eye by force of gravity.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dry powder form of the agent is introduced onto the eye using a device adapted for delivery of small, measured amounts of a dry powder onto a surface.

6. The method according to claim 5, where the device utilizes compressed gas for delivery of the dry powder.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: providing a delivery device comprising a sealed container, an actuator, the dry powder form of the agent within the sealed container, and a propellant under pressure within the sealed container, wherein a user of the delivery device engages the actuator to dispense the dry powder form of the agent from the delivery device.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the actuator is metered such that a single engagement of the actuator dispenses the predetermined amount of the dry powder form of the agent from the delivery device.

9-11. (canceled)

12. A method of staining the eye of a patient in need thereof, the method comprising the step of introducing onto the surface of the eye a dry powder form of a dye for staining the eye, wherein the dry powder form of the dye is introduced onto the surface of the eye without use of a physical substrate at or near the surface of the eye.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein a predetermined amount of the dry powder form of the dye is applied to the surface of the eye.

14. The method according to claim 13, where the predetermined amount of the dry powder form of the dye is from about 0.001 mg to about 1 mg.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of fluorescein, lissamine green, rose bengal, and any combination thereof.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the dry powder form of the dye is introduced onto the eye by force of gravity.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the dry powder form of the dye is introduced onto the eye using a device adapted for delivery of small, measured amounts of a dry powder onto a surface.

18. The method according to claim 17, where the device utilizes compressed gas for delivery of the dry powder.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of: providing a delivery device comprising a sealed container, an actuator, the dry powder form of the dye within the sealed container, and a propellant under pressure within the sealed container, wherein a user of the delivery device engages the actuator to dispense the dry powder form of the dye from the delivery device.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the actuator is metered such that a single engagement of the actuator dispenses a predetermined amount of the dry powder form of the dye from the delivery device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 provides the chemical structure of Fluorescein.

[0021] FIG. 2 provides the chemical structure of Lissamine Green.

[0022] FIG. 3 provides the chemical structure of Rose Bengal.

[0023] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the components of an exemplary device for delivery a dry dye formulation to the eye of a patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of Fluorescein, a dye commonly used to stain the surface of the eye, having a molecular formula C.sub.20H.sub.12O.sub.5. The dye is generally provided in a powder form, and is soluble in water or alcohol. Generally, the sodium salt of Fluorescein is used for staining the eye. The dye has maximum absorption at around 494 nanometers, which renders it highly absorptive of blue light. A cobalt blue light is generally used to visualize Fluorescein on the surface of the eye.

[0025] Lissamine Green is a triarylmethane dye having a molecular formula C.sub.37H.sub.37N.sub.2O.sub.9S.sub.3. The structure of the dye is provided in FIG. 2. Lissamine Green is generally provided as a disodium salt and has maximum absorption at 630 and 422 nanometers. The dye is generally visualized with a blue or white light.

[0026] Rose Bengal is a Fluorescein derivative having a molecular formula C.sub.20H.sub.4Cl.sub.4I.sub.4O.sub.5. The structure of Rose Bengal is provided in FIG. 3. The sodium salt of Rose Bengal is often used to stain damaged conjunctival and corneal cells in the eye.

[0027] Although the three dyes described above are referred to specifically in this writing, it should be understood that the principles of the present invention may be utilized with any suitable dye.

[0028] The present invention provides a device and method for introducing dry dye onto the surface of the eye of a patient, without the introduction of a physical object, such as filter paper or other substrate, onto the eye's surface. Introduction of the dry dye directly onto the eye without the need for an intermediary substrate or object reduces the risk of infection of the eye, as well as the risk of damage to the eye due to abrading of the cornea or conjunctiva. As used herein, the word substrate refers to any physical object or structure carrying the dye, whether the dye is provided on the surface of the substrate or the substrate is impregnated with the dye.

[0029] The amount of dry dye required to be introduced onto the surface of the eye may vary according to the specific dye employed. For the dyes mentioned above, it is contemplated that from about 0.001 mg to about 1 mg will be sufficient to stain the cornea and conjunctiva. Any suitable device for delivery of a small quantity of dry powder can be utilized with the teachings of the present invention.

[0030] Exemplary devices for delivering the dyes in accordance with the present method may include devices having a reservoir for the powdered dye, as well as a pressurized gas source. The pressurized gas can be utilized to aerosolize the dry powder and direct it to the surface of the eye. Such devices can provide precise delivery of dry medicaments, including delivery of small amounts of fine powder. Production of a device for delivery the appropriate amount of a dye for use with the present method is considered within the skill of those in the art. Further, although a device may be used for delivery of the dye onto the eye's surface, it is contemplated that the dry dye powder can be delivered to the eye through the force of gravity alone, such as by dropping the desired amount of dry powder directly onto the surface of the eye.

[0031] FIG. 4 provides an exemplary embodiment of one such delivery device 10. The delivery device 10 includes a hermetically sealed container 12 having a compressed gas 26 and a dry, powdered dye 24 contained therein. A tube 22 is disposed within sealed contained 12, tube 22 having an open end to receive compressed gas 26 and powdered dye 24 and direct the flow of the two to the valve assembly of the device. The valve assembly of delivery device 10 includes a chamber 28 in which valve 18 and spring 20 are disposed. A push button 16 is attached to the top of valve 18 and protrudes upwardly through a dispensing nozzle 14. As shown in FIG. 4, delivery device 10 is in a closed position. Spring 20 urges the top of valve 18 against the opening between chamber 28 and dispensing nozzle 14, thereby sealing the flow path between the two. The compressed gas 26 and powdered dye 24 are retained within sealed container 12. When a user of the delivery device 10 depresses push button 16, valve 18 is urged downward against spring 20. This opens the flow path between chamber 28 and dispensing nozzle 14, but does not close the flow path between chamber 28 and tube 22. Compressed gas 26, due to its compressed nature, flows through tube 22, passes through chamber 18, and passes out of dispensing nozzle 14. The compressed gas 26 acts as a carrier for dye 24, carrying it with it as it flows. Upon leaving container 12, dye 24 is deposited on a surface according to the orientation of dispensing tip 14. When the user releases push button 16, valve 18 is once again urged in an upward direction by spring 20, and the flow path from chamber 28 to dispensing nozzle 14 is closed.

[0032] It should be noted that in the embodiment of a delivery device shown in FIG. 4, the amount of dye delivered to a surface, such as the eye of a patient, is controlled directly by the user of the delivery device and is determined by the length of time over which the user depressed push button 16. In other embodiments, however, it is contemplated that a metering mechanism may be employed such that a single depression of push button 16 results in the delivery of a predetermined amount of dye 24. Such metering mechanisms are known in the art, and it is contemplated that any suitable metering mechanism may be used.

[0033] Likewise, devices for dispensing medicaments and other substances are known in the art. The present method is not limited to the use of any particular device for the delivery of the dye. Rather, any suitable device may be employed. In one embodiment of the invention dispensing devices maybe provided wherein the amount dispensed is predetermined by a manufacturer of the device, and the user of the dispensing device merely actuates the device to deliver the prescribed amount of dye. In all such cases, the present method avoids direct contact of a physical object with the eye of a patient.