Methods of alleviating symptoms of ocular surface discomfort using medical ice slurry
Inventors
STEFATER, III, James Anthony • STRYJEWSKI, Tomasz Pawel • Sabir, Sameer
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11399882-B2
Publication Date
2022-08-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a method of alleviating symptoms of ocular surface discomfort, the method comprising: topically applying a cold slurry adjacent to a corneal limbus of an eye of a patient, wherein the cold slurry comprises water and a freezing point depressant, wherein the topical application of the cold slurry is configured to cause a degree of numbing of a cornea of the eye for a period of time, and wherein an ocular sensation of the eye is restored following the period of time.
Core Innovation
The described invention relates to ocular surface discomfort, dry eye syndrome, and corneal pain mechanisms, and addresses corneal somatosensory dysfunction. It distinguishes hypesthesia from anesthesia and provides a concept of producing corneal hypesthesia rather than complete corneal anesthesia, with the goal of alleviating ocular surface discomfort or reducing pain while maintaining safety with respect to corneal tissue.
The invention uses a water-based medical ice slurry or cold slurry comprising water, a freezing point depressant, and ice particles. The cold slurry is applied topically adjacent to a corneal limbus, on or proximal to an ocular surface, or to a bulbar conjunctiva, or is administered in an alternative delivery mode including subconjunctival injection into the bulbar conjunctiva. The topical cold slurry is configured to cause corneal hypesthesia for a prolonged period of time more than about two days, and ocular sensation is restored following the period of time.
The invention further includes an approach that does not cause permanent damage to a cornea and includes restoration of ocular sensation after hypesthesia. Protective coverings such as a contact lens are described to prevent corneal freezing during application, and specific slurry formulation examples include glycerol-based ECT-1719 and ECT-4143.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set comprises four independent methods, each grounded in a cold slurry comprising water and ice and/or a freezing point depressant and in prolonged hypesthesia and/or prolonged pain reduction for more than about two days, followed by restoration of ocular sensation and with no permanent corneal damage. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features cover distinct delivery and anatomical placement modes.
Topically applying a cold slurry adjacent to a corneal limbus to cause prolonged corneal numbing and restore ocular sensation
Topically applying a cold slurry adjacent to a corneal limbus of an eye, wherein the cold slurry comprises water and a freezing point depressant, wherein the topical application is configured to cause a degree of numbing of a cornea for a period of time more than about two days, and wherein an ocular sensation of the eye is restored following the period of time.
Placing a protective covering and topically applying a cold slurry to the bulbar conjunctiva for prolonged reduction of pain with maintained partial corneal sensation
Placing a protective covering over a cornea and topically applying a cold slurry to a bulbar conjunctiva, wherein the topical application causes a prolonged reduction of pain of the eye for a period of time more than about two days, and wherein a partial sensation of the cornea is maintained during the prolonged reduction of pain.
Administering a cold slurry with water and ice particles to cause prolonged hypesthesia without permanent corneal damage
Administering a cold slurry to an eye, wherein the cold slurry comprises water and a percentage of ice particles, wherein the administration causes a prolonged hypesthesia of the eye for a period of time more than about two days, wherein an ocular sensation is restored following the prolonged hypesthesia, and wherein the administration does not cause permanent damage to a cornea of the eye.
Topically applying a cold slurry on or proximal to an ocular surface to cause prolonged corneal hypesthesia and restore ocular sensation without permanent corneal damage
Topically applying a cold slurry on or proximal to an ocular surface of an eye, wherein the topical application causes a prolonged hypesthesia of a cornea for a period of time more than about two days, wherein an ocular sensation of the eye is restored following the prolonged hypesthesia, and wherein the topical application does not cause permanent damage to the cornea of the eye.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on cold slurry treatment intended to produce prolonged corneal hypesthesia or prolonged pain reduction exceeding about two days, followed by restoration of ocular sensation and without permanent corneal damage. The independent claims further differentiate the anatomical placement and delivery context, including cold slurry adjacent to the corneal limbus, on or proximal to the ocular surface, or to the bulbar conjunctiva with a protective covering.
Stated Advantages
Alleviates symptoms of ocular surface discomfort by producing corneal numbing or hypesthesia for a period of time more than about two days.
Restores an ocular sensation following the prolonged hypesthesia or numbing.
Does not cause permanent damage to a cornea of the eye.
Causes prolonged reduction of pain of the eye for more than about two days while maintaining a partial sensation of the cornea.
Documented Applications
Alleviating symptoms of ocular surface discomfort.
Treatment directed to dry eye syndrome, chronic eye pain, and post-operative or post-injury pain and related corneal and somatosensory dysfunctions, including allodynia and pain from acute injury.
Interested in licensing this patent?