Methods of alleviating symptoms of ocular surface discomfort using medical ice slurry
Inventors
STEFATER, III, James Anthony • STRYJEWSKI, Tomasz Pawel • Sabir, Sameer
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11653969-B2
Publication Date
2023-05-23
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 invention provides methods for causing hypesthesia of an eye and for alleviating ocular surface discomfort by applying a cold slurry comprising water and a freezing point depressant to an eye of a subject. The cold slurry application causes hypesthesia or numbing for a period of time of more than about two days, and an ocular sensation of the eye is restored following the period of time.
The cold slurry is applied to the eye in a manner that can avoid direct contact with the surface of the eye, including applying the cold slurry to a location posterior to the corneal limbus and/or via a barrier between the cold slurry and the surface of the eye. In some embodiments, one or more targeted portions of the surface of the eye comprises a bulbar conjunctiva/sclera.
Protective and mediating structures can be used such that the cold slurry contacts a barrier, where the barrier comprises a thermally conductive metal, a thermally conductive polymer, or a combination thereof. The cold slurry can be applied for defined time periods, and ocular sensation can be restored after a defined restoration timeframe.
Claims Coverage
The partial claims set includes two independent claims centered on applying a cold slurry comprising water and a freezing point depressant to an eye to cause hypesthesia or numbing for more than about two days, followed by restoration of ocular sensation. Additional inventive features refine the application location, contact mode, barrier materials, and timing constraints.
Prolonged hypesthesia with cold slurry and restored ocular sensation
Applying a cold slurry comprising water and a freezing point depressant to the eye, wherein the application causes hypesthesia of the eye for a period of time of more than about two days, and an ocular sensation of the eye is restored following the period of time.
Alleviating ocular surface discomfort by cold-slurry numbing with restored sensation
Applying a cold slurry comprising water and a freezing point depressant to an eye, wherein the application causes numbing of the eye for a period of time of more than about two days, and an ocular sensation of the eye is restored following the period of time.
Application location posterior to the corneal limbus
Applying the cold slurry posterior to the corneal limbus.
Non-direct contact with the surface of the eye
The cold slurry does not directly contact the surface of the eye.
Barrier between cold slurry and eye surface using thermally conductive materials
The cold slurry contacts a barrier between the cold slurry and the surface of the eye, wherein the barrier comprises a thermally conductive metal, a thermally conductive polymer, or a combination thereof.
Targeted surface portions comprising bulbar conjunctiva/sclera
One or more targeted portions of the surface of the eye comprises bulbar conjunctiva/sclera.
Restoration of ocular sensation after about 21 days
The ocular sensation of the eye is restored after about 21 days following the application of the cold slurry.
Cold slurry application for about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes
Applying the cold slurry to the eye for between about 5 minutes and about 15 minutes.
Overall, the claims cover applying the cold slurry to an eye to produce hypesthesia or numbing for more than about two days and restore ocular sensation. Dependent features further specify posterior-to-limbus application, non-direct contact, a barrier comprising thermally conductive metal or thermally conductive polymer, targeting of bulbar conjunctiva/sclera, and stated application and restoration timeframes.
Stated Advantages
Provides alleviation of ocular surface discomfort via numbing of the eye for more than about two days.
Causes hypesthesia or numbing for more than about two days while allowing restoration of ocular sensation following the period of time.
Restores ocular sensation after a defined timeframe following the application of the cold slurry.
Documented Applications
Alleviating ocular surface discomfort in a subject by applying a cold slurry comprising water and a freezing point depressant to an eye.
Causing hypesthesia of an eye in a subject by applying a cold slurry comprising water and a freezing point depressant to the eye.
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