Method and apparatus for supplying gas to an area

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various designs and packaging methods for a gas delivery device and materials for supplying one or more predetermined gases to a target area as well as to application specific opthamological embodiments. With regard to the gas delivery device, the device may include a reservoir, a gas diffusion portion for communicating gas from the reservoir and one or more predetermined gases at concentrations greater than atmospheric contained within the reservoir, wherein the device does not generate gas and may be packaged prior to use with the one or more predetermined gases.

1 . A gas delivery device for supplying one or more predetermined gases to a target environment, the device comprising a reservoir, a gas diffusion portion for communicating gas from the reservoir and one or more predetermined gases at concentrations other than ambient levels are contained within the reservoir, wherein the device does not generate gas.  
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device may be packaged prior to use with the one or more predetermined gases.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is substantially enveloped by a layer of material, and wherein the layer of material is formed in a shape selected from the group consisting of: a tube, a balloon, a ring, and a pouch.  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is substantially enveloped by a layer of material, and wherein the layer of material is formed into all or a portion of a contact lens.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises a plurality of particles infused with the one or more predetermined gases at concentrations greater than atmospheric.  
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the particles are selected from the group consisting of reversible gas carriers such as nanoparticles, beads, spheres, bubbles, pigments or encapsulations, liposomes, oxygen transport pigments, hemoglobin derivatives, derivatives of perflurocarbon and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gas diffusion portion comprises at least a first portion of a wall of the reservoir.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least a portion of the wall is selected from the group consisting of: polyurethane, silicone, polyvinylchloride, ethylene vinyl alcohol and polyolefins.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least a first portion of the wall is porous and/or perforated.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least a first portion of the wall is porous and/or perforated in a manner sufficient to allow non-gas entities to pass through.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the non-gas entities comprise nutritional or therapeutic agents  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more predetermined gases contained in the reservoir is controllably released to the target environment through the gas diffusion portion.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an absorbent layer.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a compliant porous insert is contained within the reservoir.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the compliant porous insert is comprised of a sponge-like and/or porous material.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein an absorbent layer is incorporated into the compliant porous insert.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the compliant porous insert substantially fills the reservoir.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein a compliant porous insert is incorporated in the absorbent layer  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more predetermined gases is selected from the group consisting of: oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and nitric oxide.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir further contains a biologically beneficial agent.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the biologically beneficial agent is selected from the group consisting of: a drug, a mineral, a nutrient, an amino acid, a pH modifier, an anti-microbial, a growth factor and an enzyme.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the biologically beneficial agent is contained in microcapsules provided for on at least one of the layers.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the biologically beneficial agent is contained in a gel matrix external to the reservoir.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a wall of the reservoir comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a substantially gas-impermeable enclosed container containing the one or more second predetermined gases and the device.  
   
   
       26 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more predetermined gases are contained in a gas-infused gel provided external to the reservoir.  
   
   
       27 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more predetermined gases are contained in a gas-infused foam provided external to the reservoir.  
   
   
       28 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a septum.  
   
   
       29 . A gas delivery device for supplying one or more predetermined gases to a target environment, comprising a reservoir, a gas diffusion portion for communicating gas from the reservoir and one or more predetermined gases at concentrations other than ambient contained within the reservoir, wherein the device does not generate gas and may be packaged prior to use with the one or more predetermined gases.  
   
   
       30 . The device according to  claim 29 , wherein a preset volume of the one or more predetermined gases are contained within the reservoir.  
   
   
       31 . The device according to  claim 29 , wherein the one or more predetermined gases are included within the reservoir at about atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       32 . The device according to  claim 29 , wherein the gas delivery device is packaged prior to use at about atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       33 . The device according to any of  claim 29 , wherein the one or more predetermined gases is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon-dioxide and nitric oxide.  
   
   
       34 . The device according to  claim 29 , further comprising a substantially gas-impermeable enclosed package for containing the gas delivery device prior to use.  
   
   
       35 . A gas delivery device for supplying one or more predetermined gases to a target environment, the device comprising a reservoir, a gas diffusion portion for communicating gas from the reservoir, one or more predetermined gases at concentrations greater than atmospheric contained within the reservoir, and a pressure release port, wherein the device does not generate gas.  
   
   
       36 . The device according to  claim 35 , wherein the pressure release port comprises either a one-way or a two-way valve.  
   
   
       37 . A pre-packaged gas-infused material for supplying one or more predetermined gases to a target environment, the material comprising one or both of a gas infused gel and a gas-infused foam.  
   
   
       38 . The material according to  claim 37 , wherein the gel and/or foam gel is selected from the group consisting of: a hydrogel, an acrylic resin, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylamide, glucosaminoglycan, polyethylene oxide, and derivative and combinations of the foregoing.  
   
   
       39 . A method of packaging a gas delivery device comprising: 
 providing a gas delivery device for supplying one or more predetermined gases to a target environment, the device comprising a reservoir, a gas diffusion portion for communicating gas from the reservoir and one or more predetermined gases at concentrations greater than atmospheric contained within the reservoir, wherein the device does not generate gas;    placing the gas delivery device into a package for containing the gas delivery device prior to use, wherein the package capable of being substantially gas-impermeable when sealed, and wherein the package includes a self-sealing material;    pressurizing the package with the one or more predetermined gases immediately prior to or substantially concurrently with the sealing of the package;    puncturing the package after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after sealing the package, and    applying a pressure to the outside of the package to release excess one or more predetermined gases.    
   
   
       40 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein after the pressure to the outside of the package is removed, the self-sealing material seals the puncture.  
   
   
       41 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein the excess one or more predetermined gases are released through a valve.  
   
   
       42 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein the valve comprises a one-way valve mechanism.  
   
   
       43 . The method f according to  claim 42 , wherein the one way valve releases the excess one or more predetermined gases upon the pressure in the package reaching a predetermined level.  
   
   
       44 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein immediately prior to removing the pressure applied to the outside of the package to release the excess one or more predetermined gases, the method further includes re-sealing the package.  
   
   
       45 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein re-sealing the package comprises heat-sealing.  
   
   
       46 . A contact lens case comprising: 
 a container holding at least one contact lens and also for optionally holding contact lens solution; and    one or more predetermined gases at concentrations greater than atmospheric included within the reservoir.    
   
   
       47 . A contact lens oxygenation system comprising: 
 a container for holding a contact lens;    an inlet for supplying a flow of oxygen to the container;    a supply of oxygen capable of providing a flow of oxygen to the inlet; and    an one-way valved outlet for releasing excess pressure from the container.    
   
   
       48 . A method for oxygenating a contact lens comprising: 
 providing at least one contact lens container for holding at least one contact lens in a sealed state;    positioning at least one contact lens inside the at least one contact lens container;    providing oxygen to the inside of the at least one contact lens container in concentrations greater than atmospheric.    
   
   
       49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein providing oxygen comprises establishing a flow of oxygen into the container.  
   
   
       50 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the container includes a one-way valve such that upon the flow of oxygen being established excess pressure is released from within the container upon the pressure reaching a predetermined level.