Approach to administering ocular medication

Abstract

The invention is a device and a method for delivering a dose of a pharmaceutical agent to the eye. The device and method provide a safe and effective way to instill a specified dose of the agent to the eye virtually independent of gravity and posture. The device includes a filter matrix in which the fluid capture and release properties can be modified. The filter matrix is attached to a flexible handle with an impermeable or semipermeable membrane there between.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hand-held ophthalmic applicator device for delivery of a precise dose of an ocular agent fluid to the conjunctiva of an eye, the hand-held ophthalmic applicator device comprising:
 a handle configured to be held by a human hand;   a filter matrix element inseparably attached to the handle, the filter matrix element being made of a plurality of interwoven fibers of material and having dimensions to contain the precise dose of ocular agent fluid; and   a waterproof barrier membrane securely attached between the handle and the filter matrix element, wherein when a solution is applied to the filter matrix element, the barrier membrane prevents the solution from flowing from the filter matrix element into the handle and contains within the filter matrix element the precise dose of the ocular agent fluid to be placed to the conjunctiva of the eye.   
     
     
         2 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the filter matrix element is impregnated between the plurality of interwoven fibers with a medicated dose of an ocular agent that is pulverized in a granular form. 
     
     
         3 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof barrier membrane is made of an impermeable material. 
     
     
         4 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof barrier membrane is made of a semi-permeable material. 
     
     
         5 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the handle has a width at an attachment point of the waterproof barrier membrane to the handle; and   the waterproof barrier membrane extends the width of the handle at the attachment point.   
     
     
         6 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fibers of the filter matrix element is made of an absorbent material. 
     
     
         7 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fibers of the filter matrix element is made of a non-absorbent material. 
     
     
         8 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fibers of the filter matrix element includes a blend of materials selected to provide the precise dose of the ocular fluid agent to the conjunctiva. 
     
     
         9 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the handle is elongate and includes a first end and an opposing second end; and   the barrier membrane extends from the first end to the second end of the handle.   
     
     
         10 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle has a length of approximately 2 inches and a width of approximately 0.25 inch. 
     
     
         11 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , and further comprising the precise dose of the ocular agent fluid disposed within the filter matrix element. 
     
     
         12 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , and further comprising a precise dose of a non-fluid ocular agent within the filter matrix element that, in combination with the solution, forms the ocular agent fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the filter matrix element has a shape from the group consisting of cylindrical, polygonal, circular, oval, and elliptical. 
     
     
         15 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated handle is made of paper or plastic. 
     
     
         16 . The hand-held ophthalmic applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the filter matrix is being made of a material from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, silk, nylon, and plastic fiber. 
     
     
         17 . A method of applying a precise dose of an ocular agent fluid to a conjunctiva of an eye, the method comprising:
 holding, by a human hand, a hand-held ophthalmic applicator device including a handle, a filter matrix element, inseparably attached to the handle, that is made of a plurality of interwoven fibers of material and that has dimensions to contain the precise dose of ocular agent fluid, a waterproof barrier membrane securely attached between the handle and the filter matrix element, and the precise dose of the ocular agent fluid entrapped within the filter matrix element; and   pulling a lower eyelid of the eye downward to expose the conjunctiva of the eye; and   placing the filter matrix element in contact with the conjunctiva of the eye such that the ocular agent fluid is transferred from the hand-held ophthalmic applicator device to the conjunctive of the eye.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , and further comprising:
 applying a solution to the filter matrix element to form, with a non-fluid ocular agent within the filter matrix element, the precise dose of the ocular agent fluid.   
     
     
         19 . A method of making a hand-held ophthalmic applicator device for delivery of a precise dose of an ocular agent fluid to the conjunctiva of an eye, the method comprising:
 forming a handle configured to be held by a human hand;   inseparably attaching to the handle a filter matrix element made of a plurality of interwoven fibers of material and having dimensions to contain the precise dose of ocular agent fluid; and   securely attaching a waterproof barrier membrane between the handle and the filter matrix element, wherein when a solution is applied to the filter matrix element, the barrier membrane prevents the solution from flowing from the filter matrix element into the handle and contains within the filter matrix element the precise dose of the ocular agent fluid to be placed to the conjunctiva of the eye.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , and further comprising applying the solution to the filter matrix element. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , and further comprising:
 impregnating the filter matrix element between the plurality of interwoven fibers with a precise dose of an ocular agent in a granular form.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , and further comprising:
 applying the ocular agent fluid to the filter matrix element; and   thereafter, drying the ocular agent fluid therein.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the drying comprises freeze drying. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the drying comprises air drying.