Eyelid Margin Wipes Comprising Chemical Means for Temperature Adjustment

Abstract

An eyelid margin wipe comprising chemical means for adjusting the temperature of the wipe relative to the ambient temperature. The wipe is particularly useful for treatment of disorders of the eyelid or eyelid margin such as meibomian gland dysfunction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An eyelid margin wipe,
 the wipe comprising a chemical adapted to adjust a temperature of the wipe relative to an ambient temperature,   wherein the wipe comprises a pocket into which the chemical adapted to adjust the temperature of the wipe is placed, wherein the wipe is curved to correspond to a contour of an eye, wherein the wipe is coated with a polymeric material capable of molding to a surface of the eye,   wherein the chemical adapted to adjust the temperature of the wipe comprises two components capable of reacting with each other to generate a temperature change,   wherein the chemical adapted to adjust the temperature of the wipe is activated by an external source, and wherein the wipe is heated relative to the ambient temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , wherein the wipe comprises a cloth and wherein the chemical adapted to adjust the temperature of the wipe is coated on the cloth or is impregnated into the cloth. 
     
     
         3 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , wherein the wipe comprises a sponge and wherein the chemical adapted to adjust the temperature of the wipe is coated on or impregnated into the sponge. 
     
     
         4 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , wherein the wipe comprises a plurality of layers and wherein the chemical adapted to adjust the temperature of the wipe is incorporated into at least one of the layers. 
     
     
         5 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical adapted to adjust the temperature of the wipe is activated upon exposure to air. 
     
     
         6 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical adapted to adjust the temperature of the wipe is activated upon exposure to water or upon exposure to an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         7 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of cleansing agents and surfactant agents. 
     
     
         8 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 7 , wherein the agent is incorporated in a thermo-responsive polymer layer coated on a surface of the wipe. 
     
     
         9 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , further comprising a drug delivery system. 
     
     
         10 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of antistatic agents, preservatives, antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, chelating agents, emollients, emulsifying agents, buffering/neutralizing agents, humectants, thickeners, viscosity controlling agents, antistatic agents, and conditioning agents. 
     
     
         11 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of cleansing agents and surfactant agents, and further comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of antistatic agents, preservatives, antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, chelating agents, emollients, emulsifying agents, buffering/neutralizing agents, humectants, thickeners, viscosity controlling agents, antistatic agents, and conditioning agents. 
     
     
         12 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , wherein the wipe is coated with a polymeric material which softens at a temperature above ambient temperature, such that, in use, the polymeric material is capable of molding to the surface of the eye. 
     
     
         13 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is adjusted to a temperature of from about 40° C. to about 55° C. 
     
     
         14 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is maintained at an adjusted temperature for more than 5 minutes. 
     
     
         15 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is maintained at the adjusted temperature for 10 minutes or more. 
     
     
         16 . An eyelid margin wipe,
 the wipe comprising a chemical adapted to adjust a temperature of the wipe relative to an ambient temperature,   further comprising a sealed container, wherein the wipe is curved to correspond to a contour of an eye, wherein the wipe is coated with a polymeric material capable of molding to a surface of the eye, wherein the chemical adapted to adjust the temperature of the wipe comprises two components capable of reacting with each other to generate a temperature change, and wherein the wipe is heated relative to the ambient temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 16 , wherein the wipe is sterile. 
     
     
         18 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of cleansing agents and surfactant agents, wherein the agent is incorporated in a thermo-responsive polymer layer coated on a surface of the wipe. 
     
     
         19 . The eyelid margin wipe of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of antistatic agents, preservatives, antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, chelating agents, emollients, emulsifying agents, buffering/neutralizing agents, humectants, thickeners, viscosity controlling agents, antistatic agents, and conditioning agents, wherein the agent is incorporated in a thermo-responsive polymer layer coated on a surface of the wipe.