Abstract: Keratocyte loss after trauma or injury to the corneal epithelium is prevented or reduced by applying to the corneal epithelium a keratocyte maintenance solution over a period of time sufficient to permit corneal wound healing. The keratocyte maintenance solution is applied to the cornea after trauma (for example, removal of the epithelium prior to surgery, such as photorefractive keratectomy). Preferably, the solution is maintained over the cornea by means of a fluid bath or by means of an absorbent material effective for controlled release of the solution to the cornea (e.g., a collagen shield substantially in the form of a conventional contact lens). A preferred keratocyte maintenance solution is a corneal storage medium.

Abstract: In general, eyedrop dispensers are difficult to use and/or unnecessarily complicated in terms of structure. A relatively simple eyedrop dispenser which can be used with one hand includes a tapering, tubular, soft pliable body with a resilient sleeve at one end thereof for mounting the dispenser on a bottle with a cylindrical neck and an annular flange for mating with an annular groove in the sleeve, the remainder of the body flaring outwardly to a wide end, a flange extending outwardly from the wide end with projections or protuberances on the flange for bearing against the face of the user on either side of an eye and for pushing the lower eyelid downwardly, whereby drops are dispensed accurately into the lower eye.

Abstract: A device including an eye cup portion affixed to one end of an extendible tube portion, the other end of the tube portion is adapted for releasably attaching the tube portion to the nozzle of a spray-mist fluid dispenser. In combination, the device and mist dispenser are operable for controlling the delivery of a fluid to the eye. The device functions both as mask to confine the distribution of the spray mist ejected from the nozzle upon the eye and as a jig operable for adjusting the distance between the mist dispenser nozzle and the eye cup portion of the device. In operation, with the device affixed to a spray mist dispenser nozzle and the tube portion unextended (nozzle closest to the eye), a dense mist is delivered to the cornea and surrounding eye tissues when mist is dispensed. When the tube portion is extended, the spray mist dispenser nozzle is further from the eye cup thereby reducing the density of the spray mist impinging on the eye.

Abstract: An eye medicament dispensing device utilizing a container having a chamber for storing air. The container possesses an outlet for passing the air from the container. A cup structure, connected to the container, is fitted over the eye and has an open cavity formed by a base, a wall portion extending from the base, and a terminal continuous edge portion. The terminal continuous edge portion is intended for contacting and holding open the upper and lower eyelids. The eye cup structure also is formed with an outer surface, an inner surface, and an opening or bore therebetween. The opening is positioned at the base of the eye cup and is surrounded by indicia on the inner surface of the eye cup at a selected distance from the base opening. The indicia essentially surrounds the base and may take the form of a continuous design or an interrupted design. Medicament is guided from the container through the opening in the base of the eye cup toward the eye held in the eye cup by the use of an orifice.

Abstract: The device represented in its storage position contains essentially a body (11) in synthetic material containing a reservoir (10) containing a medicinal substance (29). The body (11) is fitted with an applicator nozzle (15). The reservoir (10) has the shape of a cylindrical glass jacket (17) closed at one end by a movable sealing plug (18) and at the other end by a mobile piston (19). The mobile piston is linked with a plunger (16) which advantageously is a spring in a synthetic material. A flow rate controlling filter (19) is lodged in the applicator nozzle (15). This device is advantageous because the reservoir can be sterilized with its contents. The filter and the piston along with the plunger guarantee the medicinal substance remains in an aseptic state by preventing contamination via the applicator nozzle.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel apparatus which assists in administering eye medication to a patient. More particularly, this invention pertains to an apparatus which attaches to a vial containing eye medication, and detaches to assist in administering the eye medication to a patient, and accounts for a number of administrations in a day. The apparatus includes (a) a hollow truncated conical transparent shell; (b) a transparent circular plate attached to the truncated end of the conical shell wherein the plate has a circular opening in the central area of the plate; and (c) a hollow truncated conical transparent shell fitted over a portion of the exterior of the transparent shell (a).

Abstract: An eyedrop applicator attachment for attachment to a bottle having a large or small threaded neck. The applicator attachment is provided with a hollow cylindrical body, and an eyecup integral with the body at one end. The other end of the body has an opening, and interiorly of the body are two female threads, located coaxially and of different diameters, the threads with the larger diameter being adjacent the open end of the body. Thus, the applicator attachment may be attached to a squeeze bottle with a larger diameter neck, or to a squeeze bottle with a smaller diameter neck. In an alternate embodiment, axially of the threads for engagement with the neck of a bottle, there is an extension having a third female thread, into which a plug is threaded to provide a closure for the nozzle of a bottle attached to the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An eye-bathing device comprises an eye-cup (14) adapted to receive the eye being bathed, and a pump (11) for delivering an eye bathing solution to the eye-cup through a spray nozzle (13), the eye-cup (14) having an inlet opening (35) aligned with the spray nozzle. The pump (11) is hand-operated, and is located within a housing (10) supporting the eye-cup (14).

Abstract: An ophthalmic device (10, 30, 50, 81) in the form of a cup (11, 31, 51) having a periphery (12, 32, 52, 85) substantially scaphoid in plan for contacting a facial region in the vicinity of an eye. The interior of the cup is accessible from its exterior by way of at least a first port (14, 34, 58, 86) and a second port (15, 35, 60, 87). The first port (14, 34, 58, 86) provides an inlet for a dispensing unit (17, 38, 63) for material to be supplied to the eye. The second port (15, 35, 60, 87) provides a target for viewing by an eye about which the periphery (12, 32, 52, 85) is disposed. The device (10, 30, 50, 81) is preferably fabricated from a material which is substantially opaque or imperfectly transparent and the second port (15, 35, 60, 87) is an aperture which provides a viewing target for an eye with which the device is being used. Alternatively the device can be in the form of a transparent shell with a distinctive target supported on the shell.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device (10, 30, 50, 81) in the form of a cup (11, 31, 51) having a periphery (12, 32, 52, 85) substantially scaphoid in plan for contacting a facial region in the vicinity of an eye. The interior of the cup is accessible from its exterior by way of at least a first port (14, 34, 58, 86) and a second port (15, 35, 60, 87). The first port (14, 34, 58, 86) provides an inlet for a dispensing unit (17, 38, 63) for material to be supplied to the eye. The second port (15, 35, 60, 87) provides a target for viewing by an eye about which the periphery (12, 32, 52, 85) is disposed. The device (10, 30, 50, 81) is preferably fabricated from a material which is substantially opaque or imperfectly transparent and the second port (15, 35, 60, 87) is an aperture which provides a viewing target for an eye with which the device is being used. Alternatively the device can be in the form of a transparent shell with a distinctive target supported on the shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying medicament to an eye has an inner casing and an outer casing coupled to the inner casing and moveable relative thereto. An eyecup is supported on one end of the inner casing. The eyecup defines a surface shaped to conformably engage the facial tissue surrounding an eye. An ocular vial supported with the inner casing. The ocular vial holds medicament for release into an eye. An eyelid displacing member is coupled to the outer casing and slideably mounted through the inner casing. The eyelid displacing member includes a depresser tab adapted to engage the facial tissue below an eye. The depresser tab engages the facial tissue upon moving the outer casing toward the inner casing, thus displacing the lower eyelid to expose the ocular cul-de-sac. A dispensing member is supported by the outer casing. The dispensing member is adapted to actuate the ocular vial upon moving the outer casing toward the inner casing, to release medicament onto the exposed ocular cul-de-sac of the eye.

Abstract: An antimicrobial superabsorbent composition of a cross-linked hydrophilic sodium salt form of a partially neutralized acrylic acid-based polymer gel having covalently bonded thereto a silane. The composition can be in the form of flakes, strips, powders, filaments, fibers, or films, and may be applied to a substrate in the form of a coating.

Abstract: An eyelid opener is useful for opening a person's eye in order to dispense an ophthalmic fluid into the eye. The eyelid opener comprises a collar having internal lobes arranged to enable the collar to be screwed onto the threads of an ophthalmic bottle. A shoulder extends across the collar and limits the engagement of the collar on the bottle threads. The bottle tip passes through a hole in the shoulder. To the collar are joined a pair of flexible wings. The two wings terminate in respective flanges sized and shaped to conform to substantially the length of the exteriors of the human eyelids. The wings can be squeezed together and placed on the eyelids. Releasing the wings causing them to return to their undeflected configurations and thereby open the eye. Then a drop of fluid in the bottle can be dispensed into the open eye.

Abstract: An eyedrop applicator attachment for attachment to a bottle having a large or small threaded neck. The applicator attachment is provided with a hollow cylindrical body, and an eyecup integral with the body at one end. The other end of the body has an opening, and interiorly of the body are two female threads, located coaxially and of different diameters, the threads with the larger diameter being adjacent the open end of the body. Thus, the applicator attachment may be attached to a squeeze bottle with a larger diameter neck, or to a squeeze bottle with a smaller diameter neck. In an alternate embodiment, axially of the threads for engagement with the neck of a bottle, there is an extension having a third female thread, into which a plug is threaded to provide a closure for the nozzle of a bottle attached to the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An ocular delivery system for dispensing liquid eye treatment solution includes an eyecup to be placed over the eye to be treated, a system for forming a crescent shaped mist of treatment solution, and a system for collecting used solution without contaminating the source of fresh solution. The delivery system further includes an integral lid retractor for retracting the upper eyelid during treatment. The system is safe and easy to use as well as hygienic.

Abstract: An ocular treatment apparatus for applying medicament into an eye has an inner housing member with an eyepiece on a free end thereof. The eyepiece defines an opening in one end thereof, and the opening has a peripheral edge shaped for engagement with the facial tissue surrounding an eye. A body portion of the inner housing member is coupled to the eyepiece and is dimensioned to receive a vial of medicament for application to the eye. An outer housing member of the apparatus has an open free end, which is slidably engaged over the inner housing member. The outer housing member has a displacement rod that projects inwardly from a closed end thereof in the axial direction of the apparatus. The displacement rod is engageable with a flexible vial supported within the body portion of the inner housing member. The displacement rod flexes the vial inwardly to dispense medicament therefrom into an eye.

Abstract: A selectively securable eye drop dispenser apparatus as set forth wherein a replacement cap for use of the conventional eye drop dispensers has formed a threaded cylindrical portion for securement to the aforenoted conventional eye drop bottle including an orifice portion directed to an eye cup portion for operative associated with a human eye. The eye cup portion is formed of a flexible plastic-like material for enabling conformity to an associated human eye wherein the cylindrical threaded portion is formed of relatively stiff plastic-like material for maintaining desired registry and orientation of the associated orifice portion with the eye drop bottle.

Abstract: An occular treatment apparatus for applying liquid medicament from a reservoir is provided. The apparatus includes a tubular housing with a first open end adapted to conform to the shape of the facial area surrounding the eye socket. The housing is constructed and arranged to receive, hold and position a reservoir containing the liquid medicament. A sighting opening is included on the housing to properly orient the eye and distract the user from the drops of liquid medicament to be introduced into the eye. An eyelid displacement mechanism is supported on the first open end of the housing at a position diametrically opposed to the sighting opening. The displacement mechanism is adapted to evert the lower eyelid and expose the cul de sac.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an applicator for the discharge of disinfectant from an aerosol can. The applicator provides an inner and an outer confinement means which permits the discharge of disinfectant from the aerosol can onto a relatively large area being treated.The applicator also comprises an inner confinement adapter which is disposed within the outer confinement means so as to permit a smaller portion of a patient's body to be disinfected. A finger may disposed against the inner confinement apparatus and disinfected appropriately due to the smaller size of the inner confinement means as opposed to the outer confinement means. The flow of disinfectant when the outer confinement means is utilized is not compromised because of the spaced relationship axially between the two confinement rims.

Abstract: Device for administering eye drops from an eye dropper bottle comprising a frame having a first ring member configured to fit around an eye of a person, and a second ring member for supporting the eye dropper bottle while drops are dispensed from the bottle into the eye. The frame includes at least two discrete connecting rods connected to the first and second ring members for maintaining the ring members in a fixed spaced-apart configuration with respect to each other. To reduce the risk of contaminating the drops, the device is configured so that there is no surface of the device which is contactable by drops entering the eye. A handle may be connected to the second ring member for facilitating handling of the device.

Abstract: The device for the treatment of the eyes with a washing or bathing liquid consists of a container, which possesses a cover, in which are located two vertical whirlpool tubes as washing devices, spaced to accommodate the two eyes, in the interior cross section of which is located a whirlpool device to generate bubbles as in the manner of a whirlpool bath. The cover carries the whirlpool tubes with intake. Only the washing liquid is located in the container.