Claims for Patent: 5,834,489

Summary for Patent: 5,834,489

Title:	Methods and compositions for the treatment of pain utilizing ropivacaine
Abstract:	Use of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of ropivacaine for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical preparation with sensoric block and minimal motor blockade.
Inventor(s):	Eek; Arne Torsten (Trosa, SE)
Assignee:	AB Astra (SE)
Application Number:	08/851,062
Patent Claims:	1. A method of treating a human so as to relieve pain with minimal motor blockade, said method comprising epidurally administering to said human a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of ropivacaine, wherein said ropivacaine is present in said composition at a concentration of less than 0.5% by weight. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said ropivacaine is present in said composition at a concentration of between 0.01% and 0.45% by weight. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said ropivacaine is present in said composition at a concentration of between 0.01% and 0.3% by weight. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said ropivacaine is present in said composition at a concentration of about 0.25%. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said ropivacaine is present in said composition at a concentration of about 0.3%. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt of ropivacaine is ropivacaine hydrochloride. 7. The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein said composition is administered by continuous infusion.