Claims for Patent: 6,139,859

Summary for Patent: 6,139,859

Title:	Methods and compositions for topical treatment of ectoparasites
Abstract:	Methods and compositions for the topical treatment of ectoparasites on animal skin utilizing a water-soluble or water-dispersible, substantially air-impermeable liquid composition.
Inventor(s):	Precopio; Michael J (Collegeville, PA)
Assignee:	Summers Laboratories, Inc. (Collegeville, PA)
Application Number:	09/131,862
Patent Claims:	1. A method for the topical treatment of lice and/or mites on animal skin comprising the steps of A) applying to the skin and hair containing the lice and/or mites a water-soluble or water dispersible, substantially air-impermeable, skin compatible liquid composition, wherein the liquid composition can range from free-flowing to viscous; B) leaving the composition in contact with the skin and hair until the lice and/or mites have been killed by suffocation; and C) removing the composition and the dead lice and/or mites from the skin and hair; wherein in step B) suffocation is the only mechanism by which the composition kills the lice and/or mites. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition also contains an effective quantity of at least one enzyme that loosens nits. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein in step C) the composition is removed by rinsing with water. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition contains at least one skin compatible surface active agent selected from the group consisting of water-soluble anionic, cationic, nonionic, polar nonionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic surfactants, and soaps. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the composition also contains a thickening agent. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the viscosity of the compostion is at least about 1 centipoise at 20.degree. C. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein in step A) the composition is a water-based pharmaceutically acceptable jelly containing a gum. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein step B) the composition is left in contact with the skin and hair for from about 4 to about 24 hours. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein in step B) the composition is left on the scalp and hair for a period of from about 6 to about 10 hours. 10. A method for the topical treatment of the human scalp infected with head lice comprising the steps of A) applying to the scalp and hair a water-soluble or water-dispersible substantially air-impermeable, skin compatible, liquid composition, wherein the liquid composition can range from free-flowing to viscous; B) leaving the composition on the scalp and hair until the lice have been killed by suffocation; and C) removing the composition and the dead lice from the scalp and hair; wherein in step B) suffocation is the only mechanism by which the composition kills the lice. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the composition also contains an effective quantity of at least one enzyme that loosens lice nits. 12. The method of claim 10 wherein in step B) the composition is left on the scalp and hair for a period of from about 4 to about 24 hours. 13. A method for the topical treatment of lice and/or mites on animal skin and hair comprising the steps of A) applying to the skin and hair containing lice and/or mites a water rinseable, substantially air impermeable barrier composition; B) leaving the composition in contact with the skin and hair until the lice and/or mites have been killed by suffocation; C) removing the composition and the dead lice and/or mites from the skin and hair; D) applying to the skin and hair an effective quantity of at least one enzyme that loosens nits; and E) removing the at least one enzyme from the skin and hair together with the loosened nits. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the animal skin and hair is the human scalp and the lice are head lice. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the composition in step A) contains at least one skin compatible surface active agent selected from the group consisting of water-soluble, anionic, cationic, nonionic, polar nonionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants, and soaps. 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the composition in step A) also contains a thickening agent. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the viscosity of the composition in step A) is at least about 1 centipoise at 20.degree. C. 18. The method of claim 13 wherein in step A) the composition is a water-based pharmaceutically acceptable jelly containing a gum. 19. The method of claim 13 wherein in step B) the composition is left in contact with the skin and hair for from about 4 to about 24 hours. 20. The method of claim 13 wherein in step C) the composition is removed by rinsing with water.