Claims for Patent: 6,403,609

Summary for Patent: 6,403,609

Title:	Ophthalmic compositions containing galactomannan polymers and borate
Abstract:	The present invention is directed to ophthalmic compositions containing a gelling amount of a combination of galactomannan polysaccharides and borates. The compositions gel or partially gel upon administration to the eye. The present invention also discloses methods of topical ophthalmic administration of the compositions of the eye.
Inventor(s):	Asgharian; Bahram (Arlington, TX)
Assignee:	Alcon Manufacturing, Ltd. (Fort Worth, TX)
Application Number:	09/423,762
Patent Claims:	1. A topical ophthalmic composition in the form of a liquid, said liquid composition comprising 0.1 to 5% (w/v) guar or a derivative thereof, 0.05 to 5.0% (w/v) of a borate compound, and water, said liquid composition having a pH such that the liquid composition thickens to form a gel or partial gel when one or more drops of the liquid composition are topically administered to the eye. 2. A topical ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a slightly acidic to neutral pH. 3. A topical ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the borate compound is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, sodium borate, potassium borate and combinations thereof. 4. A topical ophthalmic composition of claim 3, wherein the composition contains hydroxypropyl guar. 5. A topical ophthalmic composition of claim 4, wherein the hydroxypropyl guar has a molar substitution of less than 0.6. 6. A topical ophthalmic composition of claim 4, wherein the borate compound comprises boric acid. 7. A topical ophthalmic composition of claim 6, wherein the composition comprises hydroxypropyl guar in a concentration of 0.2 to 2.0% (w/v) and boric acid in a concentration of 0.1 to 2.0% (w/v). 8. A topical ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises one or more pharmaceutically active agents. 9. A topical ophthalmic composition of claim 8, wherein the pharmaceutically active agent is selected from the group consisting of: anti-hypertensive, anti-glaucoma, neuro-protective, anti-allergy, muco-secretagogue, angiostatic, anti-microbial, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory agents. 10. A topical ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. 11. A composition according to any one of the claims 1-9, wherein the composition has a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. 12. A composition according to any one of claims 1-10 wherein the composition is adapted for use as an ocular lubricant or artificial tear composition. 13. A method of lubricating the eye, which comprises topically applying a composition of any one of claims 1-10 to the eye. 14. A sterile ophthalmic pharmaceutical composition, comprising 0.1 to 5% (w/v) of a galactomannan selected from the group consisting of guar and derivatives thereof, 0.05 to 5.0% (w/v) of a borate compound, and water. 15. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to claim 14, wherein the borate compound is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, sodium borate, potassium borate and combinations thereof. 16. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to claim 15, wherein the galactomannan comprises hydroxypropyl guar. 17. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to claim 16, wherein the borate compound comprises boric acid. 18. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to claim 18, wherein the composition contains hydroxypropyl guar in a concentration of 0.2 to 2.0% (w/v) and boric acid in a concentration of 0.1 to 2.0% (w/v). 19. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein the composition has a slightly acidic to neutral pH. 20. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically active agent. 21. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein the composition is adapted for use as an ocular lubricant or artificial tear composition. 22. A method of lubricating the eye, which comprises applying a lubricating amount of a composition of claim 21 to the eye. 23. A method of delivering a pharmaceutical agent to the eye which comprises topically administering to the eye a sterile ophthalmic composition comprising a pharmaceutically active agent, 0.1 to 5% (w/v) of a galactomannan selected from the group consisting of guar and derivatives thereof, 0.05 to 5% (w/v) of a borate compound, and water. 24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the borate compound is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, sodium borate, potassium borate and combinations thereof. 25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the galactomannan comprises hydroxypropyl guar. 26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the composition contains hydroxypropyl guar in a concentration of 0.2 to 2.0% (w/v), and the borate compound comprises boric acid in a concentration of 0.1 to 2.0% (w/v). 27. A method according to claim 23, wherein the pharmaceutically active agent is selected from the group consisting of: anti-hypertensive, anti-glaucoma, neuro-protective, anti-allergy, muco-secretagogue, angiostatic, anti-microbial, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory agents. 28. A sterile ophthalmic pharmaceutical composition useful as an ocular lubricant or artificial tear composition, comprising 0.1 to 3.0% (w/v) of a galactomannan selected from the group consisting of guar and derivatives thereof, 0.1 to 2.0% (w/v) of a borate compound, and water. 29. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to claim 28, wherein the borate compound is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, sodium borate, potassium borate and combinations thereof. 30. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to claim 29, wherein the galactomannan comprises hydroxypropyl guar. 31. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to claim 28, wherein the borate compound comprises boric acid. 32. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to claim 28, wherein the galactomannan comprises hydroxypropyl guar and the borate compound comprises boric acid. 33. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to any one of claims 28-32, wherein the composition has a slightly acidic to neutral pH. 34. A sterile ophthalmic composition according to claim 33, wherein the composition has a pH of 6 to 7. 35. A method of lubricating an eye, which comprises topically applying to the eye a lubricating amount of a composition according to claim 34. 36. A method of lubricating an eye, which comprises topically applying to the eye a lubricating amount of a composition according to claim 33. 37. A method of lubricating an eye which comprises topically applying to the eye a lubricating amount of a composition according to any one of claims 28-32.