{
  "patent_number": "US 3987163",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Polystyrene Sulfonate Helps Treat Dry Eye Symptoms",
  "original_title": "Polystyrene sulfonate containing opthalmic solutions",
  "summary": "A 1975 patent for an eye drop solution that uses a specific polymer to lubricate and cushion the eye, especially for contact lens wearers.",
  "what_it_does": "The patent describes an eye drop solution containing polystyrene sulfonate, a polymer with a high molecular weight between 75,000 and 10,000,000. This polymer acts as a synthetic mucus layer to lubricate and cushion the eye, which is particularly useful for people experiencing irritation from hard or gel-type contact lenses. The solution is formulated to be either acidic or buffered to a pH between 7.4 and 8.2 to remain compatible with human eye tissue. It can also include additional agents like cellulose derivatives or surfactants to improve the solution's performance as a wetting or cleaning agent.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover eye solutions that do not contain a styrene sulfonate polymer.",
    "Does not cover solutions where the polymer molecular weight falls outside the 75,000 to 10,000,000 range.",
    "Does not cover treatments for eye conditions that do not benefit from a synthetic mucus layer or lubrication.",
    "Does not cover the manufacturing process of the contact lenses themselves."
  ],
  "filed": "1975-05-01",
  "granted": "1976-10-19",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Burton Parsons and Co Inc",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/burton-parsons-and-co-inc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Billy F. Rankin",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/billy-f-rankin"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 37,
  "tags": [
    "biotech",
    "pharmaceutical"
  ],
  "abstract": "An opthalmic solution is provided for treatment of \"dry eye\", providing lubricating and cushioning effects for traumatized eyes, including trauma caused by the wearing of hard or gel-type contact lenses, and as a carrier for opthalmic medicaments. The solution is an aqueous solution of polystyrene sulfonate, optionally and preferably including polyethylene glycol, and other optional ingredients.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3987163/indomethacin",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3987163/indomethacin/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US3987163",
  "relatedPatents": []
}