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US4600723A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for minimizing disturbances in circadian rhythms of bodily performance and function

Assignee: Circadian Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd
•
Filing: 1984-05-18
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Granted: 1986-07-15
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Expires: 2004-05-18
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Abstract

Abstract Disturbances in circadian rhythms of bodily performance and function, as may occur for example in transfer of work patterns from day to night-shift, or rapid crossing of several time zones in an aircraft ("jet lag") are treated by administration of melatonin. Alleviation or prevention of ill effects associated with disturbance of circadian rhythms is achieved by administration of melatonin in specified ways which are varied to suit particular needs and circumstances.

Inventors

  • 👤 Roger V. Short
  • 👤 Stuart Armstrong

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 20:36
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07D; C07D209/00; C07D209/02; C07D209/04; C07D209/10; C07D209/14; C07D209/16; A; A61; A61K; A61K31/00; A61K31/33; A61K31/395; A61K31/40

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 51 words
A method of alleviating the effects of disturbed circadian rhythms on bodily performance and function in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time when the subject's sleep cycle should commence, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to re-entrain the disturbed circudian rhythms of said subject.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 51 words
A method of alleviating the effects of disturbed circadian rhythms on bodily performance and function in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time when the subject's sleep cycle should commence, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to re-entrain the disturbed circudian rhythms of said subject.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 56 words
A method of entraining circadian rhythms to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of approximately 24 hours in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time which coincides with the sleep phase of the predetermined cycle, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to entrain the circadian rhythms to said predetermined cycle.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 56 words
A method of entraining circadian rhythms to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of approximately 24 hours in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time which coincides with the sleep phase of the predetermined cycle, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to entrain the circadian rhythms to said predetermined cycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said oral administration is maintained at approximately 24 hour intervals at least until the subject's circadian rhythms have been entrained to the predetermined cycle.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 57 words
A method of alleviating the effects of disturbed circadian rhythms due to undergoing a rapid change in time zones comprising administering orally to a human subject melatonin at a time when the subject's sleep phase should occur in a predetermined time zone, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to re-entrain the disturbed circadian rhythms of said subject.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 57 words
A method of alleviating the effects of disturbed circadian rhythms due to undergoing a rapid change in time zones comprising administering orally to a human subject melatonin at a time when the subject's sleep phase should occur in a predetermined time zone, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to re-entrain the disturbed circadian rhythms of said subject.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 73 words
A method of alleviating the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from one time zone to any number of ther time zones in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time chosen to be the subject's sleep phase, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to alleviate the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from one time zone to any number of other time zones.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 73 words
A method of alleviating the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from one time zone to any number of ther time zones in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time chosen to be the subject's sleep phase, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to alleviate the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from one time zone to any number of other time zones.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 73 words
A method of alleviating the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from one time zone to a second time zone in a human subject comprising administering orally said subject melatonin at a time when the subject's sleep phase should occur in the second time zone, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to alleviate the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from one time zone to a second time zone.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 73 words
A method of alleviating the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from one time zone to a second time zone in a human subject comprising administering orally said subject melatonin at a time when the subject's sleep phase should occur in the second time zone, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to alleviate the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from one time zone to a second time zone.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 57 words
A method of alleviating the effects on circadian rhythms of rapidly altering the 24 hours routine in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time that coincides with the sleep phase within a new 24 hour routine, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to re-entrain the disturbed circadian rhythms of said subject.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 57 words
A method of alleviating the effects on circadian rhythms of rapidly altering the 24 hours routine in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time that coincides with the sleep phase within a new 24 hour routine, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to re-entrain the disturbed circadian rhythms of said subject.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 68 words
A method of alleviating the effects on circadian rhythms of living in an environment substantially free of zeitgebers of 24 hour periodicity comprising orally administering to said subject melatonin at a time that coincides with the desired sleep phase of the subject, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to alleviate the effects on circadian rhythms of living in an environment substantially free of zeitgebers of 24 hour periodicity.
Claim 15
Independent Claim 68 words
A method of alleviating the effects on circadian rhythms of living in an environment substantially free of zeitgebers of 24 hour periodicity comprising orally administering to said subject melatonin at a time that coincides with the desired sleep phase of the subject, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to alleviate the effects on circadian rhythms of living in an environment substantially free of zeitgebers of 24 hour periodicity.
Claim 16
Independent Claim 47 words
A method of alleviating the effects of a disturbance in the body temperature circadian rhythm in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin in an amount sufficient to alleviate the effects of a disturbance in the body temperature circadian rhythm in a human subject.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 47 words
A method of alleviating the effects of a disturbance in the body temperature circadian rhythm in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin in an amount sufficient to alleviate the effects of a disturbance in the body temperature circadian rhythm in a human subject.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 57 words
A method of entraining a body temperature circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to entrain a body temperature circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 57 words
A method of entraining a body temperature circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to entrain a body temperature circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 24 words
A method according to any of claims 1-6 and 7-10 wherein the dose of melatonin adminstered is in the range 1 to 10 mg.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 21 words
A method according to any one of claims 1-6 and 7-10 wherein the melatonin is combined with a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 21 words
A method according to any one of claims 1-6 and 7-10 wherein the melatonin is administered in a slow release form.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

JPS555763A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1989-07-14 1990-01-13 1990-07-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-07-14 1994-01-13 1994-07-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-07-14 1998-01-13 1998-07-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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