US4665086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for minimizing disturbances in circadian rhythms of bodily performance and function
Assignee: Circadian Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1985-09-26
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Granted: 1987-05-12
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Expires: 2005-09-26
Abstract
Abstract Alleviating the effects of disturbances in circadian rhythms using melatonin.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger V. Short
- 👤 Stuart Armstrong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K31/00; A61K31/33; A61K31/395; A61K31/40; C; C07; C07D; C07D209/00; C07D209/02; C07D209/04; C07D209/10; C07D209/14; C07D209/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of alleviating the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from a first time zone through at least a second time zone and a return to said first time zone in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time when the subject's sleep phase should occur in said first time zone, the administration being repeated every 24 hours until the subject returns to said first time zone, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to alleviate the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from one time zone through at least a second time zone and a return to said first time zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of alleviating the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from a first time zone through at least a second time zone and a return to said first time zone in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time when the subject's sleep phase should occur in said first time zone, the administration being repeated every 24 hours until the subject returns to said first time zone, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to alleviate the effects on circadian rhythms of a rapid transition from one time zone through at least a second time zone and a return to said first time zone.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of entraining a temperature circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time which coincides with the downward point of the predetermined cycle, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to body temperature circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of entraining a temperature circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time which coincides with the downward point of the predetermined cycle, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to body temperature circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of alleviating the effects of a disturbance in the endogenous melatonin 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 endogenous melatonin circadian rhythm in a human subject.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of alleviating the effects of a disturbance in the endogenous melatonin 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 endogenous melatonin circadian rhythm in a human subject.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of entraining the endogenous melatonin circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time which coincides with the upward phase of the predetermined cycle, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to entrain the endogenous melatonin circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of entraining the endogenous melatonin circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject comprising administering orally to said subject melatonin at a time which coincides with the upward phase of the predetermined cycle, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to entrain the endogenous melatonin circadian rhythm to a predetermined cycle having a periodicity of 24 hours in a human subject.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
26 words
A method according to any of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the dose of melatonin administered is in the range 1 to 10 mg.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
23 words
A method according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the melatonin is combined with a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
26 words
A method according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the melatonin is orally administered together with at least a melatonin agonist.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
21 words
A method according to any of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the melatonin is replaced with a melatonin agonist.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
23 words
A method according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the melatonin is administered in a slow release form.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A package containing melatonin in capsule form, 1-10 mg. per capsule, said package including instructions for administration thereof for the alleviation or prevention of ill effects associated with disturbance of circadian rhythms in a human subject.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A package containing melatonin in capsule form, 1-10 mg. per capsule, said package including instructions for administration thereof for the alleviation or prevention of ill effects associated with disturbance of circadian rhythms in a human subject.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A pharmaceutical capsule for the re-entrainment of disturbed circadian rhythms in a human subject, said capsule containing 1-10 mg. melatonin and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A pharmaceutical capsule for the re-entrainment of disturbed circadian rhythms in a human subject, said capsule containing 1-10 mg. melatonin and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A pharmaceutical capsule for the re-entrainment of disturbed circadian rhythms in a human subject said capsule containing 1-10 mg. melatonin and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, said capsule being capable of releasing melatonin over a long period of time upon administration to a human.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A pharmaceutical capsule for the re-entrainment of disturbed circadian rhythms in a human subject said capsule containing 1-10 mg. melatonin and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, said capsule being capable of releasing melatonin over a long period of time upon administration to a human.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
A therapeutic method for re-entraining, in a human subject, short-term dissociated circadian rhythms or long-term desynchronized circadian rhythms, or for preventing, in a human subject, disruption of circadian rhythms following an environmental insult comprising orally administering melatonin as a chronobiotic to a human subject in need of such treatment, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to re-entrain short-term dissociated circadian rhythms, to re-entrain long-term desynchronized circadian rhythms, or to prevent disruption of circadian rhythms following an environmental insult.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
78 words
A therapeutic method for re-entraining, in a human subject, short-term dissociated circadian rhythms or long-term desynchronized circadian rhythms, or for preventing, in a human subject, disruption of circadian rhythms following an environmental insult comprising orally administering melatonin as a chronobiotic to a human subject in need of such treatment, the amount of melatonin being sufficient to re-entrain short-term dissociated circadian rhythms, to re-entrain long-term desynchronized circadian rhythms, or to prevent disruption of circadian rhythms following an environmental insult.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the human subject has disturbed circadian rhythms.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-11 | 1990-11-10 | 1991-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-11 | 1994-11-10 | 1995-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-11 | 1998-11-10 | 1999-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |