Medicament dispenser

Details Medicament dispenser Medicament dispenser

1999-01-15

2001-05-01

Seidel, Richard K. (Department: 3763)

Surgery

Means for introducing or removing material from body for...

Treating material introduced into or removed from body...

C604S198000, C604S218000, C604S263000, C604S275000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06224573

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a container and applicator system. Specifically, this invention relates to a disposable dispensing container for dispensing a medicament to a targeted site.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Heretofore it has been the practice to introduce substantially non-runny to semi-solid medicament materials, such as creams, ointments, gels, suspensions, solutions, colloids, salves and the like to a targeted site using a collapsible tube or jar with or without a dispenser. If a tube is utilized without a dispenser, the tube is squeezed by the user so that the medicant is forced out an opening onto the affected target area, generally bringing the tube in contact with the affected area. Use of a jar requires an applicator, or even the user's fingers, be “dipped” into the medicament prior to application.
Repeated use of the tube or jar can be messy, and subject the user to reinfection. Moreover, such tubes and jars are generally for topical use, and are not suitable for intraoral, intranasal, intra-aural, or intravaginal use.
Prior art attempts to alleviate these problems have included a dispenser, generally a tube, that is filled from the collapsible tube or jar. The dispenser is generally tapered and defined for body cavity introduction. However, repeated use of a non-disposable dispenser can cause reinfection in the user. Moreover, the combination of the collapsible tube or jar and dispenser is bulky and not readily disposable.
An alternate solution to the problems disclosed by the prior art have included syringes. However, while such syringes are readily used for introduction of the medicament into the body cavity, if reusable, the reinfection problem is not eliminated. If the syringe is disposable, the reinfection problem is eliminated, however syringes are difficult for nonmedical professionals to use, and may be intimidating. Furthermore, the plungers of the syringe are designed to be easily removable, and may cause loss of the material.
The present invention provides a device which overcomes the above-discussed problems using a disposable, applicator that doesn't leak, to provide a material to a targeted site.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a dispensing applicator suitable for use with a semi-solid medicament such as a cream, ointment, gel, suspension, viscous solution or colloidal suspension, salve, and the like. Moreover, the dispensing applicator provides for easy and accurate dosing of the medicament onto or into the body part at the site targeted for treatment, either as a single unit does or as several doses.
Examples of use of the dispensing applicator include delivery of a medicament to the urethra and urethral meatus for male erectile dysfunction; direct vaginal and/or clitoral application for female sexual dysfunction; intraoral application of a vaccine or oral care product; intranasal application of a vaccine or medicament; intra-aural application; or ophthalmic application of a medicament.
The disposable applicator includes a generally tubular hollow housing, a plunger and a replaceable cap. The housing includes opposing proximal and distal ends, a dispensing opening and a tapered inner surface with an alignment device. The distal end terminates in a dispensing nozzle which defines a dispensing passageway substantially co-axial with the housing. The plunger includes a peripheral edge and is configured for axial movement within the housing. The plunger peripheral edge is aligned by the alignment device and slidingly guided by the inner surface, supporting the plunger within the housing.
The replaceable cap is configured for engaging and covering the distal end of the housing in an airtight manner. Preferably, the airtight fit is provided by the interior surface of the replaceable cap engaging in a tight friction fit with the distal end of the housing. A plug on an interior surface of the cap operably engages and seals the dispensing opening and a first lip on the cap operably engages a lip on the housing.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description and from the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2516846 (1950-08-01), Betz
patent: 2518486 (1950-08-01), Mende
patent: 2925815 (1960-02-01), Lynn
patent: 3559645 (1971-02-01), Schaller
patent: 4469482 (1984-09-01), Lissenburg et al.
patent: 4950243 (1990-08-01), Estruch
patent: 5163907 (1992-11-01), Szuszkiewicz
patent: 5531703 (1996-07-01), Skwarek et al.
patent: 5540660 (1996-07-01), Jenson
patent: 5833382 (1998-11-01), Jenks et al.
patent: 5858000 (1999-01-01), Novacek et al.

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