Surgery – Controlled release therapeutic device or system
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-07
2002-04-23
Dawson, Glenn K. (Department: 3763)
Surgery
Controlled release therapeutic device or system
C604S131000, C604S151000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06375649
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a substance delivery device which incorporates a controlled delivery apparatus and retention apparatus for said substance delivery device.
Reference throughout this specification shall be made to the substance delivery device as being for the introduction of substances within a body cavity, for example such as intravaginal, intraruminal devices and the like for domestic animals, such as cows. It should be appreciated however, that the principles of the present invention can apply to far wider applications than this and can be used with respect to delivery devices where some control is required.
In particular, it is envisaged that the retention apparatus will enable the substance delivery device to be most commonly used in situations where said device, capable of insertion into a passage or body cavity of an animal, is required to be retained in said passage or body cavity. Such passages or body cavities are generally associated with the reproductive or digestive systems of an animal, and include the vagina, uterus, stomach, rumen, and so forth. Such devices are inserted into an animal's body cavity where control of parasites, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and so forth are desired, and where this control is effected through chemical and/or hormonal intervention.
However, the present invention could have applications outside this field. Accordingly, these delivery devices may not necessarily be within the body of animals or humans, but may interact with other environments such as horticultural, industrial, domestic and so forth.
BACKGROUND ART
Commonly, substance delivery devices inserted into a living animal for dispensing substances to the animal also employ retention apparatus. Accordingly, a range of retention apparata exist for retaining the substance delivery device within a passage or body cavity of an animal.
Some systems commonly used for retaining delivery devices capable of being inserted into a body cavity of an animal, incorporate a compressible helical coil, such as in Patent Nos. 228382 and 190350. The compressible coil is frequently capable of returning to the required shape after the device has been inserted into the animal's body cavity.
However, such coils rely on the overall bulk of the coil to retain the coil within the body cavity of an animal. Accordingly, the bulkiness of the coil may impede the flow of body secretions which may not be desirable. An unimpeded flow of body secretions is necessary for the normal biological functioning of the animal. Such body secretions include mucus, where such a device is used intravaginally.
In addition, the coil is typically capable of expanding and pressing against a considerable area of the wall of a body cavity of an animal, to the extent that it may be too bulky to pass back through passages leading into or out of the body cavity. Accordingly, when the functional utility of the device has been exhausted, removal of the device may be difficult.
Other systems commonly employed for retaining devices within the body cavity of an animal have incorporated a number of lobes, similar to those of Patent No. 193976 and Patent No. 200564. These lobes are often flexible enough to fold over onto each other for insertion into a body cavity of an animal and then spring open after the device is inside the animal. Frequently, the lobes perform a dual purpose of retaining the device within an animal's body cavity and of releasing an active ingredient, often impregnated into the lobe or in the coating around the lobe, into the animal's body cavity. Accordingly, the lobes may have a substantial, even rippled, surface area to ensure that sufficient active ingredient is available to perform the required function. In addition, the lobes are often specifically designed to provide a large surface area to enable the animal's body fluids to act on those surfaces to leach out active ingredients contained within the lobes.
However, the surface area of these devices is again capable of impeding the flow of body secretions. In addition, the natural elasticity of the lobes enables the lobes to be folded over onto each other to enable the device to be inserted into and removed from the animal's body cavity. However, an operator may be required to manually hold the lobes in the folded orientation, during insertion of the device into the animal's body cavity.
Further systems incorporate hinged legs or branched members, as in Patent Nos. 215635 and 230023, which may extend from one or both ends of the body of a device inserted into the body cavity of an animal. Again, these legs or members, as well as the body of the device, are typically impregnated with active ingredients required to be dispensed into the animal. Accordingly, it is desirable that the legs or members add to the overall surface area of the device to enable the active ingredients to be more efficiently leached from the device and into the animal. Again, the common problem associated with such devices and retention systems for these devices, is that initially the increased surface area may impede the flow of the animal's internal body secretions. Particularly, the flow of mucus in the vagina of the animal.
However, with time, erosion of the polymer layers which contain the active ingredients, effectively reduces the surface area, overall size, and overall weight of the device. A problem is therefore that as the device gets smaller and lighter it does not have the same retentive ability.
In addition, such systems typically require an applicator, such as those described in Patent Nos. 215483 and 207341. These applicators hold the legs or members into a required position to enable the device and the retention apparatus to be inserted into the animal's body cavity.
Often the applicators are complex or bulky structures, and are separate from the devices which they are capable of inserting. Inclusion of an applicator with the device may increase the costs of manufacture, and require insertion of the device into the applicator thereby extending the time associated with inserting devices into the animals.
Yet other systems may incorporate a number of distensible ribs, such as in Patent No. 173926. The ribs are capable of being distended into a possible retaining position by the action of a plunger system. When the plunger system is released the distensible ribs return to the undistended position for withdrawal. However, these devices are typically used for single applications of pharmaceutical formulations into the body cavity of an animal and are not intended to, nor are suitable for, retaining device over longer periods. The bulkiness of the plunger system, if left attached to the device could be a source of discomfort to the animal; the distensible ribs are typically unsuited to retaining a device in a larger body cavity; and the surface area of the ribs would impede the body's flow of secretions.
Yet other retention devices may be of sufficient dimensions to be retained in the body cavity of an animal by relying on muscle tension around the retention device. Such devices are typically used as intra-vaginal contraceptive devices for animals, such as in Patent No. 173808. However, the dimensions of the retention device may prevent penile insertion during attempted intermission by the male animal, and/or impede flows of body secretions, particularly vaginal mucus.
Accordingly, it would be desirable if the retention apparatus of a substance delivery device enabled the delivery device to be easily inserted and removed, yet was reliably retained for required periods, and did not impede flow of body secretions or adversely affect normal functioning by its mere physical presence.
Similarly, a range of delivery apparata for delivering substances are well known, and have broad application.
Many incorporate pumps and are used to dispense common substances such as petrol and air. Some delivery apparata are used inside a living animal to dispense useful substances such as chemicals or drugs.
For example, ther
Advanced Animal Technology Limited
Darby & Darby
Maynard Jennifer
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