MXPA01007831A - Disposable device for transferring an active liquid into a body cavity - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a disposable device (1) for transferring an active liquid into a body cavity (2), having sufficient intrinsic consistency for being inserted by being thrust into said cavity, said device comprising:a central element (3), at the source of at least part of the active liquid, a peripheral element (4) arranged around the central element, comprising a pad (5) arranged to collect and absorb the active liquid delivered into the body cavity, by expanding and thereby being urged to press sealingly against the mucous membrane of the body cavity (2). The central element (3) comprises a substrate relatively solid at room temperature outside the body cavity, and turning relatively liquid inside the body cavity, such that therein, said central element is liquefied at least partly to generate at least part of the active liquid.

Description

DISPOSABLE DEVICE FOR TRANSFERRING AN ACTIVE LIQUID INSIDE A BODY CAVITY DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the transfer or circulation of an active liquid within or inside a body cavity of the human body or of an animal, particularly in contact with the mucous membrane of such cavity. The term "body cavity" should be understood to mean a body cavity, particularly an elongate cavity to which it can be accessed externally for various purposes, particularly clinical, therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic, but also for cosmetic or personal hygiene purposes. As an example of such a cavity, mention may be made of the vagina of the woman extending from the vulva to the cervix, into which an active liquid is to be transferred or in which a liquid is to be circulated. active liquid, in contact with the mucous membranes or tissues of such cavity. Accordingly, the term "active liquid" should be understood to mean any liquid or fluid for treatment, either locally via a topical route or systemically, and comprising generating a liquid or a fluid phase in which an agent is distributed. treatment in solution or in suspension. This treatment agent is selected from the group consisting of wetting agents, agents for solubilizing and fluidising, in particular a body fluid or a liquid present in the body cavity, therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents, cosmetics or personal care agents, antiseptics, bactericides , fungicides and spermicides (in the case of the vagina of the vagina of women, for example). An objective of the present invention is a disposable device that allows a better availability of the active principle or principles in contact with the mucous membrane of the wall of the body cavity, particularly when the treatment agent is a therapeutic agent. Another objective of the invention is a device which ensures the almost total absence of external flow of active liquid or body fluid or of any liquid present in the body cavity in question, during the time in which the device is present or maintained in the cavity, simply with constriction of it. For this purpose, according to the invention, the disposable device has a sufficient intrinsic consistency which can be inserted into the body cavity when pushing, and which comprises: a central element at the source of at least part of the active liquid in the body. as it comprises a substrate which is relatively solid at room temperature and outside the body cavity, and which becomes relatively liquid or fluid within this same cavity at body temperature so that within this cavity, the central element is liquefies at least partially to generate at least part of the liquid phase of the active liquid, [sic] a peripheral element distributed around the central element, in the solid state, comprising a pad designed to collect and absorb the active liquid which has Circulated within the body cavity as it expands and therefore placed pressed in a sealed manner against the mucous membrane of the body cavity. The present invention is now described by means of a non-limiting example with reference to the attached schematic drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a disposable device according to the invention, in position in a body cavity, and just after it is has inserted inside the latter when pushing it, this is done according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 1 is an axial sectional view through a device according to the invention, the latter having symmetry of revolution about an axis; Figures 2 to 4 show respectively three other embodiments of the present invention, still in axial section. According to FIG. 1, the disposable device according to the invention is provided with reference number 1. In general, it allows an active liquid, such as previously defined, to be delivered or released into the body cavity. indicated by the reference number 2. This device has an intrinsic and total consistency which is relatively firm but soft and rigid or sufficiently strong to allow it to be inserted into the cavity when pushed, without altering the structure of such a device, particularly without dissociating its various components or without breaking any capsule containing liquid which may be contained within the device (see the modality according to Figure 4). The device according to the invention essentially comprises two components that are assembled together permanently, specifically: a central element 3 as the source of at least part of the active liquid, as previously defined; and a peripheral element 4 distributed around the central element 3, comprising a pad 5 designed to absorb the active liquid which has circulated or has been delivered into the body cavity upon expansion and therefore is pressed in a relatively sealed manner against the mucous membrane of the body cavity (see the shape shown in the dashed line in Figure 1). The central element 3 comprises a substrate, for example based on gelatin, which is relatively solid at room temperature and outside the body cavity, and at body temperature (sic) and which becomes relatively liquid within the body cavity and at the temperature body so that within this cavity, the central element at least partially liquefies to generate at least part of the liquid phase of the active liquid. Gelatin can be replaced by any other substrate with the same properties, for example a lipid. Accordingly, in accordance with an essential feature of the present invention, therefore, the substrate of the central element which, by liquefaction within the body cavity and therefore within the human body or body of the animal, makes it possible to obtain the all or part of the liquid phase of the active liquid. As a preference, an agent for treating the body cavity as previously described is distributed separately in the solid substrate of the central element and this is done regardless of the physical form or the nature of the treatment agent were from the substrate, for example a oily, solid or liquid physical form, or if it has a hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature. This separate distribution of the treatment agent can be obtained by incorporating this agent into a substrate previously defined in the liquid phase when the disposable device according to the invention is manufactured. As clearly shown in Figure 1, the central element 3 is a kind of molded part, which is molded by the solidification of the liquid substrate, for example the gelatin. And pad 5 is a sleeve that is also molded or formed of a material capable of absorbing a liquid or a fluid as it expands. This material is, for example, a foam of a biocompatible plastic material or alternatively a fibrous material (for example of the cellulose type), open (for example folded) around the central element 3. The central element 3 and the peripheral element 4 are therefore adapted to each other so that they are placed together by simple axial thrust of the central element towards the peripheral element, or vice versa. The peripheral element 4 has a hole 4a, or perforation, particularly a blind hole, as shown in figure 1, the shape and size of which is correspondingly adapted to receive the body 3a of the central element 3. The head 3b of the central element 3 of the convex external shape, for example spherical, has a collar 6 while the peripheral element 4 has a neck 7, the shape and size of which are adapted to permanently retain the collar 6, when pushing axially to the element 3 central and to the peripheral element 4 together. As shown in Figure 1, the neck 7 has a cut-out which accommodates the collar 6 directed inwards and also externally convex, for example spherical. The leg 3c of the central element 3 has a protruding shape, while the element 4 peripheral has a flaring part 4d correspondingly, the shape and size of which are adapted to retain the leg 3c of the central element 3. The absorbent material of the pad 5 can be expanded or it is spongy and consists, for example, of filaments, hair fibers or natural fibers (for example cellulose or viscose), and so on. As mentioned above, it is the liquefaction or melting of the substrate of the central element 3 which generates at least part of the liquid phase of the active liquid within the body cavity 2 and then allows the pad 5 to expand when collecting the liquid in it, and this is the case at body temperature and within body cavity 2. In order to possibly recycle the active liquid in contact with the body cavity 2, the pad 5 is perforated, for example, with four radial passages 11 in a cross configuration, located below the hole 4a, and an opening on the outer face of the pad 5 and possibly in communication with the bottom of the hole 4a.

According to FIG. 2, the collar 6 extends towards the leg 3c of the central element 3 in the form of a skirt 6a which ends the part 4b of the peripheral element 4 away from the neck 7. Moreover, even according to FIG. 2, a cord 12 attached to the peripheral element 4 allows the disposable device 1 to be removed from the body cavity 2 after the latter has been placed, ie, after the substrate of the central element 3 has been liquefied. According to Figure 3, a closed temporary protective box 10 houses the central element 3 and the peripheral element 4 when these elements are assembled, as described above. This box consists, for example, of a substrate with the properties described above, for example based on gelatin. What we want to simplify is that this box is made of a material which is relatively solid at room temperature and outside the body cavity, so that inside this cavity and body temperature, this material melts and therefore constitutes another part of the liquid phase of the active liquid previously defined. However, this box 10 may consist of a pure or solid excipient, for example sucrose, as it is used in galenic form to obtain sugar-coated pills, and capable of dissolving or decomposing in contact with any body fluid present in the cavity 2.

According to Figure 4, the central element 3 is a capsule, whose wall 8 consists of the previously defined substrate and the interior of which contains another liquid 15, active or otherwise, the wall 8 is closed and sealed at room temperature and outside the body. The liquid contained in this way in the capsule makes it possible to increase the amount of liquid phase of the active liquid. This liquid 15 may have an appropriate form, for example oil, and may contain all or part of the treatment agent as previously described, in sion or in suspension in such liquid. As not shown in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the box 10 shown in FIG. 4 can be omitted, while the wall 8 forms an appendix that can be separated at its opposite end from the pad 5, which allows the user to open the capsule just before inserting the device into the body cavity and benefiting from a small amount of liquid 15 to moisten the outside of the device at the time of inserting it into the cavity. According to figures 1 to 4, a device according to the invention, before its insertion into the body cavity 2, comprises a proximal part, by means of which it is inserted into the body cavity 2, and a distal part lb, the largest transverse diameter of which is smaller than the largest transverse diameter of the distal part [ sic]. This allows the device to be temporarily held in the cavity before the active liquid is captured by expansion of the pad 5. This configuration also makes it possible to limit or eliminate any contact between the mucous membrane of the body cavity 2 and the absorbent material when the pad 5 is in the dry state at the moment of insertion of the device 1; for such contact can not only result in a non-negligible amount of friction but can also be a source of discomfort or pain for the user. On the other hand, by virtue of the configuration adopted, only the proximal part is covered with a relatively slippery collar 7, which slides in contact with the mucous membrane of the body cavity as the device is inserted. A disposable device as described previously provides the following essential advantages: the absorption of the treatment agent or agents by the mucous membrane of the body cavity is more complete and rapid; the incorporation of this treatment agent into the substrate of the central element makes it possible to have a precise and uniform amount of treatment agent which is also protected by the substrate, and this is kept away from any oxidation or hydrolysis, for example; the mucous membrane of the cavity and the active liquid are placed in complete contact with each other.

Claims (7)

1. A disposable device for transferring an active liquid into a body cavity, the device comprises: a core element comprising a substrate which is relatively solid at room temperature, outside the body cavity, and which becomes relatively liquid within the body cavity. cavity so that, within this cavity, the substrate at least partially liquefies to generate at least part of the active liquid, - a peripheral element distributed around the central element, comprising a pad designed to collect and absorb the active liquid supplied within the body cavity at least by the liquefaction of the substrate, the peripheral element expands and therefore begins to be pressed in a sealed manner against the mucous membrane of the body cavity, characterized in that the central element comprising the solid substrate is designed, in terms of form and size, to be received and maintained ermanently in the peripheral element to provide the device with sufficient intrinsic and total consistency to allow it to be inserted into the body cavity when pushed, without the central element detaching from the peripheral element.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the head of the central element has a collar, while the peripheral element has a neck, whose shape and size are adapted to permanently retain the collar by axially pushing the central element and the element peripheral together.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the leg of the central element has a protruding shape, while the peripheral element has a flared part, whose shape and size are adapted to retain the leg of the central element.

4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the collar extends towards the leg of the central element in the form of a skirt that tops the part of the peripheral element away from the neck.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central element is a capsule, whose wall consists of the substrate and the interior of which contains another liquid, active or otherwise, the wall is closed and sealed with respect to the liquid, at room temperature and outside the body cavity.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pad is perforated with at least one radial passage that is located below the hole, and that opens on the outer face of the pad and possibly communicates with the hole.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a proximal part and a distal part, the largest cross-sectional diameter of which is smaller than the largest transverse diameter of the distal part.